holland alaska cruise review

Is a Holland America Alaska Cruise Worth It? An Honest Review

07/28/2023 by Kristin Addis 4 Comments

Imagine you’re sitting on a balcony, sipping on a freshly made latte while sailing past an electric blue glacier. Suddenly, you spot an eagle resting on a piece of floating ice. Later that day, you see dolphins, whales, and sea otters jumping through the waves as the mist breaks to reveal snowy mountains and tree-coated islets. There doesn’t appear to be anything around for miles, and it feels like it’s all unfolding in perfect harmony. That all happened within one day on my weeklong Alaska cruise while my son napped on the other side of the door, and I will never forget those magical moments.

Now I never thought of myself as a cruise person. Would a big ship really be my ideal way to travel?

When Holland America invited me, my mom and I weren’t sure it was for us. Would it be cheesy, crowded, and lame? We decided if we were to take a cruise, Alaska with its wild beauty would be the ideal place, so we went for it.

I had only been on a couple of cruises prior to this, wich were rather short and felt like a mixture between McDonald’s and a frat party, to be honest. The experience on the Koningsdam sailing the Inside Passage to Alaska via Vancouver was delightfully different. It was mostly families, retirees, and some multigenerational groups like ours.

The food was great, the service was excellent, but best of all, the experience of sailing along the coast of Alaska was breathtaking. Here’s everything to know before you book that cruise :

Table of Contents

Itinerary – 7 Day Alaskan Inside Passage

There are many Alaska itineraries to choose from, and they all offer scenic cruising with some variation in the stops they make.

What looked best to me was the departure in and out of Vancouver, which included the Inside Passage as well as Glacier Bay. It ended up being a great decision.

The first evening after departing Vancouver was already beautiful, passing by the islands outside of the city and all along the coast of British Columbia. It was just a taste of the beauty that was to come. 

The next day was mostly about getting up to Juneau and was spent at sea. Of all the days on board, this was the least scenic, but I still saw whales from my veranda! 

As would be a trend with the towns we visited in Alaska, Juneau had a charm to it, with historic, Wild West–style buildings and gorgeous surroundings. The downtown is mainly bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops, but there’s quite a bit to do in the area. I opted for the helicopter trek of the Mendenhall Glacier, which was a fantastic decision (more on that later). 

The next morning, we arrived in Skagway, another small, charming coastal town, and took the scenic railway as our excursion. Felix squealed with delight at the helicopters taking off right outside of our room on the ship afterwards. 

That evening, leaving Skagway was particularly beautiful, as we watched the sunset over the dramatic mountains with waterfalls cascading down. Since we had a baby sleeping inside, most of our evenings were spent on the veranda, which could not have been a better spot from which to experience the beauty of Alaska all throughout the cruise.

Glacier Bay National Park

This was a highlight for us, as we spent the day cruising through Glacier Bay National Park. Though I’ve had the pleasure of hiking across part of a glacier in Wrangell St. Elias in Alaska and trekking on a few in Patagonia , this was still more glaciers than I had ever seen in a day.

As we made our way through, the weather kept changing, creating different lighting along the glaciers and providing incredible wildlife-spotting opportunities. I saw dolphins, whales, otters, and an eagle perched on an iceberg, all from our veranda.

Absolutely book an Alaska cruise that includes Glacier Bay!

As we made our way back south, we stopped in Ketchikan, which was a nice contrast to the glacial landscape that we had been seeing. This is a great opportunity to explore the fjords, which we did by seaplane as our excursion.

Our Room on the Koningsdam

One of my concerns was feeling cramped in a tiny room with our stuff everywhere and all of the free space taken up by our travel crib . 

The verandah room was spacious enough, though, with plenty of storage in the closets and drawers, as well as a space under the bed for suitcases . As long as we were good about putting things back in their place, the room was totally fine for the three of us. 

It also had a pull-out couch to sleep families, though I would imagine that squeezing four into one room would feel tight. 

The balcony was also great and a frequent hangout spot of ours. It was safe for my baby to crawl around and enjoy, and my favorite place from which to spot wildlife. I preferred it to all of the common spaces on the ship since it was so peaceful and felt like my own little retreat.

The room was also serviced twice per day by two incredibly attentive staff members who always left towel animals for Felix. 

Service 

Speaking of the staff, they were amazing. Those in the dining room made a particularly great impression, remembering my son and always saying hi to him and bringing his fruit right away. Considering how many people they were seeing on a daily basis, I was impressed. 

I also found each person we interacted with to be accommodating and patient, even when guests weren’t particularly warm with them. I know from working in hospitality in the past that it’s not an easy job, and they all did it especially well. 

I was worried the food might not be great or healthy onboard. I’d encountered a lot of chicken nuggets and subpar burgers in the past on my brief cruise experiences. However, there was plenty of variety, and I was able to eat healthy and find plenty of options for my one-year-old as well (veggies, grilled meats, and fruit were always abundant). 

Although they had a kids’ menu, my son tends to just eat the healthier food that we eat, and we could get other food for him in the restaurant and Lido Market, and share what we ordered in the specialty restaurants.

Rudi’s Sel de Mer

This is the highest-end restaurant onboard, with the smallest capacity — and also, of course, my favorite. 

It’s a tranquil seafood restaurant, and the halibut and steak special were both excellent. They also had lobster, crab, and other seafood delicacies available. I loved the apple crumble as well!

Tamarind 

This Asian-flavors-inspired restaurant was my second favorite, with satay, curries, a nice tom kha gai , and orange duck. They were also very understanding and accommodating of our nut and soy allergies. Definitely get the yuzu cheesecake for dessert!

The Italian restaurant with seating near the windows offers sharing-style Italian dishes. It’s a must-do if you’re looking for higher-end pasta, meatballs, seafood dishes, and desserts.

Pinnacle Grill

This appeared to be the most popular restaurant. It offered surf and turf. If they have the lemongrass soup appetizer when you sail, definitely get it! 

It is also open for lunch, unlike the other paid restaurant upgrades. I thought this was a steal, considering we got a nice steak and appetizers and dessert for only $15 each!

Lido Market

In market hall fashion, this was the place to go for variety, and it became our daily lunch stop. It had everything from a salad bar and roasted meats to sandwiches, sweets, and noodles. It could get a bit busy and overwhelming at times to be honest, probably because it had so much variety in one spot. 

There were other options in the vicinity, including burgers and pizza near the indoor pool, but we didn’t end up having those during our cruise. 

Main Dining 

Even if you don’t upgrade to any of the paid dining options, the main dining room is honestly awesome. It had a different menu each day with plenty to choose from, like roasted chicken, New York steak, a vegan chickpea patty (which was my favorite thing), and plenty of roasted veggies, grilled fish, and chopped fruit for my son. (It also had a kid’s menu with the typical options).

The staff were so great with my little guy, I was always happy to eat there, which we did for most breakfasts and dinners. 

In-room dining

There’s always room service too! I thought we would take more advantage than we did, but we loved the dining room so much, we went there more often. 

This is the part I was most looking forward to, and my excursions didn’t disappoint. 

Juneau Helicopter and Glacier Trekking

Do yourself a favor and book at least one scenic flight during your cruise, whether it’s in Juneau or elsewhere. 

The flight was beautiful, and the ice was wonderful to trek as well. I’ve been fortunate to trek on five glaciers now and take several scenic flights all around the world, but I had never combined the two. It was truly an adventure, which included scenes all around Juneau, crampons, and hiking on the ice for a few glorious hours. The guides were also happy to take pictures, which was helpful, since I did this excursion solo. 

Skagway White Pass Railway

There are several options for the historic train, since it’s the most popular thing to do in town. I found it a bit confusing and only ended up booking the excursion that just barely crossed the border into British Columbia before turning around, rather than going all the way into the Yukon Territory. Although my intention had been to go all the way, the trip was still beautiful, and probably long enough, considering we had my one-year-old in tow. 

Many of the other excursions will take you all the way one way on the train and then use a coach for the way back. If you do this, be sure to ride on the left side of the train on your way up as it is the most scenic. We ended up being among the last to board the train, which I worried would mean we’d miss out on good seating, but we actually got to be in the front, and it wasn’t too crowded up there!

The trip is narrated the whole way, and there are also platforms in the front and back of each car that passengers can stand on. I logged most of the trip out there.

Ketchikan Historic Wilderness Sea Plane 

This is another splurge but so worth it! In contrast to the glacier flights, Ketchikan is more about the misty fjords and potential to see wildlife. We got lucky with a clear day and a nice, long flight with views of hidden mountain lakes, snowy peaks, and a bear and whale sighting that I wasn’t quick enough to catch on the camera but loved seeing nonetheless. 

Koningsdam : Ship & Amenities 

I have to be honest that the size of the ship (2,500 capacity, one of Holland America’s largest) made me hesitate. I know for sure I’m not the kind of person who would enjoy the huge ships that have 5,000+ passengers, those big slides, and bellyflop competitions. But the Koningsdam was classy, with some shared areas we loved, particularly the Crow’s Nest on the 12th floor, with a fantastic view all around the front of the ship, coffee, and couches for Felix to crawl on.

There were also two pools to choose from, including an indoor pool that showed movies on the giant screen in the evenings, and the outdoor pool at the back of the ship that was nicely heated and had two hot tubs as well. It wasn’t very crowded, which made it perfect for us!

There was also a gym that had regular classes and plenty of machines to choose from. It was never too crowded, even though the ship was fully booked. There’s also a spa, shopping, casino, a few live music venues, and a large theater.

We also enjoyed the jogging track on the 11th floor for panoramic views. It was a great spot to get some exercise and take Felix for his beloved stroller walks with the ever-changing scenery.

As I understand is common on cruise ships, there are some extras, like internet and drinks, that you can opt to pay for as a package. The Quench package included espresso drinks, smoothies, and water cans. Tea, tap water, and regular coffee are free.

To upgrade to the package that includes alcohol runs $55/day, or $60 for top shelf. I don’t drink, so that didn’t tempt me, though it could be a meaningful expense to add onto the trip, as is Wi-Fi, which was $229 for four devices and high speed for the week.

One could just use one’s cell signal in port and disconnect elsewhere, and it’s possible to get an eSIM especially for cruises!

Cleanliness 

With so many people on board, this was another factor that I was a little worried about. Would it really be super clean? However, the guest-to-staff ratio seems to be about 2:1, which is pretty incredible. Everything always looked pretty well taken care of, and things were obviously being cleaned constantly. I regularly saw people servicing the bathrooms, our room got cleaned twice a day, and the pool was regularly serviced. It seemed like there was quite a lot of effort being put into everything feeling spotless.

Final Thoughts: Is it Worth It?

There was definitely a time in my life when I was all about taking small ships , cargo ferries, and local buses, and avoiding experiences like cruises. However, now with a young child, it ended up being such an easy, beautiful way to take a vacation. We didn’t have to worry about logistics, food, cleaning up after meals (which can be messy with a one-year-old), or having things to do while he napped. Each time my son went down for his nap, sneaking out to the veranda with the baby monitor ended up being so lovely, with plenty of wildlife and scenery to take in.

The care that the staff put into making sure our boy was well looked after at our meals was above and beyond. People were always trying to make him smile, and the guests were nice to be around, as well. It wasn’t a party atmosphere (although there may have been some of that in the evenings, which I missed since that was bedtime for my son), but rather a mix of people who were there to enjoy the scenery of Alaska.

The only times things felt a bit busy to me were at the Lido Market at lunchtime and in the Crow’s Nest when we were cruising Glacier Bay. I ended up really feeling that our veranda was the best place to view it all from, and I can’t imagine taking a scenic cruise without one.

Maximizing your time by booking excursions in the ports is also important. That does make things cost a bit more, but it really does make this a bucket-list trip. I think with a veranda, excursions, and some of the higher-end dining, as well as making use of the ship amenities that appeal most to you, will make for a wonderful experience. Although I might never be the type to cruise-hop in the Caribbean, I have a feeling this won’t be my last scenic cruise in some of the more mountainous, glacier-topped destinations.

You can book your experience with Holland America here!

*Thanks to Holland America for inviting me to experience this cruise. All thoughts on the amazing staff, beautiful Alaska, and delicious food are my own. Some links in this post are affiliate links that support us at no extra cost to you when you purchase through them. We only recommend products we love and use ourselves. Your trust always comes first!

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Tillie says

08/30/2023 at 3:47 pm

AMEN!!! I’ve been blessed to shaparone elders on this cruise. They loved it. The medical staff is also attending to chronic conditions that would prevent an elder to vacation with emotional security in a different setting. Their bed goes with then, so that when they feel well, they are back to wonder.

Lisa Cochran says

09/01/2023 at 5:08 pm

My sister and I just went on a cruise on the Valdomara to Alaska. It was just as perfect as you described. I will go again! We had an excellent time!

Kathleen Curell says

09/06/2023 at 9:01 am

What month did you do this Alaskan cruise?

Kristin says

09/08/2023 at 5:58 am

end of July

REVIEW: Our Alaska Cruise with Holland America PLUS our Excursions

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: December 8, 2022

At the top edge of the United States sits our 49th state, Alaska. There’s no better way to get a taste of Alaska than aboard a cruise ship. And, Holland America has been operating Alaska cruises longer than anyone.

We recently had the opportunity to take a 7-day Alaskan Inside Passage Cruise in August aboard the Holland America Koningsdam ship. With my teen onboard, we reconnected with each other and with the beautiful nature that makes Alaska a coveted tourist destination.

Thank you, Holland America for inviting me as your guest to check out one of your famous Alaska cruises. All thoughts and opinions written here are based on my personal cruise experience.

Holland Koningsdam Ship

Our family is used to big ship cruising, so the Koningsdam felt a bit smaller than some of our recent cruise ship experiences. However, the Koningsdam is still the 3rd largest Holland cruise ship and is essentially very close in size to the largest, the Rotterdam.

The Koningsdam is one of Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ships and was built in 2016. It can hold 2,650 passengers and weighs 99,500 gross tons.

