My dad and I simply wrapped up a visit of a lifetime to Alaska. We had an incredible time aboard Holland America Line‘s Eurodam on our 7-day Alaska cruise. This was a really particular journey to honor my mother who handed away in October 2021. She had all the time wished to do an Alaska cruise however by no means received the prospect, so we did it in her honor.
Let’s get into my Holland America Alaska cruise evaluation!
The place we went on our Holland America Alaska cruise
I’ll break down every of our port stops beneath, however right here’s our 7-Day Alaskan Explorer cruise itinerary at a look aboard the Holland America Eurodam ship from June 3-10, 2023:
Saturday: Departed Seattle, 3 p.m.
Sunday: At sea
Monday: Juneau, 1 p.m.-10 p.m.
Tuesday: Glacier Bay scenic cruising & Icy Strait Level night arrival 6 p.m-10 p.m.
Wednesday: Sitka, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday: Ketchikan, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday: Victoria, British Columbia 8 p.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday: Seattle arrival, 7 a.m.
Right here we’re on the Area Needle!
Our Holland America Alaska cruise left from Seattle on Saturday afternoon however we arrived Thursday evening, which gave us a little bit of a buffer in case our flight was delayed. The early arrival additionally allowed us to discover Seattle. It was our first time there and the climate cooperated. We had sunny skies and temps within the excessive 60s F. It was actually a heat welcome!
First up, we visited Pike Place and the unique Starbucks within the early morning hours (thanks jetlag!) and retraced my mother’s footsteps from years in the past when she went to Seattle on a enterprise journey. We additionally went to the Seattle Artwork Museum and the Area Needle earlier than the cruise left and had lots of enjoyable discovering Seattle.
My dad and I arrived on the ship on Saturday morning round 11am and the embarkation course of had us on the boat and in our room at midday. One factor to notice is that your baggage might be delivered to your room as much as a few hours later, so preserve any treatment and different vital gadgets you would possibly want instantly in your carry-on.
The ship: Holland America Line’s Eurodam
The Eurodam was Holland America Line’s first Signature Class ship, accomplished in 2008, and accommodates about 2,100 passengers and is 936 toes lengthy. It’s house to a number of specialty eating places, a bunch of leisure venues similar to B.B. King’s Blues Membership the place you’ll hear all types of R&B classics, a World Stage for the dance, different performances, and talks, and Billboard Onboard.
There’s additionally a pickleball court docket on the highest decks together with a basketball hoop, strolling observe, ping pong, swimming pools, and sizzling tubs.
If stress-free on the spa is extra your factor, you’ll discover the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® up on Deck 9 subsequent to the health middle full with hydropools. There’s additionally a on line casino down on Deck 2 with each desk video games and slot machines.
Cabin 6170, Aft Verandah Cabin aboard Holland America’s Eurodam
We stayed in cabin 6170 of the Eurodam which is an aft verandah cabin on the very again of the ship trying straight out. It has two twin beds that may be pushed collectively or stored separate, a sofa that may be pulled out to a 3rd mattress, desk space, and a toilet that had a bath (not only a bathe cabin).
I appreciated the completely different sized pillows and the actual fact that there have been three per mattress. They have been cozy as properly. It’s the little issues, proper?
Cabin 6170, Aft Verandah Cabin aboard Holland America’s Eurodam
We discovered the house to be very snug with enough storage each below the mattress and within the closets. The balconies on the aft cabins appear to be just a little larger than normal verandah cabins on the edges of the ship and had two chairs with footrests and a small desk.
There have been a number of electrical shops within the cabin to cost your gadgets proper subsequent to the mattress and by the desk. All of them had USB shops so you may plug your chargers straight into the USB ports.
The cabin was a ten/10. Zero complaints! We didn’t discover it to be any louder or extra liable to movement than different cabins so seasickness wasn’t a difficulty.
Ports we visited on our Holland America Alaska cruise on the Eurodam
I instructed you just a little bit about our quick time in Seattle above and I’d undoubtedly advocate spending a day or two in Seattle both earlier than or after the cruise. There’s lots to see and do and it’s properly value leaving your self some further time.
