Holland America Line (HAL) guests often prioritize wildlife and educational experiences. Fortunately, Ketchikan's independent whale watching scene is a perfect match for the HAL traveler's "Alaska Up Close" focus.
Holland America ships almost exclusively dock at the Downtown Port. This allows for seamless transitions from the ship directly to the smaller, more educational independent tour boats.
HAL ships often arrive early in the morning. We highly recommend booking a morning whale watch (8:00 AM or 9:00 AM) to take advantage of the calmer waters and higher sighting activity before the midday heat (and cruise ship traffic) builds.
Naturalist Expertise: Smaller independent boats often have the owner-operator on board. These captains have decades of experience in Ketchikan and provide a level of educational depth that can't be matched on an 80-person tour.
| Ship | Typical Arrival | Typical Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Koningsdam | 7:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Eurodam | 7:00 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Nieuw Amsterdam | 10:00 AM | 6:00 PM |