Holland America Line is broadly regarded as one of the best lines for Alaska cruises. Serving travelers who want a more upscale, mature experience, and frequently offering itineraries that visit Glacier Bay, Holland America has established a fanbase of avid cruisers who choose the line again and again for their trips to The Last Frontier.
Currently, you can book Holland America Alaska cruises on six different ships: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, and Zanndam.
To help you pick the best ship for your dream vacation to Alaska, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about the experience and what to expect on each.
Ship Overview
| Ship | Homeport(s) | Glacier Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eurodam | Seattle | Glacier Bay | Travelers wanting simple, low‑key cruising with strong itineraries |
| Koningsdam | Anchorage, Vancouver | Glacier Bay | Modern‑ship fans, food lovers, couples |
| Nieuw Amsterdam | Anchorage, Fairbanks, Vancouver, Whittier | Glacier Bay | Value seekers, small‑ship feel, easy navigation |
| Noordam | Seattle | Glacier Bay | Long‑itinerary cruisers, refurbished‑ship fans |
| Westerdam | Anchorage, Fairbanks, Vancouver, Whittier, Tokyo, Yokohama | Glacier Bay | Travelers wanting unique routes, transpacific options, newly refreshed spaces |
| Zaandam | Anchorage, Vancouver | Glacier Bay | Small‑ship lovers, quiet/older crowd, intimate cruising |
Eurodam
Eurodam debuted in 2008 and was most recently updated in 2023. The ship is on the smaller side, with a capacity for 2,104 passengers at double occupancy. It offers nine dining venues, two pools, multiple bars and lounges, and pickleball courts.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Eurodam
This ship isn’t exactly new by cruise industry standards, and despite recent refurbishments, the ship does show wear and tear, and it doesn’t feel like a necessarily modern cruise ship. There’s nothing flashy or impressive.
That said, that might not be that bad of a thing if you’re going on an Alaskan cruise for Alaska itself, rather than the on-ship experience. Expect to purchase shore excursions and spend most of your time in port.
Guests love Holland America’s Alaska itineraries and excursions, and if you’re not looking for big excitement on the ship, you should have no trouble enjoying each and every day of your cruise. If your itinerary includes sea days, use them to relax by the pool or in the spa.
Eurodam Alaska Itineraries
Holland America offers a handful of Alaska deployments on Eurodam, with fares starting at under $120 per night. Cruises are all seven nights and all depart from Seattle, with stops in popular destinations such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka.
Eurodam Pros & Cons in Alaska
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Small ship with few crowds | Ship is relatively outdated |
| Fan-favorite itineraries that leave from the U.S. | No flashy or exciting amenities |
Koningsdam
Koningsdam is a little bit newer and bigger than Eurodam, and the lead ship in Holland America’s Pinnacle class. The ship debuted in 2016 and was refurbished in 2023.
It can hold nearly 2,700 passengers at double occupancy, though over 3,000 passengers at max capacity. As the ship is bigger, it offers more dining options, and it still feels relatively new.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Koningsdam
As is the case with all Holland America ships, the reason you sail on Koningsdam is because of the great Alaskan itineraries, which often take visitors to Glacier Bay National Park (something that not all cruise lines or ships can do, due to the National Park Service’s strict regulations).
However, during sea days or when you’re otherwise not in port or enjoying the passing views of glaciers and wildlife from one of the balconies or upper decks, you’ll still find reasons to enjoy this ship.
Dining, guest services, and spaces like the pools and pickleball courts are well-reviewed (even if the entertainment options, like the live music, receive mixed reactions).
Koningsdam Alaska Itineraries
Holland America offers a nice range of Alaska itineraries on Koningsdam, with itineraries ranging from seven to 14 nights, and fares starting at around $120 per night. You have two departure port options, Anchorage and Vancouver.
Koningsdam Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Somewhat newer ship that stills feels modern | Entertainment receives mixed reviews |
| Highly rated dining | Somewhat newer ship that still feels modern |
Nieuw Amsterdam
Nieuw Amsterdam is more similar to Eurodam. It was built in 2010 and holds just over 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, across the ship’s 11 decks.
The ship’s 2023 refurbishments, though, did bring some changes that cruisers have appreciated — for example, the line added the specialty restaurant Morimoto by Sea.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam
A smaller ship with fewer crowds, Nieuw Amsterdam is easy to navigate, and it’s easy to find good scenic views, too. Cruisers say you’ll get some of the best inside views if you head to the Tamarind Bar.
While the ship doesn’t offer much in the way of big, first-at-sea attractions, like rollercoasters on the top deck or jaw-dropping dry slides, it does offer a lot of daily programming and activities to choose from. You’ll be able to keep yourself busy during sea days and when you’re not in port.
Many cruisers also find that this ship offers competitive fares (even without any exclusive cruise deals or special offers) and a good value for your money.
Nieuw Amsterdam Alaska Itineraries
Nieuw Amsterdam offers fares to Alaska starting at $105 per night, with itineraries ranging from seven to 14 nights in length. Departure ports include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Vancouver, and Whittier.
As such, keep in mind that, if you’re traveling to your port from the contiguous United States, choosing a Nieuw Amsterdam cruise will likely require some extra travel time (as well as some potential extra costs).
Nieuw Amsterdam Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smaller ship that’s very easy to navigate | Ship is still on the older side |
| Fares are a good value | Entertainment can be somewhat limited |
Noordam
Noordam is even smaller than the previously detailed Holland America ships, at 82,318 gross tons and holding just under 2,000 passengers.
