If there's one destination that never seems to lose its magic, it's Alaska. The scenery looks unreal, but the stories behind those mountains, railways and coastal towns are just as interesting. That's why Holland America Line's latest plans for its 2027 season caught my eye.
The cruise line will mark 80 years of exploring Alaska in 2027 with a collection of more than three dozen Alaska Heritage Tours. These aren't all brand-new excursions. Many are long-running experiences, now brought together to celebrate the places and journeys that have shaped Alaska tourism over generations.
What can you actually do?
The line-up includes the White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad from Skagway, following a route associated with the Klondike Gold Rush, and the glass-domed McKinley Explorer train through Alaska's interior. There's also the Mendenhall Glacier Explorer near Juneau, a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise and the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour.
Personally, I'd be torn between the railway and the wildlife. There's something brilliant about seeing a landscape from a historic train, especially when you're travelling through somewhere as dramatic as Alaska. But watching for whales or sea otters on a smaller boat would be pretty special too.
Which cruises include the tours?
Holland America says the Heritage Tours are available on select 2027 Alaska cruises and Cruisetours, not automatically on every sailing. Its land-and-sea Cruisetours offer some of the broadest choices, including train journeys and visits to Denali. Selected Inside Passage sailings can offer Mendenhall Glacier excursions from Juneau, while some longer itineraries reach places such as Haines, Valdez and Anchorage.
The wider Alaska programme includes more than 200 shore excursions, so there is plenty of choice beyond the anniversary collection. Just remember that availability, cost and accessibility will depend on the departure and tour you choose.
More than a photo stop
What I like most is the chance to understand a destination rather than just tick it off a list. Alaska's history belongs to its communities, including Alaska Native peoples whose voices should be central to how that story is told. Holland America says its wider programme includes local and Native perspectives, which I hope guests make time for.
I'm also interested in what these trips mean for the people working in the region. A good excursion should respect local guides, wildlife and communities, not just deliver a coachload of passengers for a quick photograph.
If Alaska is on your wish list for 2027, this announcement gives you another reason to look beyond the ship itself. I'd choose the ports and the experiences first, then find the cruise that gives you enough time to enjoy them.
Details checked against Holland America Line's official announcement, 21 October 2026.
