Holland America Marks 80 Years in Alaska with Upgraded Denali Lodge and Free Dining Plan for 2027 Cruisetours

Joe Cusmano 6 minutes ago 4 min read

Photo courtesy: Holland America Cruises

Holland America Line is celebrating 80 years of exploring Alaska by significantly enhancing its 2027 Cruisetour season, combining classic Inside Passage cruising with more immersive land experiences in Denali National Park and the Yukon. The upcoming season introduces a transformed Denali Lodge, a new inclusive Cruisetour dining plan worth up to USD 829, and a choice of 19 itineraries that pair three‑ to seven‑day cruises with guided overland adventures. Travellers can explore the full program and offers via the official site, Holland America Line.

Enhanced Denali Lodge and Free Inclusive Dining Plan

At the heart of the refresh is Holland America’s Denali Lodge, which is undergoing a USD 70 million multi‑year expansion and renovation to be completed ahead of the 2027 season. The project adds new guestroom buildings and a reimagined main lodge with a contemporary restaurant, upgraded coffee concept, refreshed public spaces and improved trail signage, all designed to deepen guests’ connection to the wilderness just outside Denali National Park. As a privately owned property, the lodge allows Holland America to control the entire guest experience on land, from room design to dining and touring schedules.

To mark both the lodge expansion and its 80th Alaska milestone, the line is introducing a new Cruisetour dining package that is free for guests who book with the Have It All Early Booking Bonus. The package includes breakfast and dinner at Holland America’s signature properties in Denali, Skagway and Dawson City, lunch aboard the glass‑domed McKinley Explorer railcars, lunch during the Tundra Wilderness Tour, and the lively Music of Denali dinner theatre experience. Valued at up to USD 829 per person, this plan effectively makes the land portion of the journey far more inclusive, extending the “seamless” feel of a cruise ship holiday into the Alaskan interior.

Immersive Cruisetour Itineraries Across Denali and the Yukon

Every 2027 Cruisetour combines a three‑ to seven‑day cruise aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Westerdam or Zaandam with a curated series of land experiences that showcase glaciers, wildlife and frontier history. All itineraries include a visit to Denali National Park, with extended stays of up to three nights to allow for a more relaxed pace and increased chances of wildlife viewing. Guests travel between regions on Holland America’s own glass‑domed McKinley Explorer train, motorcoaches and lodges, ensuring coordinated transfers and scenic routes chosen specifically for Cruisetour guests.

For those wanting to go beyond Denali, select itineraries push into Canada’s Yukon – an area where Holland America remains the only major cruise line offering combined land‑and‑sea journeys. These Denali & Yukon Cruisetours include two to three nights at Denali Lodge plus time in Dawson City and Whitehorse, with experiences such as the Klondike Gold Rush‑themed Gold Dredge 8, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway and guided city tours that bring the region’s gold‑rush history to life.

Four Styles of Cruisetour for Different Travellers

The 2027 program is structured into four main Cruisetour styles, each targeting a different style of traveller. Classic Alaska & Denali Cruisetours, typically 9–10 days, bundle a 7‑day Glacier Discovery cruise with one night at Denali Lodge and the Denali Natural History Tour, ideal for guests who want a “taster” of the interior without adding too many extra days. Signature Alaska & Denali Cruisetours extend the experience to 10–12 days, adding extra nights at Denali Lodge (two or three) and the more in‑depth Tundra Wilderness Tour, with some itineraries also including the Riverboat Discovery excursion.

Ultimate Alaska & Denali Cruisetours, from 14 days, add stays in Alaskan towns such as Alyeska, Seward or Homer along with a dedicated Tour Director, combining a 7‑day Glacier Discovery cruise with two nights at Denali Lodge and a suite of included tours like the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Tundra Wilderness Tour and Gold Dredge 8. Finally, Alaska, Denali & Yukon Cruisetours, lasting 9–17 days, pair either a Glacier Discovery or Inside Passage cruise with deeper Yukon exploration and multiple nights in both Denali and Dawson City, supported by an escorting Tour Director throughout.

Early Booking Bonuses and Added Value for 2027

For a limited time, guests who book 2027 Cruisetours with the Have It All Early Booking Bonus will receive the new land dining package at no extra cost, on top of the standard Have It All inclusions of shore excursions, specialty dining, Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi‑Fi. Holland America’s Mariner Society loyalty members can also access an exclusive Early Booking Bonus of up to USD 400 onboard credit per stateroom on these departures, further enhancing value for repeat guests.

With 80 years of experience in Alaska, privately owned lodges and railcars, and an increasingly inclusive approach to land touring, Holland America’s 2027 Cruisetour season is positioned as one of the most comprehensive ways to experience the “Great Land” by sea and land in a single, seamless trip. Travellers and advisors can find detailed itineraries, pricing and booking information at Holland America Line.