Stepping aboard the MS Koningsdam in Vancouver, BC, I used to be excited to see how Holland America’s Alaska sailings have modified previously decade. Again then, I’d boarded the Westerdam as we headed for what’s often called The Final Frontier.
Whereas this journey was on a distinct ship, the Koningsdam wasn’t precisely unfamiliar, given I used to be on board her inaugural crusing in Europe in 2016.
With the newest Alaska season kicking into excessive gear, be part of me as I spend the following week on this Southeast Alaska crusing, taking you alongside from embarkation to disembarkation and discussing every part in between. From meals to onboard actions, we’ll provide you with an concept of precisely what to anticipate when crusing with Holland America in Alaska.
The place is our Alaska cruise going?
In some methods, it is a fairly customary Alaskan itinerary. One factor I like is that we’re departing from Vancouver. Many ships sail from Seattle, and whereas that’s a terrific choice (and simpler for a lot of passengers), leaving Vancouver will get you to the websites the place we’re all right here to see a lot faster. So right here’s our itinerary.
The road lately added a “Glacier Day,” so I’m excited to expertise that on Wednesday.
| Day | Port |
|---|---|
| Saturday | Vancouver |
| Sunday | Inside Passage |
| Monday | Juneau, Alaska |
| Tuesday | Skagway, Alaska |
| Wednesday | Glacier Bay, Alaska |
| Thursday | Ketchikan, Alaska |
| Friday | Inside Passage |
| Saturday | Vancouver |
Embarkation Course of in Vancouver
Embarkation in Vancouver was environment friendly, which I’ve discovered to be the case more often than not I’ve sailed out of this port. I’ve boarded every part from smaller ships like Seabourn to mega-ships carrying over 5,000 folks in Vancouver and have by no means encountered any points. It’s all about timing and while you arrive on the pier.
Curiously, it’s a must to clear customs at embarkation, which helps keep away from a congested debarkation with a number of ships all attempting to clear customs concurrently.
The Port of Vancouver says cruise ships are thought-about US jurisdiction, so that you technically go away one nation and go to a different when stepping from Vancouver to the cruise ship.
Yesterday was a three-ship day with Sapphire Princess, Superstar Edge, and our ship, which suggests about 7,000 company disembarking and the identical quantity embarking. Discuss a busy turn-around day!
We arrived on the terminal round 10:00 a.m., went by safety and customs, the place facial recognition was used, and handed by with out delays. Nevertheless, somebody with a overseas passport would often get flagged and want to talk to an agent.
It’s crucial to pay shut consideration after clear customs as a result of the road splits into three completely different instructions, with signage pointing to every ship.
Whereas strolling and talking with some company about to board Superstar Edge, I by chance discovered myself within the boarding line for his or her ship! So, I hurried again to our line, noticing that folks from Sapphire Princess had been in our line too—so it wasn’t simply me!
Impressions of ms Koningsdam
Stepping aboard the ms Koningsdam, a wave of familiarity set in, a nod to my earlier voyages on Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ships just like the Rotterdam final 12 months.
Koningsdam distinguishes itself with its vibrant musical theme—an ode to the maestros of melody from Mozart to Beethoven and stars from the fashionable music scene.
Over the previous few years, Holland America has made big strides in making an attempt to tell apart its onboard leisure choices from these you’ll discover on different strains. That stated, I’m to see what’s provided this week, as I’ve heard rumblings from some longtime Holland America followers about modifications in that space.
This ship transforms each hall right into a gallery with its eclectic artwork installations. Think about strolling by a corridor of fame the place portraits of legendary composers and modern icons are crafted from sudden objects like classic 3.5-inch floppy disks.
These vivid items of art work aren’t simply decor, they’re an immersive expertise and a great way to study the ship whereas getting some train as they’re all in stairwell.
Consolation and Facilities within the Cabin
Our balcony cabin on deck 5 starboard was cozy and acquainted.
