Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Holland America Alaska Cruise Tours: 10 Must-Know Tips

holland american cruise alaska

Bear sightings often align with salmon-spawning season in the spring and summer, as they head to the water to catch a meal. Popular bear-viewing tours depart from Anchorage, Kodiak and Juneau. Holland America Alaska cruisetours include private flights from Fairbanks and that cuts out the alternative, which is an eight-hour bus ride. Denali has all types of excursions and even though they are pricey (flightseeing runs $400 per person and up), it's probably a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. Have a front-row seat to thunderous glaciers and crystalline fjords on this superb Vista-class ship. Find exceptional City Stays & Pre/Post Overland Packages, which offer a seamless experience ashore to add to your cruise.

Cruises To Tracy Arm, Alaska

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra. This is the highest-end restaurant onboard, with the smallest capacity — and also, of course, my favorite. Those in the dining room made a particularly great impression, remembering my son and always saying hi to him and bringing his fruit right away. Considering how many people they were seeing on a daily basis, I was impressed. The next morning, we arrived in Skagway, another small, charming coastal town, and took the scenic railway as our excursion.

Accommodations on Holland America Alaskan Cruises

Witness the “white thunder” of iceberg calving from the ship, while spotting Alaska wildlife including whales, birdlife, brown bears and moose. It's one of the first decisions you'll have to make when booking. Our opinion is that the long days on the road can be grueling -- and after changing hotels five times, you'll relish your cabin even more once you board. So, the best choice tends to be a land tour first, cruise second.

holland american cruise alaska

Holland America’s Alaska 2024 Cruises

It's very likely that at this point in your tour, you'll feel too tired to face yet another excursion. But Whitehorse is also known for its outdoor activities, so if you have the energy for a bike trip or rafting tour, it's worth the rally. Whitehorse also has some first-rate galleries, if you still need a Yukon souvenir. Otherwise, Whitehorse might be a great place to catch your breath and rest up. Your first stop in the Yukon territory is Dawson City, the epicenter of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Standby List Program - Holland America

Standby List Program.

Posted: Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:42:54 GMT [source]

Aside from exploring the town, take advantage of Dawson City's proximity to the Yukon wilderness and spend some time outside. If you're hiking the Ninth Avenue Trail to its views overlooking the Klondike River, remember to go with a group and speak loudly or bring a bear horn; grizzlies are common in these parts. The city of Fairbanks isn't too exciting; if you have a chance to take an excursion that gets you out of town, do so.

They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, plus additional shower stall. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.

And finally, Ketchikan is known as the “ Salmon Capital of the World” and is home to Creek Street, a historic boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants. If you've sailed with Holland America before, you are automatically welcomed into the Mariner Society. This means you are permanently granted preferential pricing and extra privileges on many future cruises. Maximizing your time by booking excursions in the ports is also important. That does make things cost a bit more, but it really does make this a bucket-list trip. I think with a veranda, excursions, and some of the higher-end dining, as well as making use of the ship amenities that appeal most to you, will make for a wonderful experience.

This is an additional charge restaurant, although coffee drinks are included with some beverage packages. 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. 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 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.

Night Glacier Discovery SouthboundDetails

Weekend departures give you the option to stretch your vacation and explore the Emerald City. For booked guests, please see our travel planning details on how to book an airport transfer. Explore the vast interior and the rugged coast on one amazing trip. Alaska cruisetours combine the iconic Alaska cruise with a voyage into Denali National Park and the Yukon Territory. We offer a fully comprehensive and unforgettable Denali experience based on our 75-year history in the Great Land. Our Alaska cruisetours feature transportation, accommodations and more to make your wildest Denali dreams come true.

It was truly an adventure, which included scenes all around Juneau, crampons, and hiking on the ice for a few glorious hours. The guides were also happy to take pictures, which was helpful, since I did this excursion solo. Alaska’s Inside Passage is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world—and it’s no wonder why.

Holland America restaurants: Your guide to food and dining on board - The Points Guy

Holland America restaurants: Your guide to food and dining on board.

Posted: Sat, 30 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

This roundtrip Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver delivers spellbinding scenery from narrow fjords to scattered islets and towering peaks. Get close to massive glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park and wait breathlessly for ice to calve off and plunge into the ocean. Inside Passage waters are as smooth as it gets, while on shore you’ll find endless thrills and chills. Fish for salmon in Ketchikan, helicopter onto Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, or ride the rails along the rugged White Pass Summit in Skagway.

Book your trip today and prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through the Last Frontier. If booking through an independent, ensure the operator guarantees to cover the cost to get you to the ship at the next port should the ship leave without you. I researched the activities made available through HAL and then through independent operators.

Eurodam was named “Best for Great Dining & Diverse Destinations” and features a vast selection of entertainment venues and restaurants. Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures. Enjoy a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle on Alaskan Explorer itineraries or from Vancouver on Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries. Will you be booking any of Holland America Lines’ Alaska voyages?

Linger at the face of frozen giants in Glacier Bay National Park. Or sidle up to Hubbard Glacier and watch house-sized icebergs cannon into the sea. Glaciers, wildlife and frontier towns are yours on these voyages. Our cruisetours combine an ocean cruise with a land tour into Alaska’s interior. Watch northern wilderness views unfold from aboard our glass-domed train, the McKinley Explorer®.

This is a dining experience, so allow up to two hours to enjoy the food and your dining companions. 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. 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. With an abundance of onboard activities and delicious dining options, there is never a dull moment on this luxurious ship.

Whether looking for relaxation or adventure, the Holland America Alaska cruise has something for everyone. When added to the introductory cruise price, the Have-it-All package includes an onboard credit, an excursion, a dinner at a specialty restaurant, WiFi, and the Signature drink package. Included in your price is the option of an assigned dining time or a flexible time in the main dining room. Those who choose a set dining time are given tables on the third deck, while those with flexible times are seated on the second. All transportation by bus, rail and cruise ship, as well as flights between Fairbanks and Dawson City, Whitehorse and Vancouver are covered on Alaska Land+Sea Journeys. If you prefer to let someone else deal with getting you from A to B on holiday, these transport-inclusive cruise-tours have got you covered.

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