We were thrilled to be invited on Holland America Line’s Alaska and Yukon cruise-tour, but nothing prepared us for just how extraordinary the journey would be. The adventure began in Anchorage after an easy flight with Air Canada via Vancouver, with a five-hour airport stopover that felt relaxed thanks to open cafés and a quiet terminal. On arrival in Anchorage, Holland America had a dedicated desk at our accommodation where staff provided everything we needed. Our tour guide BJ was exceptional throughout the trip, delivering nightly letters under our door with clear instructions, ideas on what to see and do, and recommendations for her favourite places to eat.
Anchorage itself is a small, quiet city that winds down quickly after business hours. Some in our group arrived earlier and hired cars to explore, though we found the one-hour trolley tour a good introduction. Beyond that, there is little reason to extend the stay unless you have specific plans.
The land tour delivered eight days of remarkable scenery, starting with the McKinley Explorer train to Denali. The dome-style carriages offered superb views, and we were fortunate to join the very lucky few who see Denali completely unobscured. Clear skies revealed the entire mountain for the whole journey, a rare privilege as it is often hidden behind cloud. The good weather continued into Denali National Park, where we joined the Tundra Wilderness Tour on an old-school bus.
Two nights in Denali felt perfectly paced. Holland America’s accommodation was spacious, comfortable and supported by a shuttle service around the resort. Dining options and convenience stores were within easy reach, making the stay both relaxed and well catered.
Fairbanks offered a single-night stopover and, like Anchorage, was quiet after dark. Unless you are chasing the northern lights, the town has limited evening activity, though we did enjoy discovering a few local bars, including The Library, a lively cocktail bar filled almost entirely with locals. Holland America included the Riverboat Discovery excursion along the Chena and Tanana Rivers, a 3.5-hour cultural journey that was surprisingly engaging, with a visit to the Chena Indian Village that offered a deeper insight into regional traditions.
From Fairbanks we took a charter flight with all Holland America guests to Dawson City. This historic Klondike gold rush town was a highlight and the Holland America hotel was comfortable and central. Dawson City is rich in character, with dirt roads, preserved buildings and a strong sense of stepping back into the 1890s. Free walking tours explored the town’s history, and you can pan for gold at still-active mines. For the adventurous, the infamous SourToe cocktail at the Sourdough Saloon is an experience of its own. Although we were about ten days early for the official northern lights season, we were lucky enough to see faint displays in the early hours, which was an unforgettable moment.
Next came the long but scenic eight-hour coach journey to Whitehorse for an overnight stay. Like Dawson City, Whitehorse offers a mix of history and calm, providing a gentle pause before continuing south to Skagway. After eight full days on land, the sight of the Koningsdam waiting for us in port was a wonderful moment.
Koningsdam, a Pinnacle-class ship, is elegant and spacious, with excellent viewing areas for glacier cruising. Dining was effortless to navigate and the complimentary venues offered consistently high-quality meals.We enjoyed Pinnacle Grill for lunch, Tamarind for dinner and Rudi’s Sel de Mer, all of which delivered exceptional meals. Musical entertainment was a strong feature on board, with talented performers across a range of genres.
As part of the land-cruise combination, we spent four nights on board, visiting Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and the Inside Passage. Glacier Bay in particular was a standout, with the ship’s viewing decks offering superb perspective as the glaciers calved and echoed across the water.
From start to finish, Holland America’s Alaska and Yukon cruise-tour exceeded every expectation. The blend of wilderness, wildlife, history and seamless organisation created a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Between the comfort of the Koningsdam, the quality of the land program and the depth of experiences across Alaska and the Yukon, it is a trip we would recommend wholeheartedly.
