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This cruise line just unveiled more buzzworthy monthlong voyages — including a rare Inside Passage route

Jan. 29, 2025
6 min read
Alaska cruise ship boat near glacier
This cruise line just unveiled more buzzworthy monthlong voyages — including a rare Inside Passage route
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Holland America will outdo itself again in 2026 with superlong itineraries, including twists on historic Alaska and Mediterranean sailings.

The line announced Wednesday even more epic itineraries for the 2026 cruise season, including voyages to the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Hawaii. Of these, one pays homage to a bygone Holland America itinerary; another will ply waterways rarely traveled by cruise ships.

All of the sailings are part of the line's Legendary Voyages itineraries, which range from 27 to 45 days and focus on a singular region. Additionally, they offer special onboard programming and activities that highlight the area's history and culture. (Looking for an even longer sailing? Try one of the line's Grand Voyages.)

Shorter iterations of these cruises were available in previous years — and many sold out quickly. The 2026 itineraries will feature ports and experiences not offered on past sailings.

Among the newly announced 2026 itineraries is the 28-night Legendary Arctic Circle Solstice voyage aboard the 1,924-passenger Noordam. The ship will depart Seattle on June 7 and visit 13 ports throughout British Columbia and Alaska.

This reenvisioned itinerary will include two full days of scenic cruising through the Inside Passage, ideal for spotting wildlife such as whales and seals. The ship will navigate the narrow channels of British Columbia, including Seymour Narrows, Johnstone Strait, Bella Bella and the Grenville Channel.

These routes were historically used by steamboats during the gold rush days of the 1800s. Over time, the routes lost their luster as vessels grew in size and could reach Alaska faster via the open ocean. Holland America will give guests a rare opportunity to sail this historic Inside Passage.

As the ship makes its way through the channels, it will hug the coastline along the Great Bear Rainforest, home to abundant wildlife. Cruisers might catch a glimpse of coastal gray wolves, Sitka deer and the rare cream-colored Kermode bear, or spirit bear, considered sacred by the Tsimshian people.

Long stays in port offer more time to explore the waterfalls and dramatic cliffs along Keystone Canyon in Valdez and Juneau's Mendenhall, Taku, Eagle and Herbert glaciers. Mountain-fringed Valdez sees few cruise ships, partly due to the time it takes to reach from Vancouver and other Alaska cruise hubs. Remote ports like Nome and Dutch Harbor are also on the itinerary.

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Passengers will also cruise through the Bering Strait into the Arctic Ocean. Noordam will be positioned in the Bering Sea above the Arctic Circle for the summer solstice on June 21 — the longest day of the year, providing 24 hours of daylight.

Fares for the Legendary Arctic Circle Solstice sailing start at $5,499 per person for an inside cabin (based on double occupancy), including taxes and fees.

Map of 1925 Holland America Cruise Line Rotterdam Mediterranean Voyage
A map of the 1925 Mediterranean Voyage on Rotterdam. HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE LINE

Holland America will also offer a reimagining of an epic transatlantic itinerary the line first sailed 100 years ago. The 45-night round-trip Ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic Passage cruise will retrace a 1925 voyage on Rotterdam IV, one of Holland America's earliest ships. The 2026 sailing will be the third iteration of the historic itinerary; the first version debuted in 2024 and quickly sold out.

"Since recreating this voyage of the 1920s, it has become one of our most popular and fastest selling," said Paul Grigsby, Holland America Line's vice president of revenue planning and analytics. "There is simply no better way to explore this deeply the charm, delicious cuisine, and rich history of the Mediterranean while only unpacking your suitcase once."

The 1,432-passenger Volendam will sail round-trip from New York City on Oct. 8, 2026, and explore 21 ports across 12 countries. Highlights of the Ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic Passage sailing include late-night calls at Gibraltar and Civitavecchia (Rome), plus overnights in Alexandria and Istanbul. Lingering longer in these renowned ports offers plenty of time to take in iconic landmarks, such as Egypt's pyramids of Giza and Istanbul's historic mosques and bazaars.

The schedule includes stops at Iraklion (the port for Crete) and Piraeus (the port for Athens) in Greece, as well as visits to Ashdod and Haifa in Israel and Kusadasi, Turkey, which is the gateway to the iconic ancient ruins of Ephesus.

Fares for the Ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic Passage start at $7,574 per person (based on double occupancy) for an inside cabin, including taxes and fees.

Rounding out the list of extended Legendary Voyage offerings in 2026 is a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas Islands sailing, departing in October, and a 27- and 28-night Legendary Glaciers and Volcanoes: Alaska to Hawaii itinerary, which sets sail in September. (The former sailing departs from Seattle and offers a second embarkation in Vancouver, British Columbia on day two of the cruise.)

If any of these voyages pique your interest, book sooner rather than later. These itineraries sell out quickly, especially the Ultimate Mediterranean cruise.

Plus, you can snag extra perks when you book early. For a limited time, when guests add a Have It All premium package (which includes shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi) to their Legendary Voyages booking, they'll also get free prepaid crew gratuities, plus free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by KENT WEAKLEY/GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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