The small”ish” size of the Holland cruise ships can be a big benefit for Alaska cruises as it lets them dock in the ports when larger ships have to tender. Tendering can take up valuable time in port and is less convenient for taking second trips back out to explore.

A few of the things that stood out to me aboard the Koningsdam:

The ship has the upscale glitz and glamor that you expect from cruise ships but also a few fun spots with a bit of flair.

I was most impressed with the amount of lounge seating around the ship. One of my favorite things to do on cruises is read in a comfy chair with a good view. And of course, enjoying a happy hour cocktail before dinner.

One of the most popular spots is the Crows Nest lounge on one of the top decks (deck 12), which features cozy seating along with a bar and coffee shop.

The restaurants are also beautifully decorated, while the casual dining options on the pool deck are laid back and perfect for families with young kids. The buffet features plenty of windows and seating.

Most of the decks are named after famous music composers and the art around the ship is beautifully curated and displayed. It truly does have an upscale cruise feel when you’re walking in the corridors.

I’ll admit that the rooms felt a bit small, so carefully check the square footage when deciding what type of cabin to book.

If you like enjoying time in your room, a verandah (balcony) room can be an absolute treasure for an Alaskan cruise. Holland America even provides blankets to help you bundle up when doing your wildlife or glacier spotting.

Compared to other ships one thing I didn’t love was that the promenade deck view was mostly blocked by lifeboats. If you’re someone who likes to pop out on one of the mid-decks to enjoy the scenery and walk around, this ship isn’t the best for that. They do have a small jogging track on deck 11.

But, as I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of indoor lounge seating near windows, which is probably somewhat preferable for Alaska cruising versus Caribbean cruising anyway. So even though the outdoor lounge spaces are limited, with the cool weather of Alaska, the window indoor seating can be preferable.

Overall, I really enjoy the look and feel of the ship. We found it easy to navigate with a nice flow and absolutely lovely decor.

Holland America Entertainment (WOW!)

I wasn’t sure what to expect from HAL in regard to entertainment. Would they have enough options that would help me and my teen stay entertained before or after dinner? The answer was a resounding YES!

The BBC Planet Earth II in Concert is a MUST watch in my opinion. It’s a beautiful blend of musical and cinematographic storytelling at its finest. There are some “circle of life” situations as it is a nature documentary, so young kids might be alarmed. But kids will also fall in love with the animals and the storytelling is gripping and keeps you engaged.

Another BBC show takes place in the World Theater onboard, and it too is lovely. You’ll be ooh’ing and ahh’ing over cute animals as you watch. The storytelling of it is different than the Planet Earth II show but still worth seeing.

Holland America does an EXCELLENT job of drawing their Alaska cruisers into the story of Alaska. One of the featured entertainment shows is WE ARE ALASKA, a story shared early in the cruise to help draw you into the spectacular world you’re about to enter.

And if you love history, or even just love storytelling, you should absolutely watch the “Origin Story” which shares the rich history of the Holland America line and how it got started as a cruise company, and how they were the first to brave the Alaskan cruising frontier!

The live music onboard was also delightful. I enjoy orchestral music and so the performers on the Lincoln Center Stage were always a draw. But they also offer other great live music options like the Rolling Stone Rock Room, a piano bar, and B.B. King’s Blues Club.

Dining with Holland America

Many have said that the food aboard Holland America is upscale and enjoyable and I’d have to agree. I don’t think I had anything I didn’t love, beyond maybe a dish or two that just wasn’t my taste at the Lido Market buffet. :)

If you’re a foodie and love dining experiences, you’ll want to budget to add in a visit to some of the specialty restaurants onboard. Their chefs create meals that are tasty as well as spectacularly presented.

Complimentary / Included Restaurants

Holland America has dining that will suit any cruiser. There’s the traditional dining room, which has flexible dining times, as well as multiple specialty restaurants that will delight food lovers aboard.

Holland America is also the only cruise line that is certified for serving sustainable Alaska seafood . It’s important for travelers to be conscious of their impact on the destinations they’re visiting and Holland America is helping do its part with the food they serve.

I also want to note that using the HAL Navigator app is extremely useful while onboard. It helps you find what’s happening each day as well as the hours for each of the restaurants. Plus, you can order food and some of the restaurants in advance via the app. Be sure to install it before or once onboard.

Lido Market

This is what is equivalent to a buffet with other cruise lines, however, in each of the stations on Holland America a staff member handles serving you the food.

I appreciate this from a cleanliness standpoint; however, it does mean you might have a bit more of a wait versus the traditional free-for-all serving at buffets on other lines. I personally will take the wait in exchange for knowing an employee is the only one handling the serving utensils.

You’ll find a variety of stations including a taco corner, salad bar, meat options, bakery, and desserts including ice cream. Seating can get crowded during peak mealtimes however a bit of patience had us always able to find a table, and many times it was next to a window.

The Dining Room

Formal dining happens in The Dining Room, located at the back of the ship on decks 2 and 3 (on the Koningsdam). This is your traditional cruise dining experience with many tables and a menu that changes daily with a few regular items remaining each day.

Holland America allows for flexible dining times, called As You Wish. This means you can show up to The Dining Room between 5:15 pm and 9:00 pm and be seated for dinner. I absolutely love the flexible dining time option as you can truly create the day you want and aren’t locked into shows and excursions based on a strict dining time.

Families cruising with teens will also appreciate this flexible dining option as some may want to eat at different times or on their own, this allows a family to truly dine how they want on board.

Room Service

I’m delighted to say that Holland America still INCLUDES room service as a main (included) dining option. The menu is limited somewhat, but it was SO delightful having breakfast delivered every morning. I was even able to order a coffee service in advance to get my caffeine fix while my teen daughter slept in. And their room service is open 24 hours, just with two different menus depending on the time of day.

For families cruising to Alaska, this room service inclusion makes a big difference. A friend who was sailing when I was found it useful for her young boys to have room service together watching movies while she had a specialty dining experience. A win-win for both the parent(s) and the kids!

If you love fries and sitting poolside, you’re going to love ordering from Dive-In. It’s your typical pool dining spot that serves famous Nathan hot dogs, burgers, as well as french fries. This is a popular spot for kids and families, so you’ll want to order in advance with the HAL Navigator app.

New York Deli & Pizza

Craving a slice of pizza, deli sandwich, or salad? Another complimentary restaurant near the pool is the New York Deli & Pizza restaurant, where you can order a custom or chef-designed personal 9″ thin-crust pizza.

This is another popular spot and you’ll want to order in advance via the app, especially during busy dining times.

Specialty Upcharge Restaurants

While there are plenty of great complimentary dining options available onboard with Holland America if you love enjoying upscale dining you need to splurge on a specialty restaurant or two.

Pinnacle Grill

Steak lovers will want to be sure to splurge for a meal here. The menu includes cuts of filet mignon, NY strip, boneless rib eye, or a massive 36 oz tomahawk bone-in rib eye (added fee). You can also add on a lobster tail for an additional charge if you’re craving a surf and turf meal.

They have some great starters including an Instagram-worthy clothesline candied bacon. And you can get some delicious wine recommendations to complement your meal, we started with some Veuve Clicquot champagne with our starters and moved on to a delicious 2015 Muga Reserva Rioja for our steak course.

You’ll pay $15 for lunch and $39 for dinner, plus an 18% gratuity to eat at the Pinnacle Grill and then additional charges apply for a couple of added choices.

Craving some spring rolls and lobster? Tamarind is an upscale Asian restaurant onboard that features a delectable menu with options like Thai citrus scallops and wok-seared lobster and shrimp. They also have a master sushi chef onboard.

The cost for Tamarind is $29 plus an automatic 18% gratuity. For cruisers who love Asian-inspired cuisine, this one is a must-visit.

Next up is Canaletto for all the Italian-loving foodies. Here you’ll find some of your classic Italian favorites like lasagne and risotto, but there are also daily specials and many seafood-inspired dishes. Order up some grilled calamari, lobster and shrimp ravioli, and finish with a slice of tiramisu.

Canaletto is $19 for dinner plus an automatic 18% gratuity.

Rudi’s Sel de Mar

Next to the Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mar is the most premium specialty dining experience you can experience on board. The restaurant is small and intimate and features a seafood-focused menu. This is a dining experience, so allow up to two hours to enjoy the food and your dining companions.

The cost is $49 plus an 18% gratuity, although there are upcharges for some dishes and some ships charge off an a la carte priced menu.

Grand Dutch Cafe

For the caffeine and pastry fans onboard, the Grand Dutch Cafe will become your new favorite home away from home. This is an additional charge restaurant, although coffee drinks are included with some beverage packages.

I personally fell in love with the seating area at the cafe, as did many others based on its crowd levels at times. :)

Club Orange on Holland America

Wanting a posh cruise and dining experience? Club Orange might be the program for you. While it’s included for guests booked in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, other non-suite stateroom guests can purchase Club Orange for their sailing. Know that availability is limited, so booking early is recommended if it’s something you want.

Club Orange costs $25 per person per day on cruises up to 13 days and $15 per person per day on cruises of 13+ days. So a 7-day cruise would cost $350 for a couple.

Club Orange will give you these perks:

PRIORITY ACCESS

• Priority check-in
• Priority access to specialty restaurant reservations
• Priority line at the Guest Services desk
• Priority line at the Shore Excursions desk
• Priority access to tenders ashore in select ports
• Priority disembarkation

PREMIUM DINING

• Expanded 24-hour room service breakfast menu
• Pinnacle Class ships: Private dining venue for breakfast and dinner with an expanded menu
• All other ships: Priority seating in the Dining Room for breakfast and dinner with an expanded menu

EXCLUSIVE AMENITIES

• Complimentary stateroom upgrade
• Dedicated concierge service
• Welcome glass of sparkling wine on embarkation day
• Plush bathrobes
• Club Orange keycard
• Exclusive Club Orange tote bag (one per stateroom)

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Private Greenhouse Spa & Salon® consultation
• Complimentary jewelry cleaning
• Coffee chat with some of our onboard entertainers
• Guests will be notified of these exclusive experiences once on board

Our Holland America Alaska Cruise Itinerary

We cruised the 7-Day Inside Passage route on the Koningsdam to and from Vancouver, BC, in August.

• Day 1: Embarkation Vancouver, B.C.
• Day 2: Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage
• Day 3: Tracy Arm Inlet
• Day 3: Juneau, Alaska
• Day 4: Skagway, Alaska
• Day 5: Glacier Bay
• Day 6: Ketchikan, Alaska
• Day 7: Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage
• Day 8: Disembark Vancouver, B.C., CA

Alaska Cruise Tours

One of the best things you can do on an Alaskan cruise is to get off the ship and get into nature. For this trip, we chose Holland America Alaska cruise excursions at our three ports of call.

Many of the tours are limited, so I highly recommend booking in advance before your cruise. Unlike Caribbean cruises, many cruisers want to book excursions. I noticed that many of the premium experiences like glacier float plane tours and dog-sled adventures were sold out by the time we got onboard.

Juneau, Alaska Cruise Tour

I’ll mention that whale-watching is a very popular activity for Juneau and is worth doing if you haven’t seen whales before. We’ve done a couple of whale-watching excursions in the past and my teen really wanted to do the jeep rental in Juneau.

Self-Guided Jeep Rental

I’ve cruised enough times to know that I’m not a fan of group cruise tours with a bunch of other people. My teen is the same way. That’s why we decided to choose a jeep rental and go explore some of Juneau on our own via an automated guide.

We booked a 2-door Jeep since there were just 2 of us, they do have a 4-door option as well. And the price is per jeep, which for a family can work out to make the excursion not too expensive per person.

We disembarked in the afternoon in Juneau and checked in with an excursion rep after exiting the ship. They directed us to the jeep check-in spot which was just a short walk away from the pier.

At the booth, I had to show my driver’s license and sign a waiver. They brought down our jeep and gave us a short tutorial on the automated map program, and then we were off.

We followed the set route and listened to the audio guide along the way. The route took us to a few of the popular attractions for Juneau, the biggest being a stop at Mendenhall Glacier.

For cruisers who don’t love being in big groups of tourists, renting and doing this self-guided tour is a great way to enjoy the scenery of Juneau. We spent about 4.5 hours driving around to the different sites and then returning our Jeep.

We still had enough time to do a little shopping in Juneau and eat at the Alaskan Brewing Co before we had to be back on the ship.

Ziplining in Skagway Cruise Excursion

We chose the ziplining tour in Skagway, and had a blast! It wasn’t anything unique versus other ziplining tours, but always nice to be in the green forests of nature. Our guides were fun and encouraged some adventurous zip techniques, like hanging upside down, which I haven’t seen encouraged in the past.

After zipping, the bus transfer offered to drop cruisers in town versus at the dock (a short walk outside of town) and so we took advantage of that. We walked along the main street which is filled with some unique and local shops as well as tourist shops you’ll find in every cruise port.

Don’t forget to pack cash for tipping your two zipline guides and if you want to add another small tip for the transfer driver.

Fishing Cruise Excursion in Ketchikan

One of our splurge excursions for our Alaska cruise was the Alaska Fishing & Wilderness Dining: In Partnership With Food & Wine Magazine booked with Holland America. We exited the ship and met with our fishing outfitter on the pier, and they walked us down to their offices and boats.

When we arrived, we had to show our driver’s licenses (or passports) to obtain a fishing license for the trip. We were able to pay with a credit card and it was $25, kids & teens (not from Alaska) under 16 don’t have to have a license. We were put into a group of six, assigned a guide, and boarded our open-air skiff boat.

Our guide took us out on the water and headed towards a known fishing spot for rockfish. He helped each of us get our reels set and within seconds all of us had bites! We all reeled up our lines and each of us had landed two rockfish on our hooks. You’re limited to a certain number of fish total, so our guide had to drop a couple of the rockfish back down.

With our rockfish stored, we headed to another couple of spots to try our hand at salmon fishing. And they were biting! We each had a chance to reel in a fish, including one lovely Sockeye salmon and many Pink salmon.

