by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 2:30 PM ET, Thu October 22, 2026
Holland America Line is introducing a collection of shore excursions highlighting experiences that have been part of the cruise line’s Alaska itineraries for decades as it prepares to celebrate its 80th season exploring the state in 2027.
The Alaska Heritage Tours collection features more than three dozen excursions available on select 2027 Alaska cruises and Cruisetours. The experiences span Alaska’s railways, glaciers, wildlife, wilderness and national parks, with some tracing their roots to the cruise line’s earliest years in the region during the 1940s.
Among the featured excursions are rides aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, which follows a route associated with the Klondike Gold Rush, and the Riverboat Discovery, which takes travelers through Alaska’s interior by river. Other options include glacier excursions, wildlife-viewing cruises and tours of Denali National Park.
“One of the most remarkable things about Alaska is that many of the experiences travelers seek out today are the very same ones that first inspired visitors decades ago,” says Carole Biencourt, vice president of onboard revenue at Holland America Line.
The collection also includes the McKinley Explorer Railroad, a glass-domed train that travels through Alaska’s interior; the Mendenhall Glacier Explorer in Juneau; a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park; and the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour, which offers opportunities to spot wildlife and explore the park’s tundra landscapes.
The tours are available on several types of itineraries. Holland America Line’s Alaska Cruisetours, including Denali and Yukon itineraries, offer access to the collection, with all Cruisetours featuring a ride aboard the McKinley Explorer and either the Denali Natural History Tour or the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour. Select Yukon itineraries also include a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad.
Guests sailing Alaska Explorer and Inside Passage itineraries can choose from excursions to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Voyages that begin or end in Whittier offer access to excursions in Southcentral Alaska, while the 28-day Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle itinerary includes stops in Haines, Valdez and Anchorage.
The new collection is part of Holland America Line’s broader Alaska offerings, which include more than 200 shore excursions, glacier-viewing experiences, onboard presentations featuring regional experts and destination-inspired dining. The cruise line also offers extended inland itineraries and access to a private wilderness lodge.
Alaska Heritage Tours are now open for booking on select 2027 cruises and Cruisetours.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
