Alaska

Holland America Line Set to Debut New ‘Glacier Day’ and Enhanced Alaska-Focused Experiences on Every Alaska Cruise in 2024

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2024

Holland America Line Set to Debut New ‘Glacier Day’ and Enhanced Alaska-Focused Experiences on Every Alaska Cruise in 2024

Culinary highlights include Alaska dishes by Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto and new Alaska-themed cocktails by acclaimed bartender Sam Ross

SEATTLE, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Holland America Line is debuting “Glacier Day” on its Alaska cruises as it rolls out new programming within its “We Love Alaska” on board experience. The new offerings include Alaska Up Close presentations as well as culinary and beverage experiences to help foster a deeper connection to the people, history and culture of the state. The 2024 season kicks off April 27 from Vancouver and May 4 from Seattle.

Westerdam in Glacier Bay, Alaska. (PRNewsfoto/Holland America Line)

“Holland America Line continues to focus on bringing regional and local experiences on board every cruise, with our Alaska sailings leading the way in authentic programming, localized cuisine, and now special events like ‘Glacier Day’,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of Holland America Line. “We continue to cultivate like-minded partnerships and fine-tune everything from cocktails to wildlife maps to ensure our guests are completely immersed in all facets of Alaska.”

Alaska Season Itineraries and Cruisetours
Through September 2024, guests can embark on Holland America Line’s Alaska cruises and Cruisetours from Vancouver and Seattle aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day cruises and a new 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice Legendary Voyage that includes 12 Alaska ports.

Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include a one-, two- or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select Cruisetours also include a journey into the wilds of Canada’s Yukon. Holland America Line remains the only cruise line that offers overland tours to the Yukon combined with an Alaska cruise and Denali experience.

‘Glacier Day’ Puts a Spotlight on Alaska’s Majestic Glaciers
As a leader in Alaska cruising, Holland America Line offers more glacier experiences than any other cruise line. The new Glacier Day includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacier Ice cocktails, insightful talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, an open bow for viewing, and more.

Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm. Shore excursions also offer the opportunity to visit additional glaciers, including Mendenhall and Portage glaciers.

Serving Fresh Fish in Alaska
Holland America continues to build on its groundbreaking Global Fresh Fish program, which includes being the only cruise line with Alaska seafood certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) and bringing locally sourced fresh fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. In addition to the seafood and other local delicacies served on the menus, ships in Alaska will serve three exclusive dishes created by the brand’s Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto: Fresh Black Cod Yuzu, Morimoto Epice Lobster and Fresh Halibut XO.

A new Alaska Seafood Boil will be offered once per cruise in Lido Market for a surcharge. The foodie feast will serve Ivar’s Northwest-Style Clam Chowder, Dungeness Cruise Clusters, Alaska Salmon, Penn Cove Clams, Penn Cove Mussels and a Shrimp Bucket, with Triple Berry Crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Offered once per cruise, all dishes on the Alaska Brunch menu in the Dining Room were created with the influence of fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest ingredients. The selections range from sweet to savory and include Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Salmon & Potato Chowder, Wild Forest Mushroom and Tarragon Crepes, Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet, Crab and Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes, Biscuits with Gravy and Alaskan Reindeer Sausage, and Home Smoked Gulf of Alaska Cod Benny.

Bartender Sam Ross Creates Alaska Cocktails
Acclaimed bartender Sam Ross created a menu of exclusive cocktails that will be featured in the bars on all Alaska ships: Juneau AK, Klondiker, PNW Penicillin, Mosquito, Midnight Sun and Frontier Champagne Flip. Ross was the 2011 “U.S. Bartender of the Year” and his flagship bar, Attaboy, won the 2022 award for “Best Bar in the U.S.” by The World’s 50 Best Bars. Ross is credited with creating two of the most famous modern classic cocktails: Penicillin and Paper Plane.

New Exclusive ‘Killer Whale Pale Ale’ Available On Board
Holland America Line is debuting a new “Killer Whale Pale Ale” on all Alaska cruises. The beer was produced in collaboration with Pike Brewing – Seattle’s oldest craft brewery – and features notes of honey, citrus and tropical fruits. The label artwork was created in collaboration with Native Artist Rico Worl, a member of the Tlingit and Athabascan community, who also designed the Native artwork featured on the Alaska menus. The Killer Whale Pale Ale label represents the food chain in the Pacific Northwest, with a seal deftly maneuvering out of the grasp of a killer whale.

