Six Things to Love About an Alaska Cruise with Holland America
Cruisers can come out to the bow on Nieuw Amsterdam to take in all the sights available on a cruise in Alaska. (Photo by John Roberts)
Alaska is my favorite destination.
I had always heard so much about it and knew that I would go there someday. And when I did finally get there about 10 years ago, I was immediately hooked.
It’s got everything that’s good for the soul.
I’m talking about the fresh air, beautiful landscapes, fascinating wild creatures and an incredible remoteness that delivers unparalleled serenity for travelers who experience its immense awesomeness.
You won’t regret your decision to come to Alaska. However, when you finally commit to this big trip and start your planning, you want to make sure you’re doing it right.
Holland America Line has been cruising in Alaska for more than 75 years, and I have taken two of the line’s popular voyages here — one in each of the past two years.
This is the view you can have from your balcony cabin on a cruise to Alaska with Holland America. I have sailed to this great destination two years in a row with HAL and enjoyed the food, entertainment, shore excursions and wildlife. (Photo by John Roberts)
These big-ship cruises with Holland America to the land known as the Last Frontier are ideal for many travelers seeking to have memorable experiences with families or friends. It’s also special for those yearning for cultural and historical enrichment, while enjoying delightful entertainment alongside good food and drinks.
I cruised on HAL’s Nieuw Amsterdam this summer and last year on sister ship Eurodam to experience itineraries in Southeast Alaska, and these trips revealed at least six things that you’ll love about an Alaska cruise with Holland America.
1. Great for Multigenerational Families
Holland America's Alaska cruises offer activities that appeal to travelers of all ages, but the main attractions are the glaciers and wildlife. (Photo by John Roberts)
While it’s true that the age group onboard HAL cruises leans heavily toward “seniors” and those enjoying their retirement, I also was cruising in Alaska with several families with teens or even younger kids. Plus, some of our fellow cruisers were grandparents traveling with their grandkids to share the epic experiences. A large portion of travelers who cruise with Holland America in Alaska are taking their first cruise or their first trip with HAL.
Holland America offers daily programming that helps travelers learn all about Alaska. There are games and activities that cruisers of all ages will enjoy and that offer plenty of fun for families.
During my cruises on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, activities included Alaska Trivia contests, the junior ranger program for kids ages 3 to 11 and art classes — to learn subjects like brush lettering or origami — in the ship’s Art Studio.
The junior ranger program allows youngsters to meet the park rangers and learn about their jobs while asking questions about Alaska and its fascinating wildlife and geology. The rangers join the ship during your scenic cruising days, such as visiting Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park, and offer narration and presentations.
HAL also offers the Native Voices children’s program, which lets kids to meet the cultural ambassadors from the region — such as representatives from the Tlingit people who have been here for centuries.
Additionally, there are kids and teens clubs, so younger cruisers can make new friends. That way, they can escape the the “olds” for stretches of time to have fun among travelers their own age.
The ships feature a sports court with basketball hoops. This also is where the pickleball court is set up for free play and tournaments. Holland America Line has a partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association and is one of a growing number of cruise lines with ships that have pickleball courts.
Check out our full list of cruise ships with pickleball courts.
The kids also will like the two swimming pools on the ships. The Lido Deck pool offers a magrodome, so you can enjoy the space in all weather conditions. The Sea View pool at the very aft on Deck 9 allows you to swim and soak in the hot tubs with unobstructed views of the scenery.
This is my favorite spot to enjoy a hot soak while in view of a massive glacier.
2. Ideal for History Buffs
The cruises to Alaska visit historic ports like Skagway, Alaska, which developed as a prospector town during the gold rush era of the late 1800s. (Photo by John Roberts)
The World Stage is the main theater on the ships, and the daily program features several presentations or films that give cruisers an in-depth perspective of some of the wonderful history and stories from Alaska.
On the first day of our voyage, cruise and travel director Stephanie gave presentations and hosted chats to introduce cruisers to Alaska and the ports we would visit. Most people were visiting this destination for the first time.
She offered a Q & A session to discuss Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as a presentation called Holland America Line’s Origin Story, which gives a history of the legendary cruise line and offers insight into its long relationship with Alaska.
A presentation detailed the history of the state’s famous Iditarod dog sled race, and we saw a show called “Alaska Up Close: Ancestral Memories.”
Holland American Line brings park rangers onboard the ships when visiting national parks such as Glacier Bay. The rangers give narration during the full days of scenic cruising and time spent in the ice-filled fjords viewing the glaciers, mountain ranges and wildlife.
These experts provide in-depth insight into the geology and history of the region, in addition to talking about the animals you are seeing.
The cultural ambassadors also give presentations, such as the enlightening and moving “Native Voices: Stories of the Tlingit People” talk that people watched at the World Stage during our cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam.
Additional presentations were “Alaska Up Close: Pacific Giants,” looking at the whales of the region, and “Alaska Up Close: Breaking the Ice Ceiling,” showcasing pioneering women in Alaskan history.
3. Something for the Explorer in You
We rode the White Pass scenic railroad during our stop in Skagway. The railroad dates to 1897. (Photo by John Roberts)
Alaska is well known for its wild beauty and abundance of thrilling outdoors activities. Aside from viewing sea otters, orcas, whales and birds from the comfort of our ship, cruisers are offered a wide range of shore excursions that get you out into the wilderness to see the forests, fjords and glaciers from a different perspective.
Colleen and I have snorkeled in Ketchikan, hopped behind the wheel of an off-road vehicle for ATV adventures, ventured out on a tour boat for whale watching and taken off in a helicopter for some flightseeing on previous visits.
This time, we finally signed up for one of Holland America’s most popular shore excursions in Alaska. In Skagway, we went on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway scenic train ride. This ride takes you 20 miles up into the mountains, past valleys and gorges on a train line that was built 125 years ago for use during the gold rush era. It’s a fun ride with stunning scenery.
HAL offers a huge range of exciting shore activities for cruisers. Also in Skagway, there is a glacier discovery helicopter ride, a wilderness safari, an ocean raft adventure and a mushers camp and s’mores roasting or the mushers’ camp and sled dog experience during which you get to learn about and interact with the region’s legendary sled dogs.
You can also try zip lining or go on a bike tour in the rainforest.
Or how about trying gold panning or going on a wildlife quest during a rafting outing while floating on a river at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.
Those were just some of the choices in Skagway.
There also are excursions that include hiking, a glacier trek, time at a bear observatory, seaplane rides to a rustic and remote lodge for a fresh salmon feast or even trying some salmon fishing yourself.
We went fishing for salmon and other fish while in Ketchikan. We got to keep a few and have them for lunch, too. (Photos by John Roberts)
We had an incredible time in Ketchikan on a sport fishing excursion offered by Holland America. Captain James with Baranof Fishing took our small group of four people out on a skiff to fish for salmon, flounder and rock fish. We ventured out on the partly sunny day on calm waters about 20 minutes from the docks in Ketchikan. We reeled in a dozen fish and kept five to prep for a lunch at a rustic camp site in the woods near the shore of a rocky beach.
Captain James cleaned the fish, and the camp chef cooked them up for a delicious super-fresh meal.
Alaska has so much to offer!
4. Your Home Base for Wildlife Viewing
Nieuw Amsterdam features a number of outdoors spaces ideal for viewing wildlife and scenery in the fjords while on your cruise in Alaska. (Photo by John Roberts)
As I mentioned above, you will be out looking for a variety of animals, as well as landscapes, such as mountains, fjords, glaciers and icebergs while cruising.
During our weeklong trip in Southeast Alaska, we had three scenic cruising days visiting Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier and gliding south through the Inside Passage to Vancouver.
Cruisers gather at the Sea View pool deck for wildlife viewing and commentary from the onboard wildlife guides. (Photo by John Roberts)
Wildlife Guide Dominic provided commentary as we approached glaciers and told us stories of the region and details about the fascinating geology that makes it look so stunningly beautiful. Cruisers would pack into the ship’s Crow’s Nest, which is an observation lounge forward on Deck 11. This is a large and inviting space with 270-degree views through wraparound windows, cozy seating areas, the shore excursion desk, games and puzzles and the Explorations Cafe coffee shop.
