Alaska Cruises 2023-2024 - Cruise to Alaska

Find the Best Alaska Cruise For You

Explore the dynamic glaciers, soaring peaks and captivating history of the 49th state on our award-winning itineraries. Sail Alaska’s serene seas to Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier for a chance to witness ice calving, known as “white thunder.” Extend your Alaska vacation with a cruisetour, a combination of ocean cruise and land tour deep into Alaska’s rugged interior.

Anniversary Sale Offer

Join us as we celebrate 150 years of cruising! Experience the incredible wilderness and wildlife that makes us love Alaska with reduced fares, up to $150 Onboard Credit per person and more on Summer 2023 cruises!

Why Cruise Alaska with Holland America

With us, Alaska travel is personal. We’ve been sharing the wonders of Alaska longer than any other cruise line. See the best of the Great Land’s glaciers, coastal towns and wildlife on board perfectly sized ships offering superior service and exclusive programming.

A pair of Dall Sheep

Alaska Wildlife

Few places can compete with Alaska’s wildlife diversity. With more than 20 animal sanctuaries and sightseeing excursions, we bring you closer to creatures great and small. Learn about the Big Five and other amazing animals you might spot.

White Pass & Yukon Railroad train

White Pass & Yukon Railroad

Hop a train back in time to the Klondike Gold Rush. Built during peak gold fever, this 120-year-old iron trail traverses tunnels, trestles and misty valleys to the White Pass Summit at 2,865 feet.

View of tundra wilderness and glacier in Alaska

Alaska National Parks

Like everything else in Alaska, the Great Land’s national parks far exceed expectations. Read about Glacier Bay’s seven tidewater glaciers, Denali’s 6-million acres of undisturbed wilderness, Kenai Fjords' astonishing Exit Glacier and other national parks.

View of an alaska glacier

Alaska's Glaciers

Glaciers are more than breathtaking rivers of ice. They are living laboratories that show what the Earth was like thousands of years ago and how it is changing today. Get ready for the ultimate glacier experience.

Northern Lights seen in Alaska

Northern Lights

Many flock to Alaska every year for a chance to witness the aurora borealis. Did you know they are more likely to display during high solar activity cycles? Find out how to pick the best time to see the northern lights in Alaska.

Alaska Cruise Sneak Preview

Below is a mere glimpse of what you will experience on our Alaskan cruises. Come along to see the real Alaska, one too big for the screen.

Alaska's Glaciers

Meet Alaska's Giants, Face-To-Face

With 75 years in Alaska, we know every nook, cranny and crevasse. We have more Alaska cruise port departures featuring Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. All Alaska cruises include one or more glacier-viewing days, and you’ll get closer to ‘the giants’ on ships perfectly sized for the Great Land.

Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay mesmerizes with vivid blue icebergs, rugged coastlines, and massive rivers of ice. On our Alaska cruises, you don’t just see Glacier Bay. You learn about its history and ecosystem from Huna Tlingit guides and National Park rangers. Get face-to-face with a frozen giant and wait in anticipation for calving, one of the more spectacular sights to see aboard an Alaskan cruise ship. A true bucket list experience.

Cruise To Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier in Alaska is a rebel. Nicknamed “the Galloping Glacier,” it’s advancing, while most are receding. At six miles wide, covered in bright blue ripples, Hubbard amazes with spectacular calving.

Alaska Cruises To College Fjord

College Fjord is lined with Ivy league Alaskan glaciers, named during the Harriman Expedition with John Muir and other scientists. There’s a spot in the fjord where you can see eight glaciers at once.

Cruises To Tracy Arm, Alaska

Tracy Arm dazzles with snow-capped peaks rising from emerald waters. Spot bears shuffling along the shore and chubby seals chilling out on ice floes.

Glacier Bay Experts

Enjoy an unparalleled Glacier Bay experience with privileged park access and more sailings to Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. Rangers and Huna Tlingit guides help spot wildlife and explain the cultural significance behind every sight.

