Sponsored by Holland America Line
When did holidays become so hectic? In search of long-lasting memories, we try to pack a lot into every trip, but moving from one city to another, unpacking and repacking, can be a recipe for exhaustion.
There is another way. Cruising is all about taking it slow, visiting several destinations while unpacking just once. But not all cruises are created equal. Holland America Line specialises in immersive itineraries designed for travellers who want to savour the journey rather than simply ticking places off their bucket list.
This approach to relaxation also includes a variety of dining destinations, a ship size that gives you plenty of space to spread out, entertainment options stretching from live performances to family game rooms and a 1:2 crew-to-guest ratio that ensures you are always looked after.
Embrace the journey
Longer itineraries are designed for travellers who love the idea of an old-school odyssey, traversing a region for weeks at a time. A voyage such as the 34-day Legendary South Pacific Crossing: Seattle to Sydney, is a leisurely experience and a rare opportunity to discover many of the far-flung archipelagos scattered across the Pacific Ocean.
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Guests will get to visit some of Hawaii’s loveliest islands, from the volcanic landscapes of the Big Island to the Jurassic Park jungles of Kauai, as well as exploring the many delights of Polynesia’s island groups. Highlights include snorkelling in turquoise lagoons, and visits to vanilla plantations and black-pearl farms.
The ship also calls in at the Cook Islands and Tonga before cruising along the New Zealand coast, where memorable stops include the tranquil Bay of Islands, lively Auckland with its beautiful harbour and Wellington, also known as Windy Welly, the compact capital where you can visit the Lord of the Rings film locations as well as the workshop where many of the movies’ special effects were generated.
Prefer to immerse yourself in a single destination? Few places are better suited to slow travel than Alaska. The largest state in the United States is also the wildest, and the more time you take to explore its crenellated coastline, the more you realise how spectacular it really is.
The Great Alaska Explorer itinerary, a 14-day round trip from Vancouver, gives you plenty of time to savour the region’s forest-covered bays and islands, salmon-filled streams and glaciers that glow blue in the sun. Longer days in port allow you to connect more deeply with each location, whether you join an expert-led excursion or simply wander through local streets and markets without having to rush.
Take a deeper dive
Whether you choose to go kayaking in the turquoise Eklutna Lake, fed by molten glaciers, whitewater rafting down the Keystone Canyon or get up close to the mighty Hubbard Glacier, which regularly calves three-storey-high icebergs, it is hard not to be awed by Alaska’s untamed beauty.
Beyond simply getting you up close to these amazing landscapes, these journeys also give you an intimate understanding of the destination. The Alaska Up Close program includes expert talks on everything from native cultures to the pioneer women who battled endless difficulties, while the Junior Rangers program is a fun way for kids to learn about the ecosystem, wildlife and culture.
And because some of the best sightseeing is done from the water, expect to find several sea days on your itinerary. These will be among the most thrilling days of the trip, with National Park Service rangers and wildlife experts out on deck to help you spot bald eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, humpback whales and perhaps orcas.
Alaska’s unique flavours are as unforgettable as its sights and sounds. Get ready to sink your teeth into local specialties from snow crab to wild berries, smoked seafood chowder to fresh-caught salmon. As the first and only cruise line to have every ship certified sustainable by Certified Seafood International, you can tuck in with a clean conscience.
And if you feel like throwing a line in yourself, the Savour My Catch program offers the ultimate culinary thrill: the chance to reel in a fish and have it prepared for you for dinner that night.
Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, award-winning service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years – longer than any other cruise line. Savour the Journey isn’t just a tagline, it’s a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travellers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program. Find out more here.