Holland America Line is adding to its “Alaska Up Close” program for the 2023 Alaska season.
As part of every Alaska cruise, guests will now find new localized cuisine, cocktails made with glacier ice, an Alaska-themed brunch, and presentations by Huna natives. Wildlife experts will also be on board to assist guests in spotting the indigenous animals from the ship's deck. The program will also continue to offer workshops, lectures, and dining events that highlight the culinary traditions of the region.
“Since launching Alaska Up Close we’ve introduced incredible programming that brings an authentic Alaska experience to our guests like no other cruise line,” said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development. “This season we’re growing the program to embed Alaskan fresh fish and wildlife spotting into the cruise on an even more expansive scale, from new localized cuisine and cocktails to exciting lectures and wildlife viewing. We want our guests to have experiences they can’t find anywhere else.”
Glacier Cocktails
One of the additions to the new program is the inclusion of cocktails featuring Alaska glacier ice. The glacier ice, harvested with state permits among floating glacier bergs in Prince William Sound, will be used exclusively by Holland America Line. Guests can enjoy cocktails such as "Juneau Gin & Tonic," "Alaska's Blue Ice," "Blue Iceberg," and "Black & Blue" that are served over this real glacier ice.
A Taste of Alaska
The Alaska Brunch menu, offered once per cruise in the Dining Room, will feature dishes made with fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest ingredients. Guests can also experience special dishes and theme nights in the Lido Market, such as a Salmon Bake and Seafood Boil dinner available on all cruises, and a Gold Rush dinner on 14-plus day cruises.
Holland America Line was awarded Responsible Fisheries Management certification in 2022.
Talks and Presentations
On Alaska cruises, guests can attend “Ancestral Memories,” “Breaking the Ice Ceiling,” “Pacific Giants,” “The Iditarod” and “We Are Alaska” to learn more about local culture and customs. New this year, Holland America Line is also bringing on a Huna Native Interpreter in traditional dress during the stay at Juneau to introduce guests to the history of the Tlingit people with “Native Voices: Stories of the Tlingit People.”
The line has also appointed a wildlife expert on board to help guests spot the animals found in Alaska. They will provide information about humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, moose, sea otters, caribou, black and grizzly bears, Dall's porpoise, and more. A Wildlife Spotting Guide will be provided to guests, highlighting the native animals along the cruise route and the best places to spot each species. Wildlife sightings will be announced between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
During Glacier Bay scenic cruising, a Glacier Bay National Park Ranger will be on board for the day to engage with guests and share information about Alaska's most famous national park.
On Deck for A Cause: Alaska’s Parks
For the 2023 Alaska season, Holland America Line is donating proceeds from the “On Deck for a Cause” event aboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands. Called “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” guests on all Alaska cruises are invited to participate in a noncompetitive 5k fundraising walk by donating $25.
Holland America Line has six ships exploring Alaska in 2023 on seven- or 14-day cruises from Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, Canada; and Whittier/Anchorage, Alaska, along with Cruisetours up to 18 days, which combine an overland to Denali National Park and the Yukon plus a cruise.
More information about Holland America Line can be found at hollandamerica.com.
