Holland America Line Boosts 2027 Alaska Cruises With Denali Lodge Expansion

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Holland America: Introducing a crucial Alaska journey season in 2027 in celebration of 80 years of North American exploring Holland America Line: 80 th Anniversary of Exploring North America will deliver new cruises, lengthened Denali hotel, and extended wilderness expertise.

The season will build on the successful 2026 programme that focused its passenger experience on glaciers, native wildlife, local food and land-based experiences. Over the course of the season, the company also invested over $320,000 back into Alaska communities through its in-house charitable foundation.

Six Ships Will Drive Holland America’s 2027 Alaska Programme

The 2027 programme will feature Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam.

Ships will depart from Seattle, Vancouver and Whittier, giving travellers different options for combining Alaska with the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.

A new eight-day Alaska Inside Passage itinerary will sail round-trip from Vancouver. The journey will travel through the Inside Passage and include Glacier Bay, Skagway, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert.

The 28-day Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice itinerary will also return for a third season. Noordam will depart Seattle on 6 June 2027 and travel towards the Bering Sea and Arctic Circle around the summer solstice.

Travellers looking beyond conventional Alaska routes will also find itineraries incorporating British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.

Glacier Bay Remains a Major Attraction for Cruise Travellers

Glacier viewing remains an important element of the programme. Holland America reported more than 150 opportunities during its 2026 season to visit major glaciated destinations, including Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier and Endicott Arm.

The National Park Service currently lists Holland America among cruise operators authorised to operate inside Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Cruise vessels do not dock inside the park. Instead, ships typically spend around nine to ten hours travelling through Glacier Bay, including time near a major tidewater glacier.

National Park Service rangers also board cruise vessels to provide interpretation about the park’s wildlife, ecosystems and history. Visitors may encounter humpback whales, sea otters, seabirds and brown bears during the journey.

Access remains controlled. The National Park Service limits Glacier Bay to no more than two cruise ships per day and manages seasonal vessel quotas to protect park resources.

Denali Lodge Expansion Adds More Capacity

Holland America also plans further improvements to its Denali Lodge operation in 2027.

Two new guest buildings will replace older structures and increase lodge capacity by 72 rooms. The company also plans to redesign interiors and public spaces in the Main Lodge and fully renovate the Grizzly Grind coffee shop.

These changes build on improvements introduced during 2026, when guests received renovated accommodation and refreshed public areas alongside expanded menus using more regional ingredients.

Travellers combining cruises with inland Alaska should pay close attention to seasonal road conditions. The Alaska Department of Transportation ends regular winter maintenance on the 135-mile Denali Highway and plans to resume maintenance on 15 May 2027. Conventional vehicle travel during the unmaintained winter period is strongly discouraged.

What Changed During the 2026 Alaska Season?

The cruise company expanded both onboard and land-based experiences during 2026.

Its Denali Cruisetours received enhanced multi-day inland programming. New food and beverage choices also placed greater emphasis on Alaska ingredients and regional flavours.

Glaciers remained a central selling point. Excursions gave passengers additional opportunities to reach locations such as Mendenhall Glacier and Portage Glacier, while ships visited several of Alaska’s major glacier regions.

The strategy connects cruising with longer land journeys, allowing visitors to move beyond ports and experience Alaska’s interior.

Alaska Communities Receive More Than $320,000

Holland America also expanded its community spending during the 2026 season, contributing more than $320,000 across Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Denali.

The total included $150,000 for the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, supporting animal care and development work.

Guests also generated more than $60,000 for Alaska Geographic, which supports education connected with Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation areas.

Another $75,000 commitment supported Ketchikan American Legion Post 3, while $5,000 went to local Scouting programmes.

Traveller Guide for Planning an Alaska Cruise in 2027

Travellers should compare routes carefully rather than choosing solely by cruise duration. Not every Alaska itinerary enters Glacier Bay, something the National Park Service specifically advises visitors to verify when comparing sailings.

• For glaciers: Look for routes covering Glacier Bay or other major glacier destinations.
• For longer exploration: Consider a cruise-and-land itinerary incorporating Denali.
• For unusual scenery: Great Bear Rainforest sailings add coastal British Columbia.
• For extended cruising: The 28-day Arctic Circle itinerary offers a significantly deeper northern journey.
• For Glacier Bay days: Check the onboard schedule and park map. Ranger programmes can help passengers understand wildlife and glacier landscapes.
• For more information about Holland America Line or to book a cruise.
• The remote glacier bay is only accessible by air or water with no access to the Alaska road system. Cruises are a valuable way to access the bay and view its scenic and pristine marine environment.
• Having six ships, increased Denali Capacity and a number of unique itineraries on offer, Holland America Lines 2027 Alaska cruises will make its 80th year in the destination one of the largest in the line’s history.

Conclusion

Holland America Line’s 2027 programme celebrates 80 years of cruises to Alaska along with new cruise options, six ships and additional experiences in Denali. A new selection of Inside Passage cruises, Glacier Bay visits and longer Arctic Expeditions will provide even more ways for travellers to enjoy Alaska by sea and land. The expansion of Denali Lodge will reinforce the cruise-and-land travel experience while additional community investments will link the growth of tourism to more areas of the state. Whether it’s a shorter itinerary or a longer wilderness experience in Alaska and British Columbia, the programme offers more options for an Alaska cruise in 2027.