• Celebrating its 70th year exploring Alaska, Holland America Line is redeploying Oosterdam from Europe to Alaska for the 2017 summer season. The addition brings the number of Holland America Line ships to seven in the region, with Oosterdam joining Amsterdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Volendam and Zaandam for a total of 135 Alaska departures; Eurodam will replace Westerdam sailing from Seattle. Oosterdam is slated to sail 21 seven-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle, April to September; the ship will call at Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. hollandamerica.com
• Alaska Railroad will be increasing its service this winter and into Spring Break. For the extended winter service, Feb. 21 to March 29, 2017, the Aurora Winter Train will add to its Saturday and Sunday service with northbound trains on Tuesdays and southbound trains on Wednesdays. There will be additional increase in service between Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 19; the Aurora Winter Train will head north from Anchorage on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and heading southbound, it will depart Fairbanks on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Through April 28, Alaska Railroad offers The Aurora package, a 3-night tour priced at $989 pp dbl that includes visits to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Arctic Circle, although the highlight is viewing the aurora borealis. Tour includes rail transportation from Anchorage to Fairbanks; 1-night accommodations in Anchorage; 2-night stay in Fairbanks; flightseeing north of the Arctic Circle; all transfers; and return flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage. alaskarailroad.com
• Clients hoping to still partake in a national park centennial can head to Denali National Park & Preserve as it’s turning 100 this year. The month to celebrate is February: The Denali Winterfest & Birthday Festivities will take place Feb. 25-26, with guided skiing and snowshoe walks, activities for kids, exhibits, guest speakers, and dog sled rides; additionally, there will be 100th birthday-specific events on Feb. 26. On April 15 and 22, Denali Interpreters will lead family-friendly, interpretive bike rides on the Denali Park Road. And June 10 is the Centennial Summer kick-off event, SummerFest, with musical performances and a birthday cake, among other activities. nps.gov/dena
• The Anchorage Museum is currently undergoing construction of a new wing for the Art of the North galleries. Set for a fall opening, the expansion will house more than 200 works of art from the museum’s art collection. The museum is also expanding the Alaska gallery, set to be finalized by August to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Alaska Purchase. While the Alaska gallery undergoes renovation, the museum has transformed several galleries into visible storage and a conservation lab. Your clients will be able to see what’s normally behind-the-scenes, learn about the new Alaska gallery and have the opportunity to discuss objects in the Anchorage Museum’s collection. anchoragemuseum.org