More Wildlife Viewing than Any Other Cruise Line
Alaska is synonymous with stunning wilderness, and Holland America Line offers more ways to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Alaska ships carry an expert on board to help guests witness the majestic animals found in the region, and a Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Ashore, Holland America Line offers nearly 180 shore excursions to see species of all kinds.

On Deck for a Cause Continues to Support Alaska’s Parks
Holland America Line will continue to donate proceeds from its “On Deck for a Cause” charitable event aboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands. Called “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” guests on all Alaska cruises will be invited to donate $25 to participate in a noncompetitive 5K fundraising walk aboard every sailing. Funds raised through “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks” will go to support education, science and research in Alaska’s parks. The 2023 Alaska season raised more than $100,000 for Alaska Geographic.

Standby Program Offers Reduced Rates for Seattle and Vancouver Cruises
Guests with easy access to Seattle or Vancouver have an opportunity to cruise to Alaska at a reduced rate of $49 per person, per day with Holland America Line’s Standby program. Travelers who sign up for a cruise are alerted between seven and two days before departure if they will be sailing. Solo cruisers also only pay $49 per day and do not incur a single supplement for a double stateroom.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line has been exploring the world for 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering an ideal perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Holland America Line’s 11 vessels feature a diverse range of enriching activities and amenities focused on destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests enjoy the best entertainment at sea each evening and dining venues featuring exclusive dishes by world-famous chefs. A new global fresh fish program brings more than 80 types of fresh fish on board, sourced and served locally in regions around the world.

CONTACT:	Bill Zucker Advertisement
PHONE:	800-637-5029, 206-626-9890
EMAIL:	[email protected]

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Alaska

Maintenance delays Alaska Air Cargo operations, Christmas packages – KNOM Radio Mission

Published

3 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Maintenance delays Alaska Air Cargo operations, Christmas packages – KNOM Radio Mission

Christmas presents may be arriving later than expected for many rural communities in Alaska. That’s after Alaska Air Cargo, Alaska Airlines’ cargo-specific carrier, placed an embargo on freight shipments to and from several hubs across the state. According to Alaska Airlines, the embargo began on Dec. 16 and will end on Dec. 21.

The embargo excludes Alaska Air Cargo’s GoldStreak shipping service, designed for smaller packages and parcels, as well as live animals.

Alaska Airlines spokesperson, Tim Thompson, cited “unexpected freighter maintenance and severe weather impacting operations” as causes for the embargo.

“This embargo enables us to prioritize moving existing freight already at Alaska Air Cargo facilities to these communities,” Thompson said in an email to KNOM. “Restrictions will be lifted once the current backlog has been cleared.”

Other carriers like Northern Air Cargo have rushed to fill the gap with the Christmas holiday just a week away. The Anchorage-based company’s Vice President of Cargo Operations, Gideon Garcia, said he’s noticed an uptick in package volume.

“It’s our peak season and we’re all very busy in the air cargo industry,” Garcia said. “We are serving our customers with daily flights to our scheduled locations across the state and trying to ensure the best possible holiday season for all of our customers.”

An Alaska Air Cargo freighter arrives in Nome, Dec. 18, 2025. It was the daily-scheduled flight’s first arrival in Nome in a week after maintenance issues plagued the Alaska Air Cargo fleet. Ben Townsend photo.

Garcia said the holiday season is a tough time for all cargo carriers, but especially those flying in Alaska.

“We operate in places that many air carriers in other parts of the country just sort of shake their head at in disbelief. But to us, it’s our everyday activity,” Garcia said. “The challenges we face with windstorms, with cold weather, make it operationally challenging.”

Mike Jones is an economist at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He said a recent raft of poor weather across the state only compounded problems for Alaska Air Cargo.

“I think we’ve seen significantly worse weather at this time of year, that is at one of the most poorly timed points in the season,” Jones said.

Jones said Alaska Air Cargo is likely prioritizing goods shipped through the U.S. Postal Service’s Alaska-specific Bypass Mail program during the embargo period. That includes palletized goods destined for grocery store shelves, but not holiday gifts purchased online at vendors like Amazon.

“When a major carrier puts an embargo like this it clearly signals that they’re having an extraordinarily difficult time clearing what is already there, and they’re trying to prioritize moving that before they take on anything new,” Jones said.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Alaska Airlines was responsible for 38% of freight shipped to Nome in December 2024.

Alaska Air Cargo’s daily scheduled flight, AS7011, between Anchorage and Nome has only been flown four times in the month of December, according to flight data from FlightRadar24. An Alaska Air Cargo 737-800 freighter landed in Nome Thursday at 11:53 a.m., its first arrival in one week. Friday’s scheduled flight has been cancelled.

