Monday, April 1, 2024

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

alaska cruise holland

Travelers who sign up for a cruise are alerted between seven and two days before departure if they will be sailing. Solo cruisers also only pay $49 per day and do not incur a single supplement for a double stateroom. I have looked forward to racing down the world’s largest ZipRider for well over a decade, and the thrilling flight lived up to its bucket list billing.

White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad

Holland America Line Enhances Alaska Cruisetours with McKinley Chalet Resort Room Upgrades and New Gold Rush ... - PR Newswire

Holland America Line Enhances Alaska Cruisetours with McKinley Chalet Resort Room Upgrades and New Gold Rush ....

Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

One of the most popular things to do in Alaska’s city of Fairbanks is taking the Riverboat Discovery Tour, and it is an excursion choice on your Holland America Alaskan cruise. The tour starts with a Bush Pilot Demonstration, where you can see how pilots fly in the rugged Alaskan terrain and land on the water. Next, you’ll get a peek at Trail Breaker Kennel, where you can see the dogs that help mushers travel through the wilderness. Finally, you’ll stop at Chena Indian Village Living Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of the Alaskan Native people.

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Best of all, you’ll be guided by an experienced naturalist who will help you make the most of your experience. So whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time visitor, the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour is sure to offer an unforgettable experience. The Dining Room is a two-story space aft on Decks 2 and 3, and you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner here. The lunch menu has a deep lineup of favorites, such as street tacos, BBQ chicken spring rolls, Cobb salad, club sandwich, a cheeseburger and fried chicken and waffles. It remains the same throughout the cruise, but there are enough selections to give a nice variety to visit for lunch often.

Cruises To Tracy Arm, Alaska

I opted for the helicopter trek of the Mendenhall Glacier, which was a fantastic decision (more on that later). The first evening after departing Vancouver was already beautiful, passing by the islands outside of the city and all along the coast of British Columbia. I had only been on a couple of cruises prior to this, wich were rather short and felt like a mixture between McDonald’s and a frat party, to be honest. The experience on the Koningsdam sailing the Inside Passage to Alaska via Vancouver was delightfully different. It was mostly families, retirees, and some multigenerational groups like ours.

Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows.

Pickleball at Sea

If you’re looking for an adventure that will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery in Alaska, the Chilkoot Trail Hike & Rafting Float is definitely for you. Glacier Bay National Park is home to a staggering 1045 glaciers (50 of which are named). Some of the most beautiful ones include the Lamplugh Glacier and Margerie Glacier. Looking to get up close and personal with some of Alaska’s amazing wildlife?

Lastly, my cabin was a balcony cabin, No. 8002, port side right behind the bridge at the very front of the ship. In fact, there are none on the nightstands, which have USB outlets available. The fitness center is a fairly compact space that was steadily busy throughout the day.

Top 10 Alaska Shore Excursions

The train takes you from Denali to Anchorage, and the trip takes just under eight hours. The scenery is incredible, and you get to see some of the most beautiful parts of Alaska. During our cruise, we also had standup comedian Jill Kimmel (yes, Jimmy’s sister) performing shows and nightly live music from a band called Third Avenue West, which made their home in the Ocean Bar. Billboard Onboard features pop hits from a pair of piano players. Cruisers gather around the dueling-piano setup in a lively bar adjacent to the casino to sing along and make requests.

Affordable Stocking Stuffers for Travelers 2023

alaska cruise holland

This narrated excursion takes you on a “school” bus ride deep into the heart of Denali National Park, where you’ll have the chance to see grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep, and more. Dance to your favorite songs with one of the best bands at sea. From rock and pop to country and beyond, we provide the perfect playlist live, each and every cruise. In this art-themed bar, order your favorite cocktail or try one from our signature cocktail menu.

You can also learn about Alaska’s culture and history in the Alaska State Museum, which houses over 32,000 historical artifacts, art, and specimens. The Chilkoot Trail was once a vital access route used to get through the Coast Mountains into the Yukon goldfields back in the late 1890s. Today, travelers can experience and walk the same path the prospectors and packers used back in the day.

The cruise line is passionate about culinary excellence, and its Culinary Council of renowned chefs develops world-class menus for dining venues throughout the fleet. In a cruise filled with extraordinary experiences, our stellar day sailing through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve was at the top of the list. National Park Service rangers boarded our ship to provide a variety of programming, and our captain opened up Eurodam’s bow deck as we glided up the 65-mile-long waterway.

Alaska’s Inside Passage is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world—and it’s no wonder why. The Passage boasts some of the most stunning scenery on earth, from towering mountains and glaciers to pristine forests and crystal-clear waterways. The cruise takes you through the Inside Passage, allowing you to see firsthand the stunning waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, and pristine waterways that make this state so unique. On the way back, you’ll also have the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat, including whales, bald eagles, and sea otters. An Alaskan cruise is not complete without a sailing through Hubbard Glacier. With a height of 600 feet (350 feet visible above water) and stretching over 76 miles long and 7 miles wide, it is one of the largest glaciers in North America.

Because of its size, it’s also one of the most active (moving) glaciers in the world, advancing at a rate of 80 feet per year. While Fairbanks may conjure images of ice and snow, this vibrant city is actually located in the heart of Alaska’s interior. Despite its secluded location, the city is home to a diverse population and offers a wide range of activities for residents and visitors alike. The Holland America 11-Day Double Denali cruise and land tour is the perfect way to see Alaska.

Refurbished in 2015, the intimate mid-size ship delivers an amenity-rich, premium cruise experience for guests without the crowds and distractions often found on larger vessels. The ship’s attentive service, World Stage performances, and “Alaska Up Close” guest experiences are exceptional. Tiny Sitka is one of my favorite Alaskan ports of call, and it’s loaded with attractions for those interested in nature, history, and culture. Having visited Sitka’s charming downtown multiple times, I opted for an outstanding land and sea adventure focusing on Sitka’s unforgettable wildlife viewing experiences. We had an Alaska and wildlife expert onboard, and he would join cruisers on the outdoor decks for wildlife spotting sessions during our long stretches of sailing up to Juneau and on our return after Ketchikan.

Explore traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan with cuisine praised by Condé Nast Traveler as rivaling the top restaurants on land. Please visit our most frequently asked questions page on cruise preparation, transportation, safety and security, and more. What should I expect boarding to like for my cruise departing Seattle, WA? Please visit our cruise preparation FAQ for information on how to access or print boarding passes, how to check in online, and to see if you need a passport.

To search for all Holland America Line deals, check out Cruise Critic. This website tracks the best prices for all cruise lines, and offers cruise reviews, and other helpful cruise tips. Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce.

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