Holland America Launches Alaska Heritage Tours to Mark 80 Years in the Region

Holland America Line announced the launch of the Alaska Heritage Tours, a collection of experiences designed to connect today's guests with the company's earliest years in Alaska, as part of the celebration of its 80 years of exploration in the region during 2027. The cruise line noted that select tours trace their roots back eight decades, allowing travelers to experience many of the same destinations and traditions enjoyed by earlier generations.

Highlighted tours in the collection include the McKinley Explorer Railroad, a glass-domed train that travels through Alaska's interior; the White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railroad, which follows the historic Klondike Gold Rush route through the mountains above Skagway; the Mendenhall Glacier Explorer, near Juneau; the Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise, among tidewater glaciers with whale and sea otter sightings; and the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour, which ventures into Denali National Park. The company noted that the collection includes more than three dozen tours in total.

According to Seatrade Cruise News, the roots of these experiences date back to Arctic Alaska Tours, founded by Chuck West in 1947 and later renamed Westours. Holland America Line acquired a 70% stake in Westours in 1971, and the company became a wholly owned subsidiary in 1977.

Carole Biencourt, Vice President of Onboard Revenue at Holland America Line, said that many of the experiences travelers seek in Alaska today are the same ones that inspired visitors decades ago. She added that, heading into the company's 80th season in the region, these experiences are part of Holland America Line's journey dating back to its earliest explorations in the 1940s, and that although they have evolved, they maintain an authentic connection to Alaska's landscapes, wildlife, and communities.

The Alaska Heritage Tours are now available for booking on select 2027 Alaska cruises and Cruisetours, including Alaska Explorer and Inside Passage itineraries, the 28-day Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle itinerary, and Glacier Discovery itineraries. Holland America Line stated that its current offering in the region spans more than 200 shore excursions, including whale and bear watching, glacier discoveries such as Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, cultural encounters, and culinary experiences featuring fresh Alaska seafood.