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The ultimate guide to Holland America cruise ships and itineraries

Of the "Big Eight" cruise lines, Holland America Line is the one that prides itself most heavily on legacy. Among the other industry players, which are relatively new in comparison, Holland America stands out because of its longevity, having begun passenger operations in 1873 to ferry passengers across the Atlantic between The Netherlands and New York City.

Ships in the Holland America fleet — formerly the Nederlandsche-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij (Dutch-American Steamship Company) — carried immigrants from Europe to North America at regular intervals. As such, the line often attracts older cruisers and genealogy buffs looking to experience sea travel much like their grandparents, great-grandparents and even great-great grandparents did (albeit with more modern comforts). And veterans who found themselves on Holland America ships used as military transport during World War II often sail on the line's modern vessels as a way to reminisce.

But that doesn't mean the ships are stuffy , boring or limited to an older demographic. In fact, HAL ships are more modern than ever, with some of the newest hardware featuring high-tech theater shows, extensive art collections and contemporary music that even members of Generation Z are likely to appreciate. It's common to see multigenerational family groups on Holland America voyages.

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Tied to the cruise line's rich backstory is a focus on quality and upholding high standards of service. The line's ships generally offer excellent food, tastefully designed decor and an impressive variety of music as entertainment.

Holland America cruises are considered mainstream and mass market, but they're not bargain-basement sailings. They fall in line with brands like Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises, meaning you'll pay slightly more for them than a Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line cruise. But Holland America sailings aren't luxury. (The slightly higher price point also means you won't feel like you're in the middle of a never-ending frat party or a resort geared to families.)

Here's what you need to know to determine if Holland America Line is right for your next cruise.

3 things TPG loves about Holland America Line

• Delicious food that's carefully prepared with a focus on sustainability
• Abundant live music options to suit many tastes
• Extensive itineraries, from Alaska sailings that include land stays to lengthy world voyages

What we could do without

• The stereotype that Holland America is only for passengers of a certain age

The Holland America fleet

With only 11 ships, the HAL fleet is on the small side when compared to the industry's biggest players, some of which have more than two dozen vessels. Holland America's ships are divided into four classes : R Class, Vista Class, Signature Class and Pinnacle Class.

From oldest to newest , the ships have gradually increased in size . However, the largest ones still accommodate fewer than half of the number of passengers carried by the world's largest ships — a nod to the fact that many of the line's most loyal customers prefer a more intimate experience.

There are only two R Class ships on the roster — Volendam and Zaandam, which are the line's two oldest and smallest vessels, each with room for about 1,400 passengers. Because R Class vessels are nearly 40% smaller than the line's largest ships, they offer fewer amenities, making them perfect for anyone whose focus is the destinations the ships visit rather than the onboard diversions. As such, these two vessels tend to sail to more far-flung locales, including world cruises.

Introduced between 2002 and 2006, the four ships — Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam — in Holland America's Vista Class are large enough for slightly more than 1,900 passengers at double occupancy. Like their smaller R Class fleetmates, they offer only two alternative restaurants (a steakhouse and an Italian eatery) in addition to complimentary buffet and main dining room venues.

Holland America's Signature Class, comprising Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, represents the line's midsize offerings, with each vessel accommodating about 2,100 people. Like Pinnacle Class ships, those in this class are home to Pan-Asian restaurant Tamarind, in addition to the free options and for-fee Italian restaurant and steakhouse found on the line's smaller vessels.

But it was with Pinnacle Class ships that Holland America truly began to overhaul its offerings in terms of both dining and entertainment. Koningsdam, which debuted in 2016, brought with it the Grand Dutch Cafe (where you'll find the best grilled cheese at sea, along with delicious split pea soup) and Rudi's Sel de Mer, a seafood restaurant developed by chef and food artist Rudi Sodamin. It also boasts the Music Walk concept, a central thoroughfare that houses several performance spaces focusing on different genres of music.

While Rudi's and the Grand Dutch Cafe are only found on the line's Pinnacle Class ships (which hold 2,650 people and also include Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam ), Music Walk has been rolled out on Signature Class and Vista Class ships also, with R Class vessels featuring one or two of the individual Music Walk venues.

Destinations and itineraries

The sheer breadth of destinations Holland America covers is impressive for such a small fleet. Currently, the line has ships scheduled to call on six continents (plus a sail past the seventh, Antarctica) with stops in more than 50 countries.

Itineraries run the gamut from standard Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada/New England and Pacific Coastal voyages to more bucket-list regions like Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Panama Canal. More far-flung destinations include places like South Africa, Oman, Egypt, China, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, Turkey, Morocco, Malaysia, Fiji and other areas of the world that are often cumbersome to reach if you're not on a ship.

Many of the more off-the-beaten-path locations are reached via Holland America's two most impressive sailing types: world cruises, which last more than 100 days, and Grand Voyages that might include circumnavigations of places like Africa, Australia and New Zealand or South America and Antarctica. Both of these types of cruises tend to sell out a year or two in advance.

Plus, with the line's recent focus on longer cruises that travel round-trip from U.S. ports, Holland America makes it easy for Americans to set sail without having to fly.

The line's most popular and frequented destinations are the Caribbean and Europe, with other locales in proximity to North America — such as Canada/New England and the Mexican Riviera — proving to be the second-most popular with Holland America travelers.

Holland America has also had a commanding presence in Alaska for decades, offering some of the most robust opportunities to visit the 49th State. In fact, the brand is so established in the region that it owns and operates its own lodges near places like Denali National Park, making for the perfect pre- or post-cruise add-on.

Who sails Holland America cruises?

Passengers on Holland America's ships tend to be well-traveled retirees (largely couples but with some singles in the mix) and multigenerational family groups usually consisting of grandparents, parents and children traveling together.

Because the brand's vessels lack flashy top-deck attractions like waterslides and roller coasters, the experience is best enjoyed by people who don't need constant entertainment. The ideal match for one of these sailings is someone who likes destination immersion and relaxation time, as well as superb dining and eclectic music.

Although every Holland America ship has a kids club on board, the youth spaces aren't as expansive and thrilling as the facilities on the larger and more family-friendly cruise lines. Well-behaved kids who enjoy learning and visiting new places will still have a great time.

Cabins and suites

Holland America cabins fall into four main categories: insides (no views), outsides (sealed windows), balconies (walk-out verandas) and suites (high-end cabins, usually with extra space and more amenities).

If you're looking for a specialty cabin, those also are available. Holland America offers a selection of accessible rooms on every vessel. They span all cabin types, including suites, with fully accessible, fully accessible single-side approach (with both left- and right-side approaches as options) and ambulatory accessible varieties available. (Specific room types vary by ship.)

Spa cabins come in all basic cabin categories, as well as Neptune Suites. They encompass the same square footage as standard cabins in each of those categories and share the same layout. What sets them apart is that they provide spa-centric extras, such as flavored water and cut fruit, a spa concierge to assist with booking treatments and in-room fitness equipment like exercise DVDs and yoga mats.

Certain ships also offer solo cabins for one person. Designed with lone travelers in mind, they feature full-size beds in lieu of queens, and they're available in the outside category only, ranging from 127 to 172 square feet of space.

The line's only rooms designed specifically with families in mind are outside family cabins, which offer from 222 to 231 square feet of living space and accommodate as many as five people with a queen bed, a two-person sofa bed and a single bunk that pulls down from the ceiling. These cabins are also outfitted with a split bathroom setup — one room with a bathtub/shower, sink and toilet and another with a shower and sink.

Standard features in all Holland America ship cabins include a queen bed that can split into two twins, a couple of nightstands, a vanity/desk area with a chair or stool and a phone. There's also a closet with shelves and room to hang clothes. Rounding out the offerings are a safe, a minifridge, a variety of outlets and USB ports and a private bathroom. An in-room TV provides a handful of channels, ship-sponsored content and complimentary movies.

Select cabins also include sofas, some of which have pull-out beds. Other rooms made to sleep more than two people might have bunks that pull down from the ceiling.

Daily housekeeping service is included in all room types.

Standard amenities on Holland America vessels are a step up from those on most other lines. Some that you might enjoy include Elemis toiletries, bathrobes, shoeshine service, fresh fruit, signature pillow-top mattresses and complimentary 24/7 room service.

Restaurants and dining

Holland America consistently cooks up some of the best food at sea . In fact, through its own Culinary Council, the line offers menu items — and even stand-alone restaurants — developed by renowned chefs like Ethan Stowell, Jacques Torres, Rudi Sodamin, Andy Matsuda, David Burke and Masaharu Morimoto. You can even find their items in the main dining rooms, meaning you don't have to pay anything extra to try them.

All of the line's ships offer at least four dining options: two complimentary (the buffet and main dining room) and two for a fee (Italian eatery Canaletto and the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse). As the ships increase in size, so too does the real estate dedicated to restaurants.

The line's Signature and Pinnacle classes both have added-fee Asian-fusion cuisine at joint venue Tamarind and Nami Sushi, and Pinnacle Class vessels also are home to quirky seafood restaurant Rudi's Sel de Mer and the Holland-themed Grand Dutch Cafe. The latter is a fantastic place to seek out complimentary between-meal snacks and extra-charge alcohol and specialty coffee beverages.

