Selling Alaska Year Round

With the Alaska cruise season set to begin in late April, the Great Land is invariably on minds of many travel advisors. Beyond, cruising, agents will find plenty of options for their clients looking to explore the Great Land – and on a year-round basis, which is something I discovered while meeting with suppliers during the Alaska Media Roadshow late last year.

Susitna Adventure Lodge

Take, for instance, the Susitna Adventure Lodge near Denali National Park, which offers such winter activities as dog mushing, ice fishing, guided snowshoe hikes and backcountry skiing and snowboarding. “The Denali Highway is not plowed in winter, which means we must bring guests to the lodge by one of the following magical experiences – by dog team, snowmobile, ski plane or tracked snowcoach,” said Cody Strathe, who co-owns the 75-acre property with his wife, Paige Drobny.

“Nothing beats an Alaska summer on the Denali Highway,” he added. “The Denali Highway is a 135-mile-long gravel road that skirts the Alaska Range. It’ s a magnificent drive with a chance to see glaciers, wildlife (moose, caribou, wolf, bear, fox, porcupine and many rare bird species).” Just some of the property’s summer activities include sled dog demonstrations fishing and sightseeing/wildlife tours.

Alaska Railroad Corporation

The venerable Alaska Railroad has been in business for more than 100 years and covers 500 miles with three daily trains, the Coastal Class the Classic, Denali Star and Glacier Discovery in the summer months, with the Aurora Winter train operating between Anchorage and Fairbanks with packages from one to eight nights.

Here’s a tip for clients: Between September and April, guests who spend three nights or more in Fairbanks have a 90 percent chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis, the company said.

Alaska Railroad pays 10 percent commission on rail, lodging, day trips and Alaska Railroad multi-day packages.

Holland America Line

The line is continuing to innovate and enhance its offerings, which include a growing number of longer, one-of-a-kind itineraries.

As a case in point, in 2026 the line is unveiling the 18-day “Great Bear Rainforest and Alaskan Explorer” cruise aboard Zaandam, which, sailing roundtrip from Vancouver, will immerse guests into the culture, nature and wildlife of Alaska and British Columbia – and the chance to see the rare Spirit bears, which are a subspecies of the black bear with white or cream-colored fur. Aversion of the itinerary will also be available on two seven-day that explore Great Bear Rainforest aboard Noordam in October 2025 and April 2026.

“We know how important glaciers and wildlife are to our guests, and this really provides a unique opportunity for them to experience the wonders of wild Alaska and British Columbia both onboard and ashore,” the line said.

Holland America, which has been plied the waters of Alaska for more than 75 years, is deploying six in the Great Land this year, and six in 2026.

Princess Cruises

The line, which will operate seven ships in Alaska this year, is also adding a swath of longer itineraries, many of which sail from U.S. West Coast ports. New 2025 sailings include a 22-day sailing aboard Ruby Princess roundtrip from San Francisco, which will coincide with the Summer Solstice; a 17-day itinerary roundtrip voyage from Seattle aboard Grand Princess, and a 16-day Inside Passage cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles aboard Grand Princess.

In 2026, Princess will deploy eights ship in the Great Land, including Star Princess, which is set debut in fall 2025 and is the second of the line’s new Sphere class (Sun Princess is the first).

Next year, Princess’ roster of longer itineraries will include the 20-day “Ultimate Alaska Solstice” cruise roundtrip from San Francisco aboard Ruby Princess and the 16-day “Inside Passage” aboard Emerald Princess roundtrip from Los Angeles.

Centennial Anniversaries

This year, Alaska is celebrating not one, but two 100-year anniversaries: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and the Serum Run from Seward to Nome, when, in 1925 a relay of sled dog teams traveled from Nenana to Nome to deliver life-saving diphtheria antitoxin during an outbreak.

Interest in Alaska’s native culture continues to grow, the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) said. “Cultural tourism opportunities continue to develop across Alaska, with a new indigenous-owned tour operator in Anchorage: Blueberry Tours. The Alaska Native Heritage Center completed phase one of its facility and exhibit renovations this past May. Future plans for the center include an immersive theater, healing garden and community subsistence kitchen.”

“Winter travel opportunities have also grown over the last year, with additional visitor interest strengthened by the strong aurora borealis activity this year and next,” ATIA added.

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