Juneau
Our first port was Juneau and we had a whale watching/glacier tour booked. It was a small group tour of simply 20 folks and included a straightforward hike to the Mendenhall Glacier first, adopted up by a scenic journey on a whale watching boat.
The hike to the glacier is sluggish and simple and solely a couple of mile lengthy. The tour firm has entry to a personal path that takes you to the glacier, so there have been no crowds alongside the way in which.
The Mendenhall Glacier is gorgeous in particular person and properly definitely worth the journey. We realized that it’s receding little by little every year so we’re glad to have seen it earlier than it disappears. We additionally realized a bit in regards to the space and its wildlife alongside the way in which. We even noticed a porcupine in a tree.
Then, it was time to board our whale watching boat. We lucked out and noticed about 15 whales! Tour boats wants to remain 100 yards away from the whales, however even at that distance we noticed the whales as they got here to the floor and even did a number of tail flips for us. It was an incredible sight to witness! They moved too rapidly for me to get a photograph, although.
Undoubtedly put on layers, gloves, and convey a hat or headband to cowl your ears. Although we had good climate and it was June, you would possibly get a bit splashed like I did. It additionally received windy and fairly cool towards the tip of our tour and I used to be glad I dressed for the climate (excessive 40s F). Extra on what to put on beneath.
I imagine this was the Margerie Glacier. Simply WOW!
Glacier Bay
The following day in Glacier Bay was one of many highlights of our Holland America Alaska cruise. Simply WOW! It jogged my memory of among the sights from our Norway journey!
The slender bay is flanked by majestic terrain on each side. From snow-capped mountains to glaciers and forests, it’s out of this world. Glacier Bay was an ideal mixture of calm and wonder in a single. You probably have the prospect to go, DEFINITELY GO!
One thing I appreciated that basically helped us to see every part was how the captain stopped a number of instances and slowly turned the ship 360 levels. Everybody on board was capable of see Glacier Bay in all its glory it doesn’t matter what aspect their cabin was on.
On our kayaking tour!
Icy Strait Level
Later that day after hitting the on line casino a bit and making an attempt our hand at pickleball, we pulled into Icy Strait Level round 6 p.m. and promptly hopped off the ship to move out to our kayaking tour. Even though neither my dad nor I’ve kayaked a lot prior to now decade, we figured it will be enjoyable. Oh boy, have been we in for a shock.
For the lifetime of us, we couldn’t get the dang tandem kayak to go straight for the primary half of the tour. We have been simply laughing the entire time trying like degenerates on the very again of the group with the second tour information.
We tried our greatest and eventually received just a little higher and joined the remainder of the group. Our group even noticed a sea lion and bald eagle (in all probability laughing at our pitiful kayaking expertise lol).
Kayaking is tougher than it appears, let me say that. Thank goodness it was a newbie tour, nothing strenuous, so we didn’t get too far behind. In case you can paddle ahead, you’re in fine condition.
Alongside the way in which, the guides instructed us in regards to the native space together with the wildlife, what life is like there, and the value of groceries. They defined how every part needs to be flown in and the meat and dairy merchandise are almost at their expiration date upon arrival.
You do get a bit moist whereas kayaking and the tour firm offered us with particular pants, a life jacket, and a leg masking so we wouldn’t get too moist, so relaxation assured you’ll have all of the gear you want for this tour.
We completed up round 9 p.m and needed to get again to the ship. There was a cool gondola trip that I want we had time for. Tom would have beloved that. Subsequent time, I suppose! All in all, the kayaking was enjoyable and as soon as we figured issues out, the tour went much more easily.
Additionally, in the event you cease like our group did a number of instances to hearken to the information, there are midges (bugs) that may chunk your face. My dad didn’t really feel them biting him and after we received again to the ship, I gasped as a result of his complete brow appeared like he had the measles. They pale after a day or so, however be ready.
Sitka
We didn’t have an tour booked and determined to discover Sitka on our personal. There’s a free shuttle proper from the port that’ll get you into city in about 10 minutes. The downtown space is correct on the water so you may stroll round and take within the stunning surroundings whereas procuring or grabbing a chunk to eat.