Given the brand's deep roots in Alaska and dedication to serving some of the best meals afloat, it uses sustainable Alaskan seafood sourced through a partnership with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and certified by Responsible Fisheries Management.

Foodies will enjoy celebrity chef-led dining experiences and cooking demonstrations on select sailings. Plus, Holland America's Vital Choice program provides passengers with at-home fish deliveries and recipes from the line's chefs so they can replicate the meals they've eaten on board when they return to dry land.

Passengers tend to frequent the main dining room on most nights. It provides an upscale sit-down experience with waiter-served meals. If you choose As You Wish dining, you can arrive at the dining room any time between set hours and eat at your own table (or a communal table if you wish). If you choose set seating, you will dine at one of two set dining times with assigned tablemates at the same table and with the same waiters each night.

Depending on each day's schedule, the main dining room might also be open for breakfast and lunch.

Additionally, each Holland America vessel has a buffet that serves a large number of cuisines from several stations for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacking. And, speaking of snacking, afternoon tea is offered on select afternoons on each voyage.

Other noteworthy options include free pool deck pizza, burgers and hot dogs, as well as 24-hour room service. Although select room service items come with a fee, most are free. (Holland America is the only mainstream cruise line that doesn't charge for standard, around-the-clock room service.)

Entertainment and activities

Because Holland America cruises focus on the destinations visited, rather than onboard attractions, the entertainment roster is lighter than what you'll find with other mainstream lines. However, just because there are fewer options doesn't mean the ones that exist aren't excellent.

For starters, the newest vessels feature an entire music-themed promenade, and each ship's main theater, dubbed the World Stage, hosts several fabulous shows each cruise.

Theaters and shows

The most notable of Holland America's entertainment spaces is the Music Walk, a live music-themed promenade that's home to several venues for everything from dueling pianos and blues performances to rock 'n' roll.

B.B. King's Blues Club is a popular venue on Signature Class and Pinnacle Class ships. Named for the famed blues artist, it houses live performances of the same genre. On Vista Class, Signature Class and Pinnacle Class vessels, Billboard Onboard is where you can catch dueling pianos with musicians playing popular tunes that top the Billboard charts.

On Pinnacle Class vessels, a live band jams out to rock tunes in the Rolling Stone Rock Room. On ships in the Vista Class, the similarly themed Rolling Stone Lounge hosts a seven-piece band that covers a range of music styles, including R&B, rock, pop and country.

But the live music doesn't stop there. A three-piece band plays pop arrangements from the '60s through today at the Ocean Bar on all Vista Class and Signature Class ships.

The main theater, World Stage, features a changing roster of shows, including the a capella group Cantare; Step One Dance Company performances that meld technologically advanced sets with beautiful choreography; and Island Magic, a modern take on steel drum music.

Performances vary by ship, and a separate rotating list of performers also travels from vessel to vessel as part of Holland America's partnership with Lincoln Center. (Note that Lincoln Center Stage, a venue previously dedicated to instrumental performances in the Music Walk area, is no longer found on the line's vessels .)

Finally, "Origin Story" is a high-tech, live-hosted documentary-style show that chronicles Holland America's history — from the original Rotterdam through the pandemic-related shutdown of 2020 — in a way that will leave you wanting to see it more than once. (Bring tissues.)

Other attractions and activities

Other activities you can expect to see on the daily schedule might include trivia, game shows (think Battle of the Sexes and the Newlywed/Not So Newlywed Game), scavenger hunts, pickleball, casino play, poolside movies, basketball shooting competitions, afternoon tea, board games, dance and mixology classes, spa seminars and wine tastings.

Top-deck attractions

In keeping with Holland America's less-flashy style, you won't find much in the way of top-deck pastimes. There are no waterslides, go-kart tracks, surf simulators or rock climbing walls. What you will find, however, are two pools — a main pool covered by a retractable glass roof and another adults-only pool that overlooks the wake — as well as hot tubs for relaxing on each ship.

All ships also have tracks for walking and jogging. Locations and distances vary by vessel.

Children's programs

Holland America offers the appropriately (albeit uninspiringly) named Kids Club on all of its ships. It accommodates children from ages 3-17 under the supervision of professionally trained youth staff.

Children are split into three groups — Kids (ages 3-6), Tweens (7-12) and Teens (13-17) — for age-appropriate activities that might include video game play, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, theme parties and poker tournaments.

Note that regular Kids Club programming isn't available on sailings of 25 nights or longer, including world cruises and Grand Voyages. Children's activities will be available from time to time as needed, depending on the number and ages of the children on board.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

Unless you're sailing a closed-loop cruise (one that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port) to one of a handful of destinations , you'll need a passport in order to sail with Holland America. If you are taking a closed-loop voyage, you can sail with your original birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, instead of a passport.

Whether you're required to have a passport or not, TPG always recommends traveling with one, just in case there's an emergency that requires you to disembark your sailing in a foreign country.

You will also need your boarding documents, either printed or on your mobile device via the Holland America Line Navigator app , to show at the pier during embarkation.

Additionally, depending on your sailing, you might have to apply for visas in order to enter certain countries. In many cases, the line will handle the application and procurement for you, but pay attention to special instructions in cases where you might be responsible for obtaining your own documentation .

Unless you prepay gratuities or purchase a cruise fare that has them included in the price, you will be charged $16 per person during each day of your cruise ($17.50 if you're booked in a suite). You can adjust the amount up or down or remove it completely (which we don't recommend doing) by visiting the guest services desk. You cannot adjust or remove gratuities after your sailing has ended.

An 18% service charge will be added to bar, drink package and spa purchases.

Holland America offers two Wi-Fi package tiers for a fee. The Surf package allows for checking email, accessing webpages, using select apps and utilizing message services, such as WhatsApp and iMessage. The Premium package offers access to select streaming apps (excluding streaming services like Hulu, Prime Video and Netflix) and audio and video call capabilities on apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

If you purchase a cruise fare that includes Wi-Fi, you will receive the Surf package. To purchase the Surf package separately, the price starts at $18 per device, per day; Premium starts at $23 per device, per day. Passengers can upgrade from Surf to Premium or add additional devices at any time.

Carry-on drinks policy

Holland America's alcohol policy allows cruisers 21 years of age and older to bring bottles (750 milliliters or less) of wine or Champagne on board for a corkage fee of $20 per bottle, regardless of where the alcohol is consumed. No beer, liquor or boxed wine is allowed.

You can bring wine back on board if purchased in port, but liquor and other types of alcohol will be held for you until the end of the voyage. Most nonalcoholic drinks are not allowed to be brought on board. However, each passenger is allowed to bring cans or cartons of water, not to exceed six 1-liter cans or cartons or 12 500-milliliter cans or cartons. Plastic bottles are not allowed.

Smoking policy

Smoking generally is not allowed in indoor areas on Holland America ships, including cabins and cabin balconies. Designated smoking areas are available outdoors and in specific areas of the casinos on select ships. E-cigarettes are allowed to be used in passenger cabins but not on balconies.

Violations of these policies will result in a $250 fine; repeated offenses could cause a passenger to be disembarked from the sailing.

All of Holland America's vessels offer send-out laundry, dry-cleaning and pressing services for a fee. There are no self-service laundry facilities on any of the line's ships.

Electrical outlets

Ships have a mix of North American 110-volt and European 220-volt outlets in their cabins. All of the line's vessels also have USB ports in their rooms, including some near the beds for easy overnight charging.

The currency on Holland America ships is the U.S. dollar. The line's ships operate on a cashless system whereby passengers link a credit card or sum of cash to their room keycards, which can then be used to charge onboard purchases.

Drinking age

The drinking age on Holland America ships is 21. Passengers younger than 21 may not purchase or consume alcohol, nor may they bring it on board with them.

Holland America has two types of evening dress codes : smart casual and dressy. The former includes jeans without rips, holes or tears. Shorts, ripped jeans, beachwear and men's tank tops aren't allowed in restaurants at dinner.

On dressy nights, jeans aren't allowed in restaurants that aren't considered casual. For men, jackets and ties are preferred, but collared shirts with slacks are permitted. For women, dresses and skirts or slacks with blouses are appropriate.

Daywear is casual and influenced by the destination and current weather.

Holland America Line loyalty program

The Mariner Society, Holland America's loyalty program , allows frequent passengers to earn status over time if they sail with the line enough.

The program is straightforward, with five tiers. You reach each tier after accumulating a certain number of "cruise night credits." Simply, for each night you spend on a Holland America ship, you'll get credit for one night — or one point. Staying in a suite? You'll snag double points.

The five tiers are 1-Star Mariner (after your first cruise), 2-Star Mariner (30-74 cruise nights), 3-Star Mariner (75-199), 4-Star Mariner (200-499) and 5-Star Mariner (500 nights or more).

Cruisers have other ways to earn points, too, such as spending a certain amount of money on board when they sail.

But what's the incentive to join the program? After just one sailing, you're entitled to drink vouchers, a special welcome lunch, discounts on Holland America merchandise and half off third and fourth passengers in a cabin on select cruises. Plus, you'll be eligible for onboard credit when you book certain voyages.

