Holland America Line’s Alaska Cruise & Travel Show in Vancouver last weekend shined a spotlight on one of its most popular summer routes. The free immersive expo took place at the downtown Vancouver Convention Centre at Canada Place, home to the city’s cruise ship terminal.
Holland America has been hosting the all-day Alaska Cruise & Travel Show since 2019, in partnership with Alaska suppliers and companies who deliver in-destination tours ranging from whale watching, scenic flights, train trips and tours into Denali National Park.
“As one of our two main homeports to reach Alaska, it’s important for us to showcase how we’ve built a program providing more opportunities for glacier viewing and more ways to see Alaska’s wildlife than any other line,” says Bill Fletcher, Senior Director of Sales Enablement for Holland America Line.
The company works closely with its valued Canadian travel agency partners to market its four Vancouver sailings that take place between late April and early October.
“We’re lucky to have strong and stable field sales relationships with agents who have trusted us as their go-to for many years” says Morgan Cattuna, Director of Trade Engagement and Communication.
“We offer fair and favourable booking terms and procedures, as well as a range of exclusive CAD select offers and opportunities including CAD rates, bonus commission and special events.”
In addition to offering onboard amenities, fine dining and exciting onshore excursions, a strong selling point for Holland America’s Alaska cruise vacations is that the company is one of the few cruise lines that has permission to sail in Glacier Bay National Park.
Holland America Line’s passion for Alaska’s glaciers runs deep – it’s been sailing to the Great Land since 1947. Through its Glacier Guarantee™, the company now guarantees that guests will see one or more glaciers on their cruise in the region. The Glacier Guarantee™ is offered on Alaska departures from now through September 2025. (Under the guarantee, if Holland America Line does not visit an Alaska glacier, guests are eligible to receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15 percent of their cruise fare.)
As for incentivizing its travel advisor partners, Cattuna notes that most consortia and Canadian national accounts have exclusive amenities and promote group rates. HAL also currently has the exclusive CAD OBC offer that can apply to Have It All though (OBCCANADA coupon code), through 2025.
“We also have our ongoing Canada Super Sale running through 2025,” adds Cattuna. “This can be a great option for last-minute bargain hunters!”
When marketing and selling Alaska cruises, travel advisors have the opportunity to “become experts through FAM opportunities, TA rates and ship tours, as well as through the company’s On Stage Alaska program,” says Cattuna.
Grizzly bears are a bucket list animal to see in the Alaska wild on a Holland America.
In 2025, four Holland America Line ships will explore Alaska roundtrip from Vancouver, Canada or between Whittier, Alaska, and Vancouver. Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations.
Holland America Lines’ cruises offer more visits to Alaska’s many glaciers, and during the Glacier Bay experience all ships sail with a National Park Ranger who provides commentary, presentations and information on Alaska’s famed national park.
To see even more of Alaska, agents can book guests on an overland and sea adventure combination tour as part of one of Holland America Line’s Cruisetours.
Holland America Line is the only cruise company to weave must-see sites such as Denali National Park—the centerpiece of every Cruisetour—with the unspoiled reaches of Canada’s Yukon Territory.
