My dad and I simply wrapped up a visit of a lifetime to Alaska. We had a tremendous 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 at all times wished to do an Alaska cruise however by no means received the possibility, so we did it in her honor.
Let’s get into my Holland America Alaska cruise overview!
The place we went on our Holland America Alaska cruise
I’ll break down every of our port stops under, 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 night time, 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 a whole lot 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 will likely be delivered to your room as much as a few hours later, so preserve any treatment and different necessary objects you may 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 dwelling to a number of specialty eating places, a bunch of leisure venues equivalent 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 courtroom on the highest decks together with a basketball hoop, strolling monitor, 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 heart 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 wanting straight out. It has two twin beds that may be pushed collectively or saved 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 very fact that there have been three per mattress. They had been comfortable as effectively. It’s the little issues, proper?
Cabin 6170, Aft Verandah Cabin aboard Holland America’s Eurodam
We discovered the house to be very comfy with satisfactory storage each beneath the mattress and within the closets. The balconies on the aft cabins appear to be a little bit larger than normal verandah cabins on the perimeters of the ship and had two chairs with footrests and a small desk.
There have been a number of electrical retailers within the cabin to cost your units proper subsequent to the mattress and by the desk. All of them had USB retailers so you’ll be able to plug your chargers immediately 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 problem.
Ports we visited on our Holland America Alaska cruise on the Eurodam
I informed you a little bit bit about our brief time in Seattle above and I’d positively advocate spending a day or two in Seattle both earlier than or after the cruise. There’s loads to see and do and it’s effectively price 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 simple hike to the Mendenhall Glacier first, adopted up by a scenic journey on a whale watching boat.
The hike to the glacier is gradual 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 best way.
The Mendenhall Glacier is beautiful in particular person and effectively well 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 best way. 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 just a few tail flips for us. It was a tremendous sight to witness! They moved too shortly for me to get a photograph, although.
Undoubtedly put on layers, gloves, and convey a hat or headband to cowl your ears. Despite the fact that we had good climate and it was June, you may get a bit splashed like I did. It additionally received windy and fairly cool towards the top of our tour and I used to be glad I dressed for the climate (excessive 40s F). Extra on what to put on under.
I imagine this was the Margerie Glacier. Simply WOW!
Glacier Bay
The subsequent day in Glacier Bay was one of many highlights of our Holland America Alaska cruise. Simply WOW! It jogged my memory of a few of the sights from our Norway journey!
The slim bay is flanked by majestic terrain on either side. From snow-capped mountains to glaciers and forests, it’s out of this world. Glacier Bay was an ideal mixture of calm and sweetness in a single. You probably have the possibility to go, DEFINITELY GO!
One thing I appreciated that basically helped us to see every little thing was how the captain stopped a number of instances and slowly turned the ship 360 levels. Everybody on board was in a position to 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 attempting our hand at pickleball, we pulled into Icy Strait Level round 6 p.m. and promptly hopped off the ship to go out to our kayaking tour. Even if neither my dad nor I’ve kayaked a lot up to now decade, we figured it might be enjoyable. Oh boy, had 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 had been simply laughing the entire time wanting like degenerates on the very again of the group with the second tour information.
We tried our greatest and eventually received a little bit higher and joined the remainder of the group. Our group even noticed a sea lion and bald eagle (most likely laughing at our pitiful kayaking expertise lol).
Kayaking is tougher than it appears to be like, let me say that. Thank goodness it was a newbie tour, nothing strenuous, so we didn’t get too far behind. When you can paddle ahead, you’re in good condition.
Alongside the best way, the guides informed us in regards to the native space together with the wildlife, what life is like there, and the worth of groceries. They defined how every little thing 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 supplied us with particular pants, a life jacket, and a leg protecting 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 journey that I want we had time for. Tom would have cherished 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, should you cease like our group did just a few instances to hearken to the information, there are midges (bugs) that can 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 entire brow regarded like he had the measles. They light 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’ll be able to stroll round and take within the lovely surroundings whereas buying or grabbing a chunk to eat.
Monumental King Crab legs on the market in Sitka, Alaska
Take a look at the most important King Crab legs I’ve ever seen. I assumed they had been faux at first!
We did a little bit memento buying after which headed again to the ship within the afternoon.
One of the vital beautiful 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. Be sure to arrive early so you will get a entrance row seat.
It’s a 3-hour tour that stays throughout the calm waters of the Inside Passage, so that you positively gained’t get seasick. Alongside the best way, you’ll be handled to tales from Bering Sea fishermen and even get to see and maintain a few of the crabs they catch. The King Crabs had been HUGE and the most important I’ve ever seen. Every thing is launched again into the ocean.
Solely the tour guides had been allowed to carry these as a result of if not achieved appropriately, they might break your finger!
Two components of the tour had 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 type.
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 cherished one and we knew it was one thing we wished to contribute to as effectively. It was good, contemplating the entire objective of our journey — to honor my mother and take her on her bucket checklist journey.
The donations go towards serving to an area group of natives who’ve misplaced fishermen over time. They rely upon fishing to dwell and donations go towards serving to their households. We made a donation and received our personal clean tag that can then get connected 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 night time, 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 had been drained, we figured we’d catch Victoria one other time and name it an early night time.
Holland America Line Eurodam meals
OK, let’s transfer on to what we ate!