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Alaska

Alaska Airlines adding new daily flight between Bellingham, Portland | Cascadia Daily News

Published

15 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Alaska Airlines adding new daily flight between Bellingham, Portland | Cascadia Daily News

Alaska Airlines is adding a daily flight between Bellingham International Airport and Portland International Airport starting next spring, the airline announced Dec. 18.

The flights will begin March 18, 2026 and will be offered during the year on the E175 jets. The announcement is part of a slew of expanded routes Alaska will begin offering in the new year across the Pacific Northwest, Wyoming and Boston.

“Anchorage and Portland are essential airports to our guests and us in our growing global network,” Kristen Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska, said in the announcement. “Portland is not only a great city to visit, but we also offer convenient nonstop connections for those continuing their travel across our wide network.”

The Portland route is the first time in years the Bellingham airport has offered a flight outside of Seattle or its typical routes in California, Nevada and Arizona. In the last 10 years, Alaska and Allegiant Air ceased non-stop flights to Portland, Hawaii and Las Vegas.

Matthew Rodriguez, the aviation director for the Port of Bellingham, said Thursday his team is excited for the expanded route. The route will also allow Alaska to start data gathering to see if there’s market demand for more direct flights out of Bellingham.

The airline will be able to examine how many people from Bellingham are flying into Portland and then connecting to other flights, including popular destinations like Hawaii and San Diego.

“It’s going to help our community justify a direct flight, which, in my opinion, we have a data that already supports the direct flights, and we already had an incumbent carrier doing those direct flights,” he said. “So I don’t think it’s going to take very much additional data for Alaska to acknowledge that.”

Guests can already start booking the hour-long flight to Oregon on the Alaska Air website or app.

Intrepid airport enthusiasts have also noted Alaska is phasing out one of its nonstop flights between Bellingham and Seattle in early January.

In a statement, Alaska said the “flight adjustments are about putting more connecting flights from Bellingham through Portland to decrease some of the strain in Seattle.”

The phase-out allows for the Portland route to be brought online in time for spring travel.

Alaska is also adding a daily year-round flight between Paine Field in Everett and Portland in June.

This story was updated at 11:53 a.m. with additional comments from the Port of Bellingham.

Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.

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Alaska

Alaska is reporting 18 in-custody deaths so far this year, tying a grim record

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Alaska is reporting 18 in-custody deaths so far this year, tying a grim record

Barbed wire fencing surrounds Goose Creek Correctional Center on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 outside of Wasilla. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

The Department of Corrections this week reported the 18th death of an inmate this year, tying the record for the highest number of annual in-custody deaths in at least the past decade.

Kane William Huff, who had been imprisoned at Goose Creek Correctional Center near Wasilla, died Dec. 11, according to a DOC statement. Huff, 46, was serving a sentence for a 2018 conviction on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, according to online court records. DOC officials said he had been in custody since 2015.

Huff was found unresponsive in the prison’s infirmary, where he had been housed, said Department of Public Safety spokesman Austin McDaniel. Alaska State Troopers, who handle in-custody death investigations, have closed their investigation and are awaiting autopsy results from the State Medical Examiner Office, McDaniel said. Troopers don’t believe Huff died by suicide or that foul play was involved, he said.

The last time as many people died in state custody was in 2022, when a record seven inmates also died by suicide, according to a department snapshot of deaths since 2015.

The Department of Corrections began consistently keeping inmate death statistics in 2001, said spokesperson Betsy Holley. The department also posts data showing in-custody deaths since 2015. That year, 15 people died while in DOC custody.

The state’s official count for 2025 doesn’t include the death of 36-year-old William Farmer, who died in a hospital in January after he was severely beaten by his cellmate at the Anchorage Correctional Complex the month before.

An upward trend of in-custody deaths in the past several years has alarmed some prisoner rights advocates and prompted state lawmakers to ask Department of Corrections officials to address the deaths in multiple hearings this year. The department has also found itself under fire for inmate suicides.

This year, at least four inmates have died of natural or expected causes, such as disease or a medical event, while at least five have died by suicide, according to information provided by Alaska State Troopers.

Officials have also said that a Spring Creek Correctional Center prisoner died of an overdose in April.

Another inmate, 53-year-old Jeffrey Foreman, died in July after being restrained by guards after an altercation with his cellmate at the Anchorage Correctional Complex.

[Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the year the Department of Corrections started consistently keeping inmate death statistics. It was 2001, not 2015.]

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