Holland America unveils another epic cruise — this time with a twist
Are you torn between heading to Alaska or Hawaii for your next big trip?
Holland America has a solution: Visit them both.
The Seattle-based line on Wednesday unveiled yet another epic, month-long itinerary that gives travelers the opportunity to see both Alaska and Hawaii — two of America's most iconic destinations — in a single trip.
The "Glaciers and Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii" voyage, as Holland America is calling it, will take place on the line's 1,964-passenger Westerdam and kick off Aug. 31, 2025, in Seattle — one of the line's two main hubs for Alaska sailings. Passengers also can join the sailing one day later in Holland America's other main Alaska cruise hub, Vancouver, B.C.
As it begins, the sailing will resemble a typical Alaska cruise with a trip northward along Alaska's Inside Passage. The coastal region, in the state's southeast corner, is known for wildlife-filled fjords, tidewater glaciers and lush island scenery.
Five stops in Alaska will begin with a day visit to Sitka, Alaska, which is part of the Inside Passage region, followed by a day visit to Seward, gateway to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, and an overnight stay in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city.
Few ships on Alaska cruises ever visit Anchorage due to the distance of travel required to reach it through the Cook Inlet.
Other unusual Alaska stops on the itinerary include the remote settlement of Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands. Known as the largest fisheries port in the U.S. by volume of fish caught, it became famous in recent years as the setting for the Discovery Channel reality television series "Deadliest Catch."
Related: The 6 best Alaska shore excursions, from someone who has tried them all
The remote town of Kodiak, Alaska, on Kodiak Island, is also on the itinerary. The island is particularly known for its large population of Kodiak bears — the largest subspecies of brown bears.
In addition to the five Alaska port stops, Westerdam will spend time during the Alaska portion of the trip visiting some of the state's most iconic tidewater glaciers and other icy destinations, including Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord and Prince William Sound.
After exploring Alaska, Westerdam will point its bow southward for a partial crossing of the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii.
Related: The best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler
Once in Hawaii, it'll stop at four destinations: Nawiliwili on the island of Kauai, Honolulu on the island of Oahu, and Kona and Hilo on the island of Hawaii.
The Hawaii portion of the trip will also include scenic cruising past Kilauea Volcano on the island of Hawaii.
All of the Hawaii stops will be day visits except the call at Honolulu, which will be an overnight stay.
After touring the islands, Westerdam will head northeastward across the Pacific back to Seattle, where the trip will end Sept. 27, 2025.
The trip, notably, marks the first time in Holland America's 150-year history that it has offered an extended exploration of both Alaska and Hawaii in a single itinerary.
A 'legendary voyage' for Holland America
The new Alaska and Hawaii itinerary is the latest addition to a new series of so-called Legendary Voyages that Holland America unveiled in March. The extra-long sailings, scheduled to take place over the next three years, focus on a single region and range from 25 to 59 nights in length. They also feature special programming.
The initial lineup of Legendary Voyages included both previously offered routings and some all-new routes — the latter including an epic itinerary focused on Japan scheduled for 2024 that will last more than 50 days.
In general, the voyages focus on far-off destinations — including Australia and New Zealand, the Amazon and South America, the South Pacific and Hawaii, Greenland and Iceland, Asia, Alaska and the Arctic Circle. But in a twist, most sailings are designed to begin and end in a North American port, meaning that North American passengers can reach distant places without ever getting on an international flight.
Related: Holland America to offer an epic, monthlong Alaska itinerary
The new lineup of long trips is designed to augment Holland America's celebrated collection of even longer Grand Voyages — far-ranging, often world-circling sailings that typically are 70 nights or longer.
The initial grouping of Legendary Voyages announced in March included 17 specific departures between late this year and early 2025. Holland America has since been adding departures.
Holland America has long been known for longer sailings from U.S. ports that brought people to far-flung places around the globe. The new Legendary Voyages and an expanded lineup of other long voyages mark a doubling down by the line on such trips.
Fares for the new Alaska and Hawaii itinerary, which will be 28 nights long, start at $3,719 per person, not including taxes, fees and port charges. More information can be found at the page for the sailing at Holland America's website.
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