Huge King Crab legs on the market in Sitka, Alaska
Take a look at the largest King Crab legs I’ve ever seen. I assumed they have been faux at first!
We did just a little memento procuring after which headed again to the ship within the afternoon.
One of the gorgeous issues I’ve ever seen with my very own eyes.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan was the place we did the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s tour with crew from the Deadliest Catch actuality present. It was the spotlight of our journey and will get a ten out of 10. You board the Aleutian Ballad that’s been outfitted for excursions and you’ve got the choice to take a seat both upstairs or downstairs. Ensure you arrive early so you may get a entrance row seat.
It’s a 3-hour tour that stays inside the calm waters of the Inside Passage, so that you undoubtedly gained’t get seasick. Alongside the way in which, you’ll be handled to tales from Bering Sea fishermen and even get to see and maintain among the crabs they catch. The King Crabs have been HUGE and the largest I’ve ever seen. All the things is launched again into the ocean.
Solely the tour guides have been allowed to carry these as a result of if not completed appropriately, they might break your finger!
Two elements of the tour have been particularly shifting for us. The primary was when the fishermen threw bait into the water which attracted about 20-30 bald eagles. We noticed them up shut as they dove into the water to seize the fish with their claws.
They swooped down and round on this flying frenzy like nothing I’ve ever seen earlier than. It was fairly a present! To have the ability to witness this in nature — not in a zoo — was extraordinarily emotional for my dad and me and we knew my mother was with us. I’m so grateful we received to see that.
Fast apart: I really made a memorial diamond from my mother’s ashes and she or he had her homecoming in March 2023. This particular journey is the primary (hopefully of many) the place my mother got here alongside in diamond kind.
The second factor which was particularly significant to us was when the crew pulled up a crab pot that had a bunch of tags on it. They defined that every tag had a handwritten message from friends who wished to honor a beloved one and we knew it was one thing we wished to contribute to as properly. It was good, contemplating the entire objective of our journey — to honor my mother and take her on her bucket listing journey.
The donations go towards serving to a neighborhood group of natives who’ve misplaced fishermen over time. They rely on fishing to dwell and donations go towards serving to their households. We made a donation and received our personal clean tag that may then get hooked up to the crab pot with all of the others. I wrote my message, signed the tag, and smiled regardless of the tears.
Victoria, BC
It was a wet and funky evening, so my dad and I made a decision to remain on the ship. It was a late arrival, and since we had meals and drinks on the boat and have been drained, we figured we’d catch Victoria one other time and name it an early evening.
Holland America Line Eurodam meals
OK, let’s transfer on to what we ate!
For meals, you’ve gotten a number of choices in your Holland America Alaska cruise:
–Buffet on Deck 9, the Lido Deck (for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
–Important Eating Room on Decks 2-3 (for breakfast and dinner, and lunch on sure days)
–Specialty eating eating places (further charge, for lunch and dinner)
–Room service (24/7)
—Dive-In and New York Pizza on Deck 9 (Dive-in closes at 6 p.m. however NY Pizza stays open till 11 p.m.)
First, I’ll begin with a very powerful meal of the day! We’re breakfast lovers and had no scarcity of selections. Because it’s our favourite meal of the day, we went large and tried nearly every part on the menu. Standouts for me have been pancakes, French toast, Belgian waffles, omelets, and the sausage patties (you may’t get them in France!).
You possibly can both have breakfast upstairs on the buffet on the Lido Deck 9, in the principle eating room at a sit-down desk with a menu and waiter, or go for room service (which is free). We cut up our breakfasts between the buffet and fundamental eating room.
We opted for a room service breakfast on the morning we arrived in Ketchikan, as we had an early tour and the principle eating room wasn’t open but (needed to be out the door by 7:30am and that’s when it opened). The buffet opens at 6 a.m., although for the early risers.
For lunch, we often hit the buffet and had a small lunch and saved our urge for food for dinner. I attempted Dive-In and New York Pizza and each have been glorious. Dive-In is sort of a Shake Shack-style place with a bunch of burger, sizzling canine, and fry choices.
