Holland America Adds Rare Waterway to New Alaska Cruises

Holland America Line has opened bookings for its upcoming Alaska season, deploying six ships across a mix of weeklong sailings, extended voyages, and newly added routes. Headlining the schedule is the introduction of Nootka Sound, a remote waterway on the west coast of Vancouver Island that is rarely featured by mainstream ocean cruise lines.

Known historically as the birthplace of British Columbia due to early contact between European explorers and First Nations residents, the waterway offers views of temperate rainforests, rugged coastlines, and coastal mountains. Maiden scenic cruising through Nootka Sound will be featured on select Great Alaska Explorer and Great Bear Rainforest itineraries.

"What has always set Holland America Line apart in Alaska is our ability to combine the iconic experiences guests dream about with opportunities to see the destination in ways they haven't before," said Paul Grigsby, vice president of revenue planning and deployment for Holland America Line, in a statement provided to  Travel + Leisure .

Six-Ship Lineup and Oosterdam Modernization

The cruise line will operate six vessels across the region: Oosterdam , Noordam , Eurodam , Koningsdam , Westerdam , and Zaandam . Sailings range from seven to 18 days, utilizing primary homeports in Seattle, Vancouver, and Whittier, alongside a new Southern California gateway.

The season marks the Alaska debut of Oosterdam following its Holland America Evolution transformation, the largest fleet investment in company history. Key upgrades include:

• Purpose-built Solo Verandah staterooms for single travelers

• Bridgeview Suites featuring panoramic forward-facing views

• Interior venue design updates inspired by Pinnacle Class vessels

• Refreshes to the Grand Dutch Café

Oosterdam will also anchor the line's combined cruise-tour program into Denali and the Yukon.

California Departures and Itinerary Options

The deployment introduces a new 11-day California to Alaska repositioning voyage aboard Zaandam , departing San Diego for Vancouver on April 29, 2028, with calls at Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Klawock Island, and Prince Rupert.

The broader sailing schedule includes several distinct options:

• 14-Day Great Alaska Explorer:Roundtrip Seattle voyages on Noordam visiting Kodiak, Valdez, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm, Dawes Glacier, and Nootka Sound.

• 16- and 18-Day Great Bear Rainforest Itineraries:Extended sailings on Oosterdam and Zaandam calling directly at Anchorage, Homer, and Bella Bella while navigating Johnstone Strait, Grenville Channel, and Princess Royal Channel.

• Weeklong Regional Routes:36 Glacier Discovery departures between Vancouver and Whittier, 46 roundtrip Vancouver Inside Passage sailings, and 45 roundtrip Seattle Explorer sailings.

Early reservations qualify for the Have It All Early Booking Bonus , bundling shore excursion credits, specialty dining, beverage packages, premium Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities, and price guarantees.

Related: Holland America Adds First Nootka Sound Cruises For 2028 Alaska

This story was originally published by TravelHost on Aug 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.