This extraordinary itinerary unfolds in two distinct chapters: an immersive land journey through Alaska's breathtaking interior, followed by a spectacular ocean voyage through some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the planet. Here's your complete route from start to finish.

Your Alaska adventure begins in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city and a haven for nature lovers. With its national parks, scenic trails, and abundant wildlife — from city moose to majestic whales — Anchorage is the perfect launching point. After an overnight stay, you'll board the legendary McKinley Explorer® domed railcar and travel north through the stunning Susitna Valley to Talkeetna, one of Alaska's most iconic small towns.

Talkeetna sits at the confluence of three rivers, halfway between Anchorage and Denali National Park. This former gold-mining town of about 800 people personifies all that is rural Alaska — it's thought to have inspired the fictional community of Cicely in the TV series Northern Exposure. Today it's one of the best spots to view Denali and a jumping-off point for flightseeing adventures.

Nothing — and I mean nothing — prepares you for Denali National Park. Spanning six million acres of wild subarctic landscape, this is Alaska at its most raw and magnificent. You'll spend two unforgettable nights at the Holland America Denali Lodge, perfectly positioned near the park entrance.

The highlight is the iconic Tundra Wilderness Tour, a guided journey deep into the park where you'll have the chance to spot grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and moose against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. On clear days, the 20,310-foot summit of Denali — North America's tallest peak — dominates the horizon in a way that photographs simply cannot capture.

The McKinley Explorer® train ride from Talkeetna to Denali is an experience unto itself — glass-domed railcars offer 360-degree views of the Alaska Range as you wind through pristine wilderness. Holland America's 2027 season features an expanded Denali Lodge with enhanced amenities.

On Day 3, your land adventure transitions to sea as you travel from Denali through the stunning Turnagain Arm to Whittier, where the magnificent Nieuw Amsterdam awaits. This small port town, surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers, is your gateway to the Inside Passage.

The very next day, your reward for making the voyage is one of the most spectacular sights in the natural world: Hubbard Glacier. Standing 6 miles wide and over 400 feet tall at its face, Hubbard is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. As the ship approaches, you'll hear the thunderous crack of calving ice — massive chunks breaking free and crashing into the sea. The captain will position the ship for optimal viewing from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and every deck becomes a front-row seat to this awe-inspiring natural spectacle.

Holland America's Glacier Guarantee™ means if weather prevents glacier viewing, you'll receive a future cruise credit — though conditions in early June are typically excellent.

If Hubbard left you speechless, Glacier Bay National Park will render you completely awestruck. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the crown jewels of Alaska's national park system, and Holland America is one of only a few cruise lines permitted to sail into this pristine wilderness — a privilege earned through decades of environmental stewardship.

The Nieuw Amsterdam will spend a full day cruising through Glacier Bay (8:30 AM – 6:30 PM), passing massive tidewater glaciers, including the spectacular Margerie Glacier. National Park Service rangers board the ship to provide expert commentary as you navigate past towering walls of blue ice. Keep your binoculars ready — humpback whales, sea otters, harbor seals on ice floes, mountain goats, and bald eagles are all commonly spotted here.

This is a day you'll remember for the rest of your life. The sheer scale of the glaciers, the silence broken only by cracking ice, and the pristine wilderness stretching in every direction create an experience that is truly humbling.

Skagway is one of Alaska's most atmospheric and historically rich destinations — a perfectly preserved Gold Rush boomtown that transports you straight back to 1898. With a full day in port (5:30 AM – 9:00 PM), you'll have ample time to explore this remarkable town.

Walking down Broadway Street feels like stepping onto a movie set — restored wooden storefronts, swinging saloon doors, and boardwalks line the streets of what was once the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush. At its peak, Skagway was the largest city in Alaska, as tens of thousands of prospectors passed through on their way to the Yukon goldfields.

The must-do excursion here is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway — a narrow-gauge railroad that climbs nearly 3,000 feet through breathtaking mountain scenery, following the same route the stampeders took over a century ago. It's consistently rated one of the top scenic railways in the world.

Juneau is unlike any other state capital in America — it can only be reached by plane or boat, has a glacier practically in its backyard, and sits at the edge of a vast wilderness. With a generous port day (7:00 AM – 4:30 PM), you'll have time to experience the best of this extraordinary city.

The star attraction is Mendenhall Glacier, a stunning river of ice just 12 miles from downtown that flows from the massive Juneau Icefield. But Juneau also offers world-class whale watching — the waters of Stephens Passage are home to one of the largest concentrations of humpback whales in the Northern Hemisphere, and sightings are virtually guaranteed in June.

For the adventurous, helicopter glacier treks put you directly on the ice for an experience you'll never forget. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, the charming downtown offers excellent shopping, fresh seafood, and the famous Red Dog Saloon.

Ketchikan is a city that wears its personality proudly — colorful, creative, rainy, and wonderfully wild. Alaska's southernmost major city and first port of call for northbound ships, Ketchikan greets you with a vibrant waterfront, world-class totem pole collections, and some of the best salmon fishing on the planet. You'll be in port from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Don't miss Creek Street, a historic boardwalk built on stilts over Ketchikan Creek where salmon run right beneath your feet. The Totem Heritage Center and Saxman Native Village offer profound insights into Tlingit culture and the art of totem carving. And if you're a seafood lover, this is your paradise — fresh king salmon, Dungeness crab, and halibut are served at restaurants throughout town.

For a truly unforgettable experience, take a floatplane to Misty Fjords National Monument — a landscape of sheer granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and mirror-still lakes that rivals anything in Norway.

Your final full day at sea is spent cruising through Alaska's legendary Inside Passage — a protected network of waterways winding through a labyrinth of islands, glacier-cut fjords, and lush temperate rainforests. This is one of the most scenic stretches of coastline on Earth, and the Nieuw Amsterdam navigates it beautifully.

From the comfort of the ship's panoramic lounges, the Crow's Nest, or your own stateroom balcony, watch as the dramatic landscape unfolds — towering evergreen forests, snow-capped peaks, cascading waterfalls, and the occasional pod of orcas or humpback whales. Bald eagles soar overhead, and if you're lucky, you might spot bears fishing along the shoreline.

This is also the perfect day to enjoy everything the Nieuw Amsterdam has to offer — indulge in a spa treatment, savor a leisurely multi-course dinner at Pinnacle Grill, catch a show at World Stage, or simply relax by the pool and reflect on an incredible journey.

Between your extraordinary port adventures, the Nieuw Amsterdam is your floating sanctuary — a beautifully appointed mid-size ship carrying just 2,106 guests. With 8 restaurants, 8 bars and lounges, 2 pools, 6 hot tubs, and a world-class spa, this ship delivers the perfect balance of elegance and relaxation.

Prices shown are per person, double occupancy, with the Have It All Premium Package (includes $200 shore excursion credit, drink package, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi). Taxes and fees included. Prices subject to change.

The Have It All Premium Package adds approximately $60/person/day and includes: Shore Excursion Credit ($200 for 10+ day voyages), Signature Beverage Package, Specialty Dining experiences, and Premium Wi-Fi. For 2027 sailings, the Early Booking Bonus also includes a FREE Cruisetour Dining Package covering meals at Denali Lodge and aboard the McKinley Explorer®.