New Itineraries Shape Alaska Cruise Season 2027 Beyond The Ships
The Alaska cruise season 2027 will mark 80 years of Holland America Line operating in the region. The company says its decades of experience inform its onboard and onshore offerings, from local food to opportunities for wildlife viewing and glacier visits. For the anniversary, it plans new itineraries, special celebrations, culinary events and enrichment programs. These plans follow the close of the 2026 season, which brought new food and beverage options, updates to land tours and financial support for organizations in the port communities the company visits.
Holland America’s connection to Alaska began before the state was established. In the press release, company president Beth Bodensteiner reflected on the successful 2026 season and the approaching anniversary, saying the line’s experience gives it a deep understanding of the destination. She said the company aims to create meaningful connections with Alaska and its communities. The release points to fresh local seafood on Alaska sailings, stays at Holland America Denali Lodge and the option to combine a cruise with a visit to the Yukon as examples of how the company links its ship and land programs.
Six Ships Will Sail From Three Ports
Six ships are scheduled to sail Alaska from April through September 2027: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. Departures will be available from Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Whittier, Alaska. The Alaska cruise season 2027 adds an eight-day Alaska Inside Passage voyage, sailing roundtrip from Vancouver. It will visit Glacier Bay and call at Skagway, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert in British Columbia, joining well-known Alaskan stops with a Canadian port.
Longer voyages will also feature in the schedule. Noordam is due to operate the 28-day Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise for a third year. Departing Seattle on June 6, it will travel to the Bering Sea and into the Arctic Circle around the Summer Solstice. Noordam will also sail a seven-day Great Bear Rainforest cruise. Zaandam is scheduled for two 18-day Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer voyages, combining Alaska with the wildlife and coastal landscapes of British Columbia.
New Denali Lodge Options Ahead of Alaska Cruise Season 2027
The anniversary plans extend beyond the ships to Holland America Denali Lodge, near Denali National Park and Preserve. Renovations due for completion in 2027 include two new guest buildings that will replace older structures and add 72 rooms to the lodge’s capacity. The Main Lodge’s interiors and public spaces will be refreshed, and the Grizzly Grind coffee shop will be fully renovated. For the Alaska cruise season 2027, these upgrades will add to the company’s land-based offerings in the Denali area.
Holland America also plans to continue its Ultimate Alaska & Denali Cruisetours, adding a tour director to the multi-day inland portion. This gives guests a guided component during their time on land. The company says its upcoming program builds on investments made during 2026, when it introduced changes to lodge dining, cocktails and inland touring. Together, these developments connect the anniversary season with work already underway to expand the range of experiences available to guests.
New Voyages Build On 2026 Guest Updates
Glaciers featured prominently in 2026, with more than 150 opportunities to visit at least one of Alaska’s glaciated destinations. The cruise line named Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier and Endicott Arm among the highlights; shore excursions also included visits to Mendenhall and Portage glaciers. At Denali Lodge, chef Ethan Stowell redesigned menus with more local ingredients and flavors. Guests also saw refreshed accommodations and public spaces. Across the fleet, bartender Sam Ross created Alaska-focused cocktails, including the new Glacial Ice Cocktails.
Community Support Remains Part Of The Alaska Program
The press release reports more than $320,000 in 2026 contributions to organizations and initiatives in Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Denali. The support included $75,000 for Ketchikan American Legion Post 3 and a $5,000 donation to Scouting America Troops 4 and 2004 through the company’s Pennies program. Holland America contributed a further $150,000 to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for animal care and development of the Holland America Moose Promenade.
The Alaska cruise season 2027 follows a year in which the company says community support remained important to its regional presence. Through On Deck for a Cause, guests raised more than $60,000 for Alaska Geographic, an education partner for Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands. These donations complement the company’s direct contributions and its cruise and land operations. As Holland America approaches its 80th year in Alaska, it says it intends to keep supporting the communities and landscapes connected to its voyages. The Alaska cruise season 2027 will bring that anniversary into focus with new voyage options, Denali Lodge improvements and a continuing commitment to the region.