Have you ever wanted to experience the excitement of the Klondike Gold Rush? Well, now you can with Holland America Line's Alaska cruise tours. These special cruises take you to some of Alaska's most beautiful and historic locations, including Whitehorse, Dawson City and Skagway. You'll get to explore the stunning landscapes, learn about the rich history of this area, and maybe even find some gold yourself!
Cruise Tours Are More Than Just Denali This Year!
While most Alaska cruise tours are focused exclusively on offering guests an opportunity to spend a few days exploring the beauty of Denali National Park, deep in the interior of Alaska, there's now another option. In 2023, Holland America Line will introduce a series of cruises that will explore the legendary Yukon territory alongside of Denali.
This includes 16 different Alaska cruisetour options offered by the company and will range from nine to 18 days from four different ships. Six of these will include a chance for guests to explore the Yukon.
This provides a fantastic excuse to head back to Alaska again for those veteran cruisers who already feel like they've "been there and done that" as well as offers new opportunities for those folks who might be looking for an even bigger adventure than a typical Alaska cruisetour to Denali already is.
Five Reasons Why Guests Will Want To Do A Yukon Cruisetour
Most of our readers will already be familiar with the taste of adventure that they can get by taking an excursion on the Whitepass Railroad from Skagway. This opportunity will take that experience to a new level by taking guests to Yukon Territory destinations like Dawson and Whitehorse in Canada.
Relive the Klondike Gold Rush Adventure
Every Yukon and Denali Cruisetour features up to two nights in Yukon's Dawson City, affording guests more time to relive Gold Rush history. Guests can visit an operating placer gold mine located in the historic gold fields of the famous Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Learn how placer mining is done, how to stake a claim and about selling the gold the miners discover, all while comparing the historical methods to the modern technologies. There even is an opportunity for gold panning in the creek.
Breathtaking Scenery Few Others Have Ever Seen
Some of the most amazing landscapes that the Yukon has to offer can be enjoyed on a scenic view along the Dempster Highway en route to Tombstone Territorial Park. The lucky ones will see wildlife while taking in the beautiful flora and fauna of the region. At Tombstone Territorial Park, hit the trails for a guided hike along the North Klondike River or a more challenging hike up the Goldensides Trail to a fantastic lookout point.
Wild Animals - Caribou, Wolves, and Bears!
Part of the allure of an Alaska cruise is the diversity of wildlife. From orcas and humpbacks to otters and eagles, the opportunities to see amazing animals extends up into the Yukon. Lucky guests will see Arctic fox, Dall sheep, wolves, caribou, grizzlies, moose and more throughout their time in Canada.
Float Along the Yukon River On A Paddlewheeler
In Dawson City, a tour on the classic Klondike Spirit paddlewheeler takes guests on a nostalgic journey along the Yukon River past stunning tall pines, historic towns and wildlife. Learn about the Yukon First Nation based in Dawson City, the village of Moosehide, the history of the gold rush, the paddlewheel graveyard and the story of Dawson City. Klondike Spirit is included in some Cruisetours and can be added for a fee on others.
Walk in the Footsteps of Jack London and Robert Service
Much like Anne of Green Gables is to Prince Edward Island, so are famed authors Jack London and Robert Service to the Klondike. In Dawson City, fans of London can visit the Jack London Museum and see a replica of where he lived while calling the Klondike home in 1897. This replica is built from half of the logs from London's original cabin, which was located on the North Fork of Henderson Creek; the other half resides in London's hometown of Oakland, California. The "White Fang" author lived in the area and spent time as a Yukon gold seeker.
Likewise, visitors in town can tour the Robert Service cabin, where the Engli-born Canadian poet and author lived and penned the best-selling "The Trail of '98." Service worked as a banker in Whitehorse and later in Dawson City before he resigned in 1909 to focus exclusively on his writing craft that had blossomed with poems and tales of the gold rush after he was first transferred by his bank to Whitehorse in 1904.
Every Yukon and Denali Cruisetour from Holland America Line includes the services of a professional Journey Host, who makes time on land easy, convenient and insightful. Along the way, the Cruisetour Host provides expert narration of the sights and views and travel coordination for the hotel, air, land and sea transportation.
Are You Ready For A Yukon Cruisetour?
If this sounds like the adventure you've been waiting for, contact your travel advisor today to get more information on pricing and dates. With a wide array of activities, wildlife sightings, and amazing scenery, it will surely be a trip you won't forget.
