Holland America Adds Nootka Sound to 2028 Alaska Cruises

Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season, deploying six ships on cruises of seven to 18 days and adding an 11-day itinerary from San Diego to Vancouver. The program also introduces Nootka Sound scenic cruising on selected longer voyages and brings Oosterdam to Alaska after its Holland America Evolution refit.

The schedule covers roundtrip departures from Seattle and Vancouver, along with one-way sailings between Vancouver and Whittier. Holland America has operated Alaska voyages for more than 80 years.

Paul Grigsby, vice president of revenue planning and deployment for Holland America Line, said the company built the season around “rare itineraries and lesser-traveled waterways” alongside established Alaska destinations.

Holland America adds a San Diego start and Nootka Sound cruising

Zaandam will operate the new 11-day California to Alaska: Shores, Fjords & Glaciers voyage, departing San Diego on April 29, 2028. The northbound itinerary ends in Vancouver after visiting Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Klawock and Prince Rupert.

Nootka Sound is new to the Holland America program. Selected Great Alaska Explorer and Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer sailings will enter the protected inlet on Vancouver Island’s west coast, which has a longstanding Nuu-chah-nulth history and includes forested shorelines and several branching arms.

Noordam’s 14-day Great Alaska Explorer will sail roundtrip from Seattle on June 4 and Aug. 20. Its schedule includes Juneau, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, Anchorage, Kodiak and Valdez, along with Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.

The 18-day Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer will depart Vancouver aboard Zaandam on Sept. 13. It combines Nootka Sound with Glacier Bay, the Great Bear Rainforest, Bella Bella, Homer, Kodiak, Anchorage and Valdez.

Oosterdam to enter Alaska after Evolution refit

Oosterdam will become the first ship to receive the Holland America Evolution changes, which the line describes as the largest fleet investment in its 153-year history. The 82,305-gross-ton ship was built in 2003 and accommodates about 1,916 passengers at double occupancy.

The refit will add Solo Verandah staterooms, forward-facing Bridgeview Suites and a Grand Dutch Cafe. Holland America also plans to renovate existing staterooms, suites and public areas and add features drawn from its Pinnacle Class ships.

The ship’s first listed 2028 Alaska voyage is a 16-day Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer sailing from Vancouver on April 28. The roundtrip itinerary includes the Great Bear Rainforest, Hubbard Glacier, Prince Rupert, Kodiak, Anchorage and Valdez, with scenic cruising through Johnstone Strait, Grenville Channel and Princess Royal Channel.

Seven-day deployment remains the season’s core

Oosterdam and Eurodam will operate 36 seven-day Glacier Discovery departures between Vancouver and Whittier. The itineraries include Glacier Bay, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, plus either College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier.

Holland America has scheduled 46 seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises aboard Koningsdam, Zaandam and Oosterdam. Those Vancouver roundtrips call at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan and visit Glacier Bay.

Another 45 seven-day Alaska Explorer departures will sail roundtrip from Seattle aboard Westerdam and Noordam. The ships will call at Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, with either Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier included, depending on the departure.

Select bookings qualify for the Have It All Early Booking Bonus, covering shore excursion credit, specialty dining, an Elite Beverage Package, premium Wi-Fi, prepaid crew appreciation and a price guarantee. Holland America did not publish starting fares or an end date for the promotion.

Oosterdam is also slated to serve as the primary ship for 2028 Alaska Cruisetours combining a cruise with overland travel to Denali and the Yukon. The line has not set a date for releasing those Cruisetour itineraries and availability.

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