Alaska Cruise Itineraries

Weekly Alaska Cruises May to September

Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures. Enjoy a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle on Alaskan Explorer itineraries or from Vancouver on Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries.

ALASKAN EXPLORER

7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle. Explore Victoria and three iconic Alaska ports: Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. On Saturday departures, scenic cruise Glacier Bay. See Hubbard Glacier on Sunday cruise departures.

ALASKAN INSIDE PASSAGE

7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Vancouver. Glide calm waters to Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Experience the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and other scenic wilderness areas.

Featured Alaska Cruise Itineraries

Roundtrip Alaska Cruise from Seattle

Roundtrip Alaska Cruise from Seattle

A 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle.

View of the city of Vancouver, Canada

Roundtrip Alaska Cruise from Vancouver

A 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Vancouver.

McKinley explorer train on Alaska cruise

Alaska Cruisetours

Cruise to Alaska, explore Denali or Denali and the Yukon.

We Bring Alaska On Board

BBC Earth In Concert

Watch groundbreaking Alaskan wildlife footage set to a live orchestra. This innovative performance will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Experts On Board Your Cruise To Alaska

Get to know the real Alaska. In Glacier Bay National Park, rangers and members of local tribes give engaging presentations, answer your questions and point out areas of interest.

An Unrivaled Culinary Journey

Fresh-caught salmon, Alaskan craft beer, and special events, such as Port to Table cooking demonstrations and FOOD & WINE® tours fill each day of your Alaska cruise with frontier flavor.

Alaska Immersion With Explorations Central™

Have a richer, more meaningful experience with dynamic and informative talks from those who know Alaska best. Examples of EXC® Talks on Alaska cruises include: We Are Alaska, Alaska’s Iconic Whales, Iditarod: The Last Great Race.

Our Alaska Seafood Is Certified Sustainable

Our Alaska seafood is not only delicious, it’s certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM). We’re the first and only cruise line to achieve this important credential, demonstrating our commitment to the fish and the Alaska communities responsible for the catch.

Alaska Up Close

Deepen your connection to this incredible land with our exclusive Alaska cruise programming.

Why Cruise Our Mid-Sized Ships

Choose from seven refreshingly uncrowded ships for a front-row seat to Alaska's splendor.

Koningsdam

Koningsdam

Fluid lines, light-filled spaces and a blend of modern elegance and nautical tradition make Koningsdam a sublime ship for Alaska cruises.

Eurodam

Eurodam

Eurodam was named “Best for Great Dining & Diverse Destinations” and features a vast selection of entertainment venues and restaurants.

Nieuw Amsterdam

Nieuw Amsterdam

Cruise to Alaska in high style. Nieuw Amsterdam's exceptional onboard experience earned "Best Cruise Ship Overall" at the Travvy Awards.

Noordam

Noordam

Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam is fitting for a cruise to Alaska. Museum-quality art outfits this ship, from oils to photographs of music legends.

Westerdam

Westerdam

Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class Alaska cruise ship.

Zuiderdam

Zuiderdam

Classic nautical finishes and a spectacular art collection make the Zuiderdam the ideal sanctuary for your cruise to Alaska.

Volendam

Volendam

An elegant and spacious Alaska cruise ship with fresh floral arrangements and garden-inspired décor. Master frontier flavor with regional cooking demonstrations on board.

Best Shore Excursions On An Alaska Cruise

Top 10 Alaska Shore Excursions

Adventure among narrow fjords, rugged mountains, and verdant forests in remote outposts that tell the hardscrabble history of Alaska. From Sitka to Ketchikan and Skagway, experience top shore excursions and find out what Alaska truly offers.

Great for Families

Kids love learning about animals! Take your little rangers on Best of Sitka: Otters, Raptors and Bears and safely see Sitka wildlife in three locations.

Ideal for Adventurers

Spend three hours exploring the great outdoors. Paddle the rugged Alaska coastline on the Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure, looking for whale spouts and brown bears along the way.

