Holland America Cruise to the Arctic Circle in 2024
Holland America has big plans to add more and longer cruises to Alaska in 2024.
Nome, Alaska. Nome! For five years, I have been trying to find a way to Nome without flying. I nearly fell out of my chair when I read the email that there’s a Holland America Arctic Circle cruise in 2024 AND, it includes a stop in Nome!
Why do I want to get to Nome? In case you don’t know me that well, I’m a huge fan of Wyatt and Josephine Earp.
In the spring of 1889, in search of newfound riches, the famous frontiersman and his common law wife finally arrived in Nome. They traveled by steamship from California. I’ve been on their trail until I could go no further without flying into Nome.
This special Holland America cruise to the Arctic Circle and back to the lower 48 is a dream come true for me. No flying. Just three trains from Florida to Seattle and a short train ride from Seattle to Vancouver and it’s All Aboard Holland America!
And now you can get to Nome, too, with Holland America aboard Westerdam! Read on for voyage details.
Holland America Arctic Circle Cruise
In commemoration of Alaska’s statehood on January 3, 1959, Holland America Line revealed its lineup of 2024 Alaska season. The highlight is the debut of their new 28-day Arctic Circle itinerary that includes 12 Alaska ports.
Holland America also offers 14-day voyages and 117 weeklong Alaska cruises, reinforcing the cruise line’s role as the leader in Alaska cruising.
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The Most Visits into Glacier Bay National Park
Holland America offers more sailings to Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line.
Plus, it’s the only cruise line to include tours into the vast Yukon plus into Denali on their overland Cruisetours. With over 75 years of Alaska exploration Holland America Line knows how to showcase their decades of expertise into each cruise experience.
“Holland America Line is proud of our rich history of bringing the best service at sea to Alaska, and we’re excited to reveal details of our 2024 season including a new monthlong Arctic Circle itinerary that is the most immersive we’ve ever offered in this region,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of Holland America Line. “With six ships serving Alaska and the only cruise line with owned land operations in Denali and the Yukon, no one does Alaska better than Holland America Line.”
Beginning in April and running through September 2024, Holland America offers cruises to Alaska aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam.
The line’s 2024 cruises are now open for booking. The 2024 Cruisetours, that combine an Alaska cruise with an overland expedition to Denali and the Yukon, are planned to be available for reservations in February.
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Highlights of 2024 Alaska Cruises
- The exciting new 28-day “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise aboard Westerdam departs from Seattle on June 9, to coincide with the Summer Solstice. The voyage sails roundtrip from Seattle to the Bering Sea, a totally new itinerary for Holland America. Alaskan ports include Anchorage, Dutch Harbor, Haines (Skagway), Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Nome, Seward, Sitka, Valdez and Wrangell. The service stop will be at Prince Rupert, in Canada before returning to Seattle. Scenic cruising includes Glacier Bay, Inside Passage, Tracy Arm, College Fjord, Little Diomede Island, Prince William Sound and Hubbard Glacier.
- The 14-day “Great Alaskan Explorer” itinerary offers in-depth adventure at eight Alaska ports. Departures are roundtrip from Vancouver.
- Nieuw Amsterdam (May 5): Anchorage, Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Skagway, Valdez and Wrangell, with Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier.
- Noordam (Sept. 15), Anchorage, Homer, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Prince Rupert, Skagway, Sitka and Valdez, with Glacier Bay.
- Seven-day “Northbound Glacier Discovery” and “Southbound Glacier Discovery” are what’s called “cross-Gulf cruises” between
Whittier (Anchorage) and Vancouver aboard Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam. Ports include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. - Seven-day “Alaska Inside Passage” cruises sail roundtrip from Vancouver on Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Zaandam. Ports include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
- Seven-day “Alaskan Explorer” cruises sail roundtrip from Seattle aboard Eurodam and Westerdam. Ports include Victoria, British Columbia (evening stay); and Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka. Eurodam also includes Alaska’s Icy Strait Point and Glacier Bay while Westerdam explores Dawes Glacier.
READ MORE: Do You Need a Passport for an Alaska Cruise?
Every Alaska Cruise Includes at Least One day of Glacier Viewing
Among the glaciers visited are a day spent in Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier and Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm.
As on all Holland America Alaska cruises, enrichment programs are led by Alaska naturalists, park rangers and local Huna Tlinglit guides. Part of the immersive experience in Alaska, the programs provide a deeper look into Alaska’s history, native culture, whale spotting and chances to see the Big Five: bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep.
When is the Early Booking Bonus Offered?
For a limited time, when you book Alaska 2024 cruises with the Have It All premium package, you’ll receive a free bonus upgrade to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi, as well as free prepaid Crew Appreciation (gratuities).
The standard Have it All package also includes amenities of shore excursions and specialty dining along with the Signature Beverage and Surf Wi-Fi packages.
Holland America’s ‘Alaska Up Close’ Immersion Program
Holland America Line’s “Alaska Up Close” program gives guests an in-depth look at the local culture with authentic onboard programming, cruise activities and award-winning shore excursions.
The exclusive experiences are delivered through experts leading workshops and lectures from those who know Alaska best, EXC Talks exploring the stories of real Alaskans, tours highlighting the best of each destination, and fine dining events showcasing the culinary traditions of the region.
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Partnership
Holland America Line is partners with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to highlight the line’s commitment to sustainably sourced wild Alaska seafood and its use of Alaska seafood exclusively on all ships serving the Last Frontier.
During each Alaska cruise, more than 2,000 pounds of Alaska Salmon, 1,000 pounds of Alaska cod, 800 pounds of Alaska halibut, 500 pounds of Alaska rockfish are served.
Certified Sustainable Seafood
In 2022, Holland America Line was awarded Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification — making it the first cruise line to achieve this distinguished credential by serving only fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood.
Want to experience the Holland America Arctic cruise and the first Bering Sea voyage to Nome? Don’t hesitate to book. The suites and balcony staterooms are the first to sell.