For dinner, we ate in the principle eating room each evening apart from the primary evening the place we had booked a desk forward of time on the Pinnacle Grill. You possibly can ebook specialty eating places forward of time or when you’re on board, however in case you have your coronary heart set on a selected day and time, undoubtedly reserve a desk forward of time or on the primary day since reservations are required. My dad received lamb and I received rooster. Each have been glorious. There are additionally vegetarian choices.
To sum up my ideas on the meals, properly, I can’t reward the meals sufficient. We didn’t have a single subpar meal on the Eurodam. We ate every part from fish and shrimp to beef and lamb and even escargots. Desserts ranged from tiramisu, to a sizzling fudge sundae, to a fruit crumble, and a lot extra. Parts are on the medium dimension, I’d say. They have been good.
I’d additionally prefer to level out that the whole Holland America workers took further care with my meals allergy and no errors have been made. I let the eating workers supervisor find out about my downside with citrus proper after we boarded and everybody was made conscious.
This was actually vital to me as a result of generally I get nervous at eating places when the workers doesn’t appear too assured about what’s of their meals, however this was not an issue in any respect on our cruise and I used to be so grateful that mealtime wasn’t worrying for me. Thanks, Holland America, for taking allergy symptoms significantly.
What to pack for an Alaska cruise
This may very well be a complete submit in and of itself, however listed here are a number of fast ideas for what to pack for an Alaska cruise in June.
A lightweight rain jacket, skinny goose down packable puffer jacket, each quick and lengthy sleeved shirts, and durable climbing sneakers/sneakers are a should. I’d advocate sporting non-cotton pants that gained’t take up water, so go away your denims on the boat and go for quick-drying pants on excursions.
A shawl, gloves, and a hat are must-have gadgets as properly. I wore a poncho (above) for our Whales & Trails tour and it served me properly within the drizzle. An umbrella would have labored as properly.
I’d advocate being ready for quite a lot of climate situations together with rain and wind, with temps that vary from the 40s-70s F. In Juneau, it was about 48 F as a excessive and it received cool and moist on our whale watching tour. Similar for Glacier Bay — not hotter than 50 F and it was cloudy.
The solar got here and went and I used to be glad I layered up. Within the cooler ports, I had on a t-shirt, lengthy sleeved medium-weight hoodie, my packable puffer jacket, and a thigh-length rain jacket (plus a shawl and gloves), plus sneakers. And I’m somebody who isn’t chilly. What I wore was good.
Different days, I left the puffer coat on the ship and simply wore an extended sleeve shirt and rain jacket.
Relying in your excursions, you could need to contemplate climbing boots and extra gear in the event you’re doing all-day climbing, fishing, and so forth. However for the common cruiser, what I’ve talked about above is ample. Additionally needless to say there are laundry providers on board.
In case you are planning on going to the spa or the recent tubs or pool, don’t overlook your swimsuit. On our first day as we left Seattle, it was within the low 70s F and other people have been within the pool, so it’s not all the time too chilly to swim.
I’ll level out that our tour guides in Juneau remarked that it was a bit cooler than common (within the 40s F), however nonetheless, undoubtedly convey layers and be prepared for something.
Issues I introduced that I by no means ended up sporting: Shorts, sandals, and my gown. The formal/gala nights are fairly low-key in Alaska and loads of folks opted out or simply wore good pants (it’s fairly cool on the ship) and a dressy high — not a flowery gown. I additionally packed about 4 tops I by no means touched.
2 Issues I ought to have introduced that I forgot: A refillable water bottle. Completely slipped my thoughts! It’s nice for each on the ship and off. That is the one I forgot (with a sports activities high).
Additionally, hand cream would have turn out to be useful (couldn’t resist the pun!). Whereas there’s common physique lotion within the cabin, a moisturizing hand cream would have been nice to have. That is my favourite. Your palms will get dry from all of the hand washing and hand sanitizer, in addition to from the cool climate.
What’s a Holland America Line cruise like?
