Jetsettersblog

Holland America Line is highlighting Canada’s Yukon Territory in its 2010 Alaska and the Yukon cruisetours.

Of the 31 itineraries, 13 include Yukon destinations such as Whitehorse, Dawson City, Tombstone Territorial Park and Kluane National Park.

New in 2010 is the “Best of the Yukon” cruisetour, one of three Expedition cruisetours recently introduced by Holland America. Cruisetours featuring the Yukon range from 10 to 20 days in length and depart May 9 through Aug. 28, 2010.

Each combines a three-, four- or seven-day Inside Passage cruise with a land tour of destinations in Alaska and the Yukon. Guests experience the wilderness, wildlife, native culture and history while traveling by luxury motor coach, rail and often river boat.

The new “Best of the Yukon” Expedition cruisetour is designed to provide an in-depth Yukon experience.

The itinerary is 12 days with a three-day northbound cruise or 13 days with a southbound sailing that includes Glacier Bay. Guests visit Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon Territory; Dawson City, a Klondike National Historic Site where they have three nights and two full days to explore its gold rush heritage;

Tombstone Territorial Park; and active adventures from rafting to hiking.

The tour also visits Tok, Beaver Creek and Skagway in Alaska.

It includes a Yukon River cruise aboard the Yukon Queen II, Kluane National Park sightseeing, White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad with Lake Bennett excursion and the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines.

Holland America also offers six Great Land Klondike cruisetours ranging from 11 to 15 days that all feature Whitehorse, Dawson City and the Yukon Queen II river cruise between Dawson City and Eagle, Alaska.

Four of the cruisetours also include a scenic trip on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad via Lake Bennett between Whitehorse and Skagway. All feature an overnight in Denali National Park and the six- to eight-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour within the park.

Four Great Land Wilderness cruisetours ranging from 10 to 13 days offer itineraries that include Whitehorse.

Included are a natural history presentation at the entrance to Kluane National Park or a summer sled dog demonstration by Uncommon Journeys.

On two tours guests can take an optional full-day excursion to Kluane, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

All Great Land Klondike and Wilderness cruisetours are escorted by a tour director and include travel on deluxe Explorer Coaches. Two Glacier Discovery cruisetours offer 19- or 20-day itineraries that include two nights in Whitehorse and Dawson City and “Double Denali.” Cruisetours featuring the Yukon start at $1,249 per person, double.