Once we hit our limit we headed ashore to a small island camp where our guide brought a couple of our fish ashore to clean them. After being cleaned and prepped, they were handed off to a chef who prepared our group a plate of deliciousness.

This was a truly epic Alaskan experience and one I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys fishing. For teens, it’s an activity that engages them while also getting them out on the water and helping them be part of the Alaska fishing experience.

Don’t forget to bring a nice tip for your tour guide and a small token tip for the camp cook. Also be aware that it can be cold when the boat is going fast, so dress in layers and bring a hat and gloves. You also might want rain gear as this tour can run when it’s raining.

Another thing to note is that you can choose to have your fish processed and shipped home with the tour company. The pricing was not cheap, and seeing as we’re based in Seattle it didn’t make sense since we have easy access to fresh fish. Our guide also mentioned that some fish should only be transported smoked.

Overnighting in Vancouver

If you’re traveling to Vancouver for your cruise, you’ll likely arrive a day early and want to stay overnight. We stayed at the Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel which is at Canada Place and connected to the cruise port.

There are plenty of restaurants nearby, and you’re also within walking distance of many of the popular shopping areas of Vancouver. We enjoyed dinner and the sunset in their Coal Harbour Bar that is onsite and the live music was an added treat.

We were upgraded to a room with a view overlooking Vancouver Harbour, and it was a wonderful way to begin our vacation.

I highly recommend staying here for cruisers as its location can’t be beaten. The parking garage is also the same garage used for cruise passengers, so again, extremely convenient for cruisers.

The Pan Pacific also offers special bag check service from your room to the ship, making embarkation a breeze!

What to Pack on an Alaska Cruise

I have a full post about what to pack for your Alaskan cruise, including an Alaska cruise packing list . So be sure to read it! But a few things to make sure you bring:

• Layers of clothes – it can get cool but warm in the sun so pack plenty of layers, i.e. long sleeve tops, base layers, fleece jackets, and warm coats.
• Rain gear – the forecast said we’d have rain but we lucked out most days, be sure to bring a rain jacket and a small umbrella.
• Waterproof gear – depending on which excursions you choose, you might want to make sure you pack a thick waterproof coat and pants. Some excursions provide them, but always best to be prepared if you’re not sure.
• Boots – depending on which excursions you choose you might want to bring a good pair of warm boots that are waterproof and good for glaciers, water, and rain.
• Hat & Gloves – it can be cold on the water, so be sure to bring a knit cap (beanie/tuque) and a pair of gloves that allow mobility for your phone use.
• Ball cap & sunglasses
• Cash for excursion guide tips

Our time aboard the Holland America Koninsdam was a real delight. While Holland might not be as flashy as some of the more common “family” cruise ships, it still was a great home for myself and my teen for our one-week Alaska cruise adventure.

We enjoyed dining together and lounging in many of the ship’s seating areas. The entertainment was immersive and educational. And our lazy mornings enjoying room service in bed is a memory that will last us a lifetime.

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Holland America Alaska Cruise Review, On The Volendam

When selecting an Alaska cruise, travelers have many choices, from cruise lines, embarkation ports, and itineraries. Holland America (HAL) and Princess Cruises have long relationships with Alaska.

In fact, HAL’s first cruise to Alaska dates back to 1947…… LONG before I was born! This Alaska cruise review is of my experience sailing on Holland America’s Volendam.

Currently, Holland America has six ships scheduled for Alaska, with four vessels cruising from Vancouver, British Columbia, and two from Seattle. When comparing an Alaska cruise from Seattle to a Vancouver departure, Seattle’s 7-day itineraries on the Eurodam and Westerdam are roundtrip.

However, if choosing to sail from Vancouver, you can cruise a one-way itinerary on the Noordam or Nieuw Amsterdam vessels. One-way cruises allow guests to add a land tour to Denali National Park.

The Volendam and Koningsdam offer 7-day return itineraries from Vancouver, British Columbia.

If you love seafood, Koningsdam’s restaurants includes Rudi’s Sel de Mer as well as sushi at the buffet. Sel de Mer takes you on a tantalizing journey with king crab, lobster, prawns, shrimp and tuna.

Why A Holland America Alaska Cruise?

Having cruised to Alaska multiple times, I wanted to try another cruise line. While itineraries are similar, I wanted to try the cruise line with the longest relationship with Alaska, so a Holland America Alaska cruise made sense.

Also, I chose this cruise for additional reasons; a May departure, a different fjord, a small vessel, and I took advantage of one of the special offers. May is considered one of the driest and best months to take an Alaska cruise.

My Volendam cruise included three ports; Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. However, it also cruised to the Twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay.

Since my previous cruises were to Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier , I was eager to experience Tracy Arm, a different part of Alaska.

Having cruised on mostly mid-sized ships, the Volendam’s capacity of just over 1400 was also a test of whether I’d like the more intimate feel. To date, it’s the smallest cruise ship I’ve sailed, with just ten decks.

If you prefer something larger, the other vessels have a capacity of 1964 (Westerdam) to 2106 (Nieuw Amsterdam).

Holland America, First Impressions

Built in 1999 and last refurbished in 2014, I found the Volendam’s décor quite elegant. Holland America cruise ships are pretty traditional in style, even though the Carnival Corporation owns them.

Most ships have a theme, and with its abundance of floral arrangements and posy artworks, its garden theme adds color to the interior spaces.

Although conservative compared to newer mega-ships, the large tapestries and traditional paintings gave the vessel timeless appeal.

While small in size, the Volendam’s public areas seem grand and not claustrophobic at all. With light-colored wood, accented with rich red tones and shades of blue, the classic décor reminded me of an ocean liner.

Unlike most cruise ships with imposing atriums, the Volendam’s central cavity seems less inspiring with its kaleidoscopic glass sculpture. Overall, I found the decks easy to navigate, maybe partly due to the vessel’s size.

Having cruised to Alaska on other lines, I found the Holland America line attracted an older crowd. Maybe it had something to do with the destination too. 

The average age was over sixty, and this was evident each night when the decks emptied between 9:30 to 10 pm.

Holland America Cruise Cabin Review

For my cruise to Alaska, I booked an oceanview cabin. The cabin was small compared to other cruise lines, but it had ample storage.

Although with its recent renovation, the cabin looked fresh and revitalized with new carpets and a neutral color palette. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and my steward was fantastic at taking care of everything during the cruise.

The Volendam’s cabin bathrooms were updated and included a roomy shower with a glass door. The non-slip floor and adjustable height shower heads are great additions.

Alternatively, other options for cabins include the budget-friendly inside cabins starting at 140 sq. feet, up to the spacious Pinnacle Suite of over 1,000 sq. feet.

On the Promenade deck, guests can enjoy a Lanai cabin, which gives access to the outside public deck. The 21 staterooms added during the refresh turned some oceanview cabins into accessible outside cabins, allowing for fresh air.

Dining On Holland America

I’m Celiac, lactose-intolerant, and allergic to nuts. Yes, it’s a long list! Cruising on a vessel with food allergies can be challenging, so my review focuses on the cruise line’s ability to handle my allergies and keep the meals tasty.

I ate most of my meals in the Rotterdam Restaurant because having a consistent waiter works best for me. The choices for me were phenomenal, and my meals were always fantastic. 

Top marks to the chefs who made sure my meals were free of my allergens, but never sacrificed flavor or presentation.

I enjoyed breakfast from the Lido each morning because it was fast and easy. Gluten-free bread, waffles, pasta, and sweet treats were readily available onboard.

Alternatively, cruisers can get hamburgers, hotdogs from the Dive-In, and specialty coffees and teas from the Explorations Café. The Canaletto Restaurant (Italian) and Pinnacle Grill have a surcharge of USD 20 and USD 39 for dinner.

Volendam’s Amenities

With a capacity of 1400, don’t expect the racing car tracks, sky pods, and roller coasters featured on other lines. The Volendam is an intimate ship with fewer venues. 

On the plus side, the fewer venues meant I kept my onboard spending to a minimum. For those who want a quieter voyage, Holland America delivers.

My favorite place was the Crow’s Nest at the vessel’s bow. Here, I could enjoy the unobstructed views of Alaska and watch arrivals in ports. 

When HAL had no activity in the Crow’s Nest, I enjoyed reading a book and soaking in the surrounding views.

The ship has two swimming pools; the aft Sea View Pool, and Lido Pool with a retractable roof. Since the Alaska weather was much cooler in May, I didn’t use the aft pool. 

Although, it does have two tiled abstract armchairs next to the water, which I enjoyed on sea days.

The Mainstage Theater on the Upper Promenade Deck and Promenade Deck holds over 550 guests, and I enjoyed many shows there. After the performances, the decks emptied as most guests retired for the night.

Being a night owl, I found it disheartening not to have a late-night venue or activities to enjoy in the later hours.

Since the Volendam is smaller, I didn’t have to walk long distances to get to the dining room or other venues. What I enjoyed about its size was connecting with the same passengers repeatedly during the cruise.

Club Hal – Kid’s Programs

On the aft of the sports deck, Club Hal provides activities for kids and teens. The supervised activities are divided into kids (3 to 6 years), tweens )7 to 12 years), and teens (13 to 17 years). 

Additionally, one deck above, an outdoor oasis, and a pool provide some much-needed fun in the sun.

There were very few children on my cruise, so I don’t know how well these areas were utilized. Even though the Holland America line attracted an older crowd, it’s nice to know they’re doing their part to entice families to sail.

My Holland America Volendam Itinerary

My Volendam cruise was my 4th time to Alaska, but my first experience with Holland America. The 7-day roundtrip itinerary sailed out of Vancouver, Canada, where I live, so I had no airfare.

My Alaska itinerary was listed as follows:

• Embarkation, Vancouver
• Inside Passage (cruising)
• Tracy Arm (cruising), Juneau
• Glacier Bay National Park (cruising)
• Debarkation, Vancouver

Embarkation was effortless at the port of Vancouver, and soon, I was sailing under the Lionsgate Bridge heading for Alaska.

The ship experienced a few choppy seas the following day, so bring some motion sickness patches if you suffer from seasickness.

During my May Alaska cruise , I was surprised to see an abundance of porpoises and humpback whales on the route. While whales migrate from Hawaii and Baja, Mexico, in April, I didn’t expect to observe so many early in the season.

So, the most anticipated day of this cruise turned out to be the biggest disappointment for me. When the itinerary said “cruising Tracy Arm,” I assumed the vessel was cruising in the fjord.

Little did I know that the Volendam didn’t enter the fjord. Instead, if passengers wanted to see Tracy Arm, they had to prepurchase a shore excursion for USD 200+ on a smaller vessel.

Too late to take the Tracy Arm Glacier and Fjord Explorer, I could only watch the vessel sail away. From there, the rest of us on board sailed on to Juneau.

Lessoned learned: double-check the itinerary and don’t assume the ship is cruising Tracy Arm if it’s on the schedule. A few years later, I booked a Royal Caribbean cruise on the Serenade of the Seas that sailed inside the fjord.

Arriving at 1 pm, I was rushed to enjoy a port day in Juneau. Being the capital city, Juneau offers the greatest selection of shore excursions. I chose to go whale-watching in Juneau and combined it with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier.

The weather was warm enough to wear cropped pants and a lightweight jacket. As always, the whale watching excursion didn’t disappoint, and I saw plenty of humpback whales.

After the first excursion, I quickly made my  way to Mendenhall Glacier   on the shuttle bus. The last bus back to Juneau was 5:30 pm, which didn’t give me much time to explore.

During my May visit, huge icebergs had calved from the glacier’s terminus and floated down the river. It was a fantastic sight to see.

I walked along the boardwalk over Steep Creek near the visitors’ center. Later in the season, visitors can see salmon spawning in the river. Also, bears commonly walk this creek, especially when the salmon are running.

Since I didn’t have much time, I took a fast stroll toward the glacier to see Nugget Falls. Unfortunately, I had to return before reaching the falls because I didn’t want to miss the returning shuttle bus.

After leaving Mendenhall Glacier on one of the shuttle buses, I had time to do some shopping therapy in Juneau. A must-visit, I stopped for a drink at the famous Red Dog Saloon to enjoy its cheerful atmosphere.

As per usual, I did not prepurchase a tour in Skagway. Being my 4th visit, I wanted to find something different to do on my port day. Wandering through Skagway, I found a tour operator selling excursions, so I selected a  Chilkoot Trail and Float.  

The price was right, and the outing combined an uphill hike on a portion of the Chilkoot Trail, followed by a leisurely sail down the Taiya River.

While I enjoyed the tour, a good pair of hiking boots would have served me better due to the rocks and roots on the trail. Also, the mosquitoes were rampant, so I’d recommend some mosquito repellent.

Back at Skagway, I had time to hike to Gold Rush Cemetery and Reid Falls before returning to my ship. Once onboard the Holland America Volendam, I walked around the Promenade deck to enjoy the nice weather.

To my surprise, a few humpback whales surfaced next to the ship and continued to tease us with their presence until we sailed away.

Glacier Bay National Park

For most, the nine hours spent  cruising through the waters of Glacier Bay National Park is the pinnacle of their Alaskan cruise. My Holland America cruise was my third time to Glacier Bay, and I experienced blue skies each time.

Only two cruise ships can enter the National Park a day, so you’ll experience solitude like nowhere else. During your time in Glacier Bay, a park ranger will board your vessel and give commentary on the area, glaciers, and wildlife.

While the National Park has seven tidewater glaciers (glaciers that reach the ocean), Lamplugh Glacier and Margerie are the most impressive.

As I watched on deck, the warmer saltwater erodes the colder ice, causing it to break or ‘calve’ into the ocean.

The calving action creates a booming sound that’s music to the ears. Sometimes the remnants were small and other times, it resulted in a small tidal wave.

The ‘bergy bits’ or pieces that fall off provide an oasis for seagulls and other birds. I found the icebergs just as enjoyable with their silty stripes in blue, brown, and turquoise shades.

