One of the most spectacular ways to trace the rugged West Coast is by taking a repositioning cruise up to the remote beauty of Alaska. View wildlife-rich waters while sailing from San Diego, Los Angeles or Seattle. West Coast repositioning cruises typically operate in April and May, right before the Alaska cruise season begins. This special type of sailing happens when cruise lines move their ships from winter routes to summer Alaska itineraries. These voyages are popular with travelers because they often include unique routes and are priced lower than typical Alaska cruises.
Holland America is offering a handful of different West Coast repositioning cruises in 2026. They range from a one-day Vancouver, British Columbia to Seattle cruise, up to 7-days from Southern California and Seattle. Unlike many Alaska cruises that are roundtrip, repositioning cruises are often one-way voyages, which allows the ships to visit ports along the coast that they don’t usually visit any other time of the year.
Photo Holland America
Days at Sea
One of the most fun aspects of these cruises is watching the scenery change as the ship sails north. Enjoy the views from sunny California coastlines to misty Pacific Northwest forests and finally, The Last Frontier. Many ships are custom-built to bring guests close to the awe-inspiring beauty at sea with walls of windows in their observation decks.
Frequent cruisers love repositioning cruises because they offer longer sea days. These cruises also travel when there are fewer crowds, compared to peak summer Alaska sailings. It gives passengers the opportunity to leisurely explore the ship’s onboard food and beverage offerings across numerous bars and restaurants.
Holland America is the first-ever cruise line to offer the Morimoto at Sea dining venue. Experience family-style Italian delights at Canaletto, or spend the day poolside enjoying the elevated burgers at the Dive In.
Onboard Activities
Days at sea allow passengers time to explore everything Holland America Line ships have to offer onboard. Experience world-class entertainment performed at Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge. Everything from live bands to afternoon trivia brings an air of excitement to sea days. Visit the World Stage, where innovative talks and shows take center stage. Where else can you play pickleball at sea with incredible 360-degree views? Up at the top-deck sports court, pickleball is available for players of every level.
Spring repositioning cruises are a good time to go up on deck or sit on your balcony for spotting whales migrating north, sea otters, bald eagles, seals and sea lions. Many repositioning cruises begin on the West Coast of North America. Common departure ports include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver. Some offer a mid-week stop in San Francisco for a chance to see the city without the prime summer crowds. Take a trolley ride, wander into a redwood forest or go wine tasting in nearby Napa and Sonoma Valley. Other visits include Emerald City so passengers can have the opportunity to ride up to the top of the Space Needle and see fish fly at Pike Place Market.
Holland America Pacific Coast Cruises start at $99 per person for a one-day cruise to $799 per person for the 7-Day Wine Country & Pacific Northwest Cruise.
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