When you reach each subsequent tier, you'll unlock further discounts — or even freebies — on things like specialty restaurant dining, specialty coffees, minibar purchases, spa treatments, laundry and pressing services. You'll also gain perks like priority check-in and tendering, as well as Wi-Fi credits.

How much does a Holland America cruise cost?

Holland America sailings aren't the least expensive you'll find, but they won't totally bust your budget, either, particularly if you opt for a more bare-bones cabin in the inside or ocean-view categories.

Although the line doesn't offer a truly all-inclusive cruise experience, it does allow you to purchase a Have It All premium package , rather than simply paying the base cruise fare. The package includes shore excursions, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and a beverage package. Gratuities are extra, but the line sometimes runs promotions that roll them into the cruise fare.

There are also special perks and priority benefits for passengers who pay for Club Orange access. When cruisers book with Holland America, they have the option to purchase a Club Orange add-on that provides priority check-in and disembarkation, priority tendering, dinner in a restaurant exclusive to Club Orange and a complimentary cabin upgrade, among other extras. Prices vary by sailing.

When it comes to fares, at the time of publication, the least expensive weeklong voyage I could find was $371 per person — $53 per person, per night — for a seven-night Alaska sailing through the Inside Passage, round-trip from Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sept. 22, 2024, aboard Nieuw Amsterdam in an inside cabin.

Prices range all the way up to $91,199 per person — $686 per person, per night — for a 133-night pole-to-pole Grand Voyage sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades on Jan. 25, 2025, in a Neptune Suite aboard Zuiderdam.

How to book

Cruisers can book Holland America voyages directly by visiting the company's website, by calling a cruise line representative at 855-932-1711 or by using a third-party online booking engine. If you need further assistance, a travel agent can help you narrow down the destination and ship you're looking for, field any special cabin requests you might have and process your reservation without costing you anything extra for the personalized service.

To maximize the return on your investment, carefully consider the type of card you're using to make the purchase. If you're someone who plans to pledge loyalty to Holland America, you might consider the Holland America Line Rewards Visa® Card . It offers welcome bonuses (at the time of publication, 10,000 bonus points when you spend $500 within the first 90 days of card opening), 2 points per dollar spent on Holland America purchases (including onboard purchases) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can either be redeemed toward cruise purchases or as statement credits.

However, you might get more value out of one of TPG's favorite credit cards for booking cruises .

The information for the Holland America Line Rewards Visa Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Holland America is a cruise line that caters to passengers seeking a premium experience at a reasonable price. It takes pride in its heritage, and its ties to immigration and historical events make it a compelling draw for history buffs and travelers interested in genealogy.

Passengers also have an impressive number of choices when it comes to destinations. Holland America offers itineraries spanning all seven continents, so you only need to decide where you'd like to go.

The line's Pinnacle Class renaissance shows a marked effort by the brand to improve the onboard experience, particularly in the way of entertainment. Sailings offer passengers excellent music and shows and serve phenomenal food in an elegant atmosphere.

Whether you're sailing with your significant other, friends or extended family, you're sure to enjoy a voyage with Holland America.

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Home » Cruise » Holland America Line » Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review

Discover what it is like to cruise way up north with our brand new Holland America Line Alaska Cruise review from a recent 2021 sailing.

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Scroll down to watch our Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review Video!

Ship Overview

At 86.7K gross tons, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam offers plenty of onboard amenities, entertainment, and dining options for a vessel that holds only 2100 passengers. This 12 year old Signature Class vessel was the first to resume cruising for the brand with 7-day cruises to Alaska. So, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sail on a Holland America Line Alaska cruise this summer. That’s right, our second trip to the region this year!

Nieuw Amsterdam boasts several complimentary dining venues. Among them are the poolside Dive-In Burger that rivaled similar venues on other cruise lines. There is also a pizza window, the Lido Market buffet, and the main dining room. Not to mention, Holland America Line offers 24-hour room service.

When it comes to onboard activities, the cruise line offers a traditional series of cruise activities and enrichment. The cruise and travel director, Valerie, was the featured speaker during  several EXC talks. There was also trivia, sports tournaments, cooking demonstrations, and other daytime events offered in between the exciting ports of call.

The Crow’s Nest on Deck 11 was a popular daytime spot for coffee and relaxation. Not to mention, it was a prime indoor viewing spot for wildlife and the landscape.

At night, the ship featured unique entertainment in several venues. The Mainstage was home to various headliner acts, while Lincoln Center Stage hosted classical music sets. B.B. King’s Blues Club featured upbeat live performances from jazz to 70’s funky and dance music, and even comedy shows.

Billboard Onboard was home to a piano duo that played everything from classic rock, to pop, and even showtunes. With traditional sets as well as “All Request” shows, each night offered something new.

While we loved the diversity of the nighttime activities, the venues were smaller than we expected. Many of the events also occurred at the same time, likely to divert crowds, but it often forced us to choose between the main theater show or a comedy show.

As mega-ship enthusiasts, we were pleasantly surprised that Nieuw Amsterdam was able to pack in many of our favorite amenities and experiences on a ship 60% smaller than those on which we typically sail.

With personal service, well-executed dining, and diverse entertainment, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam was an ideal backdrop to the amazing vistas of the Alaskan wilderness.

Related Post: Our First Impressions From a Holland America Line Alaska Cruise

Further, with the new health and safety protocols in place, we felt completely safe on this cruise. In addition to being fully vaccinated, cruisers must now wear masks in all indoor venues. Newly instituted, cruisers must also arrive at the terminal with a negative COVID test. These additional measures are in response to the rising cases from the delta variant.

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review Video

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 1

Your second alaska cruise.

Having just spent 7 nights on a Princess Cruises’ Alaska cruise three weeks prior, we were back out west again for another journey way up north. As guests of Holland America Line this time, we would be sailing a similar 7 night itinerary.

Although, we would be visiting two new ports, Sitka and Icy Strait Point.

Not restricted by family obligations this time, we were able to fly into Seattle the day before our cruise. Joining other members of our media group for a pre-cruise dinner at the nearby How to Cook a Wolf, the trip was already off to a delicious start.

With the time change, we were both more than ready for bed by the time dinner ended. Not needing to get to the pier too early, we slept in until about 8 am on embarkation day.

Grabbing coffee and organizing our luggage, we were ready and in an Uber before 10:30 am. For guests booking a hotel stay at the Sheraton, there is an included shuttle to the cruise port. Though, we preferred to go on our own.

It was a short 15 minute ride to the pier; although, dock officials made our driver drop us off at a different location, and we had to take a shuttle to the ship. This was not the case just 3 weeks prior.

While we were warned that we wouldn’t be let into the terminal yet, nothing was further from the truth. We breezed through the check-in process and security in less than 15 minutes.

We were directed to wait in the Boarding Group A seating area. Then, we were officially welcomed onboard shortly before 11:30 am. In fact, we were the second couple on the ship!

A Smooth Embarkation Day

With only 11 public decks, our typical cruise ship tour would be certainly shorter than most day 1 explorations. While not sunny or warm, at least it wasn’t raining.

The staterooms were ready when we arrived on the ship. Thus, we made a pitstop to drop off our carry-ons and check out our cabin first.

Our stateroom was a VB category balcony cabin, 4137. This aft cabin was right near the elevators. It was much larger than our cabin a few weeks ago. The bathroom was also bigger than typical cruise ship bathrooms, as it featured a full bathtub.

After taking some photos and videos of the stateroom, we headed out to explore the rest of the ship.

Making our way to the outdoor decks first, the layout felt similar to Viking Ocean cruise ships. With an aft pool near the buffet and a covered midship pool, we couldn’t help make that comparison.

As part of the new muster drill process, cruisers need to check-in to their muster station on Deck 3 at some point prior to sail away. So, we made sure to complete this mandatory stop along the way. We would also need to view the required safety video on the stateroom television later to complete the mandatory drill.

Eventually making our way down to deck 2, we had captured almost all of the public venues in just a few hours. With more fellow cruisers now onboard the ship, it was time to test out the food.

With a few casual options available, we decided to divide and conquer. The Princess went straight to New York Pizza located aft on Deck 9. I made a b-line to Dive-In Burger located midship on the same deck.

The sun was starting to break through the clouds, so we decided to grab some outdoor seats.

I gave the burger and fries two big thumbs up. It was certainly among the better cruise ship burgers. The pizza, on the other hand, was pretty standard cruise ship pizza. It did not match up at all to Alfredo’s on Princess Cruises.

Getting It All Done on Time

With lunch done and an early sail away, we headed back to our cabin to unpack. Thankfully, all of our bags were in our stateroom already. Although, with the Captain’s announcement broadcasting earlier than expected, we weren’t able to get everything unpacked before the 3:30 pm sail away party on the Lido deck.

While a bit more subdued that our previous departure from Pier 91, it was nonetheless exciting to be cruising again. Finishing our obligatory sail away drinks, it was back to the room to finish unpacking and get ready for our cocktail party and dinner this evening.

Our media group met for drinks at the Gallery Bar on Deck 2 near the casino. This rebranded venue was once the night club on the ship. We liked this subtly themed bar with an artful and sophisticated feel.