Should the Alaska weather not cooperate on your day in Glacier Bay, the Crow’s Nest makes for an ideal viewing spot to keep you warm and dry.

If you have a balcony stateroom, the captain will rotate the ship, allowing passengers to enjoy viewing from their cabins.

Ketchikan, the last port and my favorite Alaska town provided another sunny day. I enjoyed browsing the boutiques on Creek Street, touring Dolly’s House Museum, and walking up to Cape Fox Lodge.

At the entrance to the lodge, a circle of brightly colored totem poles welcomes visitors. Then I walked down the Married Man’s Trail and saw the salmon ladder in the creek.

Although slightly overcast on the last sea day, I experienced no rain in Alaska. In fact, if you’re looking to cruise Alaska during the driest month, May is it! Oddly enough, though, it rained as I returned to my home port of Vancouver, lol.

Overall Review Of My Volendam Alaska Cruise

When reviewing my Holland America Volendam cruise to Alaska, here are the highlights and areas that needed improvement. Bear in mind that these are my opinion, and everyone’s preferences are different.

• As an older ship, it’s more affordable.
• Its smaller size means there’s less walking.
• With 1400 passengers, it’s more intimate.
• Passengers enjoy more personalized service.
• The food is fantastic.
• It has a great culinary arts program where passengers can learn to cook like a top chef.
• Passengers can enjoy hot Dutch Pea Soup in Glacier Bay National Park.
• The retractable roof pool allows for swimming, even on cold days.
• Lack of late-night entertainment.
• The ship is dated.
• Lack of overall activities.
• Holland America has implemented a three-tier booking system. To get the lowest fare, passengers have to pay the full fare at the time of booking, and the fare is non-refundable.

While I found the cruise restful, the food exceptional, and my stateroom adequate, the Volendam lacked the upbeat and late-night activities I prefer.

Overall, my cruise to Alaska was good value for money, and I liked the May departure so much that I took another Alaska cruise in May.

Saturday 24th of February 2024

Karen, Thank you for the great information. We are cruising on HAL in August with a land and sea cruise/tour. Our group is in the 65-75 age group, and we had cruised on HAL once before, so we are looking for less crowds and quieter night life. As you mentioned, the Crow's, Nest with its amazing views was one of our favorite places to meet with our friends for cocktail hour and trivia before dinner. My husband and I are novice cruisers, this will be our second cruise, and our first time to Alaska. Everyone tells me we will enjoy Alaska and want to go back again.

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What our Alaska cruise was like aboard Holland America Line’s Eurodam

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My dad and I just wrapped up a trip of a lifetime to Alaska. We had an amazing time aboard Holland America Line ‘s Eurodam on our 7-day Alaska cruise. This was a very special trip to honor my mom who passed away in October 2021. She had always wanted to do an Alaska cruise but never got the chance, so we did it in her honor.

Let’s get into my Holland America Alaska cruise review!

Table of Contents

Where we went on our Holland America Alaska cruise

I’ll break down each of our port stops below, but here’s our 7-Day Alaskan Explorer cruise itinerary at a glance aboard the Holland America Eurodam cruise ship from June 3-10, 2023:

Saturday: Departed Seattle, 3 p.m.

Sunday: At sea

Monday: Juneau, 1 p.m.-10 p.m.

Tuesday: Glacier Bay scenic cruising & Icy Strait Point evening arrival 6 p.m-10 p.m.

Wednesday: Sitka, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Thursday: Ketchikan, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Friday: Victoria, British Columbia 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

Saturday: Seattle arrival, 7 a.m.

Here we are at the Space Needle!

Our Holland America Alaska cruise left from Seattle on Saturday afternoon but we arrived Thursday night, which gave us a bit of a buffer in case our flight was delayed. The early arrival also allowed us to explore Seattle. It was our first time there and the weather cooperated. We had sunny skies and temps in the high 60s F. It was literally a warm welcome!

First up, we visited Pike Place and the original Starbucks in the early morning hours (thanks jetlag!) and retraced my mom’s footsteps from years ago when she went to Seattle on a business trip. We also went to the Seattle Art Museum and the Space Needle before the cruise left and had a lot of fun discovering Seattle.

My dad and I arrived at the ship on Saturday morning around 11am and the embarkation process had us on the boat and in our room at noon. One thing to note is that your luggage will be delivered to your room up to a couple of hours later, so keep any medication and other important items you might need right away in your carry-on.

The ship: Holland America Line’s Eurodam

The Eurodam was Holland America Line’s first Signature Class ship, completed in 2008, and accommodates about 2,100 passengers and is 936 feet long. It’s home to several specialty restaurants, a bunch of entertainment venues such as B.B. King’s Blues Club where you’ll hear all kinds of R&B classics, a World Stage for the dance, other performances, and talks, and Billboard Onboard.

There’s also a pickleball court on the top decks along with a basketball hoop, walking track, ping pong, pools, and hot tubs.

If relaxing at the spa is more your thing, you’ll find the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® up on Deck 9 next to the fitness center complete with hydropools that are perfect for sea days. There’s also a casino down on Deck 2 with both table games and slot machines.

Cabin 6170, Aft Verandah Stateroom aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

We stayed in cabin 6170 of the Eurodam which is an aft verandah stateroom (balcony cabin) at the very back of the ship looking straight out. It has two twin beds that can be pushed together or kept separate, a couch that can be pulled out to a third bed, desk area, and a bathroom that had a bathtub (not just a shower).

I appreciated the different sized pillows and the fact that there were three per bed. They were comfy as well. It’s the little things, right?

Cabin 6170, Aft Verandah Cabin aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

We found the space to be very comfortable with plenty of room and adequate storage both under the bed and in the closets. The balconies on the aft cabins seem to be a little bigger than standard verandah cabins on the sides of the ship and had two chairs with footrests and a small table.

There were several electrical outlets in the cabin to charge your devices right next to the bed and by the desk. They all had USB outlets so you can plug your chargers directly into the USB ports.

The cabin was a 10/10. Zero complaints! We didn’t find it to be any louder or more prone to motion than other cabins so seasickness wasn’t an issue. I appreciate that Holland America ships all have classic styling and a relaxing feel in all the cabins — no crazy colors or anything so you’ll get great sleep!

Ports we visited on our Holland America Alaska cruise on the Eurodam

I told you a little bit about our short time in Seattle above and I’d definitely recommend spending a day or two in Seattle either before or after the cruise. There’s a lot to see and do and it’s well worth leaving yourself some extra time.

Our first port was Juneau and we had a whale watching/glacier excursion booked. It was a small group tour of just 20 people and included an easy hike to the Mendenhall Glacier first, followed up by a scenic trip on a whale watching boat.

The hike to the glacier is slow and easy and only about a mile long. The tour company has access to a private trail that takes you to the glacier, so there were no crowds along the way. Thank goodness our guide had bear spray just in case we encountered any grizzly bears. Luckily, we didn’t and I’m not sad we didn’t see any bears up close.

The Mendenhall Glacier is stunning in person and well worth the trip. We learned that it’s receding little by little each year so we’re glad to have seen it before it disappears. We also learned a bit about the area and its wildlife along the way. We even saw a porcupine in a tree.

Then, it was time to board our whale watching boat. We lucked out and saw about 15 humpback whales! Tour boats needs to stay 100 yards away from the whales, but even at that distance we saw the whales as they came to the surface and even did a few tail flips for us. It was an amazing sight to witness! They moved too quickly for me to get a photo, though.

Definitely wear layers, gloves, and bring a hat or headband to cover your ears. Even though we had nice weather and it was June, you might get a bit splashed like I did. It also got windy and quite cool toward the end of our tour and I was glad I dressed for the weather (high 40s F). More on what to wear below.

I believe this was the Margerie Glacier. Just WOW!

Glacier Bay

The next day in Glacier Bay was one of the highlights of our Holland America Alaska cruise. Just WOW! It reminded me of some of the sights from our Norway trip ! It’s part of the scenic cruising and you stay on the ship and take in the views from the water.

The narrow bay is flanked by majestic terrain on both sides. From snow-capped mountains to glaciers and forests, it’s out of this world. Glacier Bay State Park was a perfect mix of calm and beauty in one. If you have the chance to go, DEFINITELY GO!

Something I appreciated that really helped us to see everything was how the captain stopped several times and slowly turned the ship 360 degrees. Everyone on board was able to see Glacier Bay in all its glory no matter what side their cabin was on.

On our kayaking excursion!

Icy Strait Point

Later that day after hitting the casino a bit and trying our hand at pickleball, we pulled into Icy Strait Point around 6 p.m. and promptly hopped off the ship to head out to our kayaking excursion. Despite the fact that neither my dad nor I have kayaked much in the past decade, we figured it would be fun. Oh boy, were we in for a surprise.

For the life of us, we couldn’t get the dang tandem kayak to go straight for the first half of the tour. We were just laughing the whole time looking like degenerates at the very back of the group with the second tour guide.

We tried our best and finally got a little better and joined the rest of the group. Our group even saw a sea lion and bald eagle (probably laughing at our pitiful kayaking skills lol).

Kayaking is harder than it looks, let me say that. Thank goodness it was a beginner excursion, nothing strenuous, so we didn’t get too far behind. If you can paddle forward, you’re in good shape.

Along the way, the guides told us about the local area including the wildlife, what life is like there, and the price of groceries. They explained how everything has to be flown in and the meat and dairy products are nearly at their expiration date upon arrival.

You do get a bit wet while kayaking and the tour company provided us with special pants, a life jacket, and a leg covering so we wouldn’t get too wet, so rest assured you’ll have all the gear you need for this excursion. 

We finished up around 9 p.m and had to get back to the ship. There was a cool gondola ride that I wish we had time for. Tom would have loved that. Next time, I guess! All in all, the kayaking was fun and once we figured things out, the tour went a lot more smoothly.

Also, if you stop like our group did a few times to listen to the guide, there are midges (insects) that will bite your face. My dad didn’t feel them biting him and when we got back to the ship, I gasped because his whole forehead looked like he had the measles. They faded after a day or so, but be prepared.

We didn’t have an excursion booked and decided to explore Sitka on our own. There’s a free shuttle bus right from the port that’ll get you into town in about 10 minutes. The downtown area is right on the water so you can walk around and take in the beautiful scenery while shopping or grabbing a bite to eat.

Enormous King Crab legs for sale in Sitka, Alaska

Check out the biggest King Crab legs I’ve ever seen. I thought they were fake at first!

We did a little souvenir shopping and then headed back to the ship in the afternoon.

One of the most stunning things I’ve ever seen with my own eyes.

Ketchikan was where we did the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s tour with crew from the Deadliest Catch reality show. It was the highlight of our trip and this gets a 10 out of 10. If you’re on the fence about what Alaska shore excursions might be right for you, definitely go with this one if you’re interested in fishing, wildlife, and good stories.

First up, you board the Aleutian Ballad that’s been outfitted for tours and you have the option to sit either upstairs or downstairs. Make sure you arrive early so you can get a front row seat.

It’s a 3-hour tour that stays within the calm waters of the Inside Passage, so you definitely won’t get seasick. Along the way, you’ll be treated to stories from Bering Sea fishermen and even get to see and hold some of the crabs they catch. The King Crabs were HUGE and the biggest I’ve ever seen. Everything is released back into the sea. 

Only the tour guides were allowed to hold these because if not done correctly, they could break your finger!

Two parts of the tour were especially moving for us. The first was when the fishermen threw bait into the water which attracted about 20-30 bald eagles. We saw them up close as they dove into the water to grab the fish with their claws.

They swooped down and around in this flying frenzy like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It was quite a show! To be able to witness this in nature — not in a zoo — was extremely emotional for my dad and me and we knew my mom was with us. I’m so grateful we got to see that.

Quick aside: I actually made a memorial diamond from my mom’s ashes and she had her homecoming in March 2023. This special trip is the first (hopefully of many) where my mom came along in diamond form.

The second thing which was especially meaningful to us was when the crew members pulled up a crab pot that had a bunch of tags on it. They explained that each tag had a handwritten message from guests who wanted to honor a loved one and we knew it was something we wanted to contribute to as well. It was perfect, considering the whole purpose of our trip — to honor my mom and take her on her bucket list trip.

The donations go toward helping a local group of natives who have lost fishermen over the years. They depend on fishing to live and donations go toward helping their families. We made a donation and got our own blank tag that will then get attached to the crab pot with all the others. I wrote my message, signed the tag, and smiled despite the tears.

Victoria, BC

It was a rainy and cool night, so my dad and I decided to stay on the ship. It was a late arrival, and since we had food and drinks on the boat and were tired, we figured we’d catch Victoria another time and call it an early night.

Holland America Line Eurodam food

OK, let’s move on to what we ate!

For meals, you have several dining options on your Holland America Alaska cruise:

–Buffet on Deck 9, the Lido Deck (for breakfast, lunch and dinner)

–Main Dining Room on Decks 2-3 (for breakfast and dinner, and lunch on certain days)

–Specialty dining restaurants (additional fee, for lunch and dinner)

–Room service (24/7)

— Dive-In and New York Pizza on Deck 9 (Dive-in closes at 6 p.m. but NY Pizza stays open until 11 p.m.)

First, I’ll start with the most important meal of the day! We’re breakfast lovers and had no shortage of choices. Since it’s our favorite meal of the day, we went big and tried almost everything on the menu. Standouts for me were pancakes, French toast, Belgian waffles, omelets, and the sausage patties (you can’t get them in France!).

You can either have breakfast upstairs at the buffet on the Lido Deck 9, in the main dining room at a sit-down table with a menu and waiter, or opt for room service (which is free). We split our breakfasts between the buffet and main dining room.

We opted for a room service breakfast on the morning we arrived in Ketchikan, as we had an early excursion and the main dining room wasn’t open yet (had to be out the door by 7:30am and that’s when it opened). The buffet opens at 6 a.m., though for the early risers.

