Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season. For more than 80 years, Holland America Line has helped define what an Alaskan cruise vacation should be, combining destination-filled itineraries, memorable wildlife encounters, and meaningful connections to the region. The 2028 season continues this tradition while introducing several new reasons to explore the Big Earth, including unique itineraries, first-ever experiences, and the arrival of the newly refurbished Oosterdam.
The 2028 season includes cruises ranging from seven to 18 days aboard the Oosterdam, Noordam, Eurodam, Koningsdam, Westerdam, and Zaandam, with round-trip itineraries from Seattle and Vancouver, between Vancouver and Whittier, and a new voyage from San Diego to Vancouver. Whether watching glaciers calve into the sea, spotting whales and bears in the wild, learning from local experts onboard, or discovering Alaska's unique cultures ashore, guests can experience the destination through thoughtfully crafted itineraries and in-depth regional knowledge.
“What has always set Holland America Line apart in Alaska is our ability to combine the iconic experiences guests dream of with opportunities to discover the destination in ways they’ve never experienced before,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of revenue planning and deployment for Holland America Line. “Our 2028 season reflects this approach, combining the great Alaskan attractions guests expect with a collection of distinctive experiences, from off-the-beaten-path itineraries and less-traveled waterways to new ways to enjoy the journey on board. It’s a season designed to give guests an even deeper connection to Alaska.”.
Building on an already established Alaska program, the 2028 season adds several distinctive experiences for guests seeking to discover the destination from a different perspective. Highlights include a unique 11-day California to Alaska: Shores, Fjords & Glaciers itinerary, scenic cruising for the first time through Nootka Sound on select Great Alaska Explorer and Great Bear Rainforest itineraries, and the Alaskan debut of the newly refurbished Oosterdam following its Evolution transformation.
First ship in Alaska with Holland America Evolution
As part of the 2028 Alaska season, guests will have the opportunity to sail aboard the newly transformed Oosterdam , the first ship to debut Holland America Evolution, the cruise line’s largest fleet investment in its 153-year history. Oosterdam will also be the flagship for Holland America Line’s Alaska Cruisetours, allowing guests to easily combine their cruise with a land-based experience in Denali and the Yukon. Details and availability for the 2028 Cruisetours will be announced at a later date, while the 2027 Alaska Cruisetours are now available for booking.
Among the new features being added to Oosterdam are Solo Verandah staterooms, designed specifically for solo travelers; the new, spacious Bridgeview Suites, with panoramic forward-facing views; and the guest-favorite Grand Dutch Café, inspired by Holland America Line’s Dutch heritage. The transformation also includes refurbished staterooms and suites, updated guest spaces, and enhancements inspired by the Pinnacle Class ships.
“The Alaskan landscape is already unforgettable, and Oosterdam will offer guests even more ways to experience it,” said Grigsby. “From gazing at the mountains and glaciers from a new Bridgeview Suite to combining a cruise with an unforgettable trip to Denali and the Yukon, Oosterdam will offer guests new ways to connect with Alaska both onboard and ashore.”
New scenic boat tour of historic Nootka Sound
Select Great Alaska Explorer and Great Bear Rainforest itineraries will, for the first time in Holland America Line history, include scenic sailing through Nootka Sound. Known as the birthplace of British Columbia, this remote waterway on the west coast of Vancouver Island is rarely featured on ocean cruise itineraries and offers a distinctly different perspective of the Pacific Northwest, with rugged coastlines, forested shores, and dramatic natural scenery.
For more than 80 years, Holland America Line has helped its guests discover Alaska through immersive itineraries and experiences filled with destinations that allow them to connect more deeply with the landscapes, wildlife, and cultures of the region.
- Wildlife and nature experiences, including more than 200 shore excursions, from whale watching and bear watching to encounters with Alaska's iconic marine wildlife.
- Destination experience, brought to life through Alaska Up Close presentations, onboard experts, National Park Service rangers, and wildlife experts.
- Visits to iconic glaciers in destinations such as Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, Tracy Arm and College Fjord.
- Destination Dining™, which showcases the flavors of Alaska with fresh Alaskan seafood, the Alaska Brunch, Alaska Seafood Boil, cocktails created with Sam Ross using glacial ice, and programs like Savour My Catch.
Highlights of the itineraries
- NEW: 11-Day California to Alaska: Shores, Fjords & Glaciers, aboard Zaandam from San Diego to Vancouver, departing on April 29, 2028.
- Featured: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Klawock and Prince Rupert.
- 14-Day Great Alaska Explorer, aboard Noordam, departing from and arriving in Seattle, with departures on June 4 and August 20, 2028.
- Highlights: Juneau, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, Anchorage, Kodiak and Valdez, plus Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier and the new scenic cruise through Nootka Sound.
- 18-Day Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer, aboard Zaandam, departing from and arriving in Vancouver, departing on September 13, 2028.
- Highlights: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Great Bear Rainforest, Bella Bella, Homer, Kodiak, Anchorage and Valdez, plus the new scenic cruise through Nootka Sound.
- NEW: 16-Day Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer, aboard Oosterdam, departing from and arriving in Vancouver, departing on April 28, 2028.
- Highlights: Great Bear Rainforest, Hubbard Glacier, Prince Rupert, Kodiak, Anchorage and Valdez, plus scenic sailing through Johnstone Strait, Grenville Channel and Princess Royal Channel.
- 7-Day Glacier Discovery, aboard Oosterdam and Eurodam, between Vancouver and Whittier (Anchorage), with 36 starts during the 2028 season.
- Highlights: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier.
- 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage, aboard Koningsdam, Zaandam and Oosterdam, departing from and arriving in Vancouver, with 46 departures during the 2028 season.
- Highlights: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.
- 7-Day Alaska Explorer, aboard Westerdam and Noordam, with departure and arrival in Seattle, with 45 departures during the 2028 season.
- Highlights: Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, plus Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve or Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier, depending on the departure.
For a limited time, guests who book select 2028 Alaska cruises can take advantage of Holland America Line's Have It All Early Booking Bonus, which includes shore excursion credit, specialty restaurants, Elite Beverage Package, premium Wi-Fi, prepaid Crew Appreciation, and the cruise line's Best Price Guarantee.
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