Following some cocktails and conversation, our group headed to the main dining room for our 7 pm dinner reservation. This 2+ hour meal had us leaving the MDR well past 9 pm.

When it comes to the main dining room, the food seemed pretty standard. The Princess enjoyed her chicken, but my Alaskan salmon was a little bit of a let down. It was rather bland with no seasoning. The cheesecake was a solid dessert offering, even if it was not truly New York style.

Getting to Billboard Onboard right before 9:30 pm meant there was not an empty seat in the house. I was quick to discover a group leaving in the back of the venue, so we were able to squeeze into a table of four with some newly made friends to listen to the end of the music icons set.

Of course, we had to try some of the signature drinks here, with the Raspberry Lemonade and Whiskey Smash both meeting our approval.

Swapping travel stories, we stayed until the duo’s set ended at 10:15 pm. With a bit of jet lag still, it was time to call it a night.

Tomorrow was a sea day, with moderately warm and sunny weather forecasted.

Score Deals on Holland America Line Alaska Cruises NOW!

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 2

Are you able to get a signal.

As luck would have it, we were greeted by a lovely sunrise this morning. With few clouds in the sky, it appeared the weather was going to be on our side again this trip, at least for today.

With the coffee shop located on Deck 11, my typical morning routine was a bit different. Grabbing our coffees, we were ready to test out the main dining room for breakfast.

The large menu was impressive. The service was prompt and friendly as well. While I am not a huge fan of breakfast, even I was impressed with my skillet, while the wife’s banana bread French toast was just as delicious as it sounds.  

With breakfast done, we had the rest of the morning to ourselves. Neither of us are really up on our pickle ball or ping pong, so we found a table near the midship pool to do some work and blogging. This covered space was more airy than typical indoor solariums, offering the chance to watch the scenery while not worrying about the outside weather.

Preparing for Our First Port of Call

With the WiFi being a bit spotty, we did our best to work poolside until about lunch time. Having tested the quick service venues the day before, I opted for the Lido Market today, the cruise ship’s buffet. The wife went with a grilled chicken sandwich from the Dive-In. Both sandwiches were on par with other cruise ship selections.

Now officially afternoon, we grabbed two drinks from the Lido Bar for our traditional “drink around the ship” and headed outside for some fresh air. While it was sunny, it was also quite windy. So, we only spent an hour or so here.

Our plan for the afternoon was to check out the ship’s enrichment program. The scheduled EXC Talk at 2 pm was on the Iditarod Race. I thought it was a pretty good presentation, including pre-recorded interview segments from one contestant in the race.

The 35 minute presentation abutted the 3 pm talk being given by the naturalist, Russ. So, a quick hop up to deck 11 for more coffee, and we were back in similar seats to listen to his talk on the Alaskan Wilderness.

Being our second Alaska cruise in a month, and 4th overall, much of this talk was redundant. After these trips, I don’t think we will ever forget the 5 types of salmon!

Done with his talk before 4 pm, we had some time to browse the shops and snag a t-shirt as well as one of the last ship ornaments left on the shelves.

Given that it was the first Gala Night, the Princess needed ample time to get ready for dinner, so we made our way back to the room.

A Typical Formal Night (Minus the Pictures)

While I loathe cruise ship formal nights, Heidi loves them. Taking our time getting ready, we met our team right before 7 pm at the Pinnacle Bar. Tonight, we were being treated to the cruise line’s steakhouse, Pinnacle Grill.

Tonight was also the first show of the cruise, Humanity. Presented by the Step One Dance company, it was the cruise line’s version of a production show. Of course, we wanted to see this performance.

With 14 people eating at the signature specialty restaurant, we knew this was going to be a tight schedule. Unfortunately, we were only able to fit in 2 out of 3 courses during the two hour stretch.

With a classically presented Wedge salad and some crispy and sweet candied bacon, both of our appetizers were the perfect starting point for a formal night dinner.

My filet was cooked to the perfect medium-rare texture and melted in my mouth. Heidi’s chicken was pretty standard, but she did comment it was more flavorful than other cruise lines. Our sides, which included sautéed mushrooms and fries, were slightly better than average.

Overall, we would certainly dine here again on another Holland America Line trip.

Passing on dessert, we made a b-line to the theater right before showtime. With the theater about half full, we were able to find seats that ended up being a bit too close to the stage given the pitch of the venue.

Passing on our third course at the Pinnacle Grill was the right decision, as Humanity was a stellar performance. A visual mix of well choregraphed dance and interactive lighting elements made the show feel fresh and modern.

The 45-minute production show finished just in time for us to head straight to B.B. King’s for the 10 pm Funky 70’s Fever set. Somehow, the Princess was able to find a table for two right in the front.

Here, we settled in with two signature cocktails. The All-Star band did not disappoint. Featuring both a male and female singer, this 45-minute set brought down the (brick) house. 

With a second show scheduled for 11 pm, we debated staying. Although, I had some early morning work obligations, so we headed back to the room instead.

Sadly, the cruise line is only offering one daily stateroom cleaning, so there was no towel animal to welcome us back to our cabin.

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Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 3

It’s a beautiful day.

We awoke early this morning to another beautiful day. I planned to work the first few days of this cruise to conserve vacation time. Though, the internet had other plans.

Struggling to get email and Teams loaded, I ended up having to adjust my work schedule. So, waking up at 5 am was sort of a waste.

Knowing I had to be up early, we ordered room service breakfast to be delivered for 7 am. Unfortunately, it was pretty uninspired, with watery scrambled eggs, fatty bacon, and a small pastry basket.

Today was our first port of call, Juneau. It was a later day stop from 1 to 10 pm.

Pre-cruise, we had decided on a rather leisurely day in downtown. We had booked a lunch at Tracy’s Crab Shack and the Mount Roberts Tramway through the cruise line.

The wife also decided she was going to put us on the waitlist for the Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Explorer, which takes you to the Sawyer Glacier.

As luck would have it, we learned the day before that slots had opened up for the tour. So, my nice relaxing day ashore was now hijacked by a 7+ hour excursion. At least it was warm and sunny.

Now that we had to grab food before the tour, we stopped in around noon to the Lido Market. Surprisingly, the venue was not very crowded.

We found seats relatively easily, and we both opted for some Asian inspired cuisine today. I was in love with the pork stir fry and vegetable lo mein.

How Close Are We to the Glacier?

Finishing up lunch, we were packed and ready to go as soon as we got the green light from Valerie.

Exiting the ship, we found our tour provider and bus that drove us literally around the corner to board our vessel with Allen Marine Tours. Now, we were ready to set off on a sightseeing adventure.

This 7 hour tour would take us into Tracy Arm Fjord, which was about an hour and 45 minutes from Juneau. From there, it would be another 45 minutes down to the South Sawyer Glacier.

With the close to 70 degree, sunny day, the long boat ride wasn’t all that bad.

During our trip out the Fjord, our naturalist Robert offered intermittent narration, a few jokes, and bar service.  

Finally passing the buoys that marked the entrance to the Fjord, and where glaciers used to reside until the 1800s, this is where the real fun began.

Once inside the fjord, the jagged granite mountainsides, carved by centuries of glacial activity, glowed in the basking sunlight. We also had some wildlife sightings, from sea lions soaking up rays to mountain goats darting the hillside.

Passing waterfalls and other scenic landscapes, it was a good three hours into the trip when we got our first glimpse of the South Sawyer Glacier face.

Now, the captain warned us that there was a lot of ice, so he was going to get as close as possible. If he couldn’t get us all the way in, we would head over to the north face. Luckily, our boat was able to get within a quarter mile of this majestic natural wonder.

At close to a mile wide, with peaks rising up to 800 feet above sea level, our boat weaved in and out of floating ice to get closer than even we expected.

I guess that is why there was a waiting list for this tour!

Spending an hour taking photos and videos, you could sense everyone’s excitement. The combination of favorable sea conditions and warm weather meant we could marvel at the glacier for some time.

A Race Against the Clock

The extended time here meant we skipped the north face. With a few minor engine issues on the way back for good measure, we arrived about 30 minutes behind schedule. We did receive a bag lunch on the tour, so we were fine skipping dinner.

What was really on the Princess’ agenda was the planned comedy show at 9 pm. She was adamant that we were going to get to the show tonight, as this would be the only time we could catch the comedians with the nighttime entertainment lineup.

Getting back to the ship around 8:45 pm, we made a b-line to the B.B. King’s Blues Club for the doubleheader comedy with jackets, cameras, and bags still in hand. Of course, the venue was already filled. Then, out of the corner of our eye, we saw two of our fellow travelers waving at us. They had scored a table, so we squeezed in next to them.

Before the set began, I ran our excess gear back up to the room. It was bad enough we were dressed like those people who had been out all day on an excursion!

The hour long comedy show featured two stand-ups, Warren B. Hall and Steven Scott. For the most part, the jokes were predictable and mildly amusing. Though, Steven did a lot of voices and sound effects which gave his show a unique twist.

Either way, with our signature drinks in hand, it was a excellent way to finish up a very long day on our Holland America Line Alaska cruise.

Saying goodbye to our colleagues, we headed back to the room. With the internet still inoperable, we called it a night. We had another long day tomorrow, so we needed some sleep anyway.

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Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 4

Back to glacier bay.

We knew from the get-go that it was going to be hard to beat our first visit to Glacier Bay. During our Alaska Cruise on Majestic Princess a few weeks earlier, we were graced with a sunny, 60 degree day while in this national park.

So, when we woke up at 6:30 am to cloudy skies and thick fog, we thought the morning was going to be a complete wash.

With the major viewing occurring between 9 and 11 am, I was able to get a little work done as the internet seemed to be functioning enough to check emails.

Grabbing coffees at the upstairs Explorations Café, this forward observation area was already packed with eager sightseers looking for a glimpse of glaciers and wildlife. Sadly, I didn’t have much hope for them given the current visibility.

Ready by 8:30 am, we headed up to Deck 9 for some breakfast. Again, the Lido Market delivered a fresh mix of breakfast favorites. While not fans of buffets in general, this one was winning us over. In fact, it was running neck and neck with our typical favorite buffet on Celebrity Cruises.

By the time we finished, the first major glacier of the day, the Lamplugh Glacier, was beginning to appear through the fog on the portside.

Heading to the rear outdoor decks, we grabbed a few shots of the glacier as we slowly sailed by it. Given the weather, we didn’t stay long.

Continuing on towards the Marjorie Glacier, we listened to the narration on the bridge cam while doing some work in the cabin.

Going Wild in Alaska

By 11 am, Marjorie Glacier was viewable from the portside. So, this time, we trekked out to the covered deck 3 for some videos and photos. Back in the cabin, we waited for the ship to turn around and repeated the same routine from our balcony.

Nieuw Amsterdam began exiting Glacier Bay National Park around noon. With two enrichment talks occurring at 1:30 pm and 2 pm, it was now or never for lunch.

We opted to test out the main dining room on deck 2. Again, the MDR delivered a well executed and prepared meal. The chicken tacos and fried chicken both got two thumbs up.

We opted to skip on dessert as we wanted to get to the ranger presentation in the main theater.

Ranger James offered a similar presentation as our previous trip. Although, this presentation was more engaging with a more linear narrative. Immediately following this talk, a local native Tlingit offered an interesting look at the people, culture, and traditions.

Unlike our previous day in Glacier Bay, we would be making a short stop at Icy Strait Point tonight from 6 to 10 pm.

Following the talk, we made our ritualistic stop at the coffee shop for our afternoon infusion of caffeine.

Back to the room, we did a little work and packed our bag for our excursion. We would be soaring on the largest zip rider in Alaska this evening.

Not wanting to chance missing the opportunity to explore this new port prior to our excursion, we opted for a quick dinner at the buffet around 5 pm. Again, I was more than satisfied with my selections. The prime rib was tender and rare, and the fried rice was flavorful.

With the ship cleared right at 6 pm, we ventured off to explore the wilderness.

Who is Ready for a Thrill?

Icy Strait Point is located near the town of Hoonah. I liken this privately developed port to the cruise lines’ private islands in the Bahamas. With a few restaurants, a gift shop, a pier-side bar with fire pits, and an aerial gondola set amidst the forest, it offers just enough to experience in a short stop.

Icy Strait Point is home to a cannery “museum”, walking trails, and the main attraction, the Zip Rider. At just over a mile long, riders zip down the track from a 1300 foot elevation at speeds up to 60 mph.

We walked off the ship as soon as we could giving us enough time to essentially make a loop around the area before our 7:15 pm excursion.

The new tram from the NCL dock was running, taking cruisers back and forth to that landing area. While we did plan to ride this after the zip line, it was closed by the time our excursion was over.

After checking in for our tour, it would take another 20 minutes or so before we departed on the 40 minute bus ride from the base camp up to the loading platform. Of note, a second tram is being built that will actually take travelers from the NCL pier directly up to this area in 7 minutes. Of course, additional restaurants and shopping are planned for this mountain spot as well.

Getting dropped off at the top of the mountain, there was an unexpected .25 mile walk down a rather steep and slippery hiking trail.

Our group of approximately 30 was divided into smaller groups as six riders can take flight at a time.

With some basic safety instructions, we were loaded into our harnesses and set off for the fastest 90 seconds of our lives. It was a thrilling ride, with the beautiful scenery and even the ship lit up in the distance.

Good thing my action camera caught the entire flight down.

Back at sea level, we browsed the gift shop then returned to the ship.

While it was only 8:30 pm, we decided to stay in as there was no show this evening and we had an early day in our next port of call tomorrow.

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Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 5

The best of sitka.

Our next port stop of the cruise was Sitka. While we have sailed in the region a few times now, this was our first visit to this small Alaskan city.

Thus, we booked the aptly named Best of Sitka tour. This full day of sightseeing and wildlife exploration was scheduled to depart at 8:30 am.

The overcast skies and cloudy weather meant that our streak of passable weather would continue.

Getting our morning coffees and a few breakfast pastries, I was back and ready for the day by 8 am. As the ship began to approach the pier, we were in LTE, which meant we could catch up with some of our social media updates from the trip. This much needed connection to the real world had been one of the sticking points of this trip.

Once the ship was cleared, we joined the masses exiting the ship on Deck A. We easily found our tour provider, as it was the group with the largest line! Once everyone arrived, we were ushered to the next dock to begin the 5+ hours of exploring the Sitka waters and city highlights.

This Is Why You Cruise to Alaska

Our tour was divided into three portions. The first portion was an approximately 2.5 hour sea otter and whale watching boat tour.

The captain and onboard naturalist delivered with several wildlife sightings.

Among them was a raft of sea otters floating off our starboard side for quite a while. Given these “lazy” creatures’ natural camouflage, spotting and photographing them was not as easy as you would think!

There were also several humpback whales in the nearby sound with plenty of fluking and spouting off in the distance all around the ship.

Disembarking the boat at Centennial Hall, we met Justin, our quirky tour guide/bus driver. He would usher us around the city and our next two stops for the remaining 2.5 hours of the tour. His unique personality along with your typical historical narration made for an interesting city tour.

While learning about the Russian influence and history of Sitka, we passed several of the city’s major landmarks.

The 15 minute ride took us to the next stop, the Fortress of the Bear. This animal refuge is home to rescued black and brown bears.

With our tour running late, we only had about 30 minutes to spend here. Honestly, that was really all we needed.

This refuge is a great place to see these beautiful creatures up close and personal, albeit a glorified zoo. With a steady flow of tour groups, you needed to get your photos and videos of the bears and then move on.

Staff are present to provide impromptu presentations and some basic facts about the animals.

Following this portion of the tour, we took another 10 minute ride to our next stop. Interspersed with personal and state history from our guide along the way, we arrived at the Alaska Raptor Center.

Here, we had about an hour to learn more about the non-profit’s work and view some of the birds onsite.

The center is home to the largest raptor rehabilitation program in the country. With the ability to rehab up to 200 raptors, such as eagles, hawks, and owls, the center also offers educational programs.

Our visit included a narrated tour of one of the training areas, as well as a presentation with one of the permanent eagle residents, Spirit.

We also had some time to walk the grounds on our own to check out some of the other “residents”, including more bald eagles, owls, and ravens perched in outdoor exhibits. It was a great opportunity to see some of these amazing large birds up close.

Now, the Princess can’t complain that she didn’t get to see any wildlife on this trip.

Trying to Get Some Work Done

At the completion of the tour, we were given the option to get dropped off in downtown or head back to the ship. We opted to head back with the hope of getting some work done while we still had LTE.

With sail away at 5 pm, we only had a couple hours left. 

Back on the ship, we grabbed a quick snack at the Lido Market. While it was not open for “lunch”, there were select stations open for snacks. This gave me the opportunity to try the Asian salad, which was actually quite good.

Settling into our balcony, it was a struggle getting things done as the internet would come and go, and we lost LTE almost immediately upon sail away.

Tonight, we would be having dinner with our group at the Pinnacle Grill for the Rudi’s Sel de Mer experience. This French brassiere seafood concept is offered one night of the cruise.

A New Nightly Routine

Ready for dinner early, we headed down to the restaurant for a pre-dinner drink. As the rest of the crew arrived, we were sat at the same tables as our previous visit to the venue.

We are not usually fans of seafood restaurants on cruise ships. As New Englanders, we have some of the best seafood back home. Plus, Heidi is a picky eater.

Though, our meals at the restaurant were certainly better than expected. The seafood tower offered some sweet crab meat and a light shrimp and lobster cocktail. The boiled lobster was flavorful; although, I could have sworn it was grilled.

Likewise, the Princess’ cheese soufflé was light and airy. Both of our desserts were quite tasty also. I thought my profiteroles were the clear winner. Although, Heidi felt her Apple Tarte Tatin was better.

Either way, we were able to squeeze in all three courses in just under two hours. So, we excused ourselves right around 9 pm to head to the Mainstage.

Tonight’s show featured a magician, Joseph Reohm. As a headliner act, this show was a little lacking. While some of his stunts were entertaining, he certainly did not rank among the top illusionists that we have seen at sea.

The 45-minute show had us out just in time to get to B.B. King’s for the Sweet Soul set.

We found a booth at the edge of the stage and listened to a few songs. Knowing we still had a few bars to cross-off our drink around the ship, we ended the evening with a drink at the Ocean Bar.

This deck 3 venue felt under-utilized. With a small stage and a piano, there certainly could have been some live music here. Perhaps, this was the case in pre-COVID times?

With an even earlier shore excursion meeting time of 7:20 am tomorrow, we retired to our room around 11 pm.

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 6

Another nice day in ketchikan.

During our previous stop in Alaska’s “first city”, it was a bright, sunny day. When we woke up around 5 am to find that it was not raining, we couldn’t believe our luck.

Wanting to get as many wildlife opportunities as possible, we booked a bear watching nature walk for today. It was a short tour, but an early one. We needed to meet our tour on the pier shortly after the ship docked at 7 am.

So, we found just enough time to grab coffees and breakfast pastries before heading down to deck 2.

Leaving the ship, it began to drizzle a bit. Ah, now this is what we expected in Ketchikan. Easily finding our shore excursion guide, we were boarded on a bus for the 30 minute ride to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary.

As luck would have it, it stopped raining by the time we arrived.

The 90-minute walking tour occurred on private property and was mostly on a manmade walking path and raised boardwalk not too far from civilization. Of course, we knew all of this ahead of time.

Worried we might not find any wildlife, we didn’t have to wait long at all! Unlike our previous Neets Bay bear watching cruise, there were multiple black bear sightings within minutes of entering the forest.

It was amazing to see these massive creatures in their natural setting.

From bears climbing trees to those hunting salmon in the stream, we were a mere few feet away from these bears. While we captured photos and videos, they didn’t seem to care about us.

In fact, at one point, the guide did not let us proceed along the platform as she was worried that the bear could climb up given its proximity to a fallen tree.

After our fill of bear sightings near the stream, we continued along the path towards the hatchery and Alaska Raptor Center.

Here, we were able to get up close to Sitka, the female bald eagle, and some other permanent residents.

Lastly, the tour concluded next to a local totem pole craftsman’s workshop. The facility is also home to an old saw mill, some totems on display, and a gift shop.

Thanking our tour guides, we browsed the property taking photos of some of the exhibits and totem poles and the gift shop until our bus was called.

Once back at the ship, we headed into town. After all, we were not going to pass up a dry day in the rainiest place in the U.S.!

Catching Up Onboard

We spent an additional 90 minutes or so wandering Creek Street and Front Street taking photos and browsing the shops.

We headed back to the ship just in time for lunch. With a few hours of LTE access left, we also wanted to make sure we could get a few social media posts done and our blog post scheduled.

Thus, we spent the rest of the afternoon on our balcony. In between work and socializing with our cabin neighbors, we admired the scenery and soaked up the sun as the ship slowly pulled out of Ketchikan.

It was a nice little send off as the ship began its journey back to Seattle.

As the second Gala Night, our media group had a 7 pm dinner reservation at Tamarind.

This gave us plenty of time to unwind before dinner. Ready ahead of schedule, we ventured up to the restaurant early to grab drinks from the adjacent lounge.

Tamarind, the Pan-Asian specialty restaurant, delivered another delicious dining experience. As a fan of this type of cuisine, we both enjoyed all of our selections.

I started with two appetizers, the pot stickers and the tempura shrimp. The shrimp was crispy and warm. The pot stickers were soft with a savory combination of shrimp and lobster. Heidi’s chicken satays were equally flavorful.

For dinner, she went with the chicken curry, which was mild and came with a light sauce. I did the Schezwan shrimp. This spicy dish had a bit too much sauce for my liking. Although, it was a hefty serving of shrimp and vegetables.

Even the dessert was better than we would have anticipated for an Asian restaurant. Everyone agreed that the “cheesecake” offered a tart, yet flavorful final course, much like key lime pie.

Finishing up at just about 9 pm, we headed downstairs to the Mainstage. Tonight was the second performance by the Step One Dance company.

Aptly named Musicology, we quickly realized that the dancers were performing numbers inspired by musical instruments. While a different concept, the troupe’s performance on Night 2 was much better.

After the 45 minute show, we tried to find seats at the overflowing Billboard Onboard. Not seeing any spaces, some of our fellow media snagged some chairs at the nearby Gallery Bar instead.

This hidden gem is tucked around the corner from the piano bar and adjacent to the casino. So, you can still hear some of the music in the background.

Past 11 pm, it was time for us to retire to the cabin. With a full sea day of our normal last minute items, and losing an hour of sleep by turning the clocks ahead, I was perfectly fine with this bedtime.

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Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 7

Some morning talks.

The last day of our cruise was a sea day. According to the forecast, our string of good weather was expected to continue.

Like most of the final days of our trips, we had some last-minute items to check off the list. This included a few additional videos and photos. Not to mention, a few of the final bars for our drink around the ship.

Moving the clocks ahead one hour meant that I still felt tired when we woke up this morning. Even though we technically already sampled breakfast in the MDR, the Princess wanted to dine here again.

Remarkably, the venue was open until 9:30 am. So, we had plenty of time even after getting our morning coffees. Service was quick, and the food was pretty average at least for me. Breakfast is my least favorite meal, but the wife disagrees.

Finishing breakfast by 9:45 am, it was perfect timing to attend the Origin of HAL EXC talk occurring at 10 am. This hour presentation described the history of the company from an ocean liner transporting immigrants across the Atlantic to the modern day cruise line.

We both really enjoyed the presentation. If you are on a HAL ship, we highly recommend you attend this presentation. It is really well produced and insightful.

With the talk done at 11 am, we had an hour before our next “meeting”. The HAL PR team had put together a private Q&A with the Captain and the Cruise Director for our group at noon.

The private session lasted about an hour as we were able to ask all our questions. It was great to get this exclusive time with the Captain who has been sailing for 30 years.

A Wild Send Off

Following the session, we made the decision to grab lunch. Changing things up, I sampled one of the Nathan’s hot dogs at the Dive-In, and Heidi grabbed some snacks from the Lido Market. Given the beautiful weather, we also grabbed a drink at the outdoor Sea View Bar.

While soaking up some final rays, we were treated to perhaps the best send off of the cruise. There was a pod of orcas probably a half mile from the ship with some impressive breaching action.

Sadly, I didn’t have my camera with me, so it was difficult to capture any shots with just our phones. Instead, we just sat and watched this send off.

Once the whales were out of sight, we headed indoors to the Lincoln Center Stage. This was one performance venue that we still needed to check off our list.

Arriving just a few minutes before showtime, this small venue was pretty full. Still, we found some center seats that gave us a decent view.

 The 40 minute program featured American composers. Neither of us are classical music fans, but we recognized several of the pieces, including Copeland’s Hoedown.

Finishing up before 4 pm, it was time for our typical afternoon coffee. Officially, the Explorations Café is one of the bars on the ship. So, we upgraded our normal drink orders to espresso martinis.

We spent some time admiring the views from this forward observation lounge while sipping our drinks. Not really wanting to leave, we knew we had to get some packing done before our 6 pm farewell cocktail party.

So, we returned to the room before 5 pm to pack and get ready for dinner. Chatting with the media team, we recounted the highlights of what was a truly memorable Alaskan cruise experience.

Final Night Onboard

Tonight’s dinner was at the Italian specialty restaurant, Canaletto, at 7 pm. The venue offered a mix of traditional favorites and some unique options.

One of the better offerings was the grilled calamari. It was tender, with a light pesto sauce. Even the more predictable buffalo mozzarella starter was more flavorful than you would expect on a cruise.

For dinner, I did the braised short ribs with gnocchi. With rich chunks of beef and baked gnocchi, it was a hearty and satisfying pasta dish. Heidi also went with one of the homemade pastas, pasta genovese, which she enjoyed.

For dessert, we did classics, affogato and tiramisu. The tiramisu was the clear favorite with a light texture and a sweet chocolate finish.

Like previous nights, we finished dinner with just a few minutes to spare before the 9 pm showtime. This time around, we convinced essentially everyone to join us for the main theater show.

After the show, we learned that In Tandem was a brand new production debuting on the ship. It featured a variety of contemporary music and dancing from the Step One Dance company.

Unlike the two previous shows, this production did include some live vocals by the male lead in the All-Star band. This gave the show a more cruise-like feeling. It was a bit short, lasting less than 40 minutes though.

Following the show, some of our group ended up grabbing chairs from the nearby casino to watch the end of the British Invasion piano set in Billboard Onboard.

With the show wrapping up by 10:30 pm, we said our good byes.

Back to the room around 11 pm, we still had to finish packing.

Our flight tomorrow wasn’t until 3:30 pm again. Although, this time around, we were not going to sit in the airport all that time. The tourism board of Seattle had provided us with City Passes as part of the trip. So, we were going to take advantage of them.

We opted to use the Port Valet for our two large suitcases, so we set them in the hallway before the midnight deadline.

Our final day of the cruise was officially over. Now, we could just hope for smooth sailing back home.

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Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Disembarkation

Heading home.

Our late day flight gave us plenty of options. The port valet service took care of our two large suitcases, and we were assigned the departure time of 8 am.

Wanting to get to the Space Needle when it opened at 9 am, this departure time was perfect. This would give us just enough time to head back to our pre-cruise hotel to store our carry-on items.