For lunch, we usually hit the buffet and had a small lunch and saved our appetite for dinner. I tried Dive-In and New York Pizza and both were excellent. Dive-In is kind of a Shake Shack-style place with a bunch of burger, hot dog, and fry options.

For dinner, we ate in the main dining room every night except for the first night where we had booked a table ahead of time at the Pinnacle Grill. You can book specialty restaurants ahead of time or once you’re on board, but if you have your heart set on a specific day and time, definitely reserve a table ahead of time or on the first day since reservations are required. My dad got lamb and I got chicken. Both were excellent. There are also vegetarian options.

To sum up my thoughts on the food, well, I can’t praise the food enough. We didn’t have a single subpar meal on the Eurodam. We ate everything from fish and shrimp to beef and lamb and even escargots. Desserts ranged from tiramisu, to a hot fudge ice cream sundae, to a fruit crumble, and so much more. Portions are on the medium size, I’d say. They were just right.

I’d also like to point out that the entire Holland America staff took extra care with my food allergy and no mistakes were made. I let the dining staff supervisor know about my problem with citrus right when we boarded and everyone was made aware.

This was really important to me because sometimes I get nervous at restaurants when the staff doesn’t seem too confident about what’s in their food, but this was not a problem at all on our cruise. I was so thankful that mealtime wasn’t stressful for me. Thanks, Holland America, for taking food allergies seriously.

What to pack for an Alaska cruise

This could be an entire post in and of itself, but here are a few quick tips for what to pack for an Alaska cruise in June.

A light rain jacket , thin goose down packable puffer jacket , both short and long sleeved shirts, and sturdy hiking shoes/sneakers are a must. It’s a good idea to wear non-cotton pants that won’t absorb water, so leave your jeans on the boat and opt for quick-drying pants on excursions.

A scarf, gloves, and a hat are must-have items as well. I wore a poncho (above) for our Whales & Trails tour and it served me well in the drizzle. An umbrella would have worked as well.

I’d recommend being prepared for a variety of weather conditions including rain and wind, with temps that range from the 40s-70s F. In Juneau, it was about 48 F as a high and it got cool and wet on our whale watching tour. Same for Glacier Bay — not warmer than 50 F and it was cloudy.

The sun came and went and I was glad I layered up. In the cooler ports, I had on a t-shirt, long sleeved medium-weight hoodie, my packable puffer jacket, and a thigh-length rain jacket (plus a scarf and gloves), plus sneakers. And I’m someone who is rarely cold. What I wore was perfect.

Other days, I left the puffer coat on the ship and just wore a long sleeve shirt and rain jacket.

Depending on your excursions, you may want to consider hiking boots and additional gear if you’re doing all-day hiking, fishing, etc. But for the average cruiser, what I’ve mentioned above is sufficient. Also keep in mind that there are laundry services on board.

If you are planning on going to the spa or the hot tubs or pool, don’t forget your swimsuit. On our first day as we left Seattle, it was in the low 70s F and people were in the pool, so it’s not always too cold to swim.

I will point out that our tour guides in Juneau remarked that it was a bit cooler than usual (in the 40s F), but still, definitely bring layers and be ready for anything. June really is the best time to go to Alaska — not quite peak season and not as much rain as later in the summer.

Things I brought that I never ended up wearing : Shorts, sandals, and my dress. The formal/gala nights are pretty low-key in Alaska and plenty of people opted out or just wore nice pants (it’s quite cool on the ship) and a dressy top — not a fancy dress. I also packed about four tops I never touched.

2 Things I should have brought that I forgot : A refillable water bottle. Totally slipped my mind! It’s great for both on the ship and off. This is the one I forgot (with a sports top).

Also, hand cream would have come in handy (couldn’t resist the pun!). While there’s regular body lotion in the cabin, a moisturizing hand cream would have been great to have. This is my favorite . Your hands will get dry from all the hand washing and hand sanitizer, as well as from the cool weather.

What’s a Holland America Line cruise like?

Before last summer when Tom and I went to Norway on Holland America’s Rotterdam , I didn’t know what to expect. As a teen and young adult, I had cruised on Carnival and wasn’t familiar with Holland America Line at all. When I asked around, people said it’s for elderly people and the ships don’t have much going on. 

But the stereotypes didn’t hold true.

Alaska is a pretty active destination with many cruisers opting for active excursions like kayaking, hiking, and more, so I found the other passengers to be on the younger side overall. I’d say over 90% were American (whereas on our Norway trip, the majority were Dutch).

I don’t have stats from the cruise line, but the average age was probably 50 (not 80!), with many couples in their 20s and 30s and lots of multigenerational families cruising together.

Keep in mind that Holland America is an American-owned cruise line — Carnival Corporation is the parent company — and its cruises are for people who want a classic, upscale cruise experience at whatever age.

School is out in June in many areas of the U.S. so it makes sense that we saw a bunch of kids and teens. As we get further into the summer season, I’m sure that will only increase. The average age skews toward an older crowd outside of peak season.

If you haven’t seriously considered Holland America because it has a rep for being a cruise line for senior citizens, I’d urge you to reconsider. Yes, there were older folks on board but it was a nice mix. I definitely didn’t feel like I was on a retirement cruise by any means. Not that that would be a bad thing, but for those of you curious about the average age, I just wanted to share my experience.

While you won’t find water slides, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, and wet tee shirt contests on Holland America, you will find great live music, destination talks, expertly choreographed dance shows on the World Stage, a casino, gym, spa, and a bunch of daily on-board activities like tai chi, pickleball, origami folding, a game room, and all kinds of other things to keep you busy.

Something I loved was the library where you can borrow a book for the duration of the cruise. I read Lucy Foley’s “ The Paris Apartment ” and loved sitting in the Barnes & Noble-esque library chairs watching the waves from the window. It was a perfect cruise (or beach) read!

Another highlight was the B.B. King’s Blues Club. The musicians ROCKED and often had crowds well after midnight. We also loved the dance shows. The six dancers that made up Step One performed beautifully.

Would I cruise with Holland America Line again?

Absolutely, yes. This was my second Holland America Line cruise ( Norway was my first, and this was my dad’s first cruise with them, of hopefully many) and we had a great time! 

Holland America has a more classic style and feels more low-key than other cruise lines. What I mean is that you won’t find activities on the schedule at 2 a.m. The shows don’t have a cast of 30 people. There’s also no nightclub/DJ, although there is a dance floor at B.B King’s and entertainment that can span well past midnight.

We also didn’t witness any crazy behavior that people sometimes associate with cruises. You know, overly inebriated folks who make a scene and that sort of thing while wearing their swimsuit to dinner. None of that to be found!

Holland America is classy and attracts a clientele looking for an upscale, cultured experience. Even in college, I was 20 going on 60 and am not big into nightlife and partying. I am an early riser and go to bed well before midnight, so some of the more lively nightlife you’ll find on other cruise lines isn’t my thing anyway.

For me, Holland America is suited to my personal cruise style. Great food, a nice selection of music and entertainment, nicely equipped gym, a casino and spa, and loads of areas in which to relax and hang out.

Our Holland America Alaska cruise was absolutely incredible and I hope my mom was able to enjoy it too. I have to believe she was there with us in spirit and is at peace. Cheers to Alaska and thank you to my dad. 😉 This was the most meaningful trip I’ve ever taken and it was brought me so much comfort to have been able to do it with my dad.

I hope you’ll check out Holland America Line for your next cruise to Alaska and that you’ll have as much fun as we did! It was truly a great experience.

Disclosure: Please note our Holland America Alaska cruise was NOT a press trip.

PIN my Holland America Alaska cruise reviews post:

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June 17, 2023 at 3:20 pm

Wow! I’m glad you and your dad had an amazing time, and also that you felt your mom there in spirit! Seattle and Alaska are two places my family and I would love to visit. I’ve wanted to go on a cruise to Alaska for quite a while. The atmosphere on this cruise sounds perfect to me too! We went on a cruise to Nova Scotia out of Boston in June, maybe 10 years ago, and I loved the cool, foggy weather. It was on Carnival, which isn’t really my ideal atmosphere, but my sons liked all the activities. Thanks for a great review, and I hope you have a great summer!

June 17, 2023 at 5:48 pm

Thanks so much, Susan! It’s really a spectacular trip. Hope you have a great summer too 🙂

June 17, 2023 at 5:12 pm

A wonderful post. Thank you, Diane.

June 17, 2023 at 5:47 pm

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for reading!

June 18, 2023 at 11:52 pm

This sounds like the trip of a lifetime, Diane! I’m so glad you got to do this with your dad in memory of your mom. It’s so meaningful that you were able to write a message on the crab pot tag as well.

The photos are also absolutely stunning – I’ve been meaning to ask, but did you get a new camera in the last couple years? Would love to know the model and lens as I’ve been considering getting a new camera for a while (looking at a Sony full-frame).

Hoping you have a wonderful rest of your summer with many more meaningful trips!

June 19, 2023 at 3:08 pm

It really was amazing, thank you so much for reading. 🙂

So glad you like my photos and to answer your question, believe it, or not, all the photos you see here (except kayak pic, that was a GoPro) were taken with my iPhone 11!! I do have a new camera, but I did not bring it with me on this trip in an effort to pack light. Thx again!

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Holland America Alaska Cruise Review (MS Noordam)

When we got married in May 2016, we decided to go to Alaska and go on a cruise for our honeymoon. Picking a honeymoon destination seems like a big deal, with numerous destinations to go to, as well as options on how to get there. In the end, after numerous brochures, and research, we booked a Holland America Alaska Cruise with Holland America Cruises.

Holland America Alaska Cruise Review

Our options, why we chose holland america, your fellow cruisers, the itinerary, shore excursions:, onboard activities:, are you planning to cruise alaska, related posts: , share this:.

It’s not our first time to go on a cruise. We actually went on a smaller one to the Bahamas from Cape Canaveral on Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas in preparation for this longer cruise. We figured most people on honeymoon prefer to feel luxury a bit: taking an all-inclusive resort in a sunny beach. We’ve done that before, so why not see nature with the all-inclusive benefit from a cruise?

Before we booked this, we attended 2 AAA events with Holland America featuring Alaska cruises. During travel fairs (AAA sponsored as well), we collected brochures from various cruise companies that go to Alaska. Heck, we even researched smaller cruise ships! Here were the cruise lines that went to our short list and why we didn’t choose them:

• Royal Caribbean – We like the vibe of Royal Caribbean. Their activities are more catered for millennials and younger cruises or those with family. However, their ships are bigger- meaning, you share more space with other people on a floating barge. That turned us off.
• Princess Cruises – We also liked the vibe of Princess Cruises, and we were close to booking it. However, the dates of the cruise we wanted (Southbound from Alaska to the mainland) were not available. Boo. Plus, Princess Cruises is a bit more expensive than Holland America.
• Uncruise Adventures – Now this one I really liked. It’s a small ship where you can be adventurous and do kayaking and stuff in Alaska. The downside is that it’s so much more expensive than the other cruise lines. Maybe in the future we can consider this (when we’re FI and not as cash-poor as now).

Aside from the price, the Holland America southbound cruise that we were eyeing had a stop in Glacier Bay National Park. While we wouldn’t physically go down in Glacier Bay, there’s a park ranger who will be going up on the ship and explaining the various wildlife and providing a commentary about the glaciers.

Not many ships actually include Glacier Bay National Park on their routes. In fact, to preserve the site, the National Park Service limits only two cruises per day in the park. Most other ships include the Hubbard Glacier if they can’t get to Glacier Bay, so if you find a cruise that actually suits your schedule AND stops by Glacier Bay, it’s a shoe in.

The price of Holland America’s verandah is also comparable to the other cruise lines. However, they gave us a deal when we booked through Costco: we got $250 in shore credit to use on the ship. We could use it for anything we would want: drink packages (NOT), shopping, shore excursions, even tips!

In summary, we mostly chose the Holland America cruise because it fit our dates and budget. Oh, and also because Glacier Bay National Park was part of the itinerary, of course.

Holland America attracts certain types of clientele. As our host in one excursion said: newlyweds, nearly dead, and overfed. It was a bit funny, but it’s actually true.

While we didn’t meet a lot of newlyweds, we would say that majority of the cruisers (like 70% +) are.. err… from the baby boomer era. Most of them are pretty cool, but you can’t expect a cruise to be the same level and energy as Royal Caribbean in terms of entertainment.

The cruise that we chose was a 7 Day Southbound from Seward, Alaska and disembarks in Vancouver, British Columbia. I silently complained to Peter – “Why do we have to disembark in Vancouver? Why not Seattle?” But it is what it is.

The 7 Day Alaska cruise itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1 : Seward, Alaska
• Day 2 : Cruising
• Day 3 : Glacier Bay National Park
• Day 4 : Haines, Alaska
• Day 5 : Juneau, Alaska
• Day 6 : Ketchikan, Alaska
• Day 7 : Cruising Inside Passage
• Day 8 : (7AM) Arrive Vancouver, BC, Canada

You can read more on what we did and on which dates in our 2 week itinerary post. You can also read more about our first impressions of Alaska .

In a nutshell though, here are our comments:

I wish we went to Skagway instead of Haines . Seems like there’s plenty more to do in Skagway than in Haines itself. Good thing I managed to find a local Haines company to book a tour with. And we were in our own group when we went to see the bald eagles up close (not to mention we didn’t pay the exorbitant amount the cruise ships were asking for).

I wish the ship spent more time in Juneau . There’s so many things to do there. Also, a good friend of mine lives in Juneau, so we definitely had options and activities. Also saw a humpback whale near the ship, so that was a plus.

Ketchikan was a good stop. It was rainy when we were there, but we made the most of it nonetheless.

Almost every cruise line overcharges you on their shore excursions. They must make such a big markup on every tour that they sell. After talking to one of the local Haines operators, the cruise lines dictate how much you should sell the tour to, and will forbid you to sell activities outside of the cruise lines. The cruise lines take up around 40% of the cut!

