Alaska + Yukon with Mary

Alaska & the Yukon: What It's Really Like on Holland America's Cruisetour

There's a particular kind of quiet that settles over you on a glacier-fed river in the Yukon, or watching ice calve off a face at Glacier Bay from the deck of a ship — and honestly, no brochure photo quite prepares you for it. We recently travelled the Holland America Alaska & Yukon Cruisetour ourselves, combining a land journey through Alaska and the Yukon with a 7-night cruise aboard the Koningsdam, and we wanted to share what the experience is actually like.

Why the cruisetour (and not just the cruise)

If you're weighing up a cruise-only Alaska itinerary against the full cruisetour, here's our honest take: go the cruisetour if you can. Holland America has built the land portion around exclusive rail carriages and charter flights, which means you skip the long coach transfers that used to define this kind of trip. You get proper time in Denali, Dawson City, and Skagway — two nights in each — rather than a rushed drive-through.

Anchorage to Denali: glass ceilings and grizzly good company

Your journey starts in Anchorage, and from there the McKinley Explorer train carries you toward Denali through some genuinely spectacular scenery — glass-domed carriages, forward-facing seats, and more legroom than you'd expect. Our tip: eat breakfast before you board. You'll want every spare minute upstairs by the window, especially once your onboard host starts pointing things out — ours was brilliant, equal parts knowledgeable and funny, and it made the eight hour journey fly by.

In Denali itself, consider the lodge upgrade. The standard rooms are comfortable, but the suite categories — with balconies, mountain or river views, modern décor and a fridge — are a small splurge that makes a real difference to how you experience your two nights there.

Fairbanks and the Yukon: huskies, gold, and the northern lights

From Denali, you'll head to Fairbanks for a riverboat tour that includes a stop at a recreated Alaska Native village — a lovely, informative way to spend an afternoon, with a chance to meet the resident huskies and caribou up close.

Then it's on to Dawson City in the Yukon, reached by a scenic charter flight (no baggage restrictions on this leg, which is always nice to hear). Dawson has real character: the oldest casino in Canada, nightly can-can shows, and an included gold panning excursion. If the skies are clear, ask reception for a northern lights wake-up call — well worth waking up for!

Skagway: gold rush history you can actually touch

Skagway is a highlight. Beyond the scenery, don't skip the 20-minute tour of the Red Onion Saloon — the original gold-rush-era brothel, now packed with original artefacts and told with genuine wit. It's one of those small, inexpensive add-ons that ends up being everyone's favourite story from the trip.

The White Pass & Yukon Route summit train is your other must-do here: three hours of some of the most dramatic scenery in the whole itinerary. There are also numerous scenic hikes – we hiked the lower lake loop (there is also the upper lake and devils punchbowl for the more ambitious hiker).  Making the most of this scenic spot before we boarded the ship, we joined an excursion that hiked the Chilkoot trail followed by a float down the Taiya River.

Aboard the Koningsdam: where the real relaxing begins

Boarding the ship after the land portion feels like a natural exhale. The Koningsdam offers a genuinely lovely onboard experience — from Dutch touches like stroopwafels on turndown, to standout entertainment. We spent most evenings at the Rolling Stone Lounge, where the live band drew a crowd every single night, and found a quieter favourite in the Tamarind Bar — tucked away, often overlooked, and one of the best views on the ship for a sunset drink.

A quick tip: if you're booking a veranda stateroom, ask about room angle and size — a slightly different category on the same deck can mean a noticeably bigger balcony for a similar price.

Glacier Bay and Ketchikan: the wild heart of the trip

Glacier Bay is a full scenic cruising day, and it delivers — glaciers calving in real time, sea otters and sea lions dotted along the water, and if you're lucky, a distant whale sighting. Ketchikan, meanwhile, is a working fishing town at heart. Walk Creek Street's boardwalk, keep an eye out for jumping salmon, and don't be surprised if you spot an eagle or two overhead — they're everywhere… or like us you may be lucky enough for a close-up Bear encounter.  Our bear was casually strolling up the creek under Creek Street shops catching his Salmon for dinner – an absolute trip highlight!

Vancouver: the perfect finish

Disembarking in Vancouver is a great excuse to extend your trip. Stanley Park, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Grouse Mountain (catch the free shuttle, then pay on arrival) are all worth the extra day or two if your schedule allows.

Our top five tips

Bring your binoculars.  The best way to view many of the wildlife sightings.
Bring a reusable water bottle. Every hotel on the land tour has refill stations.
Upgrade your Denali room if you can. The suite categories are worth it.
Join the Red Onion Saloon tour in Skagway. Cheap, quick, and unforgettable.
Ask about your veranda category before you book. A small change can mean a much bigger balcony.

This trip reminded us why Alaska and the Yukon keep drawing travellers back year after year — it's rugged, warm-hearted, and full of small moments that stick with you long after you're home.

If you're thinking about your own Alaska adventure, get in touch with the team at Shore Travel — we'd love to help you plan it.