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You’ll often find Skagway on many Alaska cruises, but we didn’t have a fourth Alaska port on our trip. After that, feel free to head to your cruise ship and finally decompress before sailing for your sea portion of the cruisetour. Holland America Alaska cruisetours include private flights from Fairbanks and that cuts out the alternative, which is an eight-hour bus ride. Make sure that your cruisetour package includes a reservation on the Tundra Wilderness Tour, the park-sponsored bus that takes you 53 miles into Denali's lands. On my tour, we spotted nine bears, moose, caribou, countless mountain goats and a small fox running by the side of the road. You'll have the option to buy several meals onboard, although the cafe is on the small side (people are called down in groups) and the food is pricey.
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There was also a gym that had regular classes and plenty of machines to choose from. There’s also a spa, shopping, casino, a few live music venues, and a large theater. I also found each person we interacted with to be accommodating and patient, even when guests weren’t particularly warm with them.
McKinly Chalet Resort at Denali
We had an 31-hour stretch of sailing before our next stop, checking in to Victoria, B.C., for a few hours in the evening before sailing at midnight to return to Seattle. The quick stop in Victoria serves mostly as a technical stop to satisfy regulations requiring that U.S. passengers vessels leave the United States during the cruise. Most people who got off Eurodam did so for an evening walk in the fine weather or for a dinner and shopping or to visit a cafe or restaurant to have a coffee or beer. Excursion options include a trip to the hard-to-reach Tombstone Territorial Park, but if you're not feeling yet another tour bus, there are other things for you to do. Parks Canada has a series of historic walking tours that cost less than $10.
Featured Alaska Cruises From Seattle
Take a trip on the scenic railroad and still have time to dine and shop. Ketchikan, Alaska is one of the best spots along Alaska's Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. Amble historic Creek Street, a boardwalk over a wide creek that fills with salmon during certain times of year. Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures.
And all-aboard was at noon because we had a long stretch of sailing to head back down south. Cruisers embarked in Seattle, and the ship sailed away in the late afternoon on a Saturday. The ship shines because it is the right mix of size, style and function, letting the destination be the star of the show, which is how it should be when you visit such a special place in this world. 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. Don't skip the old-timey saloon show called Diamond Tooth Gertie's.
Alaska Travel Tips & Articles: Cruisetours
The historic little place was once part of Russian America, and you can still see a lot of Russian influence, including the old Orthodox Church in the middle of downtown. This is a classic cruise itinerary for visiting this destination, and gives cruisers, especially those making their first voyage up, a great look at so many of the charms of Alaska. 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.
This tour is several hours long and is on a school bus, so be prepared for a long, bumpy ride. The bus tour guide -- who is also the driver -- will make several stops for better animal viewing, but unfortunately only about three bathroom stops. Keep in mind that you will be sharing window space with others on the bus; unwritten tour etiquette dictates that you take your shot, then leave room for others to do the same. Walk around the downtown area and soak in the unique atmosphere of Anchorage. If you're feeling hungry but don't want to stop exploring, stop at Anchor Town Dogs on 4th Avenue. All of their quickly-grilled food is satisfying, but there's nothing quite like their reindeer hot dog.
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There was definitely a time in my life when I was all about taking small ships, cargo ferries, and local buses, and avoiding experiences like cruises. However, now with a young child, it ended up being such an easy, beautiful way to take a vacation. We didn’t have to worry about logistics, food, cleaning up after meals (which can be messy with a one-year-old), or having things to do while he napped. Each time my son went down for his nap, sneaking out to the veranda with the baby monitor ended up being so lovely, with plenty of wildlife and scenery to take in. Imagine you’re sitting on a balcony, sipping on a freshly made latte while sailing past an electric blue glacier. Later that day, you see dolphins, whales, and sea otters jumping through the waves as the mist breaks to reveal snowy mountains and tree-coated islets.
Whale Watching on Alaska Cruises
In addition to seven-night cruises, the line is bringing back its popular 14-night “Great Alaska Explorer” itinerary for two departures. From April through September 2023, guests can embark on Holland America Line’s cruises to Alaska aboard the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Volendam and Westerdam. The only times things felt a bit busy to me were at the Lido Market at lunchtime and in the Crow’s Nest when we were cruising Glacier Bay. I ended up really feeling that our veranda was the best place to view it all from, and I can’t imagine taking a scenic cruise without one. In contrast to the glacier flights, Ketchikan is more about the misty fjords and potential to see wildlife. We got lucky with a clear day and a nice, long flight with views of hidden mountain lakes, snowy peaks, and a bear and whale sighting that I wasn’t quick enough to catch on the camera but loved seeing nonetheless.
We also got a rundown from the excursion team explaining all kinds of activities we could enjoy ashore when we got to our ports. 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®.
Eurodam has a limited sports court space on 11 at the aft of the ship, with an enclosed netted in area that catches way too much of the wind when sailing to allow effective sports play. It is a half-court basketball goal; and the surface also is used for pickleball sessions. Dinners offer a rotating menu of Mediterranean cuisine alongside cruise classics. Holland America has been a leader with its culinary program for years. The variety of food options is excellent, and the menus have been enhanced since the creation of the line’s Culinary Council led by Chef Rudi Sodamin.
Holland America ships will be visiting the best of Alaska with a range of ports of call, exploring different cultures of the region and all the natural beauty this unique state offers. Depending on the itinerary, guests may visit Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, and other ports, as well as cruise through some of the most scenic waters in the world along the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. For explorers who want to travel farther into the Great Land, 16 different Cruisetours (formerly Land+Sea Journeys) combine a three-, four- or seven-day Alaska cruise with an inland exploration of Denali National Park. Holland America Line is the only cruise line that extends land tours up to the unspoiled reaches of Canada's Yukon Territory. Those who want to travel further into Alaska can choose from 16 different cruisetours, which the line formerly called Land+Sea Journeys.
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I hopped on the bus back to Sitka Sound cruise port to have lunch at the restaurant Halibut Point Crab & Lobster, located right at the pier. I chatted with others who had a good time at a whale watching and salmon bake tour and some who took float plane rides — with reports of sightings of bears and orcas. After Juneau, we had a day of scenic cruising, including a visit to Hubbard Glacier. If you arrive early, you have the opportunity to take a day trip down to Portage Glacier on the Kenai Peninsula.
You always want to be able to walk outside to take in the scenery, which often will include sightings of whales, birds, dolphins and great snow-capped mountains and glaciers, of course. The Explorer’s Cafe is located at the very top of the ship overlooking the bow as a spacious observation lounge space. The facility offers panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, a bar/coffee shop, interactive screens giving information about the destinations and the ship’s navigation and a library of board games and puzzles. The Dining Room is a two-story space aft on Decks 2 and 3, and you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner here. The lunch menu has a deep lineup of favorites, such as street tacos, BBQ chicken spring rolls, Cobb salad, club sandwich, a cheeseburger and fried chicken and waffles.
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