Our 7-day Alaska explorer cruise is one of the most complete introductions to the Great Land you can make in a week — tidewater glaciers, storied port towns, wildlife, and Inside Passage scenery, all from a single sailing. Glide steel-gray waters past rugged cliffs and forested isles. Discover Victoria’s countless charms, including a city of blooming gardens, afternoon tea, and a beautifully preserved Inner Harbour. Take thrilling excursions ashore in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka. Linger at the face of frozen giants in Glacier Bay National Park. Or sidle up to Hubbard Glacier and watch house-sized icebergs cannon into the sea. Glaciers, wildlife, and frontier towns are yours on these voyages. This is Alaska at its most vibrant.
7-Day Alaska Explorer Cruises
Maps of Alaska Explorer Cruise
Stop into iconic destinations and cruise Glacier Bar or Hubbard Glacier.
Ports of Call on These Cruises
- Seattle
- Puget Sound
- Scenic Cruising Stephens Passage
- Juneau
- Glacier Bay (on select cruises)
- Icy Strait Point (on select cruises)
- Hubbard Glacier (on select cruises)
- Sitka
- Ketchikan
- Victoria, BC
Ships Sailing This Cruise
What Is an Alaska Explorer Cruise?
An Alaska explorer cruise is a 7-day itinerary designed to cover the breadth of southeast Alaska in a single voyage — multiple port calls, Inside Passage scenic cruising, and up-close time with a tidewater glacier. Our explorer cruise itineraries give guests a choice between Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in North America, making them one of the most comprehensive Alaska sailing options available.
Why Take This Cruise?
Spend more time sightseeing and less time getting there with our prime Alaska docking locations. Air travel is a breeze with roundtrip 7-day Alaska cruises. Weekend departures give you the option to stretch your vacation and explore the Emerald City.
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Alaska Explorer Cruise Ships
Understated Elegance on Eurodam
Discover Great Land splendors from an award-winning ship that impresses with understated elegance. On the award-winning Eurodam, named "Best for Great Dining & Diverse Destinations," you will enjoy a vast dining and entertainment selection on board.
The Sumptuous Westerdam
Have a front-row seat to thunderous glaciers and crystalline fjords on this superb Vista-class ship. Sink into a refreshed suite as Alaska scenery slips by.
Plan Your Alaska Explorer Cruise
Holland America has sailed Alaska for more than 75 years, and that depth of experience shows in every detail of the explorer cruise — from the National Park Rangers aboard in Glacier Bay to the perfectly positioned port calls that put you steps from each destination’s best. Look for itineraries that visit Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier, pick the ship and departure that fits your schedule, and get ready for a week that covers more ground — and more wonder — than you might expect.
View our wide selection of Alaska cruise itineraries to find your perfect 2026-2027 sailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ships sail Holland America’s Alaska Explorer cruise?
Westerdam and Eurodam both sail 7-day Alaska Explorer cruise itineraries. The Eurodam is recognized for its dining and entertainment; the Westerdam is a Vista-class ship with spacious suites and expansive open decks well-suited to glacier viewing.
What ports does the Holland America Alaska Explorer cruise visit?
Ports of call include Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Victoria, BC, with scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park or past Hubbard Glacier depending on the itinerary. Seattle serves as the roundtrip homeport.
What's the difference between the Glacier Bay and Endicott Arm itineraries?
Both are 7-day Alaska explorer cruises, but they feature different glacier experiences. The Glacier Bay itinerary includes National Park Rangers aboard and visits Glacier Bay National Park. The Endicott Arm itinerary sails deep into a dramatic fjord toward Dawes Glacier, winding past steep granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and drifting ice — a more intimate, up-close scenic cruising experience.