Earlier than final summer time when Tom and I went to Norway on Holland America’s Rotterdam, I didn’t know what to anticipate. As a teen and younger grownup, I had cruised on Carnival and wasn’t acquainted with Holland America Line in any respect. Once I requested round, folks mentioned it’s for aged folks and the ships don’t have a lot happening.
However the stereotypes didn’t maintain true.
Alaska is a fairly lively vacation spot with many cruisers choosing lively excursions like kayaking, climbing, and extra, so I discovered the opposite passengers to be on the youthful aspect total. I’d say over 90% have been American (whereas on our Norway journey, the bulk have been Dutch).
I don’t have stats from the cruise line, however the common age was in all probability 50 (not 80!), with many {couples} of their 20s and 30s and plenty of multigenerational households cruising collectively.
Remember that Holland America is an American-owned cruise line — Carnival Company is the guardian firm — and its cruises are for individuals who need a basic, upscale cruise expertise at no matter age.
Faculty is out in June in lots of areas of the U.S. so it is sensible that we noticed a bunch of children and youths. As we get additional into the summer time season, I’m certain that may solely improve. The common age skews older exterior of peak season.
In case you haven’t significantly thought of Holland America as a result of it has a rep for being a cruise line for senior residents, I’d urge you to rethink. Sure, there have been older of us on board but it surely was a pleasant combine. I undoubtedly didn’t really feel like I used to be on a retirement cruise by any means. Not that that might be a nasty factor, however for these of you interested by the common age, I simply wished to share my expertise.
When you gained’t discover water slides, mountain climbing partitions, ice skating rinks, and moist tee shirt contests on Holland America, one can find nice music, vacation spot talks, expertly choreographed dance exhibits on the World Stage, a on line casino, health club, spa, and a bunch of every day on-board actions like tai chi, pickleball, origami folding, a recreation room, and all types of different issues to maintain you busy.
One thing I beloved was the library the place you may borrow a ebook during the cruise. I learn Lucy Foley’s “The Paris Residence” and beloved sitting within the Barnes & Noble-esque library chairs watching the waves from the window. It was an ideal cruise (or seashore) learn!
One other spotlight was the B.B. King’s Blues Membership. The musicians ROCKED and infrequently had crowds properly after midnight. We additionally beloved the dance exhibits. The six dancers that made up Step One carried out fantastically.
Would I cruise with Holland America Line once more?
Completely, sure. This was my second Holland America Line cruise (Norway was my first, and this was my dad’s first, of hopefully many) and we had a good time!
Holland America has a extra basic type and feels extra low-key than different cruise strains. What I imply is that you just gained’t discover actions on the schedule at 2 a.m. The exhibits don’t have a solid of 30 folks. There’s additionally no nightclub/DJ, though there’s a dance flooring at B.B King’s and leisure that may span properly previous midnight.
We additionally didn’t witness any loopy habits that individuals generally affiliate with cruises. , overly inebriated of us who make a scene and that type of factor whereas sporting their swimsuit to dinner. None of that to be discovered!
Holland America is elegant and attracts a clientele searching for an upscale, cultured expertise. Even in school, I used to be 20 happening 60 and am not large into nightlife and partying. I’m an early riser and go to mattress properly earlier than midnight, so among the extra energetic nightlife you’ll discover on different cruise strains isn’t my factor anyway.
For me, Holland America is suited to my private cruise type. Nice meals, a pleasant choice of music and leisure, properly geared up health club, a on line casino and spa, and a great deal of areas during which to calm down and hang around.
***
Our Holland America Alaska cruise was completely unimaginable and I hope my mother was capable of get pleasure from it too. I’ve to imagine she was there with us in spirit and is at peace. Cheers to Alaska and thanks to my dad. 😉 This was probably the most significant journey I’ve ever taken and it was introduced me a lot consolation to have been capable of do it with my dad.
I hope you’ll try Holland America Line in your subsequent Alaska cruise and that you just’ll have as a lot enjoyable as we did!
Disclosure: Please observe our Holland America Alaska cruise was NOT a press journey.
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