We did our research beforehand and we ran the numbers. We won’t be a finance and travel blog if we didn’t do our due diligence, right? Our verdict? Avoid these shore excursions with a ten foot pole. Some of them are crazy expensive like $200+ to go to Kenai Fjords National Park, $400+ on a helicopter tour + something that lasts only 4 hours. That’s like $100/hour… per person. It’s crazy!

We did, however, book one shore excursion… an extended Mendelhall Glacier experience. For almost 3 hours (2 hours exploring, and the other hour just getting to the glacier and back), you get a bus to the Glacier. Granted, you can do it yourself or book in another company outside the cruise line but the difference was only $5-10 per person and we didn’t bother.

Oh, as a disclaimer: we had extra shore credits to spend, so instead of letting it go to waste by buying stuff on the ship or even buying booze/alcohol, we spent it on an experience.

There’s a huge library on the ship, and I think it’s called the New York Times lounge . You can use the computers to read New York Times articles (Peter did, almost daily) or you can also check the ship’s activities in advance. You can borrow a book and take it to your stateroom or you can read in the lounge.

It’s a peaceful place to go to, and some of the other cruisers just sit in there and hang out. There’s also puzzles to be completed which became a communal thing – where anybody can help put the puzzle together.

There are daily trivia contests onboard the ship. You can be in a group with a maximum of 6 people, and if you win, you get Holland America pins. Yay. I think this is one of our most favorite things to do and we ended up trying to join the trivia contests daily. We won two: one from BBC Earth, and another one on our last night of the cruise.

One big event on the ship is the BBC Earth Game Show . This is separate from the BBC Earth trivia show, where three teams of two people compete on stage in front of the other cruisers. The questions were all related to BBC Earth TV shows: nature, animals, maybe even a bit of travel in it (something I am passionate about).

I have to say I got really competitive in the game show. In the end, we won (yay – bragging rights), and everybody got a bottle of champagne as a prize (wish they gave me BBC Earth DVDs or something, but whatever).

The shows are good: except for a comedy show that I had no idea what he was referencing. We decided to leave before it ended and retreated to our room. My favorite shows were the ones with the singers and dancers: they did one with fairy tale themes and I really liked that.

There were onboard talks and presentations like what to expect while cruising, and how to buy stuff on shore. We mostly went to them in the hopes of winning a free item, but sadly we came home empty handed.

My favorite onboard talk was from our shore excursion expert: but I think she did her talk a little bit too late. It was scheduled while we were cruising the inside passage and it was the day before we were set to disembark in Vancouver. The talk highlighted the various animals and places that our director has seen. It would have helped if this was done on the cruise day before we were going to these cities. It may have helped us look for more wildlife.

We were in the MS Noordam – a smaller ship. The shopping options were a bit small – as compared to Royal Caribbean, where the atrium is where everything is happening and makes the ship feel bigger than it is.

The layout of the ship is quite confusing as well. Where you’ll embark/disembark will change depending on your port, and you may need to walk through corridors with rooms just to get to the other side of the ship. I pity those people who stay in those rooms – it must get noisy.

Personally, I prefer the food in Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship. It feels as if the Lido deck is the same as the sit down dinner in Holland America. Like, there’s nothing that will make us want to go have a sit down dinner.

Related Post: Our First Ever Cruise (Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas Review)

They changed our tables so many times in Holland, so we didn’t get to connect with any of the waiters/attendants. In Royal, they made sure to seat us at the same table or area even if we had an open seating plan. In Holland, it is a bit awkward that you’ll end up sitting on a table waiting for other people to join you for dinner as well… until nobody arrives after waiting for a few minutes then you get reassigned to your own private table. Waste of resources, if you ask me.

We did enjoy the choices in the Lido – there were tacos, Asian food, and steak… lots and lots of steak choices everyday. A difference though – you have to wait in a queue for someone to serve you your dinner portions. You can’t just get the food on your own (except maybe for the dessert table).

If so, Holland America may be a good option for you. We would even go so far as to recommend a balcony when you cruise Alaska as the outside scenery is just amazingly beautiful. You don’t want to stay cooped up in an inside room and have nothing to see.

While the activities could have been more entertaining, if you went on the cruise to spend time with your loved ones, or you are happy enough to watch DVDs in your state room, or just to sit and read a book during the cruise down times, then this may be the perfect, quiet cruise for you.

Any tips on cruising in Alaska? Do you think this review helped you out? Please feel free to save this post on your Pinterest for more inspiration!

• Two Weddings and an Alaska Honeymoon

First Impressions of Alaska

• An Alaska Itinerary: What To Do in Alaska for Two Weeks

Travel Hacking Alaska: Planning Our Trip

• Our First Ever Cruise (Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas Review)
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Tales from the Economy Class Cabin

Holland America’s food was average to very bad in my opinion. Sushi in the buffet was inedible and Asian food a variation on the Indonesians cooking it with a different sauce only. Meats like any us buffet choice. Desserts dry and hit and miss. Ice cream cheap in quality. Pizza inedible. Dining room just a step above this with excellent service though

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• Alaskan Cruises

This 'Alaskan Explorer' Cruise Takes You Whale-watching, Wandering Seaside Towns, and Sailing Right Through Stunning Glacier Bay

There are a great many cruise destinations around the world that I’d like to profess my love for, but the one I will forever rave about is Alaska. And as you’re planning your travel year and scouting cruise destinations, Holland America Line’s 7-Day Alaskan Explorer is an itinerary that should absolutely be on your radar.

Why does Alaska lend itself so well to cruises? The northernmost U.S. state has always been a bucket-list destination, and there are so many coveted sights to see spread throughout the Last Frontier. Once you get a taste, you’ll want to see them all, and cruising is the simplest and most luxurious way to cover as much ground as possible. Enter: Holland America Line’s Signature-class Eurodam ship.

Beyond the ease of getting around on the Eurodam, some of Alaska’s most memorable sights are best seen on the water. Because, you know, what’s better than paying 25-cents to peer through those clunky, iron binoculars (that look like refurbished parking meters) to scout glaciers? Sailing by the glaciers from the comfort of your cruise ship.

Holland America Line’s first trip of 2020 on the 7-Day Alaskan Explorer sets sail in May. And even before feasting your eyes on Alaskan glaciers and wildlife, you’ll get to cruise along one of my favorite coastlines in the world. Californians might argue that the legendary Pacific Coast Highway drive along Big Sur is the world’s best coastline experience, and the Francophiles are bound to favor the Riviera coast running from Nice to Monaco. But in my opinion, one of the most underrated but beautiful coasts is found in northern Washington. And while cruising to Alaska with Holland America Line, you’ll get to sail the Puget Sound and see the Pacific Northwest in its prime before arriving in Alaska.

After a day in Seattle, and a day along the Puget Sound and at sea, you’ll reach the famed Stephens Passage. The passageway starts in the Frederick Sound, which boasts the best whale watching in Alaska. As the sound narrows, you head into the wildly scenic Stephens Passage before winding up in Juneau.

Juneau is the eclectic capital of Alaska, and their quirkiness rivals the likes of Portland and Austin. We should really be saying, "Keep Juneau weird," if you ask me. While in Juneau, cruisers can tour the Mendenhall Glacier, or hike Mount Roberts with their eyes peeled for deer or bald eagles. If you’re looking for a treat-yourself experience, Juneau might be the place to splurge on Holland America Line’s Five Glacier Seaplane Exploration.

Day four brings cruisers to UNESCO World Heritage Site Glacier Bay National Park and Icy Point Strait. And the action continues on days five and six with two important Alaskan ports : Sitka and Ketchikan. If Juneau is the eclectic capital city of Alaska, Sitka is its rugged cousin. A much more remote section of the state, Sitka has a smattering of “Native Alaskan villages, all set amid lush forests and frigid, glacier-flanked waters,” says Holland America Line .

A true wildlife destination, the shore excursions here are all about fishing and otter spotting, and yes, to answer your inevitable question, the otters are exactly as cute as you’re expecting them to be. Ketchikan, on the other hand, feels like it’s straight out of a Scandinavian fairy tale. It is a destination of fjords and colorfully painted houses rising up from the water on stilts, and one of the shore excursions offered here involves a crab feast. Put another way, it’s a dream destination.

While at this point you’ve already seen the Puget Sound, the Frederick Sound, Stephens Passage, multiple glaciers, Seattle, Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, you get a bonus city on the way back down to Seattle. That bonus city is Victoria, which in my humble Canadian opinion, is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. Sitting right on the water, the Victoria Harbour views are surreal, and yet the whole city has a decidedly British feel to it.

Seeing this much beauty packed into seven days is, quite frankly, a lot to process. And while, first and foremost, it’s a privilege to see so much of the world’s natural majesty in one trip, you also need to give yourself adequate time to digest it. The serenity of Victoria is the perfect place to do this. Consider taking your day in Victoria to visit the Butchart Gardens where you can unwind amongst the plant life, regroup with the people you’re traveling with, or take some time to yourself.

Keep the perspective you’ve found in Alaska and Victoria with you as you sail back to Seattle and reacclimate to post-vacation life. Holland America Line’s 7-Day Alaskan Explorer trip will leave you filled with gratitude for our planet — from the orca whales and otters, to the fjords and glaciers.

Alaska cruise review: a voyage through the Inside Passage

This seven-day trip on the Koningsdam cruises through Alaska’s scenic coastal waters

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If there’s one place in the world to coax a confirmed cruise-sceptic onto the water, it’s Alaska, where the spectacular wildlife and landscapes are all but unreachable by other means. Even the capital, Juneau, is severed from the rest of the state – and the rest of North America – by the high peaks of the Coast Mountains, which remain unconquered by rail or road.

Giant cruise ships: monsters of the high seas Regent Seven Seas Explorer review: luxury to the ends of the Earth

In fact, an Alaskan cruise involves whole days seeing no sign of human settlement along the shore, just an endless scroll of ocean, forest, mountains and mist. The ship, by contrast, is the embodiment of our impulse to get out into the world, and take with us all the comforts and luxuries we have created. At times, I would forget I was at sea, only to look up from a table in a restaurant and see a wall of ice slipping serenely past the window – or, on one occasion, the tall dorsal fins of two orcas.

Alaska’s Inside Passage

My week-long trip, aboard Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship, followed a circular route through the Inside Passage, a network of straits and fjords which snake their way along the coast, protected from the heavier seas of the Gulf of Alaska by a long string of islands. We spent one day each in the towns of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, one day circumnavigating Glacier Bay, and the rest of the days at sea. We sailed through the nights too, although that’s a relative term in June: on the summer solstice, we had just two hours of true darkness.

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Tours and activities

Such is the range of excursions on offer that any two Koningsdam passengers could enjoy entirely different cruises. One hypothetical couple might proceed from stateroom to spa to pool, signing up for an art class or two and disembarking only for private, chauffeur-driven tours of the Alaskan interior. On their return, they might while away the evening with a whisky or wine tasting, or retire to the theatre to see a live orchestra play along to BBC wildlife documentaries. Another, more restless, traveller, might be in a sea kayak soon after sunrise, on quad bikes or dog sleds one day and up in a helicopter the next, or sailing out in a small boat to fish for salmon. Evenings might be spent roving between the gym, the casino and the live music venues.

I plotted a middle course, keeping some shore time free to explore the frontier towns of Skagway and Ketchikan on foot, but joining tours where they would take me places I couldn’t reach under my own steam (including into Canada’s Yukon territory – even emptier than Alaska – for a landscape photography workshop). The highlight was a small boat tour of the whale-rich waters around Juneau, where we watched a humpback mother and calf making their way through the channel. The hours melted away as we learned and predicted their movements – the water spout, followed by three or four shallow arcs through the waves and a big flourish of the tail before they dived back into the deep.

Koningsdam accommodates 2,650 guests, making it a medium-sized ship by today’s expansive standards (and the best in that class, according to USA Today’s readers’ choice awards). The cheapest rooms are the inside cabins in the belly of the vessel, but it’s worth paying the relatively modest premium (from about £450 per person) for a suite with floor-to-ceiling patio doors leading onto a private verandah. This is not the place to deprive yourself of a view, and the chance to leap out of bed and straight into the chilly dawn air, as I did when jetlag got me up early enough one morning to watch the sunrise.

Restaurants and bars

In four of the ship’s nine restaurants, food is included in the price of the cruise (with the exception of a few special dishes such as lobster and caviar). These range from a food court-style buffet and poolside burger bar to the main dining room, which serves three à la carte courses at most meal times. The speciality restaurants, which require advance booking and a supplement of about £30 per person, offer a more intimate setting. The Pinnacle Grill steakhouse is worth booking early given its tendency to sell out, but Nami Sushi, with its fresh Alaskan seafood and panoramic views, is the pick of the bunch.

Holden Frith travelled as a guest of Holland America Line. A seven-day Alaskan Inside Passage cruise aboard the Koningsdam, departing Vancouver on 16 September 2023, has inside staterooms starting at £1,121 per person based on two people sharing, including one shore excursion per guest, one speciality dining reservation and a signature drinks package. Other dates are available between May and September.

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Holden Frith is The Week’s digital director. He also makes regular appearances on “The Week Unwrapped”, speaking about subjects as diverse as vaccine development and bionic bomb-sniffing locusts. He joined The Week in 2013, spending five years editing the magazine’s website. Before that, he was deputy digital editor at The Sunday Times. He has also been TheTimes.co.uk’s technology editor and the launch editor of Wired magazine’s UK website. Holden has worked in journalism for nearly two decades, having started his professional career while completing an English literature degree at Cambridge University. He followed that with a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Chicago. A keen photographer, he also writes travel features whenever he gets the chance. 

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Holland America Eurodam Review on Alaska Cruise

Nearly four years had passed since my last Holland America’s Eurodam  cruise. But now I was going on a cruise to Alaska aboard the recently refurbished Eurodam .

Here’s my review of the ship and what Eurodam is like on an Alaska cruise.

