Why is Alaska’s Inside Passage Ideal for Your First Cruise? Holland America Line is our preferred cruise line partner for our Alaska Inside Passage cruises. With 70+ years of experience in these waters and a five-star “Best in Alaska” rating from cruisecritic.com’s 2019 Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards, it’s easy to see why we select Holland America Line for our voyages to and from “The Last Frontier.” If you have never been on a cruise before, these accolades are perfect reasons to make Alaska’s Inside Passage your first cruising experience! We invite you to join us on one of our group guided tours to Alaska in 2020 and “seas the day!” Read on and discover more compelling reasons why this particular cruise and cruise line is perfect for everyone, including first-timers. The Still Waters The Inside Passage is the island-speckled waterway that makes up all of southeast Alaska, running alongside Canada’s British Columbia. These coastal islands and mountains rise steeply out of the ocean and are covered in dense coastal rain forests. The islands protect the ship from the kinds of waves, wind, and weather you may expect from a cruise in the open ocean, creating a remarkably peaceful cruise experience. This stability significantly reduces the probability of seasickness too. If you are uneasy about cruising in open waters, enjoy the peace of mind in knowing you can see land on both sides of the ship much of the time. The Views While most cruises traverse open water from port-to-port, the Inside Passage offers dramatic, jaw-dropping views as we work our way through countless islands. From the comfort of the stately ship, watch as unspoiled coastlines give way to quaint port towns brimming with history. Pack your binoculars because you will not only encounter spectacular landscapes, but also the many animals that inhabit the Inside Passage. Keep your eyes peeled for playful sea otters, breaching humpback and orca whales, and soaring eagles. And for the cherry on top, witness some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. The Ship’s Size The ms Volendam is a midsized vessel that cruisecritic.com calls “the perfect ‘Goldilocks ship’ – big enough to offer plenty of activities and enrichment, but not so big that you get lost in the crowd.” At almost 800 feet long and a guest capacity of less than 1450, we enthusiastically agree. This ship has a very low guest-to-staff ratio, and Holland America Line is known for its extraordinary guest service. Better yet, the ms Volendam’s relative smallness allows us to go where other cruise ships cannot, such as Glacier Bay National Park, the centerpiece attraction to our Alaska & Glacier Bay Cruise itinerary. Learn more about Glacier Bay National Park here. The Cruise Length Most cruises operate for a minimum of 7-10 nights, and sometimes retrace the same waterways on their return. On our Inside Passage cruises, we find the perfect balance! You’ll cruise for three or four nights before or after exploring Alaska’s expansive interior, depending on the itinerary. Both cruises offer a delightful day at a charming seaside community on the panhandle. On our Alaska & Inside Passage Cruise discover Juneau, Alaska’s capital and one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales. Our Alaska & Glacier Bay Cruise spends a day in Ketchikan, gateway to the Misty Fjords and the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Our Added Value Marvelous as it is, there is so much more to discover in Alaska than the Inside Passage. Our signature Alaska itineraries add much more value to your cruise than simply going on the cruise alone. You’ll be glad you booked a land and sea adventure with Holiday Vacations when you stand before North America’s tallest peak at Denali National Park, see glacial peaks along dramatic Turnagain Arm, ride the White Pass & Yukon Route scenic railway, and learn how to pan for gold at Gold Dredge 8 in Fairbanks (and keep what you find!). Does a cruise of the Inside Passage sound right for you? Browse the full details of these tours, plus departure dates, maps, pricing, and more with these links. Alaska & Inside Passage Cruise Alaska & Glacier Bay Cruise