HAL provides cruisers with a handy wildlife viewing guide and tips for how to best utilize your binoculars and the best locations and prime times for spotting certain kinds of animals.
We had a balcony cabin that allowed us to easily step outside to enjoy all the views. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)
We were able to spot Steller sea lions, rafts of sea otters and a few orcas, as well as bald eagles and numerous gulls while roaming the decks of Nieuw Amsterdam.
These HAL ships offer tons of open deck areas where people love to wander with their cameras and binoculars, always on the lookout for birds, marine mammals or a pretty landscape or sunset that might make a memorable photo.
We loved to walk to the aft of the promenade on Deck 3 to enjoy the wake view and sunsets. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)
The Promenade is on Deck 3, and it wraps around the entire ship, with three laps to a mile. It offers wide-open views and benches to sit and relax, as many people do all bundled up in the fresh air with their warm coats and blankets while enjoying the scenery.
The Sea View pool area at the aft of Deck 9 is a massive open space where people roam and meet up with the wildlife guides to look for birds or other wildlife in Alaska.
You also can walk around Deck 10 with unobstructed views in a full loop around the deck.
We saw several impressive glaciers along the route as we visited Glacier Bay National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. (Photo by John Roberts)
These are great spots that are always available in addition to the bow areas on Deck 5, 6 and 7 that are opened occasionally.
The bow areas are opened when you are cruising in a protected fjord or set up at the face of a glacier. Guides come out to answer questions from curious travelers, and the crew will set up a bar with hold and cold drink offerings in the large space on Deck 5.
In addition to the three full days of scenic cruising, we had periods of scenic cruising with the bows open as we departed Juneau and traversed the picturesque Gastineau Channel and during the morning approach to Ketchikan.
The crew of Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam serve cruisers Dutch pea soup on the bow as we enjoy the wildlife viewing and scenery. (Photo by John Roberts)
You also will love the Dutch pea soup that is served during one of your days of glacier spotting. Cruisers downed the warm and hearty bowls of deliciousness that are served on the bow on Deck 5.
5. A Wide Variety of Food
The Alaska Seafood Boil was just one of several themed dinners and other meals that focused on the fresh fish and other food that you can enjoy on your Alaska cruise. (Photo by John Roberts)
Food is a big part of these trips, and I had a dozens of chances to enjoy fresh Alaska seafood during my cruises on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam.
Holland America’s culinary program undergoes rigorous screening and has been certified sustainable by the state’s Responsible Fisheries Management organization.
Each day, we had a dizzying array of delicious food onboard. Of course, there are plenty of great options with the standard favorites at Italian eatery Canaletto, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Asian cuisine at Tamarind, burgers at the Dive In poolside grill, New York Deli & Pizza and the Lido Market buffet.
However, Nieuw Amsterdam goes all in on Alaskan culinary delights with daily specials on the menus throughout the ship.
The ship features a big variety of “Taste Alaska” menu items. On our program, we had baked salmon in puff pastry with lemon butter, glazed salmon in brown sugar, salmon in grilled teriyaki garlic, barbecue salmon bowl, cod with endives and the Alaska Seafood Boil.
The seafood boil is a popular meal held in a section of the Lido buffet. Cruisers make reservations and pay $35 for the special meal, which includes a clam chowder appetizer, huge pot filled with Dungeness crab, salmon, clams, shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob and potatoes.
It also includes a dessert. Ours was a nice fruit cobbler with vanilla ice cream.
Our favorite dinner was at Morimoto by Sea. The menu features a wonderful variety of pan-Asian dishes. (Photo by John Roberts)
Canaletto is an Italian specialty restaurant from Holland America. We enjoyed these dishes at the eatery. (Photos by John Roberts)
Nieuw Amsterdam also features the line’s only standalone Morimoto by Sea restaurant. This eatery offers delicious Asian dishes created in partnership with Chef Masaharu Morimoto, a famous Iron Chef from Japan, who is HAL’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador.
The menu has a fantastic variety of flavors. There are six appetizers, five side dishes and nine main courses. Plus, you can order from the sushi menu a la cart.