Holland America Eurodam Review and Photos

Eurodam has been a long-time favorite ship for me. This Alaska Inside Passage cruise was a chance for me to experience the ship after its major 2015 refurbishment. Most of all, I’d learn what cruising Alaska is like on a medium-sized ship.

From Seattle our itinerary included Juneau, Sitka , Ketchikan and the required stop in Victoria, British Columbia. In addition, Eurodam would spend a full day cruising spectacular Glacier National Park.

Eurodam Fast Facts

Cruise Line:  Holland America Cruise Ship:  Eurodam Category:  Premium cruise line – $$$ Passengers/Crew: 2,104/929 Refurbished: 2015 Dining Rooms: 2 Dining Times: 5:45,  8pm and Open Self-Serve Laundry: No

Welcome aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

What to Expect on Holland America’s Eurodam

I’ll start my Alaska Holland America Eurodam review with a little background info about the ship.

Holland America launched Eurodam in 2008, the first of two ships in their mid-size Signature Class of ships. 

With only 11 decks and 2,104 passengers, based on double occupancy, it’s fairly small compared to the mega-ships of other cruise lines. 

That’s one thing I really like and appreciate about Holland America; all of their ships are medium-sized and very easy to get around without a major learning curve.

When Eurodam was refurbished in 2015, it was the first ship to add B.B. King’s Blues Club, and has become one of the liveliest nightspots on the ship.

The following year, the cruise line partnered with the BBC Earth and now features live classical music to accompany the amazing BBC Earth Live movie presentations in the main theater. 

On this particular itinerary, the one-night-only BBC Earth Live event was entitled, “Alaska in Concert”. I never miss these multi-sensory production shows.

There are a total of 24 public rooms aboard Eurodam including 12 bars and lounges, two swimming pools (one under the sliding glass dome), fitness center, spa and salon and my favorite, a dedicated movie theater with freshly popped popcorn.

Alaska is all about the outdoors and there’s plenty of deck space aboard the Eurodam. There’s no “best” side of the ship for viewing as the ship makes a U-turn in Glacier Bay so everyone gets the best view.

Also Read:  21 Best Things to Do in Sitka, Alaska

One of Holland America’s long-standing accolades has been the superior level of service provided by their crew and staff. This cruise didn’t disappoint in that category either. 

Every crew member always said good-morning, may I help you, can I get you anything, without getting too friendly or intrusive that it made you cringe upon each encounter.

Onboard Expenses

Holland America is not an all-inclusive cruise line so plan to pay extra for specialty dining, soft drinks, alcohol & spirits, deluxe coffees and shore excursions. You can purchase various beverage and dining packages before or during your cruise, and you won’t feel nickel’d and dime’d during your vacation. One bottle of wine per person may be brought aboard at embarkation.

As with most cruise lines, wifi is not complimentary. The wifi packages are reasonably priced and connectivity fairly consistent except in wilderness areas of course. One advantage of an Alaska cruise is that you’re still in the United States and you can use your phone for internet access. Just make sure to turn on Airplane mode when cruising the coast of British Columbia!

Eurodam Stateroom Review

My standard balcony stateroom, with a little extra balcony

This is stateroom #5138 and as you can see, there’s a wee bit extra balcony space. There are two really cool features to this balcony; 1. if you stand in the little triangle space you have a perfect forward view without having to look to your side and 2. There’s no one above you to look down onto your balcony – as I was able to do to the enormous balcony just below my room.

As you can see, the standard balcony has everything you’d need including a ton of USB ports dotted around the stateroom. There’s extra storage in the bins above the small sofa as well as at the end of the desk and under the bed. Closet space is excellent, too, with “real” hangers that you can actually remove from the closet rod. You don’t find that on many cruise lines very often.

Something else you don’t find very often is a bathtub. I think almost all of the older Holland America ships put bathtubs in all but the inside staterooms. I was also happy to see that the tub is equipped with large grab bar to help getting in and out of the tub/shower. Or to hold onto in the shower in rough seas!

Under the bathroom countertop is more open storage space. A non-wall-mounted hairdryer is also furnished as is a magnifying mirror. Toiletries are the Elemis standard and pump bottles with shampoo, conditioner and body wash are mounted in the shower. I find the basic Elemis products too harsh so I always bring my own. The bar of hand soap on the sink is just fine.

Cruise Maven Loves:   In the closet is a neatly-folded, not-to-heavy bathrobe and slippers tucked inside a mesh zip bag.

Read next:  How I traveled from Florida to Alaska without flying

Eurodam Dining Review

I’ll admit it. I’m a fussy eater. That’s why more times than not, you’ll find me at the Lido Market scouting out my options. Holland America has revamped their Lido dining experience and grouped food stations into a smoother flow, with clearly-marked signs for each type/category of food; The Homestead for comfort food, salad bar, Asian, a carvery, ice cream, etc.

READ MORE:  Holland America Increases Specialty Dining Fees

Eurodam ‘s Rembrandt Dining is on two levels. The first level is located on Deck 2 and offers open seating at breakfast and lunch. At dinner time, it’s again open seating, called “As You Wish” dining with Holland America. You can choose to dine from 5:15 pm until 9:00 pm. The second level is on Deck 3 and is where you go for fixed dining times, offered at 5:15 pm and 8:00 pm.

All totaled, there are 14 dining options, including daily afternoon Royal Dutch Tea time.

Complimentary

• Main Dining Room, Lido Market, Dive-In, 24-hr room service, New York Pizza

Additional cost

• Grand Dutch Café, Gelato, Explorations Café (specialty coffees), Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Culinary Arts Center

Cruise Maven loves:   Any of the three dining packages. You’ll save $6 – $9 per person and have wonderful culinary experiences to remember.

Eurodam Entertainment Review

My favorite night spot on Eurodam and any Holland America ship with B.B. King’s Blues Club. The band plays three sets on almost every evening, the last set starting at 10:45 p.m. and that’s when the place really gets going. In addition, there are specialty cocktails with jazz and blues themes.

In partnership with BBC Earth, you can experience live concerts that accompany BBC Earth nature production films from all corners of the earth.

If you haven’t had enough music, head over to Billboard Onboard’s piano bar. Guests can sing along with the piano players who dole out fifty years of top of the charts hits.

Cruise Maven loves:   To arrive a little early for the one and only BBC Earth main stage event. I think the best seats are middle-center.

Onboard Activities

Onboard activities are offered from sunrise til late night. On an Alaska cruise like this one, the ship brought a naturalist on board from the National Park Service and Alice, a member of the Tlingit tribe. They joined us as we entered Glacier Bay and set up their tables in the EXC Lounge.

As part of Holland America’s EXC, Explorations Central – a destination immersion program, the naturalist narrated our 9 -hour cruise through Glacier Bay. Alice was on hand to talk about Native American life in Alaska. I had met Alice a couple of weeks before on another guided trip so it was fun to see her again.

Several times during the cruise (on sea days) a chef from America’s Test Kitchen does a cooking demonstration. No, there aren’t any samples given out at the end! But you do get a large recipe card to bring home.

Also Read:  Holland America and America’s Test Kitchen Jalapeno Poppers Recipe

The pool under the dome was pretty popular – in fact this whole area was usually filled with swimmers, loungers and diners from Dive-In (upper left corner) or the Lido Market.

There’s trivia contests, dance lessons, computer classes and more. Everything is listed in the daily planner that you’ll receive at bedtime.

There’s so much going on, I can’t list it all. But this gives you an idea of some of the activities, especially on sea days.

Cruise Maven Loves:   To always pack a yellow highlighter pen to note the activities in the daily planner that I want to do .

Who’s Onboard

For years, Holland America was known for catering to the over-55 crowd. And for good reason. 

With smaller, easy-to-get-around ships, superior crew training that resulted in respect and kindness to their older passengers and a slightly less jam-packed onboard schedule, it was a perfect combination.

Today, as you’d expect, Holland America adjusted their focus to attract the 40s to 60 crowd. The addition of Music Walk (with Billboard, Lincoln Center and B.B. King’s), more active shore excursions and even improved wifi all help to lower the age demographic.

This Alaska cruise, as on many cruises to our 49th state, attracted an outdoorsy crowd across the age range spectrum. Our cruise began on September 1 so the amount of young children was really minimal. 

During a conversation with the Captain, he related that during the past summer, there were many families some of which spanned three generations.

Despite a somewhat older crowd, every show at the B.B. King Blues Club was a full house. The dance floor was jumping until the last minute of the last music set. Older doesn’t mean the carpet rolls up at 9 p.m. Especially not here.

On every cruise, Holland America hosts a loyalty club luncheon. Eurodam ‘s luncheon filled the lower level of the Rembrandt dining room. Holland America has an avid loyal following and at this event, it was evident.

Parting Thoughts

During this time in Alaska, I also completed a one-week Alaska Inside Passage cruise on a very small ship. 

Getting to Alaska without flying, I traveled aboard the Alaska Marine Highway ferry. I was curious what the same itinerary would be like aboard this larger 2,104 passenger ship.

Bottom line, the Eurodam Alaska cruise was excellent, for several reasons. Because Holland America has been cruising Alaska for 75 years, they have a bit of clout when it comes to being allowed into Glacier Bay.

On my small ship cruise, the Park Service said we weren’t allowed to get up to breathtaking Marjerie Glacier because the viewing area already had its two allotted ships. 

But aboard Eurodam , under spectacular blue skies, we scooted right up to what’s probably the most photographed glacier in the park.

The selection of well-managed shore excursions was vast and varied. There was something for every level of Alaska adventurer. 

Float planes and helicopter rides to stand on mighty glaciers. There were culinary tours, easy walking or uphill hikes, and my favorite, a visit and ride to a dog sledding training camp. 

Something for everyone at every level. Alaska cruises are about the great outdoors, so visits to museums or indoor activities are nearly non-existent.

More of What I love About Eurodam

• Riding up and down in the glass elevators overlooking the ocean. You have to try it – the view is amazing though a bit daunting at first!
• The traditional teak wraparound promenade. No running allowed.
• Watching first-run movies in the dedicated Cinema. Pick up your bag of popcorn at the entrance.
• To have a cocktail or two at the exotic Silk Den Lounge while relaxing on plush, purple velvet sofas.
• The lighted, magnifying make-up mirrors and detached hair dryers
• On Deck for a Cause 5K walk to benefit cancer research.

Holland America Eurodam Review Facts in a Nutshell

Cruise Line:  Holland America Cruise Ship:  Eurodam Category:  Premium cruise line – $$$ Passengers/Crew: 2,104/929 Best time to go:  Alaska cruises go from May – Sept. Beginning and end of season offer best values. Internet:  Fee-based, packages available. Shoreside phone signal in Alaska is available. Itinerary:  Inside Passage cruise round-trip from Seattle. Ports included: Ketchikan, Juneau, Inside Passage, Sitka, Victoria – British Columbia. Gratuities:  Tipping guideline – $14.50 per person per day standard staterooms / $16.00 per person per day suite guests.

Disclosure:  I was an invited guest aboard Holland America Eurodam . I was not offered compensation nor was I required to write this article. As always, all opinions are my own. Cruise experiences are very subjective and if I like or dislike something, it does not mean my readers will all agree. My Holland America Eurodam review represents my personal experiences without bias.

If you like this Eurodam review, please PIN it!

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Hi Rebecca, Thank you for your comment…I have to update my article as it seems that you are correct. They’ve gotten rid of the dedicated movie theater. There still are six other Holland America ships with a movie theater and popcorn, though. Also, the newer Koningsdam and the new Nieuw Statendam have movies on the Lido deck and serve popcorn. I’m sorry to learn about the Eurodam losing the movie theater. But the Eurodam is a fabulous ship and always has a good Alaska itinerary. Thank you again and have a wonderful cruise next year. Sherry

According to the Holland America Line “Our Ships At A Glance” pdf – the Eurodam does not have a movie theater. Which might be disappointing because I was looking forward to a movie and popcorn one evening. I’ll find out for certain when we board soon for the next cruise to Alaska.

Hi Liz, Thank you for reading my Eurodam review. I’m currently aboard the Maasdam and enjoying movies in the dedicated Wajang Movie Theater. Holland America’s website states that Eurodam does indeed have a movie theater…same as in my review. Unless something’s changed and their site hasn’t been updated, then the movie theater is still there. I hope this helps. Thank you again. Happy Cruising! Sherry

Just wanted to ask about the Movie Theater – I saw some posts in 2018 that said it had been removed, but sounds like they brought it back since you were there in 2019?

Also, did you happen to see the Retreat Cabanas and do you think one would work for a trip to Alaska in July. We don’t have a balcony booked, but thought this would be a lovely way to view the glaciers.

Thanks – loved your review. I’ll pin it to my pinterest page.

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Updated on October 8, 2022 by Sherry Laskin

Holland America Line Guarantees Glacier Views on All Alaska Cruises

Holland America Line has been showcasing Alaska’s glaciers since 1947. The cruise line ensures guests will see a glacier during their Alaska cruise with the Glacier Guarantee, providing a 15% Future Cruise Credit if a glacier visit  is missed .

“Our guests, and especially first-time guests, are understandably as obsessed with Alaska’s glaciers as we are, and our new Glacier Guarantee™ underlines our confidence in providing unforgettable glacier sightings on our Alaska cruises and Cruisetours,” said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer, Holland America Line. “We know our guests are going to return home from their cruise with special memories of these icy wonders. In fact, we guarantee it.” 

Every Alaska cruise with Holland America Line includes visiting iconic glaciers, where the ship will sail up to the face of the ice formations and provide a 360-degree view. Holland America Line has more permits to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve than any other cruise line. In addition, the cruise line offers visits to other glaciers like College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, and Tracy Arm Fjord’s Twin Sawyer Glaciers.

RELATED: HOLLAND AMERICA INTRODUCES ‘DUTCH DAY’ EXPERIENCE

During Glacier Bay’s scenic cruising, Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers come aboard Holland America Line ships to interact with guests and discuss the national park.