With some last minute packing, as well as grabbing coffees and a few bites for breakfast, we ended up leaving our room by 8:15 am. Like our recent departure, disembarkation was quick and efficient. The total time from leaving the cabin, scanning off the ship, and going through Customs was less than 15 minutes.

With a short taxi ride to the hotel, then an Uber to the Space Needle, we were there right when it opened at 9 am.

For the next three hours, we put the City Pass to good use. We were able to head to the top of the Space Needle. Then, we marveled at the colorful glassworks at the Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Finally, we toured several of the exhibits in the Museum of Pop Culture. As luck would have it, one of the special exhibits was The Art of Disney Costumes. How appropriate as a visit to Walt Disney World is our next official trip.

Grabbing a quick lunch, and then an Uber to the hotel and airport, we were right on schedule. Unfortunately, we couldn’t same the same for the airline. Due a few issues, our flight was delayed over an hour. So, we didn’t arrive in Boston until after 1 am and didn’t get home until close to 3 am!

With no more cruises booked for 2021, yet, I guess we have some time to catch up on life.

Do you have a Holland America Line Alaska cruise review to share? Have you sailed with HAL in the past? Drop us an anchor below to share what you love about this cruise line.

Disclaimer: We were guests of Holland America Line onboard this sailing. However, as always, all opinions in this post are our own.

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Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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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 Line

Typical Time to Disembark?

By Snooksi , September 29, 2016 in Holland America Line

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What time do you typically leave the ship? Our flight leaves out of FLL at 11:40AM. How long does it usually take to disembark the ship and get through customs? I'm trying to figure out what time to have the car service pick us up at the port to take us back to the airport. I know the airport is only minutes away.

Last time I cruised out of FLL we were escorted off the ship and through customs within minutes thanks to the suite perks. This time we have to get off the ship ourselves and stand in line for customs and I have no idea how long that usually takes.

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What time do you typically leave the ship? Our flight leaves out of FLL at 11:40AM. How long does it usually take to disembark the ship and get through customs? I'm trying to figure out what time to have the car service pick us up at the port to take us back to the airport. I know the airport is only minutes away.   Last time I cruised out of FLL we were escorted off the ship and through customs within minutes thanks to the suite perks. This time we have to get off the ship ourselves and stand in line for customs and I have no idea how long that usually takes.

As a Suite guest you can request early disembarkation letting the Front Desk know of your early flight. Should be able to get off around 8:30-9:00am. You say you have a car service but cabs are plenty at that time, cost to airport is around $20 and usually quick. Should be thru customs and to the airport by 10:00am. All this of course depends on how many ships are in port.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As a Suite guest you can request early disembarkation letting the Front Desk know of your early flight. Should be able to get off around 8:30-9:00am. You say you have a car service but cabs are plenty at that time, cost to airport is around $20 and usually quick. Should be thru customs and to the airport by 10:00am. All this of course depends on how many ships are in port.     Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the help but this cruise, we don't have a suite and the reason I had to ask for help. What time do non-suite guests start getting off the ship? Is it reasonable to think we would disembark the ship around 9 and be through customs by 10? There are plenty of cabs waiting, even with the thousands of people disembarking? I was going to have a car service pick us up but if plenty of cabs are available, that will work too.

CruiserBruce

What time people "typically" get off the ship, and what you need to do for your flight time might be two different things. HAL tries very hard to start disembarking by 7:30, and to have cleared the ship by around 9:30. How long Immigration and Customs takes is not predictable.

If you look over on the Florida Departures board, you will see any flight after 11am is fine, and people are pretty comfortable even with 10:30 flights. So in your case, I would tell the ship either you have an early flight, in which case they will put you in a relatively early group getting off the ship, or tell them you wish to carry your bags off, which will put you very close to the front of the line for Immigration and Customs. Then catch a cab. To be honest, a car service is not required, and is a waste of money. There will be plenty of cabs- yes, even with thousands of pax getting off ships, particularly if you do the suggested things to get off the ship early.

In either case, you should be fine with a 11:40 flight.

Still should not be an issue by just letting the FO of your early flight. We do cabs all the time, good luck!

Thanks again for your help, Bruce and thank you Mllewis!! That sounds easy enough and shoot, I'll just save my money and grab a cab instead. I like to have everything planned and I make copies of everything and knock on wood, with every cruise so far, we've never had anything go wrong. Planning everything as well as possible also makes the time go by faster and gets me excited for the next cruise!!

Thanks again to both of you for your help and information!!!

we usually go off the ship at 07:15 with the expedited disembarkation. You have to carry your luggage yourself but on the other hand you are the first one at customs. We had an international flight from FLL and we had plenty of time.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

flight time was a bit after 11 o'clock too.

take us away

Have had an 11:30 flight out of FLL and also got off just after the expedited passengers but before they called the next set of passengers (we also went to the front desk and asked for earliest disembarkation), claimed our luggage, breezed thru customs/immigration, grabbed a cab to the airport, checked our bags curbside, had our boarding passes. The TSA line was not too bad so no worries about making the flight. Do believe the reason was we got off at the end of the expedited passengers so few people were searching for their luggage, plus we put huge markers on the bags so easy to find.

We did have a customs delay once on a Saturday in FLL. Don't know what day you will be disembarking but if on a Saturday expect slower customs. Assume because more ships, customs spread thinner. Also traffic to port from park and ride which was near airport very slow and took probably 30 minutes when normally about 5 or 10. Just lots of traffic and they took "back" road. All other times when not on Sat. have had quick disembarkation and thru customs quickly especially if you do early walk off. There is a 2nd wave of walk off after suite/priority so you should be in that one which is still pretty early - maybe 8:00 or so. 11:40 flight should be late enough even if customs backed up I think.

Krazy Kruizers

You will receive a form -- usually on the 2nd day of the cruise -- to complete indicating what your plans are for the end of the cruise.

Check cruisetimetables to see how many ships will be in Ft Lauderdale with you. That determines how many immigration officials will be assigned to your pier.

SJSULIBRARIAN

We did have a customs delay once on a Saturday in FLL. Don't know what day you will be disembarking but if on a Saturday expect slower customs. Assume because more ships, customs spread thinner. Also traffic to port from park and ride which was near airport very slow and took probably 30 minutes when normally about 5 or 10. Just lots of traffic and they took "back" road. All other times when not on Sat. have had quick disembarkation and thru customs quickly especially if you do early walk off. There is a 2nd wave of walk off after suite/priority so you should be in that one which is still pretty early - maybe 8:00 or so. 11:40 flight should be late enough even if customs backed up I think. Jane

Immigration and customs can be a problem when there are a lot of ships in port. One time there were only 2 Immigration officers (one for US citizens and 1 for International) for our ship and the process took well over an hour. This is one part of your trip where you have absolutely no control. If possible, I would use expedited debarkation where you carry all your luggage off and are the first group to go. I see you are traveling during the December holidays so you also need to consider the time it takes to get through TSA at the airport. Your flight time is definitely doable but everything has to line up in your favor.

Remember that if you have "Global Entry" you can speed up the custom process during disembarkation as Port Everglades now offers that exit.

Its hard to say when you will finally be out of the terminal, as Customs has been slow at times, plus the ship may be late getting in. As someone else mentioned, I would just take a taxi as there are many avialable and its only about a ten minute ride (cost about $15 plus tip). I know this is not as nice as having a car service, but it should be alot less hassle given the unkowns of the disembarkation process.

I just looked it up and we are the only ship to disembark that day (Tuesday). WOO HOO...I can only assume everything should go much more quickly/smoothly (knock on wood), since we are the only ship for customs.

Thanks for all the help everyone!!!

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Reader's Digest

Best Alaska Cruise for Every Type of Vacationer

Posted: May 5, 2023 | Last updated: July 10, 2023

Best time to cruise to Alaska

An Alaska cruise is such a popular bucket-list item because it's one of the best ways to immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Not only will you get to see breathtaking glaciers closer than you ever dreamed, but you're also likely to see eagles soaring and whales spouting—often from the deck of your ship. The best Alaska cruises give you an opportunity to explore the Far North from both land and sea, and we've got cruise tips to help you optimize your time and your budget.

The state's long, cold winters are not conducive to cruising, so the Alaska cruise season is relatively short. The best time to travel to Alaska is from late spring to early fall, with peak cruising happening during July and August. Those are also the most crowded and expensive months, so don't rule out September, which is actually the best time to see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise. But with dozens of ships sailing to Alaska, how do you decide which are the best cruise lines for you?

Luckily, when it comes to Alaska cruises, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you're traveling solo or with kids, whether you're looking for total luxury or a bargain and whether you love giant ships or something more intimate, we've found the best Alaska cruises to fit your needs. See which one sounds right for you, and once you're booked, get a head start by checking out these hidden cruise features, cruise ship code words and things you can't do on cruises .

How we chose the best Alaska cruises

To find the best Alaska cruises, we followed expert recommendations and read hundreds of user reviews and ratings. Because I've been on several Alaska cruises alone, with my family and with my husband, I also based my choices on my own personal experiences. After combining all that information, we came up with this guide to the best Alaska cruises.