After opening the door, I discovered three closet doorways to our left and the toilet to our proper. The stateroom required the keycard to activate the lights. (Professional tip: Convey a enterprise card while you cruise on nearly any ship, because it’ll work within the slot simply as nicely. And in case you overlook to take away what you are promoting card while you go away the stateroom, it’s rather a lot much less problematic than leaving your keycard within the slot and locking your self out!)
The cabin provided ample storage with almost a dozen dresser drawers and enormous drawers on the foot of every mattress. Bear in mind, this ship is designed for for much longer voyages than the 7-night one I’m on.
The room has 5 plugs, three USB connections, and two European plugs on the self-importance. This was loads to cost the gear I introduced onboard, together with a digital camera, laptop computer, cellphone, and battery packs.
The lavatory was stocked with Elemis tub merchandise and a hinged glass bathe door, a welcome improve that many cruise strains at the moment are implementing.
Crusing away from Vancouver
The sailaway from Vancouver was promptly at 4:00 p.m., set towards a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and hovering seaplanes. The temper on the deck was extra “take within the unbelievable websites” than “wild sailaway occasion,” which suited my temper completely.
The photograph alternatives are limitless when crusing from Vancouver, from spinning round within the harbor to going beneath the bridge, to passing Vancouver Island a pair hours later.
We additionally handed a fleet of cruise ships heading again to Vancouver to a Sunday embarkation: Brilliance of the Seas, ms Noordam, and Superstar Solstice.
Eating and Leisure on Koningsdam
After settling in, I headed to the Lido Market for lunch, having fun with a competition of meals choices from numerous cuisines worldwide. I went with a seared tuna salad and water (fundamental, I do know) for lunch. It was simply what the physician ordered to get my urge for food again on observe. Journey exhausts some folks, nevertheless it primarily screws with my urge for food.
The subsequent few hours had been a little bit of a blur, as embarkation days are usually. You unpack and unwind, and you perform a little little bit of exploring. As a result of cruise ships are floating cities, that first day or two is like attending to know your new hometown. As I discussed, I’d been on the ship earlier than, however that was years in the past.
I’ve wandered round many ships between then and now, so I spent a while strolling down hallways and saying, “Oh, yeah, I keep in mind… I would like to verify to take a look at this place later!”
The subsequent factor I knew, it was dinnertime!
For dinner, I opted for a fast salad earlier than attending the primary presentation on the World Stage, Vacation spot Alaska. Holland America prides itself on doing these info-packed mini-seminars extraordinarily nicely.
On this case, the discuss was informative, mixing particulars about our route with highlights of every port, and ended with a pitch for shore excursions, which satisfied me to e book the White Move Railroad shore tour for our day in Skagway.
This line has excelled in its partnerships with B.B. King’s Blues Membership, Billboard, and Rolling Stone, enhancing the onboard music expertise. Tonight, The Rolling Stone Lounge featured a band taking part in hit songs from the always-popular ’80s, drawing company to the dance flooring.
I used to be curious whether or not music from the adjoining BB King’s venue would bleed by, however the soundproofing and glass doorways had been so efficient that you simply couldn’t hear the opposite band until you had been proper on the entrance.
And what’s a cruise with out late-night pizza? We went to NY Deli and Pizza for a nightcap, which included a pineapple and pepperoni pizza.
Northern Lights on a Cruise Ship with Nostalgia
That is my first time returning to Alaska since my dad handed. He was fascinated with the realm, and, being a retired captain, the clear skies within the north.
Proper up till his passing, he referred to as me each time a shuttle or rocket launched. He cherished going to the seashore at evening and tilting his head in the direction of the sky. It’s not possible to be right here and never really feel him by my facet.
After I got here in from consuming pizza, I sat on the balcony. It was darkish, chilly, and windy as we went by the Inside Passage. I noticed a flicker out of the nook of my eye after which some lights. Positive sufficient, the Northern Lights gave us a beautiful gentle present from the starboard facet of Koningsdam. This one’s for you, dad.
I’m wanting ahead to the remainder of the cruise as we head in the direction of Juneau, with an Alaska-themed brunch that includes regionally caught fish, doable whale sightings, and a reservation on the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse.
