Great Bear Rainforest

This Holland America voyage is an excellent choice for travelers drawn to the spectacular scenery and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska’s Inside Passage. Rather than concentrating only on the familiar Alaskan ports, this itinerary explores the remote coastline of British Columbia and the Great Bear Rainforest—one of the largest remaining coastal temperate rainforests in the world.

The journey is especially appealing for nature lovers. Guests will sail past forest-covered islands, narrow channels, sheltered inlets, waterfalls, and mountains that rise directly from the sea. Wildlife may include humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, seals, sea lions, black bears, and grizzly bears. The region is also home to the extremely rare white-coated Kermode bear, often called the Spirit Bear. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but late September coincides with the salmon season, an active feeding period for many of the area’s animals.

Nieuw Amsterdam is a wonderful ship for this type of itinerary. Carrying approximately 2,100 guests, she offers the amenities of a larger ship without feeling like one of today’s enormous megaships. Holland America is particularly well suited to scenic and wildlife-focused cruising, with comfortable observation areas, destination presentations, attentive service, and a quieter, more traditional onboard atmosphere. Guests can also enjoy excellent dining, live music, the Greenhouse Spa, and specialty restaurants such as Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind.

Late September will bring cooler temperatures and true fall weather. Daytime highs will generally be in the upper 40s to upper 50s, with colder conditions during scenic cruising and wildlife excursions. Rain is common in the Great Bear Rainforest, so waterproof shoes, a rain jacket, warm layers, gloves, and a hat will be important. The changing weather can also produce misty mountains, low clouds, and dramatic scenery that make this coastline especially beautiful.

This is not a traditional Alaska cruise built around busy port days, shopping, and the best-known attractions. It is a more scenic and nature-centered journey through a remote region that relatively few travelers ever experience. It would be an especially good choice for guests who have already visited Alaska—or who want Alaska-like scenery with a more unusual, peaceful, and wildlife-focused itinerary.