Holland America unveils another epic cruise — this time with a twist

14.12.2023 - 15:57 / thepointsguy.com

Are you torn between heading to Alaska or Hawaii for your next big trip?

Holland America has a solution: Visit them both.

The Seattle-based line on Wednesday unveiled yet another epic, month-long itinerary that gives travelers the opportunity to see both Alaska and Hawaii — two of America's most iconic destinations — in a single trip.

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The "Glaciers and Volcanoes: Alaska to Hawaii" voyage, as Holland America is calling it, will take place on the line's 1,964-passenger Westerdam and kick off Aug. 31, 2025, in Seattle — one of the line's two main hubs for Alaska sailings. Passengers also can join the sailing one day later in Holland America's other main Alaska cruise hub, Vancouver, B.C.

As it begins, the sailing will resemble a typical Alaska cruise with a trip northward along Alaska's Inside Passage. The coastal region, in the state's southeast corner, is known for wildlife-filled fjords, tidewater glaciers and lush island scenery.

Five stops in Alaska will begin with a day visit to Sitka, Alaska, which is part of the Inside Passage region, followed by a day visit to Seward, gateway to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, and an overnight stay in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city.

Few ships on Alaska cruises ever visit Anchorage due to the distance of travel required to reach it through the Cook Inlet.

Other unusual Alaska stops on the itinerary include the remote settlement of Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands. Known as the largest fisheries port in the U.S. by volume of fish caught, it became famous in recent years as the setting for the Discovery Channel reality television series "Deadliest Catch."

Related: The 6 best Alaska shore excursions, from someone who has tried them all

The remote town of Kodiak, Alaska, on Kodiak Island, is also on the itinerary. The island is particularly known for its large population of Kodiak bears — the largest subspecies of brown bears.

In addition to the five Alaska port stops, Westerdam will spend time during the Alaska portion of the trip visiting some of the state's most iconic tidewater glaciers and other icy destinations, including Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord and Prince William Sound.

After exploring Alaska, Westerdam will point its bow southward for a partial crossing of the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii.

Related: The best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler

Once in Hawaii, it'll stop at four destinations: Nawiliwili on the island of Kauai, Honolulu on the island of Oahu, and Kona and Hilo on the island of Hawaii.

The Hawaii portion of the trip will also include scenic cruising past Kilauea Volcano on the island of Hawaii.

All of the Hawaii stops will be day visits except the call at