A new addition for 2024, Holland America Line introduced “Glacier Day” on its Alaska cruises as part of the “We Love Alaska” onboard experience. Glacier Day enhances the glacier viewing experience with scheduled sighting times, informative commentary, presentations, viewing stations, photo opportunities, themed food and drinks, talks by park rangers, and an open bow for viewing.

Holland America Line also offers opportunities for wildlife sightings in Alaska , with a  wildlife expert on board to help guests spot animals like whales, eagles, bears, moose, otters, seals, and sea lions.  A Wildlife Spotting Guide and onboard announcements help guests locate wildlife along the cruise route. Onshore, Holland America Line offers numerous animal sanctuaries and wildlife tours.

Alaska cruises with Holland America Line in 2024 and 2025 are available on six ships. The itineraries include longer voyages and a special 28-day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise. The cruise line is the only one to offer a tour that visits Denali National Park & Preserve in addition to the cruise itinerary.

Holland America Line offers the Glacier Guarantee program to ensure guests see at least one glacier or receive a future cruise credit equal 15 percent of their fare. The guarantee applies to all Alaska cruises and cruise tours, except for select Yukon cruise tours featuring a three-day cruise component. 

Julie Bouchner

Julie Bouchner is the Digital Editorial Manager for Porthole Cruise and Travel. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, baking, and playing with her Siberian Husky named Ellie.

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Holland America Line Strengthens Love for Alaska with Guarantee of Glacier Viewings on Every Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour  

New Glacier Guarantee™ allows guests to sail with confidence, knowing they’re guaranteed to see Alaska glaciers

Seattle, Wash., May 1, 2024 — Holland America Line loves Alaska. Since 1947, the cruise line has led the way in showcasing the majesty of the state — including its magnificent glaciers. In fact, Holland America Line’s passion for Alaska’s glaciers runs so deep that the cruise line now guarantees guests will see one or more glaciers on their cruise in the region. 

With guests citing seeing glaciers as one of the top reasons for choosing an Alaska cruise , the Glacier Guarantee ™ assures travelers they won’t return home disappointed. The Glacier Guarantee™ is offered on Alaska departures from now through September 2025. Under the guarantee, if Holland America Line does not visit an Alaska glacier, guests are eligible to receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15 percent of their cruise fare.  

“Our guests, and especially first-time guests, are understandably as obsessed with Alaska’s glaciers as we are, and our new Glacier Guarantee™ underlines our confidence in providing unforgettable glacier sightings on our Alaska cruises and Cruisetours,” said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer, Holland America Line. “We know our guests are going to return home from their cruise with special memories of these icy wonders. In fact, we guarantee it.” 

Every Alaska cruise includes a scenic visit to Alaska’s iconic glaciers during which the ship sails up to the face of the ice formations and then rotates for a 360-degree view. Holland America Line has more permits to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve than any other cruise line, and other glacier visits including College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier and the Tracy Arm Fjord’s Twin Sawyer Glaciers. 

During Glacier Bay scenic cruising, Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers visit Holland America Line ships for the day to engage with guests and talk about Alaska’s most famous national park. 

‘Glacier Day’ Puts a Spotlight on Alaska’s Majestic Glaciers

New for the 2024 season, Holland America Line also debuted “Glacier Day” on its Alaska cruises as part of its "We Love Alaska” onboard experience. Leaning into the cruise line’s enthusiasm for glaciers, Glacier Day includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacial Ice cocktails, insightful talks by Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers, and an open bow for viewing. 

More Opportunities to See Alaska Wildlife Than Any Other Cruise Line

In addition to glaciers, Holland America Line offers more ways to see the wildlife of Alaska. Holland America Line carries a wildlife expert on board to help guests witness the majestic animals found in Alaska, including whales, eagles, bears, moose, otters, seals, sea lions and more. A Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., wildlife sightings are announced for guest viewing. 

The wildlife experience continues ashore. With nearly180 animal sanctuaries and sightseeing opportunities, Holland America Line is #1 in Alaska wildlife and wilderness tours.  

Alaska Features Six Ships Exploring The Great Land

In 2024 and 2025, guests can embark on Holland America Line’s Alaska cruises and cruisetours aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day voyages and a 28-Day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise. Holland America Line is the only cruise line that ventures up into the wilds of the Yukon on a cruisetour that combines a cruise and visit to Denali National Park & Preserve.  

Holland America Line: The Leader in Alaska Cruising

The new Glacier Guarantee™ program is part of Holland America Line’s initiative to offer the most extensive Alaska experience in the industry. Holland America Line has been exploring Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line —weaving their expertise into every nuance of the journey. We   Alaska is made up of authentic experiences that focus on culture, cuisine and adventures ashore as well as Holland America Line's enrichment and entertainment programming 'Alaska Up Close' . 

Voted Number-One Cruise Line in Alaska

Throughout the years, Holland America Line has collected awards and accolades from the world’s most discerning travelers and cruise experts for Alaska cruising. Holland America Line was named the top pick for Alaska in the Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Awards, AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards, USA Today 10Best 

Readers’ Choice Awards, Forbes, Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards and TravelAge West Wave Awards Editor’s Pick.  

Under the Glacier Guarantee™, Holland America Line ensures that guests will see at least one glacier or will receive a future cruise credit equal to 15 percent of their cruise fare. The Glacier Guarantee™ is valid on all Alaska cruises and cruisetours except select Yukon cruisetours that feature a three-day cruise experience. For full Glacier Guarantee™ terms and conditions, visit HollandAmerica.com.  

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky might cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green look like something from outer space — and they are. Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.

Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cruise ships can take you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Remember that seeing this phenomenon doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. Witnessing the northern lights requires clear and dark skies, late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you invest all your cruise vacation hopes in this one experience.

Where can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.

Just off the auroral ring is the rest of Alaska. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis.

Cruise lines operating in Alaska — including Holland America , Princess Cruises and UnCruise Adventures — have northern lights sign-up sheets so you don't have to stay up all night, every night, hoping to see the display. Put your name on the list, and you'll receive a wake-up call or knock on your cabin door if there's aurora action. Plan to put on your clothes or bathrobe quickly, as the lights might only appear for a few minutes. (They could also last considerably longer.)

Related: Peak solar activity is forecast for 2024: Here are the best places around the world to see the northern lights

If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights."

Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. Alta is also home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, an architectural landmark.

Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.

Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. However, the peak viewing season is from November to March (see below). Viking also visits but in the winter.

Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada appear on many expedition ships' itineraries during northern lights season, mostly early in the season in August and September. Lines with ships there include Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions.

When can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

Because of the late-setting and early rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, but solar activity does take place year-round.

If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations discussed here, you're best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. Norway is the only prime northern lights destination with winter cruises.

The lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — in Alaska. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period during fall and winter.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail.

While you might see the lights from Denali National Park and Preserve during the viewing season, venturing to Fairbanks and points farther north will increase your odds.

Fairbanks tourism folks like to brag that if you visit for at least three nights between Aug. 21 and April 21, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are more than 90%. (That assumes you are out actively looking during the late evening hours.)

Since your cruisetour might not visit for three nights, consider booking extra hotel nights before or after your cruise. Other things to do in this laid-back city (human population: about 100,000; moose population: 16,000) include riverboat tours, gold panning and yoga with reindeer.

You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon Territory, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours.

Related: What's the best way to view the northern lights? We tried to see them by air, land and sea

Should I go on a cruise just to see the northern lights?

Yes, but remember that the phenomenon is dependent on the weather (clear skies required) and hard to predict, despite scientists' best efforts.

Viking has wintertime cruises to Norway from London specifically designed to track the lights in the Norwegian Sea during the peak viewing season — throughout the cruise but especially above the Arctic Circle in Tromso and Alta (where the sailings stop overnight). It's dark in these locales in winter, increasing your chances.

Hurtigruten is so invested in its northern lights experiences that it has hired famed northern lights astronomer Tom Kerss as its "chief aurora chaser." He will serve as an onboard expert, offering talks and workshops for passengers.

The line is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free.

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• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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Holland america line strengthens love for alaska with guarantee of glacier viewings on every alaska cruise and cruisetour.

New Glacier Guarantee™ allows guests to sail with confidence, knowing they're guaranteed to see Alaska glaciers

SEATTLE , May 1, 2024 /CNW/ -- Holland America Line loves Alaska . Since 1947, the cruise line has led the way in showcasing the majesty of the state — including its magnificent glaciers. In fact, Holland America Line's passion for Alaska's glaciers runs so deep that the cruise line now guarantees guests will see one or more glaciers on their cruise in the region.

With guests citing seeing glaciers as one of the top reasons for choosing an Alaska cruise , the Glacier Guarantee ™ assures travelers they won't return home disappointed. The Glacier Guarantee™ is offered on Alaska departures from now through September 2025 . Under the guarantee, if Holland America Line does not visit an Alaska glacier, guests are eligible to receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15 percent of their cruise fare.

"Our guests, and especially first-time guests, are understandably as obsessed with Alaska's glaciers as we are, and our new Glacier Guarantee™ underlines our confidence in providing unforgettable glacier sightings on our Alaska cruises and Cruisetours," said Kacy Cole , chief marketing officer, Holland America Line. "We know our guests are going to return home from their cruise with special memories of these icy wonders. In fact, we guarantee it."

Every Alaska cruise includes a scenic visit to Alaska's iconic glaciers during which the ship sails up to the face of the ice formations and then rotates for a 360-degree view. Holland America Line has more permits to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve than any other cruise line, and other glacier visits including College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier and the Tracy Arm Fjord's Twin Sawyer Glaciers.

During Glacier Bay scenic cruising, Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers visit Holland America Line ships for the day to engage with guests and talk about Alaska's most famous national park.

'Glacier Day' Puts a Spotlight on Alaska's Majestic Glaciers New for the 2024 season, Holland America Line also debuted "Glacier Day" on its Alaska cruises as part of its "We Love Alaska" onboard experience. Leaning into the cruise line's enthusiasm for glaciers, Glacier Day includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacial Ice cocktails, insightful talks by Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers, and an open bow for viewing.

More Opportunities to See Alaska Wildlife Than Any Other Cruise Line In addition to glaciers, Holland America Line offers more ways to see the wildlife of Alaska . Holland America Line carries a wildlife  expert on board to help guests witness the majestic animals found in Alaska , including whales, eagles, bears, moose, otters, seals, sea lions and more. A Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. , wildlife sightings are announced for guest viewing.

The wildlife experience continues ashore. With nearly180 animal sanctuaries and sightseeing opportunities, Holland America Line is #1 in Alaska wildlife and wilderness tours.

Alaska Features Six Ships Exploring The Great Land In 2024 and 2025, guests can embark on Holland America Line's Alaska cruises and cruisetours aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day voyages and a 28-Day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise. Holland America Line is the only cruise line that ventures up into the wilds of the Yukon on a cruisetour that combines a cruise and visit to Denali National Park & Preserve.

Holland America Line : The Leader in Alaska Cruising The new Glacier Guarantee™ program is part of Holland America Line's initiative to offer the most extensive Alaska experience in the industry. Holland America Line has been exploring Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line — weaving their expertise into every nuance of the journey. "We Love Alaska" is made up of authentic experiences that focus on culture, cuisine and adventures ashore as well as Holland America Line's enrichment and entertainment programming  'Alaska Up Close' .

Voted Number-One Cruise Line in Alaska Throughout the years, Holland America Line has collected awards and accolades from the world's most discerning travelers and cruise experts for Alaska cruising. Holland America Line was named the top pick for Alaska in the Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Awards, AFAR Travelers' Choice Awards, USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, Forbes, Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Destination Awards and TravelAge West Wave Awards Editor's Pick.

Under the Glacier Guarantee™, Holland America Line ensures that guests will see at least one glacier or will receive a future cruise credit equal to 15 percent of their cruise fare. The Glacier Guarantee™ is valid on all Alaska cruises and cruisetours except select Yukon cruisetours that feature a three-day cruise experience. For full Glacier Guarantee™ terms and conditions, visit HollandAmerica.com.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com .

Find Holland America Line on X (formerly Twitter ) , Facebook , Instagram  and the Holland America Blog . You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com .

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] Holland America Line has been exploring the world for 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering an ideal perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Holland America Line's 11 vessels feature a diverse range of enriching activities and amenities focused on destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests enjoy the best entertainment at sea, and dining venues featuring exclusive dishes by world-famous chefs. A new global fresh fish program brings more than 80 types of fresh fish on board, sourced and served locally in regions around the world.

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holland-america-line-strengthens-love-for-alaska-with-guarantee-of-glacier-viewings-on-every-alaska-cruise-and-cruisetour-302132813.html

SOURCE Holland America Line

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2024/01/c6199.html

Holland America Line Guarantees Glacier Viewings for All Alaska Cruises, Cruisetours

H olland America Line is guaranteeing that guests will see one or more glaciers on their cruise to Alaska , ensuring that all guests will be able to enjoy viewing the majestic natural wonders. 

Called the Glacier Guarantee, the promise is going on now through September 2025. If guests aren’t able to view at least one glacier during a Holland America Line cruise to Alaska, they’re eligible to receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15 percent of their original cruise fare. 

Holland America Line has more permits to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve than any other cruise line, and also offers opportunities to visit College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier and the Tracy Arm Fjord’s Twin Sawyer Glaciers. 

Also new for its 2024 Alaska season, Holland is debuting “Glacier Day” on Alaska cruises as part of its “We Love Alaska” onboard experience. Glacier Day includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, viewing stations, photo opportunities, talks by Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers and more.

"Our guests, and especially first-time guests, are understandably as obsessed with Alaska's glaciers as we are, and our new Glacier Guarantee underlines our confidence in providing unforgettable glacier sightings on our Alaska cruises and Cruisetours," said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer, Holland America Line. "We know our guests are going to return home from their cruise with special memories of these icy wonders. In fact, we guarantee it." 

In 2024 and 2025, the line will offer six ships sailing along the scenic Alaskan coastline: the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam.