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Why We ONLY Offer
Northbound Departures
Discover Alaska has over 48 years of successful ex-
periences in Alaska. Tens of thousands of our happy
travelers over that time have strongly indicated that
Holland America's NORTHBOUND departures are far
superior to Southbound for many reasons.
1. The Ports are positively better in the Holland Amer-
ica itineraries. That's because they include Skagway
(the #1 Port of the Inside Passage). Discover Alaska
includes an historical tour of this old Gold Rush town.
But, you still have time for exciting optional excur-
sions such as the narrow gauge White Pass Summit
Railway taking you along the old path of the Klondike
Gold Rush into the Canadian Yukon. Also available
are glacier flightseeing, fishing excursions, or extra
tome for shopping in Skagway. Holland America
substitutes Haynes for Skagway on their Southbound
route, which offers fewer options, no included sight-
seeing and less time in port.
2. Hours in Port are far better. Holland America's
Northbound itinerary gives you more opportunities to
enjoy optional activities after your included tours in
Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway.
3. Northbound is less physically demanding. North-
bound begins in Vancouver where flights are much
shorter, much more frequent, and arrive earlier in
the day. You start Holland America's Northbound
itineraries after spending 3 days/2 nights in Vancou-
ver and Victoria. Next you enjoy the 7 day Route of
the Glaciers cruise. This allows you to be completely
rested and relaxed before beginning the 4 day land
tour which is the more physical portion of the pro-
gram. In contrast, the Holland America Southbound
itinerary begins by flying into Fairbanks, Flights are
much longer (usually 2 connections), arriving late in
the day (some into the evening). You arrive somewhat
worn out and then begin the land tour trying to catch
up on rest. The big question is why would you want to
be tired on the most active and most exciting portion
of your adventure, and by far the most expensive
part of your trip? Our own customer surveys over 48
years indicate that travelers enjoyed the Northbound
program much more than the Southbound.
4. Northbound is a much better value for two rea-
sons: Northbound Cruise-Tour rates are less expen-
sive, and the open-jaw airfares for the Northbound
itinerary are also less expensive.
Program Experience