Gap years are often seen as the preserve of the young. But reinvention shouldn’t have an expiry date – experience, after all, has plenty of advantages. For those with the time and freedom to travel, 12 months hardly seems sufficient. Consider this your introduction to the ‘gap decade’ – a chapter defined by curiosity, not constraint.
Where better to begin than somewhere that reshapes your sense of scale? An Alaska voyage with Holland America Line pairs vast wilderness with rare access – from glacier-carved coastlines to wildlife-rich waters. Holland America is Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended for its Alaska cruise experiences, which provide memories that stay with you long after you arrive home.
Epic experiences
Take in the drama from the deck, as bald eagles soar through the sky and orcas hunt and feed in the coastal waters. On land, wander through atmospheric gold-rush towns, haul in fresh crab or lift off above snow-capped peaks by helicopter – a memorable way to spend an afternoon. After hours in the crisp Alaskan air, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite. A beautifully prepared dinner in one of the ship’s elegant dining venues marks a welcome return on board, before a well-earned retreat to your suite or stateroom – the sweeping views across the sea that many of these offer really are second to none.
It may sound cinematic, but for Holland America, it’s all in a day’s work – a result of nearly 80 years of sailing these waters. That depth of expertise shapes itineraries designed to deliver once-in-a-lifetime encounters. Through its We Love Alaska program, guests gain a deeper understanding of this immense landscape, with unique shore excursions, expert talks and workshops, as well as on-board commentary from National Park rangers, who climb aboard via rope ladder (a suitably dramatic arrival) to share insights into the natural phenomena around you.
Pinch-me moments
This is travel on a different scale. Sailing along the longest coastline of any US state, awe-inspiring views come as standard, yet never lose their impact. Holland America has access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay National Park – 3.3 million acres of protected wilderness – and its unique Glacier Guarantee promises you’ll encounter one of these ice giants or receive credit toward a future cruise*.
For a closer encounter, join one of the many wilderness and wildlife tours, which offer rare proximity to the extraordinary ecosystem. From humpback whales and sea otters to brown bears and moose, the region’s wildlife is unlike anything you’ll see back home.
More on board
Holland America’s Global Fresh Fish Program brings the waters you’ve just explored straight to your plate with locally sourced, responsibly farmed seafood such as lobster, rockfish and salmon. Regionally inspired recipes celebrate fresh, seasonal ingredients, while hand-selected wines and carefully crafted cocktails complement every dish.
Beyond the dining venues, curious minds can delve into authentic Alaska, thanks to lectures and visits from cultural ambassadors offering a deeper context to this region.
For those who still have plenty of energy left to burn, a round of pickleball under the open skies is the perfect precursor to an evening of live music and dancing – and is a fitting close to a fun-packed day that feels entirely removed from the everyday.
If you prefer the reassurance of every detail being arranged in advance, Holland America’s Have It All package combines shore excursion credit, speciality dining, signature drinks, wi-fi and crew appreciation into one seamless upgrade** – allowing you to focus on the experience, not the logistics.
So really, the question isn’t whether you’re ready, but simply when you’ll start. This is your decade – make it count.
Plan your adventure at hollandamerica.com
*Holland America’s unique Glacier Guarantee promises that if you do not visit a glacier during your Alaska journey, you’ll receive a future cruise credit equal to 15% of your cruise fare
**Terms and conditions apply. See hollandamerica.com for further details about all promotions
