By
Alex Smith |
Holland America Line is expanding its ‘Alaska Up Close’ onboard programming for cruises to Alaska during the 2023 season.
The cruise line is introducing new local cuisine, cocktails, an Alaska-themed brunch, a Huna native presentation and experts in indigenous wildlife to all of its Alaska cruises. The programme will continue to offer its EXC Talks and Presentations about the lives of Alaskans and dining events featuring the culinary traditions of the region.
“Since launching Alaska Up Close we’ve introduced incredible programming that brings an authentic Alaska experience to our guests like no other cruise line,” said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development. “This season we’re growing the program to embed Alaskan fresh fish and wildlife spotting into the cruise on an even more expansive scale, from new localised cuisine and cocktails to exciting lectures and wildlife viewing. We want our guests to have experiences they can’t find anywhere else.”
The new cocktails will include four drinks featuring Alaska glacier ice, which has been harvested by state permit from floating icebergs in Prince William Sound. According to Holland America Line, these are the only cocktails featuring glacier ice being served by a cruise line. In addition, four new hot cocktails will be available during cruising in Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm and Hubbard Glacier.
Guests will also be offered the chance to taste a new Alaska Brunch menu in the Dining Room restaurant once per cruise. The menu features dishes that use fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest region ingredients, including Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Salmon and Potato Chowder, and Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet.
Meanwhile, the Lido Market dining area will feature special dishes and theme nights during Alaska cruises. Guests can order a Salmon Bake dinner and Seafood Boil pop-up dinner on all cruises, while a Gold Rush dinner will be available on cruises over 14 days.
Holland America Line will expand upon its EXC Talks and Presentations programming by bringing a Huna Native interpreter in traditional dress onboard during the stay at Juneau. The interpreter will introduce guests to the history of the local Tlingit people in the ‘Native Voices: Stories of the Tlingit People’ presentation.
A new wildlife expert will also be onboard the ship throughout the cruise, speaking with guests on deck during designated times to help them lookout for animals indigenous to the region. A Wildlife Spotting Guide is being introduced, pointing out native animals found along the cruise route and including a map with the best places to spot each species. Between 8 am and 5:30 pm, all wildlife sightings will be announced so guests can go on deck and see them.
For the 2023 Alaska season, Holland America Line is donating proceeds from the ‘On Deck for a Cause’ event onboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic, the non-profit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands. Called ‘On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,’ guests on all Alaska cruises will be invited to donate $25 to participate in a non-competitive 5k fundraising walk aboard every sailing.
Holland America Line has six ships sailing to Alaska in 2023 on seven- or 14-day cruises from Seattle, Vancouver and Whittier in Alaska. The cruise line also offers cruise tours of up to 18 days, combining an overland trip to Denali National Park and the Yukon with a cruise.