A historic seaport where Russian explorers clashed with the Indigenous Tlingit people and Gold Rush pioneers “socialized” with prostitutes. An ill-fated love triangle whose spectral impact can still be felt. A former hotel whose halls are haunted by a grisly 70-year-old murder.

We walked the streets of Sitka, Alaska, on a late-summer afternoon, passing former red-light districts, the Russian Cemetery (notably haunted by a beloved Russian princess) and the town’s remaining original wooden sidewalks. Our Haunted Sitka guide, Lynne, resplendent in her high-collared and hoop-skirted gown, spun stories of the original stewards of the land, the colorful characters, intrepid entrepreneurs and ghostly presences that have contributed to the rich and unique history of the town once known as the Paris of the Pacific.

“What an amazing way to get to know the city that has nothing to do with the T-shirts and souvenirs and everything to do with the people,” said Emily Davis, owner of Haunted Sitka, which presents the Ghosts of Historic Sitka Haunted Walking Tour. “You hear about the people who walked here before we did; you get the background, especially the Russian influence.”

Even before our ship arrived in Sitka, I already felt a connection to Alaska’s people, history and culture. We were traveling aboard Holland America’s beautiful Eurodam, known for its elegance, museum-quality art and exemplary dining, and getting a first-hand taste of the cruise line’s commitment to Alaska-specific programming — part of the line’s exclusive We Love Alaska experiences.

Immersive programming enriches Alaska experience

Alaska Up Close presentations like “Pacific Giants: Iconic Whales of the Northwest” and “Iditarod: The Last Great Race,” comprehensive destination overviews and Alaska-focused culinary and beverage experiences, including a salmon bake-themed dinner and Alaska seafood boil, kept passengers steeped in the here and now. (A refreshing apple brandy and rye cocktail called the Klondiker, zipped up with allspice, fresh lime, coconut and chocolate bitters and served over reclaimed Alaska glacial ice, was a fan favorite.)

“Glacier Day” featured immersive programming with glacier sighting times, scenic commentary and talks by both Glacier Bay National park rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, combined with the Holland America tradition of serving Dutch Pea Soup on deck while passengers took in the majesty of the glaciers. Depending on the itinerary, passengers experience Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier or the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm.

As Eurodam sailed through the ancestral waters of the native peoples of Alaska and First Nations of Canada, it was easy to stay in the moment. “Native Voices: Stories of the Tlingit People,” featuring an Alaskan Native in full regalia and accompanied by the beat of a drum, was captivating. During a park ranger’s talk about the birds of the Great Land, everyone had the chance to touch the pelts of various animals who make their home in Alaska, learn about cultural artifacts and browse and buy books about Alaska.

A wildlife spotting guide provided commentary about bald eagles, grizzly bears, caribou, humpback whales, moose, sea otters and other animals while pointing out habitat hotspots. Several junior ranger programs, including “Native Voices,” presented by the program’s cultural ambassador, entertained the kids onboard. A Polar Bear Plunge brought the heartiest among us (not me!) to the Sea View Pool for a nippy dip in the Sea View pool.

As the first cruise line certified sustainable for Alaska seafood by Responsible Fisheries Management, Holland America’s menu is an integral part of the immersive experience. Southwestern Alaska salmon bowl, fresh Alaskan yellow fin sole fillet, fresh cod with endive and caramelized orange, fresh halibut with prosciutto, salmon with mango sauce—all were presented in the dining room over the course of Eurodam’s Alaska voyage. Sides including black bean corn salsa, shrimp galette and wasabi mashed potatoes proved worthy accompaniments. (The lemon potato puree was a particularly mouthwatering dish.)

Twice during the trip, the Alaska Brunch showed up—and so did I. Alaskan blueberry pancake stack, Alaskan salmon and potato chowder in a bread bowl, wild forest mushroom and tarragon crepes, home-smoked Gulf of Alaska cod benny and other temptations showing off fresh, local ingredients were enticing, but it was the biscuits and reindeer sausage gravy dish that caught this Kentucky girl’s eye. And it was delicious. Both times.

Remote rivers of ice

Of course, the glaciers are the stars of the show on Alaska voyages—those beautiful rivers of ice whose exquisite shades of blue the camera never really quite captures. During our day in Glacier Bay, we became time travelers who began in the now and arrived back in the ice age, passing through an ever-changing landscape outlined by snow-capped mountain ranges as we moved from forest to ice.

We learned a couple of new vocabulary words from our park ranger narrators as we glided along: Bergy bits are the large chunks of ice seen floating in the sea; growlers are smaller pieces, named for the sound they make as trapped air escapes. We strolled the deck, the wind a blustery chill on our faces. We breathed in the fresh, clean air, noticed the silvery cast the shrouding mist lent to the water and spotted a family of otters.

And we marveled at the calm of Glacier Bay.

“Watch and listen to the wild environment around you,” the park ranger said over the intercom. “It’ll be worth it.”

And it truly was.

The park rangers, cultural interpreters and wildlife spotting guide aboard Eurodam, the Alaska-focused menus, Alaska-specific programming—even Holland America’s mini Alaska mall set within the ship’s retail space—set the stage for watching and listening and staying fully tuned into the experience and for forging a connection to the landscape, people and culture of the Great Land.

For more information about cruising to Alaska with Holland America Line, visit www.hollandamerica.com.

In 2025, six Holland America ships will explore Alaska, either round trip from Seattle, round trip from Vancouver or between Whittier, Alaska and Vancouver. Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations. During the Glacier Bay experience, all ships sail with a National Park Ranger who provides commentary, presentations and information on this UNESCO World Heritage site. Holland America’s We Love Alaska programming will be featured on all sailings.

For those in the San Diego area, Holland America Line is presenting the Alaska Cruise and Travel Show on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. The free-to-attend, culturally immersive expo, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a chance to learn about and see the best ways to experience Alaska with the cruise line.

The show features an ax throwing demonstration by lumberjack Will “Buck Randy” Randall, a star in the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan, Alaska; Alaska food cooking demonstrations performed by Holland America’s chefs; a presentation by a Holland America Line wildlife expert; and information about the Alaska shipboard experience. Attendees will also have a chance to pan for gold and meet exhibitors, including representatives from White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. Visit www.alaskatravelshow.com for more details.