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Waterfalls and spirit bears? Take a 'rare' path to Alaska on this Holland America cruise
Holland America Line is known for its Alaska cruises, but a new itinerary will take waters less traveled.
The 18-Day Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer sailing will transit through the historic Inside Passage after leaving from Vancouver, Canada, in 2026, giving passengers a unique vantage point.
“We’re excited to be able to take our guests through the historic Inside Passage – the storied route ships have been sailing to reach Alaska since as far back as the gold rush era,” Paul Grigsby, the cruise line’s Vice President of Deployment and Revenue Planning, told USA TODAY in a statement. “When cruise ships head to Alaska, it’s rare for them to take this path – and if they do, it’s nearly always at night. By building this itinerary, we’ve given guests not just one but two days of scenic cruising through the fjord-like waterway, where they’ll have plenty of chances to take in the stunning natural beauty and populous wildlife.”
The new addition comes after the line announced a similar shorter itinerary earlier this year.
When is the Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer cruise?
The round-trip sailing will depart Vancouver on Sept. 16, 2026, on the line’s 1,432-guest Zaandam ship.
Where will the cruise go?
Passengers will begin their trip with scenic cruising, taking in the sights from Seymour Narrows, the Grenville Channel and more. Guests will have the chance to see waterfalls and wildlife like whales and spirit bears, a rare type of black bear with creamy or white fur.
The itinerary features eight ports of call in Alaska, including Sitka, Anchorage – where the ship will stay overnight – and Juneau. Guests can set off in search of grizzly bears on an excursion to the Khutzeymateen Valley, or enjoy activities like nature walks, golfing and marine life cruises.
Glaciers are on the agenda, too, of course: the ship will take passengers to Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
Alaska cruise guide: Why the journey is the destination when it comes to the Last Frontier
How much does the cruise cost?
The cruise currently starts at $3,029 per person, including taxes and fees. Holland America’s fares include accommodations, many meals on board, live entertainment and more.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Take a lesser-visited route to Alaska on this Holland America cruise