Colleen and I filled up with Tacos 2 Ways (sashimi yellowtail and spicy tuna with guacamole), pork gyoza dumplings and Sticky Ribs for starters. Then, we shared Tori Ramen Noodle Soup, Ishiyaki Buri Bop (Pacific yellowtail and white rice cooked table side in a hot bowl) and the broiled beef tenderloin steak with mushroom gravy.
The menu also offers a popular dish called Angry Lobster Pad Thai, as well as Shrimp Three Ways and Japanese Curry.
All the dishes looked amazing. People also rave about the Dark Chocolate Sphere dessert.
Morimoto by Sea is offered as a pop-up dining experience on all the other ship’s in the Holland America fleet. This happens in the Tamarind restaurant.
Food was also the focus of a couple activities onboard during our cruise. Executive Chef Bitta offered a cooking demonstration, showing cruisers how to create an Alaska salmon bowl.
Plus, there was an Alaska craft beer tasting offered ($15).
6. Wellness and Relaxation in the Wild
I spent a few mornings and afternoons at the relaxing Lido Pool area, which offers hot tubs, bar service and a see-through glass roof. (Photo by Colleen McDaniel)
In addition to the range of activities, music shows and food and shore excursion options available on a Holland America cruise in Alaska, you have plenty of ways to focus on your wellness regimen — whether that means keeping up with your workouts or just relaxing and refreshing during your trip.
Both Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam feature two swimming pools with hot tubs. The Lido Deck pool (Deck 9) is an all-weather space with a magrodome glass roof that can be opened or closed depending on the conditions. We had a couple beautiful days with it open to let in sunshine and fresh air. Other times, it was great to be able to enjoy the heated pool and hot tubs despite the chilly or rainy conditions.
There also is the Sea View pool at the aft of the ship on Deck 9. Both pools have convenient bars nearby.
The Greenhouse Spa offers a broad range of massages and other treatments. Colleen and I treated ourselves to a Swedish massage midway through our cruise to rejuvenate and reset for the rest of week full of activities.
The fitness center is a large facility with all kinds of cardio equipment and free weights available. I was impressed with the size of the gym. We would do our workouts in the afternoons and found it not too busy at all.
The daily program also is filled with exercise classes for cruisers to join, some for an added fee, such as the cycling, pilates and yoga classes, but most are included in your fare.
Fitness host Declan would lead a morning one-mile walk at 7 a.m., as well as daily tai chi classes by the Lido Pool. You also might try the sunrise stretch sessions in the fitness center.
Plus, there is a distinctively Alaska activity that some cruisers might find especially invigorating: the Polar Plunge.
HAL sets up the Sea View pool for cold plunging on the final sea day, and hearty travelers can join the Polar Plunge Club with a chilly dip while being cheered on by raucous supporters.
It’s the perfect way to put a stamp on this adventurous voyage.
About Our Cruise Itinerary
Nieuw Amsterdam is docked in Ketchikan. We made this stop near the end of our weeklong Alaska cruise with Holland America. (Photo by John Roberts)
Our cruise began in Whittier and ended in Vancouver. Whittier is a remote port town that you get to with flights into Anchorage. HAL offers hotel stays in Anchorage and transfers to your ship in Whittier via a bus or a scenic railroad trip.
We chose the scenic train transfer from Anchorage to Whittier to start our Alaska cruise. (Photo by John Roberts)
We opted to try the rail transfer and enjoyed the three-hour ride straight to the ship. There is bar and lunch service onboard the train, and we were able to view the passing scenery through the large windows and glass-downed roof of our train car.
Day 1: We embark in Whittier and sail through the Passage Canal into Prince William Sound to begin our journey.
Day 2: Scenic Cruising at Hubbard Glacier
Day 3: Scenic Cruising at Glacier Bay National Park
Day 4: Visit Skagway
Day 5: Visit Juneau
Day 6: Visit Ketchikan
Day 7: Scenic Cruising in the Inside Passage
Some More Notes Holland America Line Cruises in Alaska
Wi-Fi was outstanding on Nieuw Amsterdam the entire voyage. HAL’s internet is provided by Starlink, and our package allowed us to handle streaming, video conferencing and all other expected features — like checking email, uploading our photos and videos to the cloud storage and posting to social media — during the cruise.
We think balcony cabins are a must in Alaska. Check out our stateroom tour of our room from our recent trip.