Seattle to Anchorage via Holland

The newest port of call added to 2010 itineraries for Holland America Cruise Lines is Anchorage, Alaska, according to a recent announcement by its spokesperson, Sarah Scoldock. This announcement marks a first, as the cruise line’s flagship, Amsterdam, will be the only major cruise line to make regular scheduled stops in Anchorage.

Beginning on May 24, 2010, Holland America’s flagship will arrive at the Port of Anchorage where passengers will have an entire day and one full evening to explore this exciting Alaskan city. With recent expansion efforts that incorporated improvements to cruise ship facilities as well as increased accommodation choices, the City is also looking forward to what will be a great, new boost to their economy. It is believed that once passengers have a taste of what Anchorage has to offer visitors they will return time and time again.

To prepare for the exciting visits by the Amsterdam, the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau has held two separate meetings to discuss the impact of this new aspect to their city as well as to plan vacation packages, trips and tours for next summer’s influx of cruise visitors.

Called the Alaskan Adventurer cruise, this newest venture will depart from Seattle and be bound for Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka and Anchorage. But that is only the itinerary for the outbound cruise; on the return trip, passengers will be delighted to see Homer, Kodiak, the Hubbard Glacier, Juneau and Victoria as well as British Columbia, arriving back in Seattle two weeks later. Nine of these cruises, all two weeks in duration, are being planned.

As Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage has a great deal to offer tourists. In the heart of a vast wilderness, Anchorage offers wildlife sightings, sightseeing opportunities that include six towering mountain ranges and the famed Northern Lights, arts and culture as well as physical activities of fishing, hiking and more.

Holland America’s decision to add the two week itinerary that includes a port call in Anchorage will be an opportunity for tourists to fully appreciate the beautiful city and all it has to offer.