For meals, you’ve got a number of choices in your Holland America Alaska cruise:
–Buffet on Deck 9, the Lido Deck (for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
–Essential Eating Room on Decks 2-3 (for breakfast and dinner, and lunch on sure days)
–Specialty eating eating places (extra payment, 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 crucial meal of the day! We’re breakfast lovers and had no scarcity of decisions. Because it’s our favourite meal of the day, we went massive and tried nearly every little thing on the menu. Standouts for me had been pancakes, French toast, Belgian waffles, omelets, and the sausage patties (you’ll be able to’t get them in France!).
You possibly can both have breakfast upstairs on the buffet on the Lido Deck 9, in the primary 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 foremost eating room.
We opted for a room service breakfast on the morning we arrived in Ketchikan, as we had an early tour and the primary 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 had 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 primary eating room each night time apart from the primary night time the place we had booked a desk forward of time on the Pinnacle Grill. You possibly can guide specialty eating places forward of time or when you’re on board, however when you have your coronary heart set on a selected day and time, positively reserve a desk forward of time or on the primary day since reservations are required. My dad received lamb and I received rooster. Each had been glorious. There are additionally vegetarian choices.
To sum up my ideas on the meals, effectively, I can’t reward the meals sufficient. We didn’t have a single subpar meal on the Eurodam. We ate every little thing 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 measurement, I’d say. They had been excellent.
I’d additionally prefer to level out that the whole Holland America workers took further care with my meals allergy and no errors had been made. I let the eating workers supervisor learn about my drawback with citrus proper after we boarded and everybody was made conscious.
This was actually necessary 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 nerve-racking for me. Thanks, Holland America, for taking allergic reactions severely.
What to pack for an Alaska cruise
This might be a whole put up in and of itself, however listed below are just a few fast suggestions for what to pack for an Alaska cruise in June.
A light-weight rain jacket, skinny goose down packable puffer jacket, each brief and lengthy sleeved shirts, and durable mountaineering footwear/sneakers are a should. I’d advocate carrying non-cotton pants that gained’t soak up water, so depart your denims on the boat and go for quick-drying pants on excursions.
A shawl, gloves, and a hat are must-have objects as effectively. I wore a poncho (above) for our Whales & Trails tour and it served me effectively within the drizzle. An umbrella would have labored as effectively.
I’d advocate being ready for quite a lot of climate circumstances 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 is never 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, it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account mountaineering boots and extra gear should you’re doing all-day mountaineering, fishing, and so forth. However for the common cruiser, what I’ve talked about above is enough. Additionally remember that there are laundry providers on board.
In case you are planning on going to the spa or the new tubs or pool, don’t overlook your swimsuit. On our first day as we left Seattle, it was within the low 70s F and folks had been within the pool, so it’s not at all times too chilly to swim.
I’ll level out that our tour guides in Juneau remarked that it was a bit cooler than ordinary (within the 40s F), however nonetheless, positively deliver layers and be prepared for something.
Issues I introduced that I by no means ended up carrying: 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 elaborate 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 come in 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 arms 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 season 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 conversant in Holland America Line in any respect. After I requested round, folks stated it’s for aged folks and the ships don’t have a lot occurring.
However the stereotypes didn’t maintain true.
Alaska is a fairly energetic vacation spot with many cruisers choosing energetic excursions like kayaking, mountaineering, and extra, so I discovered the opposite passengers to be on the youthful aspect general. I’d say over 90% had been American (whereas on our Norway journey, the bulk had been Dutch).
I don’t have stats from the cruise line, however the common age was most likely 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 father or mother firm — and its cruises are for individuals who desire a basic, upscale cruise expertise at no matter age.
College is out in June in lots of areas of the U.S. so it is smart that we noticed a bunch of youngsters and teenagers. As we get additional into the summer season season, I’m positive that can solely improve. The common age skews older exterior of peak season.
When you haven’t severely 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 people on board nevertheless it was a pleasant combine. I positively didn’t really feel like I used to be on a retirement cruise by any means. Not that that may be a nasty factor, however for these of you interested by the common age, I simply wished to share my expertise.
Whilst you gained’t discover water slides, mountain climbing partitions, ice skating rinks, and moist tee shirt contests on Holland America, you will see nice music, vacation spot talks, expertly choreographed dance exhibits on the World Stage, a on line casino, fitness center, 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 cherished was the library the place you’ll be able to borrow a guide in the course of the cruise. I learn Lucy Foley’s “The Paris Condo” and cherished 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 effectively after midnight. We additionally cherished the dance exhibits. The six dancers that made up Step One carried out superbly.
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 fashion and feels extra low-key than different cruise strains. What I imply is that you simply 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 effectively previous midnight.
We additionally didn’t witness any loopy habits that folks generally affiliate with cruises. You realize, overly inebriated people who make a scene and that form of factor whereas carrying their swimsuit to dinner. None of that to be discovered!
Holland America is stylish and attracts a clientele searching for an upscale, cultured expertise. Even in school, I used to be 20 occurring 60 and am not massive into nightlife and partying. I’m an early riser and go to mattress effectively earlier than midnight, so a few of the extra vigorous nightlife you’ll discover on different cruise strains isn’t my factor anyway.
For me, Holland America is suited to my private cruise fashion. Nice meals, a pleasant number of music and leisure, properly outfitted fitness center, a on line casino and spa, and a great deal of areas through which to loosen up and hang around.
***
Our Holland America Alaska cruise was completely unbelievable and I hope my mother was in a position to 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 essentially the most significant journey I’ve ever taken and it was introduced me a lot consolation to have been in a position to do it with my dad.
I hope you’ll take a look at Holland America Line on your subsequent Alaska cruise and that you simply’ll have as a lot enjoyable as we did!
Disclosure: Please notice our Holland America Alaska cruise was NOT a press journey.
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