Noordam on Holland America’s 28-Night Cruise to Alaska
The Noordam sailed from Seattle earlier this month to kick off Holland America Line’s 28-night Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice Voyage.
As one of the company’s longest cruises in the region, the monthlong itinerary includes visits to a wide range of destinations across Alaska and British Columbia.
After departing from its homeport in Washington, the Noordam sailed to Ketchikan, Sitka and Icy Strait Point.
The 2006-built vessel then visited Valdez before calling at two of Alaska’s less-visited destinations: Dutch Harbor and Nome.
Holland America is the only large cruise line visiting the latter through 2027, with a second visit scheduled for the Noordam next summer.
Continuing its cruise, the Noordam is now scheduled to visit Kodiak ahead of an overnight stay in Anchorage. Other ports of call include Haines, Juneau and Wrangell, as well as Prince Rupert.
The itinerary also features scenic cruising near Hubbard Glacier, the Inside Passage and Endicott Arm Fjord. Concluding the legendary voyage, the Noordam is scheduled to return to Seattle on July 5, 2026.
The 1,900-passenger ship will then offer Holland America’s Alaska Explorer itinerary, which sails to Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria over seven nights.
It also sails roundtrip from Seattle, combining destinations in Alaska and Hawaii, including Anchorage, Sitka, Dutch Harbor, Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo.
Later this year, the Noordam repositions to Australia via a 34-night legendary voyage that will sail from Seattle to Sydney.
The vessel is scheduled to spend the 2026-27 winter season sailing to destinations in the South Pacific from Sydney and Auckland.
The vessels arrived in the region in May, kicking off a series of cruises departing from Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.
The Disney Magic started its first season in the region in late May following a drydock in Victoria.
The 1998-built ship is now offering weeklong cruises that sail roundtrip from the Canada Place Cruise Terminal and include visits to Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan and Skagway.
Following a winter deployment on the West Coast, the Disney Wonder also began its season in Alaska in May.
Offering similar itineraries, the 1,750-passenger vessel is sailing roundtrip from Vancouver for seven-night cruises to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
Disney’s itineraries in the region are also highlighted by scenic cruising at Dawes Glacier and the Inside Passage.
The two ships are set to remain in Alaska through late September, each offering over 15 departures in the region.
Both ships are scheduled to offer fall cruises on the West Coast after the record-breaking season in the Pacific Northwest.
The Disney Magic will operate a series of itineraries to the Mexican Riviera and Baja California before embarking on a repositioning cruise to Texas.
The vessel’s season in the region runs through early November, when it is scheduled to offer a 14-night Panama Canal voyage that ends in Galveston.
Operating on the West Coast year-round, the Disney Wonder is set to offer cruises from San Diego through early 2027.
The vessel’s schedule includes both short cruises to Baja California and six- and seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera.
In addition to Isla Catalina and Ensenada, the 1999-built ship is scheduled to make visits to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán.
MSC Cruises is ready for the Poesia’s debut in Alaska, as the ship will spend the summer sailing Alaska cruises on Mondays from Seattle, marking the company’s entry to the region.
“We’re so excited for this moment,” said Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America.
“From the time we announced the program until now, we’ve been approaching Alaska with the understanding that this is a highly seasonal destination. A destination-driven market where the itinerary and the natural environment are such an important part of the experience for our guests.”
The Poesia emerged from drydock freshly refurbished and readied for the market.
“We’ve really thought very carefully about the refurbishment,” she said. “At the same time, we’re making sure that the destination is really reflected in the journey. We’re incorporating Alaska-inspired dining, wellness and enrichment programming. Even the small touches, we have cocktails that bring together the itinerary and the onboard experience, like ‘Unwind in Juneau.’”
Among the headline additions to Poesia is the Yacht Club, MSC’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept.
“We know we see not only strong demand for the Yacht Club, but very, very high guest satisfaction,” Torrent noted.
New dining venues including Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kyoto sushi bar have also come aboard, along with an enhanced spa.
“Butcher’s Cut rates very high in terms of guest appeal,” she added.
On the responsible tourism front, MSC has inked a partnership with Orca that Torrent called a key differentiator.
“We will have a dedicated Marine Mammal Observer onboard during peak whale season,” she explained. “That allows us to add a strong educational layer to the experience and really give guests something to be excited about.”
From Europe to North America
When MSC first opened Alaska for sale, early bookings skewed heavily toward the line’s established European loyalist base, something Torrent said was fully expected.
“As soon as we opened for sale, our very loyal and robust past guests from around the world came in,” she said.
But the North American mix has strengthened considerably since.
“We’re seeing a very healthy mix from North America,” Torrent said. “It gives us another opportunity to introduce MSC Cruises to new guests and new travel advisors in another part of the country, just like we’re seeing with Galveston. “
Sandy Cay: A Second Private Island
Beyond Alaska, Torrent pointed to Sandy Cay, MSC’s second private destination in the Bahamas, as more major news in the brand’s near-term growth story.
The island, set to open in 2028 within the same 64 square miles of protected waters surrounding Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, is being designed with both MSC Cruises guests and the line’s Explora Journeys ultra-luxury brand in mind.
“We think of Sandy Cay as a natural extension of what we’ve already built in Ocean Cay,” Torrent said. “It complements that experience and really stays true to the nature-rooted identity.”
The island will be a tender operation, with ships docking at Ocean Cay and guests ferried across. It will feature five beaches.
“The goal is really to create something that’s a bit more refined, while maintaining that very relaxed, genuine atmosphere,” she said.
Seashore Updates and Flexible Dining
Coming off an April drydock, the MSC Seashore has received a pair of new food and beverage concept.
Red Cactus BBQ & Ribs, offering breakfast burritos, pulled pork hash, brisket, and ribs from Deck 8 aft. In addition is The Chicken Man, a fried chicken and comfort food venue on Deck 18 aft.
“These venues are good examples of how we continue to evolve the onboard experience based on guest feedback and invest across the fleet,” Torrent said. “It’s not only about new ships, although we’re very focused on that, and new destinations, but it’s also about that constant evolution.”
MSC is also piloting a new flexible dining program called “Dine on Your Time,” currently available on Seashore and Seaside, allowing guests to forgo fixed dining times in favor of open seating. Traditional fixed dining times remain available for those who prefer them.
Eyes Forward
“We’re constantly innovating, expanding, and listening to travel advisors and guests as we really think about how to enhance our product,” she said.
“North America continues to be a key growth market for us, and you’re seeing that as we continue to expand our deployment in Galveston and Alaska, and strengthen our presence in our key U.S. homeports.”
In addition is the new World-Class ship, the MSC World Atlantic, which begins service from Port Canaveral in late 2027.
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