Iconic Alaska Cruise Ports & Destinations

Convenient Alaska Cruise Departure Ports

Our Alaska cruise departure ports have big personalities and loads of attractions.

Best Alaska Cruises from Seattle

Best Alaska Cruises from Seattle

Set out on your Alaska cruise from Seattle’s serene waterfront. Visit its most popular attractions, such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Do as locals do and fuel up at one of the numerous cafes.

View of the city of Vancouver, Canada

Alaska Cruises from Vancouver

Sightsee in this bustling metropolis before gliding the Inside Passage en route to Alaska. Historic neighborhoods and a thriving food scene await.

Mountains and water on a Whittier Alaska cruise

Alaska Cruises from Whittier

Conveniently located an hour and a half from Anchorage, Whittier is a small town on the shore of the glacier-filled Prince William Sound.

Cruise To Alaska Travel Tips & Articles

What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise

Leave the heavy-duty winter coats and boots at home—easily removable, waterproof layers are best. Pack thermal layers that can keep you comfortable in temperatures ranging from 30- to 80-degrees Fahrenheit. Outfitters often provide special gear for Alaska cruise shore excursions, so there is no need to load your bags with crampons and waders. Stick to casual activewear meant for moving about in the great outdoors. Bring a few outfits for formal nights and dinners on ship.

Planning an Alaska Cruise Itinerary with Kids

The Great Land’s incredible coast and thundering glaciers are best experienced by boat, but many parents wonder if an Alaska cruise with kids is as convenient and enjoyable as it sounds. The answer is yes! It takes some extra planning and patience but creates great memories. Kid-friendly cruises are the most convenient way for the fam to experience the Last Frontier. Multi-generational Alaska cruises with grandparents are growing in popularity.

How to Pick the Best Month For Your Alaska Cruise

The best time to cruise to Alaska is a matter of personal preference. The "best time" could be different for a solo traveler who dreams of photographing bears than it is for a parent who wants a family vacation in the great outdoors. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. The Alaska cruise season is just five months long, from May to September, although Holland America Line offers Alaska cruises in late April and early October.

The Complete Guide to Alaska Glacier Viewing

Alaska glaciers are emblems of climate change and at the same, vestiges from centuries ago. They are nature’s Michelangelo, sculpting deep fjords. They have a profound impact on landscapes, wildlife, and people. There are many ways to experience Alaska glaciers on Alaska cruises. Hike a glacier. Helicopter onto one. Carve it up on a dogsled. Learn the fascinating science behind Alaska glaciers, where to see the best glaciers in Alaska, and get an overview of all the opportunities for icy adventures that await you on an Alaskan cruise.

Top Things to Do in Alaska

There are things to do in Alaska that you cannot do anywhere else. Helicopter onto a glacier. Spend a day pulling in Alaskan king crab or watching grizzlies snap fish from a river. Ride along a steep cliff in an old-fashioned railcar. Sit on a deck and soak in the arctic air. Of course, any list of the top things to do in Alaska is subjective …there are all kinds of Alaska attractions to keep at the top of your Alaska cruise itinerary, from heart-pounding adventures to contemplative outdoor activities.

Best Places to Visit in Alaska

Alaska is a vast wilderness that’s steeped in history and dotted with rustic outposts. It’s an incredible region, a true bucket-list destination from the shimmering glaciers to Denali, the Great One. When it comes to finding the best places to visit in Alaska, start with what appeals to you the most. Here are some of our favorite places to go in Alaska drawing from nearly 75 years of experience.

Whale Watching on Alaska Cruises

Nothing compares to viewing an animal in its natural habitat. It is a humbling experience, especially when it comes to whales, one of the more entertaining Alaska creatures to spy on. When you go whale watching on an Alaska cruise, you could see a humpback breach or an orca pod on a hunt. Alaska waters are known to host eight different species of whales inhabiting or migrating through its seas and fjords.

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Best Cruise in Alaska