Holland America Line’s Westerdam marked a significant milestone as it crossed into the Arctic Circle during its special 28-night Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise.
Departing from Seattle on June 8 and returning on July 6, the voyage offers guests a front-row seat to the breathtaking beauty of Alaska’s wilderness and wildlife. Highlights include scenic cruising through the Inside Passage, glacier viewing at Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay, and port calls in Sitka, Dutch Harbor, Nome, Kodiak, Haines, and more.
A standout moment occurred at 10:00 a.m. on June 20—Summer Solstice—when guests gathered at the bow to celebrate crossing into the Arctic Circle on Summer Solstice. The Arctic Circle is an invisible line that marks the southernmost point where the midnight sun can be seen. The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is a time of celebration in the far north, where the sun barely dips below the horizon.
Navigating into the Arctic Circle came with its challenges. In the days leading up to the crossing, Westerdam’s Captain Eric van der Wal closely monitored satellite imagery and ice forecasts. The captain and his staff made real-time decisions, interpreting cloudy satellite images and shifting ice patterns. Fortunately, the ice began to dissipate just in time, allowing Westerdam to safely chart her course northward.
“As we crossed into the Arctic Circle beneath the endless summer sky, it wasn’t just a line on a map—we hope it will be a memory for our Holland America Line guests that shines as brightly as the midnight sun,” said Captain Eric van der Wal.
To commemorate the crossing, the ship’s horn sounded, guests gathered at the bow for a photo opportunity, and mingled with officers and crew. Each guest received a commemorative certificate to mark the occasion.
This Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise is more than a voyage—it’s a celebration of experiences that are too good to hurry through. For 2026 Summer Solstice cruises, Holland America has 14-day Arctic and North Cape Solstice with History Channel and 28-Day Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice.