The ship was built in 2006 and received its most recent facelift in 2024. This refurbishment was rather substantial, replacing a lot of the furnishings and décor, as well as completely overhauling some of the cabin bathrooms.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Noordam
The refurbishments have really done this cruise ship a lot of good, so don’t let the age necessarily scare you away from booking an Alaskan cruise.
The views can be great from your stateroom or suite (so long as you book the correct ocean view stateroom category) and The Crow’s Nest Lounge is a favorite public space for taking in the scenery. As always on Holland America, the excursions and days in port are the highlight here.
Compared to some of the cruise line’s other ships, the dining and entertainment aren’t as top-tier on this small ship — but there’s only so much space to work with, so fewer options.
Noordam Alaska Itineraries
Holland America offers a handful of Alaska Deployments on Noordam. Fares start at $104 per night and itineraries range from seven to a whopping 28 nights — so if it’s a longer experience you’re after, Noordam may just be the Holland America ship for you.
The 28-night itinerary departs from Seattle and includes several days of scenic cruising before stops in ports like Ketchikan, Sitka, Valdez, Nome, Kodiak, Anchorage, and more.
Noordam Pros & Cons in Alaska
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ship was recently updated | Ship is quite small, which makes for fewer on-ship options |
| Longer itineraries are available | Cruisers report dining and entertainment could be better |
Westerdam
Built in 2004 and carrying under 2,000 passengers at double occupancy, Westerdam is similarly small. However, Westerdam was very, very recently updated, with a dry dock in January 2026.
Public spaces like The Crow’s Nest have been reimagined and reinvigorated for a more modern aesthetic and easier navigation. New ocean-view cabins were added (be sure to book one for the freshest experience possible; they’re on decks one and seven). Other cabins received new furnishings, flooring, décor, and bathrooms.
Those who book a 2026 Alaska cruise on Westerdam will have the pleasure of being some of the first cruisers to experience these changes for themselves.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Westerdam
Even before the 2026 refurbishments, you could expect a nice, if outdated, time on Westerdam while cruising to Alaska. If you can’t get one of those brand-new cabins that were added during the refurbishment, make sure to get a cabin with a veranda and the horizon views that come with it.
Dining is limited, given the ship’s size. Along those lines, you won’t find a ton of ways to fill your nights or sea days — but, if you’re a relatively low-key, relaxed traveler, you will find enough. Plus, the highlights are the glaciers and Alaska’s ports of call anyway.
Westerdam Alaska Itineraries
Westerdam deployments start at $102 per night, with itineraries ranging from seven to 29 nights. There are tons of different itineraries to choose from, too.
Departure ports likewise really range, and include not just Anchorage, Fairbanks, Vancouver and Whittier, which are all to be expected, but also Tokyo and Yokohama!
Yes, that’s right, you can take a transpacific cruise on Westerdam, from Asia to Alaska. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that really may persuade some cruisers to book this ship, regardless of its size or age.
Westerdam Pros & Cons in Alaska
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable cruise fares | Smaller, older ship |
| Very recent renovations (2026) | Few dining and entertainment options |
Zaandam
Lastly, Zaandam is the smallest and oldest of the ships that Holland America sends to Alaska, launched in 2000 and holding fewer than 1,500 passengers at double capacity. If you prefer a small, intimate cruise ship and will always pick one over the megaships of the modern era, Zaandam will likely appeal to you.
The ship received refurbishments in 2025, which upgraded a lot of the public spaces, such as the spa and fitness center, as well as added an art studio for arts-related daily programming.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Zaandam
The ship is small, but that also means that it feels less crowded and more intimate than a lot of other cruise ships. Plus, the small size means easier access to off-the-beaten-path ports and scenery that big ships can’t visit.
Expect lots of great outdoor viewing areas, a quieter, older crowd, and stops at top Alaskan sites. Food, drinks, and entertainment may be more “meh” than what you’ll get on some of Holland America’s newer, bigger ships.
Zaandam Alaska Itineraries
Seven to 18-night itineraries are available on Zaandam, with fares starting at around $115 per night. Departure ports include Anchorage and Vancouver only.
Zaandam Pros & Cons in Alaska
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Small ship that’s easy to navigate | Mixed reviews for dining and drinks |
| Fewer crowds and a more intimate feel | Keeping busy will most often require leaving the ship |
Which Ship is Cheapest?
Holland America isn’t really known as a budget cruise line, and it’s true that you can find cheaper cruises if you sail with another line to Alaska, such as Royal Caribbean. However, that doesn’t mean you have to spend big money to sail on Holland America.
Here are the lowest and highest per-night costs for each Holland America ship offering Alaska itineraries:
- Eurodam: $118.43–$677
- Koningsdam: $120.57–$482.71
- Nieuw Amsterdam: $105.14–$552.23
- Noordam: $104.14–$454.25
- Westerdam: $102–$525.90
- Zaandam: $115.57–$453.55
So, based on the above, you’re more likely to find the most affordable deals when booking on Noordam.
Read Also: Princess Cruise Ships in Alaska – Which One to Choose?
Why the huge price ranges? Fare really all depends on the individual itinerary, how long the cruise is, how new and in-demand the ship is, and the stateroom that you pick. As such, it’s worth shopping around a bit in order to find the best deals, given that there are so many factors at play.
