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Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season, unveiling a lineup of new routes, glacier‑focused sailings and scenic voyages that expand the cruise line’s long-running presence in the Great Land.
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Expanded 2028 Alaska Program Across Six Ships
Publicly available information shows that Holland America Line plans to deploy six ships to Alaska in summer 2028, including Oosterdam, Noordam, Eurodam, Koningsdam, Westerdam and Zaandam. The program features voyages of seven to 18 days, sailing roundtrip from Seattle and Vancouver, along with one-way itineraries between Vancouver and Whittier that connect with overland tours.
Reports on the deployment indicate that the 2028 schedule builds on Holland America Line’s decades of Alaska experience, with itineraries crafted around glacier viewing, wildlife opportunities and visits to classic Inside Passage ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. The line continues to position itself as a specialist in the region, emphasizing scenic cruising and destination immersion over short port calls.
According to published coverage, the 2028 Alaska season opens for sale as demand for longer and more in-depth itineraries remains strong. Travelers are increasingly planning several years ahead for milestone trips, and the early release of 2028 sailings gives prospective guests and travel advisors additional lead time to secure preferred dates, cabins and routes.
The expanded roster of ships and departure points is designed to give travelers flexibility in how they approach an Alaska vacation. Roundtrip options from Seattle and Vancouver cater to guests seeking simple air connections, while the one-way sailings between Vancouver and Whittier are structured to link with cruisetours that venture into Alaska’s interior.
New Routes Highlight Rare Ports and Scenic Passages
A key element of the 2028 program is a set of less common routes that go beyond standard seven-day Inside Passage cruises. According to recent announcements and trade coverage, one of the headline offerings is an 11-day California to Alaska: Shores, Fjords & Glaciers voyage operated by Zaandam, sailing from San Diego to Vancouver with calls that include Glacier Bay, Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Klawock Island and Prince Rupert in British Columbia.
Travel media reports indicate that some 2028 itineraries introduce scenic cruising through Nootka Sound on select Great Alaska Explorer and Great Bear Rainforest sailings. The sheltered waterways along British Columbia’s remote coast are known for misty forests, rugged shorelines and a quieter, less-trafficked environment compared with the busiest sections of the Inside Passage.
These new routes complement Holland America Line’s existing Alaska and Pacific Northwest portfolio, which in recent years has included longer Legendary voyages that link Alaska with destinations along the west coast of North America. The 2028 season appears to continue that strategy of pairing marquee sites with harder-to-reach regions that appeal to repeat visitors and itinerary collectors.
By interweaving new passages and ports with proven favorites, the line aims to offer both first-time and returning guests fresh reasons to consider Alaska in 2028. The expanded scenic cruising components are positioned as part of the journey rather than just transit between ports, reflecting a broader trend in cruise planning where time spent on the ship in remote waterways is treated as a core feature of the itinerary.
Glacier Adventures Remain at the Heart of the Season
Glacier viewing continues to anchor Holland America Line’s Alaska programming, and early details of the 2028 season point to multiple opportunities to experience the region’s ice fields from the water. According to the cruise line’s published materials, the 7-Day Glacier Discovery sailings aboard Oosterdam and Eurodam operate between Vancouver and Whittier, offering scenic cruising in Glacier Bay or other glacier regions, depending on the specific departure.
The new 11-day voyage from San Diego to Vancouver is designed around a mix of glacier highlights and classic ports, with Glacier Bay headlining the scenic component. Travel coverage notes that this sailing gives guests a chance to combine a longer coastal passage with marquee Alaska glacier viewing, creating an option that bridges repositioning-style routes and traditional Inside Passage cruises.
Beyond these marquee sailings, the 2028 deployment continues Holland America Line’s pattern of weaving glacier experiences into a majority of its Alaska routes. Prior-season planning documents and current Alaska resources point to regular scenic cruising days in Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier or other ice-lined channels, framed as full days on deck with narration and interpretation available on board.
The focus on glacier access aligns with the line’s broader messaging around Alaska as a destination built on dramatic landscapes and natural phenomena. For many guests, the chance to watch ice calve into the sea or to sail close to towering glacial walls remains the defining memory of an Alaska cruise, and the 2028 season appears structured to keep that experience central.
Reimagined Oosterdam and Evolving Onboard Experience
One of the most closely watched elements of the 2028 Alaska lineup is the arrival of Oosterdam following a significant transformation. According to a recent announcement on Holland America Line’s news channels, Oosterdam will be the first ship to showcase Holland America Evolution, described as the company’s largest fleet investment in its 153-year history.
While full design details have not yet been broadly detailed in public reporting, available information indicates that the Evolution project focuses on updated accommodations, refreshed public spaces and enhancements to dining and entertainment that are intended to better reflect the destinations visited. Oosterdam’s deployment in Alaska for 2028 positions the Great Land as one of the first regions where guests will experience the reimagined ship.
Observers note that this decision is consistent with Holland America Line’s emphasis on Alaska as a core brand pillar. Over several recent seasons, the company has gradually layered in more regionally focused food and beverage offerings, programming tied to local culture and history, and partnerships that spotlight Alaska ingredients and experiences. The Evolution updates are expected to build on that foundation.
For travelers, the combination of refreshed hardware and mature Alaska programming may be a draw for 2028. Guests who sailed Oosterdam in previous years could find a markedly updated onboard environment, while newcomers will encounter a ship tailored to scenic cruising, with expansive open decks and observation areas suited to glacier days and wildlife spotting.
Booking Outlook and Planning Considerations for Travelers
The launch of 2028 Alaska sailings comes as demand for Alaska cruises remains steady and many peak-season departures in earlier years report strong bookings. Travel forums and community discussions show that some 2027 itineraries have already seen higher-category suites and verandah cabins sell out months or years in advance, particularly on one-way sailings that connect with Denali and Yukon land tours.
With 2028 now open for reservations, travelers planning milestone trips or seeking specific cabin types may benefit from earlier-than-usual booking timelines. Roundtrip departures from U.S. and Canadian homeports, including Seattle and Vancouver, typically appeal to guests looking for convenient air arrangements, while the Vancouver to Whittier routes are often favored by those adding time in Alaska’s interior.
Travel planners also highlight the importance of comparing itineraries not just by port list but also by scenic cruising components, glacier destinations and length of cruise. The addition of itineraries that include Nootka Sound, the Great Bear Rainforest or extended coastal transits from California introduces more variation, making it useful to examine route maps and day-by-day schedules when choosing among 2028 options.
As the season approaches, additional details about shore excursions, onboard programming and specific glacier days are expected to be released through Holland America Line’s official channels and travel trade partners. For now, the early look at 2028 points to a season that combines the line’s traditional Alaska strengths with a wider range of routes and scenic experiences designed to appeal to both first-time visitors and repeat guests.
Holland America Line opens 2028 Alaska season