by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:05 PM ET, Wed April 17, 2024
WHY IT RATES: Holland
America Line makes visiting Alaska even more amazing.—Donald Wood, Breaking
News Senior Writer.
Holland America Line is debuting “Glacier Day” on its Alaska
cruises as it rolls out new programming within its "We Love Alaska” on
board experience. The new offerings include Alaska Up Close presentations as
well as culinary and beverage experiences to help foster a deeper connection to
the people, history and culture of the state. The 2024 season kicks off April
27 from Vancouver and May 4 from Seattle.
“Holland America Line continues to focus on bringing
regional and local experiences on board every cruise, with our Alaska sailings
leading the way in authentic programming, localized cuisine, and now special
events like ‘Glacier Day’,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of
Holland America Line. “We continue to cultivate like-minded partnerships and
fine-tune everything from cocktails to wildlife maps to ensure our guests are
completely immersed in all facets of Alaska.”
Alaska Season Itineraries and Cruisetours
Through September 2024, guests can embark on Holland America
Line’s Alaska cruises and Cruisetours from Vancouver and Seattle aboard
Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. In
addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day cruises and a
new 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice Legendary Voyage that includes 12 Alaska
ports.
Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include a one-,
two- or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select Cruisetours also
include a journey into the wilds of Canada’s Yukon. Holland America Line
remains the only cruise line that offers overland tours to the Yukon combined
with an Alaska cruise and Denali experience.
‘Glacier Day’ Puts a Spotlight on Alaska’s Majestic Glaciers
As a leader in Alaska cruising, Holland America Line offers
more glacier experiences than any other cruise line. The new Glacier Day
includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational
viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacier Ice
cocktails, insightful talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna
cultural interpreters, an open bow for viewing, and more.
Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of
Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard
Glacier, Dawes Glacier, and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm. Shore
excursions also offer the opportunity to visit additional glaciers, including
Mendenhall and Portage glaciers.
Serving Fresh Fish in Alaska
Holland America continues to build on its groundbreaking
Global Fresh Fish program, which includes being the only cruise line with
Alaska seafood certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries Management
(RFM) and bringing locally sourced fresh fish from port to plate in less than
48 hours. In addition to the seafood and other local delicacies served on the
menus, ships in Alaska will serve three exclusive dishes created by the brand’s
Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto: Fresh Black Cod Yuzu, Morimoto Epice
Lobster and Fresh Halibut XO.
A new Alaska Seafood Boil will be offered once per cruise in
Lido Market for a surcharge. The foodie feast will serve Ivar’s Northwest-Style
Clam Chowder, Dungeness Cruise Clusters, Alaska Salmon, Penn Cove Clams, Penn
Cove Mussels and a Shrimp Bucket, with Triple Berry Crisp and vanilla ice cream
for dessert.
Offered once per cruise, all dishes on the Alaska Brunch
menu in the Dining Room were created with the influence of fresh, local Alaskan
and Pacific Northwest ingredients. The selections range from sweet to savory
and include Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Salmon & Potato Chowder, Wild
Forest Mushroom and Tarragon Crepes, Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet, Crab and Hot
Smoked Salmon Cakes, Biscuits with Gravy and Alaskan Reindeer Sausage, and Home
Smoked Gulf of Alaska Cod Benny.
Bartender Sam Ross Creates Alaska Cocktails
Acclaimed bartender Sam Ross created a menu of exclusive
cocktails that will be featured in the bars on all Alaska ships: Juneau AK,
Klondiker, PNW Penicillin, Mosquito, Midnight Sun and Frontier Champagne Flip.
Ross was the 2011 “U.S. Bartender of the Year” and his flagship bar, Attaboy,
won the 2022 award for “Best Bar in the U.S.” by The World’s 50 Best Bars. Ross
is credited with creating two of the most famous modern classic cocktails:
Penicillin and Paper Plane.
New Exclusive ‘Killer Whale Pale Ale’ Available On Board
Holland America Line is debuting a new “Killer Whale Pale
Ale” on all Alaska cruises. The beer was produced in collaboration with Pike
Brewing – Seattle’s oldest craft brewery – and features notes of honey, citrus
and tropical fruits. The label artwork was created in collaboration with Native
Artist Rico Worl, a member of the Tlingit and Athabascan community, who also
designed the Native artwork featured on the Alaska menus. The Killer Whale Pale
Ale label represents the food chain in the Pacific Northwest, with a seal
deftly maneuvering out of the grasp of a killer whale.
More Wildlife Viewing than Any Other Cruise Line
Alaska is synonymous with stunning wilderness, and Holland
America Line offers more ways to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Alaska
ships carry an expert on board to help guests witness the majestic animals
found in the region, and a Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native
animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to
see each species. Ashore, Holland America Line offers nearly 180 shore
excursions to see species of all kinds.
On Deck for a Cause Continues to Support Alaska’s Parks
Holland America Line will continue to donate proceeds from
its “On Deck for a Cause” charitable event aboard ships in the region to Alaska
Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges
and conservation lands. Called “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” guests on
all Alaska cruises will be invited to donate $25 to participate in a
noncompetitive 5K fundraising walk aboard every sailing. Funds raised through
“On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks” will go to support education, science and
research in Alaska’s parks. The 2023 Alaska season raised more than $100,000
for Alaska Geographic.
Standby Program Offers Reduced Rates for Seattle and
Vancouver Cruises
Guests with easy access to Seattle or Vancouver have an
opportunity to cruise to Alaska at a reduced rate of $49 per person, per day
with Holland America Line’s Standby program. Travelers who sign up for a cruise
are alerted between seven and two days before departure if they will be
sailing. Solo cruisers also only pay $49 per day and do not incur a single
supplement for a double stateroom.
SOURCE: Holland America
Line press release.
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