All Aboard for 80 Years of Alaska Adventures With Holland America Line
From historic railways to glacier cruises, more than three dozen experiences will help guests discover the Alaska that has captivated travellers for generations.
If you think Alaska is all about towering glaciers, spectacular wildlife and scenery that makes you want to reach for your camera every five minutes, Holland America Line has some exciting news for your next great adventure.
The cruise line is preparing to celebrate 80 years of exploring Alaska in 2027, and it's marking the occasion with a collection of experiences that take guests back to the early days of its Alaska journeys.
Introducing Alaska Heritage Tours, a collection of more than three dozen tours celebrating the railways, glaciers, wildlife, wilderness and national parks that have helped make Alaska such a memorable destination.
Some of these experiences trace their roots back around eight decades, connecting today's guests with places and traditions that travellers enjoyed generations ago. Although the tours have evolved over the years, Holland America Line says they continue to offer an authentic connection to Alaska's history, culture and communities.
And with landscapes like Alaska's on the itinerary, it's probably worth making sure your camera has plenty of storage!
All aboard for a journey through Alaska's history
The new collection brings together some of the experiences that have become enduring favourites with Holland America Line guests.
Among them is the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, following a route forged during the Klondike Gold Rush. It's a chance to experience a railway journey through the mountains above Skagway while following a route with a fascinating connection to Alaska's past.
Another featured experience is Riverboat Discovery, where travellers have long explored Alaska's interior by river.
These tours show how the ways people discover Alaska have changed over time, while the landscapes and appeal of the destination continue to draw visitors back.
Carole Biencourt, Holland America Line's vice president of onboard revenue, said many of the experiences travellers seek out today are the same ones that inspired visitors decades ago.
As the cruise line approaches its 80th season in the region, it says these tours continue to connect guests with Alaska's landscapes, wildlife and communities.
Five Alaska Heritage Tours to put on your radar
With more than three dozen experiences included in the collection, there's plenty to explore. Here are five featured tours highlighted by Holland America Line.
McKinley Explorer Railroad
<PRIVATE_PERSON>Board the glass-domed McKinley Explorer and journey through Alaska's interior, taking in some of the state's spectacular scenery along the way. It's also included in Holland America Line's Alaska Cruisetours.
White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad
Follow the historic Klondike Gold Rush route through the mountains above Skagway. History lovers and railway enthusiasts will find plenty to appreciate on this scenic journey.
Mendenhall Glacier Explorer
Discover Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, one of Alaska's best-known natural attractions. Guests calling at Juneau can choose from several ways to experience the glacier.
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Head out among tidewater glaciers, with opportunities to look for whales, sea otters and other marine wildlife. Keep those binoculars handy!
Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour
Venture deep into Denali National Park for opportunities to spot Alaska's iconic wildlife and take in its sweeping tundra landscapes.
These experiences offer different ways to discover the Great Land, whether your idea of a perfect day involves a historic railway, a glacier or looking out for wildlife in the wilderness.
Celebrating eight decades of Alaska exploration
Holland America Line's Alaska heritage stretches beyond its new tour collection. The cruise line says its experience in the region now includes more than 200 shore excursions, covering everything from whale watching and bear viewing to glacier discoveries, cultural encounters and wilderness adventures.
Guests can also learn more about the destination through its Alaska Up Close presentations, National Park Service rangers, onboard experts and local and Native voices who share perspectives on the region's history, wildlife and cultures.
Glacier experiences remain another important part of the offering, with destinations including Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, Tracy Arm and College Fjord. Holland America Line also highlights its Alaska Glacier Guarantee™.
And it's not just the scenery that gets attention. The cruise line's Destination Dining™ includes fresh Alaska seafood, an Alaska Brunch, an Alaska Seafood Boil and other dishes and drinks inspired by local flavours.
For those wanting to venture further inland, there are also opportunities to visit a private wilderness lodge and take overnight journeys into Dawson City in the Yukon.
In other words, there are plenty of ways to experience Alaska beyond admiring it from the ship's deck, although we certainly wouldn't blame anyone for spending a good amount of time there, either!
Which 2027 cruises feature Alaska Heritage Tours?
The collection is available on selected Alaska cruises and Cruisetours in 2027, with several itinerary options offering access to different experiences.
Alaska Cruisetours, including Denali and Yukon itineraries
These offer the most extensive access to the Alaska Heritage Tours collection. All Cruisetours include a journey aboard the glass-domed McKinley Explorer, alongside either the Denali Natural History Tour or the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour.
Selected itineraries also include Heritage Tour options in Seward or Fairbanks. Yukon Cruisetours feature a ride aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, bringing together two of the collection's signature railway experiences.
Alaska Explorer and Inside Passage itineraries
Guests on itineraries calling at Juneau can choose from several experiences featuring Mendenhall Glacier.
28-Day Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle
For travellers looking for a longer adventure, this extended itinerary includes calls in Haines, Valdez and Anchorage, with access to a broad range of Alaska Heritage Tours.
Glacier Discovery itineraries
Cruises beginning or ending in Whittier provide access to Heritage Tours showcasing the natural beauty of Southcentral Alaska.
As tour availability varies by itinerary, guests should check the details of their chosen cruise or Cruisetour to see which experiences are available.
Bookings are now open for selected 2027 sailings
Holland America Line's Alaska Heritage Tours collection is now open for booking on selected 2027 Alaska cruises and Cruisetours.
With the cruise line approaching its 80th season in the region, the collection celebrates the experiences that have connected generations of travellers with Alaska's railways, glaciers, wildlife and wilderness.
Whether you'd choose a historic train journey, a cruise among glaciers or the chance to spot wildlife in Denali National Park, there's a wide range of ways to discover the Great Land.
And with eight decades of Alaska exploration behind it, Holland America Line is looking ahead to its anniversary year by bringing together some of the experiences that have helped make the destination such a lasting favourite.
Now, where did we put those binoculars?
Until next time, keep dreaming of your next cruise.