Holland America adds new Inside Passage cruise
Six ships, a new eight-day itinerary and 72 more rooms at Denali Lodge are planned for 2027, while the line says it gave more than $320,000 to Alaska communities this year.
Holland America Line has set out its plans for a milestone Alaska season in 2027, which will mark 80 years of sailing to the state. The cruise line announced the details on 5 October 2026, as its 2026 season came to an end.
What is new in 2027
Six ships will sail Alaska from April to September 2027, from Seattle, Vancouver and Whittier: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam.
The main addition is a new eight-day "Alaska Inside Passage" cruise. It sails round trip from Vancouver, with a visit to Glacier Bay and calls at Skagway, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert in British Columbia.
Other sailings for next year include:
- Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice. The 28-day cruise returns for a third year. Noordam leaves Seattle on 6 June, in time for the summer solstice, and sails into the Bering Sea and the Arctic Circle.
- Great Bear Rainforest. A seven-day cruise on Noordam, plus two sailings of an 18-day "Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer" on Zaandam.
The line says the anniversary will also bring new celebrations, special dining moments and extra entertainment and enrichment on board. It has not yet given details.
Changes at Denali Lodge
Holland America Denali Lodge, which sits at the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, is due to finish its renovations in 2027. The line says that includes:
- Two new guest buildings that replace older ones and add 72 rooms.
- A redesign of the Main Lodge interiors and public spaces.
- A full renovation of Grizzly Grind, the guest coffee shop.
How the 2026 season went
Looking back, the line says glaciers were a focus, with more than 150 opportunities to visit Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier and Endicott Arm. Shore excursions also included Mendenhall and Portage glaciers.
It also points to new food and drink. At the lodge, chef Ethan Stowell redesigned the menus around local ingredients, and bartender Sam Ross created a cocktail menu for the Alaska fleet, including new Glacial Ice Cocktails. The "Ultimate Alaska & Denali" Cruisetours gained a tour director for the inland part of the trip.
Money for Alaska communities
Holland America says it gave more than $320,000 this season to groups in Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Denali. That includes $150,000 to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for animal care and a planned Holland America Moose Promenade, a $75,000 commitment to Ketchikan American Legion Post 3 and $5,000 to two Scouting America troops. Guests also raised more than $60,000 for Alaska Geographic through its On Deck for a Cause scheme.
"Alaska has been an important part of Holland America Line's story for nearly 80 years," said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line.
What we do not know yet
The announcement did not include fares, and the figures above are in US dollars. If you are thinking of a 2027 Alaska cruise, check prices and availability with the cruise line or your travel agent, and ask what is included before you pay.
Holland America is part of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company. Read our editorial policy to see how we cover announcements like this.
This story is based on a press release from Holland America Line. We have not visited these ships or the lodge, and the claims above are the cruise line's own.
CORRECTIONS · None. If we change this article, we will say what changed and when.