Best overall

Princess cruises.

Princess has been cruising to Alaska for more than half a century, and they continue to lead the industry by bringing more guests to the state than any other cruise line. In fact, they introduced a generation to the idea of cruising via the hit TV show The Love Boat , which was set on a Princess ship and featured many episodes in Alaska! Because of their deep ties to the state, the cruise line is able to offer a variety of itineraries and shore excursions, and they even own a number of Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks , so you can add a land extension to your trip.

Onboard, there are plenty of activities for both adults and kids, including the North to Alaska enrichment program, which brings the state's culture to you so you can sample fresh Alaska seafood and hear from local celebs like Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile Iditarod sled dog race.

• Guests can meet Alaskan Huskies on the ship through Puppies in the Piazza!
• So many options for cruise length, extensions and land and sea packages
• Price is not all-inclusive

Best for families

Disney cruise line.

With lots of outdoor activities and great wildlife sightings, an Alaska cruise is ideal for kids, and not surprisingly, no one does it better for them than Disney . Kids will love whale watching, panning for gold, searching for black bears and going dog sledding—and they'll equally love everything Disney has planned for them on the Disney Wonder, from live shows ("Frozen" takes on a whole new meaning in Alaska) and character greetings to kids clubs they won't want to leave to themed pools and restaurants. Little ones will be just as happy to see Goofy as they are to see a glacier, making this the best cruise for kids . Before you go, check out these Disney cruise tips .

• Disney is beloved by kids of all ages
• The focus is on families
• On the pricier side

Best adults-only

If you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of Alaska without the distraction of little kids, you'll be in good company on Viking . Their gorgeous ocean ships sail with a maximum of 930 passengers, all over the age of 18, so you can indulge in adult conversation over a bottle of wine or a cocktail or two. One of the many features that makes Viking the best adult-only cruise is that every single room comes with a private veranda, so you can take in the views and feel that fresh Alaska air with no one else around—and without paying extra. You can also get away without paying additional fees for shore excursions, because one is included in every port, giving you an opportunity to see the highlights of destinations including Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka and Valdez.

• Every stateroom has a veranda
• A shore excursion is included in every port
• Optional cruise extensions let you explore Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage on land
• The shortest Alaska cruise is 11 days

Best for solo travelers

Norwegian cruise line.

Cruising has traditionally been a bit of a challenge for solo travelers because of the single supplement that basically makes them pay the same price for a room as two people sharing a room would pay in total. Not with Norwegian , the best singles cruise ! The first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas specifically for solo travelers, they've made it easy for singles to cruise to Alaska comfortably and affordably. The Studio Lounge is a welcoming spot to meet other solo travelers so you can join up for meals or shore excursions to places like Dawes Glacier and Icy Strait Point.

• No single supplement
• A dedicated lounge just for solo travelers
• Lots of families and kids, which may not appeal to solo travelers

Best for couples

Celebrity cruises.

The best cruise for couples , both straight and gay, Celebrity offers lots of opportunities for romantic experiences in Alaska, from hiking through a rainforest in Juneau to cuddling up during a ride back in time on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. On the ship itself, there are lots of spots where you can take some Instagrammable selfies with the majestic Alaska scenery behind you. What a backdrop for a wedding, honeymoon or vow renewal! Consider upgrading to The Retreat, Celebrity's exclusive ship within a ship, for a more private and intimate cruise.

• Many options for cruise length
• Offers land tour extensions
• Families with kids may disrupt the romantic atmosphere

Best budget

Carnival cruise line.

Yes, you can visit Alaska without spending a fortune, thanks to Carnival . You may not get all the bells and whistles that you would on more expensive cruises, but the views don't cost anything, and they're all around you as you chill by the pool or take advantage of one of the many activities and dining venues included in your fare. Save money to use for shore excursions by opting for an interior room, since you won't be spending much time in your cabin anyway.

• Affordable way to see Alaska
• Lots of cruise length options
• The party atmosphere may not be for everyone

Best luxury

Regent seven seas.

Regent's Seven Seas Explorer is all about luxury, from its all-suite design to its all-inclusive fares , which cover airfare, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, restaurants, gratuities, Wi-Fi, laundry and unlimited shore excursions. With only 750 passengers, service is exceptional and personal. Itineraries can be customized to fit your specific interests, whether you want to take a glacier hike, immerse yourself in Alaska's history or eat your way through the state.

• Truly an all-inclusive cruise
• All-suite accommodations are roomy and plush
• Only one Regent Seven Seas ship sails to Alaska

Best small ship

Seabourn cruise line.

A great choice for fans of smaller, more intimate ships, Seabourn's Odyssey holds 450 passengers and treats them to a personal, all-inclusive luxury experience. Smaller ships can take you to spots where the bigger ones just can't fit, and the Ventures by Seabourn program offers optional excursions where you can get up close and personal with some of Alaska's most awe-inspiring sights via kayak and Zodiac. You'll be sailing with a world-class expedition team, including a marine biologist, ornithologist, geologist, historian, photographer and natural experts who share their knowledge through lectures and casual conversations during scenic cruisings.

• All-inclusive
• Offers 7- to 14-day cruises
• Gets you closer to Alaska's natural beauty

Best large ship

Royal caribbean cruises.

Built for cruisers who believe the bigger, the better, Royal Caribbean's megaship, Quantum of the Sea, is the biggest ship in the region, with the capacity to hold 4,905 passengers. It also boasts the tallest viewing deck on any cruise ship—perfect for enjoying the stunning Alaska scenery. Three other Royal Caribbean ships sail to the state, as well—all big and beautiful and filled with enough activities to keep travelers of every age busy, including their signature Rock Climbing Wall, simulated skydiving and surf sessions on the Flowrider. Yes, you can "surf" in Alaska!

• There's literally something for everyone
• Studio staterooms are designed for solo travelers
• It can get crowded

Best for land and sea

Holland america line.

With more than 75 years of experience in Alaska—the longest of any cruise line— Holland America knows the state inside and out and presents you with lots of ways to enjoy it, from both the sea and land. Not only do they feature the most Glacier Bay itineraries, but they're also the only way to see the Yukon in combination with a cruise. You'll get to stay at Holland America's Westmark Hotels and their beautiful McKinley Chalet Resort at the entrance to Denali National Park, enabling you to get closer to wildlife and explore more of Alaska on land.

The cruise line has also expanded its onboard programming, so guests can engage with an Alaska naturalist, dig deeper into topics like Alaska's bush pilots and learn from a National Park Ranger and local Huna Tlingit guides.

• Every cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska's iconic glacier destinations
• Only cruise line to offer an Alaska cruise combined with an overland tour to Denali and the Yukon
• Land and sea Cruisetours range from 9 to 18 days
• Caters to an older crowd

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You can book a standby cruise from Vancouver to Alaska for $70 per day - here's how it works

You can save a lot of money on your next vacation!

A Holland America Line cruise ship sailing out of Vancouver.

If you've been wanting to visit Alaska, now's your chance to book a trip on a budget.

Anyone with a flexible schedule can book a standby cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and it only costs $70 a day, before taxes.

Holland America Line has launched a standby program , which allows travellers to sign up for round-trips between the two destinations.

One week to two days before the cruise departs, the company will review the standby list. If a space opens up for standby bookings, they will let the travellers on the list know to pack their bags.

If they are unable to clear standby bookings, they will notify those on the list no less than two days before departure.

The U.S.-owned cruise line launched the program in August 2023 out of Seattle and now Vancouver is included for the first time.

The company calls it a win-win for its passengers and business.

"Circumstances may arise for booked guests where they must cancel a cruise the week before sailing. The Standby Program allows us to fill those cabins with people who have already committed to going and who presumably live close enough to the port that they can make last-minute travel arrangements," Adrienne Carter with Holland America Line told Narcity in an email.

"For those guests with flexibility to travel, it means access to an unforgettable cruise vacation at $49 per day (USD) which is an exceptional value."

@hollandamericaline Wow, we really do have it all. #HollandAmerica 📷: @mycruisedk

The round-trips offered from Vancouver, B.C. are to Whittier, Alaska and there are a few round-trips between San Diego and Vancouver.

The first two cruises leave from Vancouver on April 27, 2024. They include a four-day Pacific Northwest cruise and a seven-day Inside Passage trip.

The cost of these trips is just over $67 per day, not including port taxes/fees. Those will vary depending on the destination and length of the sailing.

Carter adds the first and second guests in a stateroom will pay the $70 a day fee, while the third and fourth guests sail for free.

Anyone travelling alone will not face a double capacity mark-up and will pay the same price.

Travellers booking through the standby program do not get to choose which cabin they stay in, so they could end up travelling in a variety of cabins, including the cabins marked Inside, Oceanview or Verandah.

"It depends, in part, on where the last-minute cancellations happen. Guests will be confirmed in the order they joined the list within the week of sailing—it could be seven days—or as close as 48 hours to departure," Carter explained.

You can find a full list of sailings in the standby program on the Holland America Line website.

To join the standby list for your preferred cruise, contact your travel advisor or call 877-724-5425.

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated the standby cruises from Vancouver were $70 plus taxes. It has been updated to clarify that they are $70 per day, not including taxes and fees.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

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