Holland America Company has been exploring Alaska for almost 75 years, making it the region’s pioneer cruise line. For those looking to go further and explore the entire north, Holland America Line’s Cruisetours combine an Alaska cruise with an inland adventure to Denali and the Yukon. Holland America Line is integrating Cruisetours in its current “Time of Your Life” wave offer to make an Alaska vacation even more appealing.
Guests who book certain summer 2023 Cruisetours will receive a free stateroom upgrade, price discounts, free fares for children, and reduced deposits, as well as tours, beverages, specialty cuisine, and Wi-Fi with the “Have It All” premium package. For a limited time, travelers can additionally earn up to $300 in onboard credit per stateroom, depending on the length of the Cruisetour. The discount is valid until February 28, 2023.
“Holland America Line’s Yukon Cruisetours are exclusive to our brand, and the experiences we offer go back to a by-gone era, immersing our guests in a culture that is a deep part of North American history,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. “The breathtaking scenery of the Yukon perfectly complements the beauty of Alaska and Denali, not to mention the abundance of wildlife waiting to be photographed. Yukon is a must-visit destination, especially with the ‘Time of Your Life’ wave booking offers.”
Holland America Line is the only cruise line that extends Alaska Cruisetours into Canada’s unspoiled Yukon Territory. In 2023, four ships will provide 16 different Cruisetour choices ranging from nine to 18 days, with six of them itineraries covering the Yukon. In addition to breathtaking landscapes and a plethora of species, the Yukon has a fascinating history that only Holland America Line can bring to life.
The Top Five Reasons To Visit the Yukon in 2023, according to Holland America Line:
1. Relive the Klondike Gold Rush
Every Yukon & Denali Cruisetour includes up to two nights in Dawson City, Yukon, allowing passengers to immerse themselves in Gold Rush history. Guests can tour an active placer gold mine amid the historic gold fields of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Learn about placer mining, how to lay a claim, and how to market the gold that miners find, all while comparing historical methods to modern technologies. There is also the possibility of gold panning in the creek.
2. Breathtaking scenery
Some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Yukon may be found on a picturesque drive along the Dempster Highway on the way to Tombstone Territorial Park. The fortunate will observe wildlife while admiring the region’s stunning flora and fauna. At Tombstone Territorial Park, take a guided stroll along the North Klondike River or a more strenuous hike up the Goldensides Trail to a spectacular lookout point.
3. Caribou, Wolves, and Bears, Oh My!
The variety of wildlife is part of the charm of an Alaska cruise. From orcas and humpback whales to otters and eagles, the opportunity to observe incredible creatures continues all the way up into the Yukon. During their stay in Canada, lucky visitors will encounter Arctic foxes, Dall sheep, wolves, caribou, grizzlies, moose, and other wildlife.
4. Glide Along The Yukon River
A tour on the legendary Klondike Spirit paddle wheeler in Dawson City takes passengers on a nostalgic journey down the Yukon River, past gorgeous tall pines, ancient settlements, and animals. Learn about the Yukon First Nation, the village of Moosehide, the history of the gold rush, the paddlewheel graveyard, and the Dawson City tale. Some Cruisetours include Klondike Spirit, while others require an additional charge.
5. Walk in the Footsteps of Jack London and Robert Service
Famous novelists Jack London and Robert Service are to the Klondike as Anne of Green Gables is to Prince Edward Island. Fans of London can visit the Jack London Museum in Dawson City to witness a reproduction of his residence in the Klondike in 1897. This duplicate is made from half of the wood from London’s original cabin on Henderson Creek’s North Fork; the other half is in London’s hometown of Oakland, California. The author of “White Fang” resided in the area and worked as a Yukon gold prospector.
Visitors can also tour the Robert Service cabin, where the Engli-born Canadian poet and author lived and wrote his best-selling novel “The Trail of ’98.” Service worked as a banker in Whitehorse and later in Dawson City until resigning in 1909 to focus solely on his literary craft, which had developed with poems and gold rush tales since his bank initially sent him to Whitehorse in 1904.
6. BONUS: A Journey Host Guides the Way
Every Yukon and Denali Cruisetour includes the services of a professional Journey Host, who makes time on land easy, convenient, and informative. The Cruisetour Host gives an expert narration of the sights and views along the way and travel coordination for hotel, air, land, and sea transportation.
Sail Alaska’s splendors
All Alaska cruises showcase the best of the Great Land on properly sized ships designed for immersive vacations. Guests can sail the pristine waterways of Alaska on six ships from April to September 2023. Explore Glacier Bay, as well as the charming communities of the Inside Passage and beyond. Itineraries are seven or fourteen days long and depart from Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; or Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska.
The “Yukon & Denali Cruisetours” package includes a three- or four-day Inside Passage cruise on Koningsdam or Volendam, or a seven-day Glacier Discovery cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam or Noordam, as well as a two- or three-night stay at Denali National Park and a voyage into the Yukon. In addition, Holland America Line provides Cruisetour alternatives that just include Denali National Park.
Alaska’s Number One Cruise Line
No other cruise line has spent more time exploring Alaska than Holland America Line, and over the years the brand has received awards and accolades for Alaska sailing from the world’s most discerning passengers and cruise experts. In the Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Awards, AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards, Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards, and TravelAge West Wave Awards Editor’s Pick, Holland America Line was chosen as the top choice for Alaska.
Alaska Up Close immerses visitors in local culture.
Guests on Alaska cruises are immersed in the local culture with authentic onboard programming, cruise activities, and award-winning shore excursions with Holland America Line’s “Alaska Up Close” program. The exclusive experiences are offered by specialists who lead workshops and lectures, EXC Talks that explore the stories of actual Alaskans, tours that showcase the best of each place, and Port to Table cooking demos and fine dining events that highlight the region’s culinary heritage.
Consult a travel expert, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425), or visit hollandamerica.com for additional information on Holland America Line.
[Source: Holland America Press Release]