HOLLAND AMERICA EURODAM ALASKA CRUISE (with my mom in diamond form!)

My dad and I just wrapped up a trip of a lifetime to Alaska. We had an amazing time aboard Holland America Line‘s Eurodam on our 7-day Alaska cruise from June 3-10, 2023. This was a very special trip to honor my mom who passed away in October 2021. She had always wanted to do an Alaska cruise but never got the chance, so we did it in her honor. Here's what a Holland America Alaska cruise is like!
This was not a press trip and I have no affiliation with Holland America Line. All opinions are my own.
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Salut! I'm Diane, an American who has lived in France since 2012 and the creator of the blog/KZbin channel Oui In France. My channel's focus is "Everyday French life and beyond." I make videos on French culture topics, France vs. US culture comparisons, food, travel, language, and give you my thoughts about what it's like living in France as an American in the Loire Valley. Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this sort of thing, please share with friends and subscribe!
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[@SCGMLB]

Glad you had a good time with your dad. I’ve taken my mom on a number of cruises that she would have gone on with my dad if he had still been alive. While he’s not with us physically, he’s with us in our hearts. We just returned from a cruise to Denmark and Norway, and it was great. Cruising is a great way to take a vacation and for an elderly parent it can be a easy way to travel to different locations.

[@maryg4551]

Thank you for sharing your very personal journey with your Dad honoring your Mom. It was very touching. I look forward to seeing more of your travel videos!

[@lizkeith1356]

so hard to lose your Mom. wonderful that you could travel with your Dad and celebrate your Mom. i bet she enjoyed the trip. thanks for the video and sharing your adventure.

[@kathyslocombe1182]

Such a wonderful memento that you cherish of your Mom and to bring her along with you on this wonderful cruise with your Dad. Glad that you both enjoyed your cruise.

[@julieDJTFP]

I'm 44 and I HAL is my favorite cruise line. Thank you for sharing your experiences, much appreciated!

[@emmanuellegd4515]

Happy you enjoyed with your dad, remembering your dear mum. Thanks to share your experience.

[@susananderson618]

EXCELLENT video.....most informative and professional video I have watched in a long time. Especially enjoyed learning about your tribute to your mom, I was not aware of that option, sounds like a wonderful way to honor ones loved ones. Thank you for taking the time to make and share this video. We are big HAL fans and I am researching a cruise to Alaska.

[@sherib5752]

How lovely! My father and I (along with my 14 year old son) went on a cruise this summer, too. We were on Oceania, the line he and Mom traveled on to Russia in 2019 before she became ill with ALS. I hope the 3 of us can do an Alaska cruise next summer, and HAL is a line I'm considering for the entertainment.

[@maryswartzel2773]

Such a wonderful gift you have of time with your Dad. Thanks for taking us along. I am so glad you had the moment with the eagles ♥️

[@julieparker8176]

Wonderful trip with your dear father, in your mother’s memory. ❤

[@sherik2713]

Hi Diane, thank you for sharing your very personal trip with your Dad while both honoring your Mom. She was with you and what a beautiful diamond 💎 you made!! I also lost my Mom year ago and its hard. The real gift is the time you are able to spend with your Dad, enjoy each other always 💕. I love your you tube channel. Take care ❤

[@OuiInFrance]

I'm sorry for your loss. Hang in there! It does get better.

[@CiTalMe]

What a wonderful experience with your father. The diamond is a wonderful idea. I love that. 😊

[@whitneylivingston5706]

I just did this same cruise on the Eurodam at the end of August, also in an aft balcony room and loved every minute of it. I appreciate getting to relive my trip through your video!!

[@OuiInFrance]

so glad you had a great time! did you do any excursions? what was your favorite? thanks for checking out my video ;-)

[@whitneylivingston5706]

@@OuiInFrance we did a dog sledding excursion in Juneau and the Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan. The rest of the time we walked around the ports or went hiking. I would say my favorite thing was Creek Street in Ketchikan when off the ship, on the ship my favorite was our balcony and the view we had, I also liked the game tables up in the crows nest and for entertainment I really enjoyed the dueling pianos.

[@michellebrooks1060]

So nice! Such a beautiful trip and a great reason to do it.

[@roberttradd1224]

Thank you so very much for sharing your very personal experiences with us. You are so kind and thoughtful 💕

[@OuiInFrance]

You are so welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@maryellensola5379]

Loved the video. I hope the cruise gave your dad some peace as well. I took the same cruise in September 2019 - it was beautiful.

[@cquinnth]

Lovely video…..thank you!

[@michelesauret7779]

Vous avez la grande chance d'avoir encore votre papa, j'espère que cette croisière apaisera votre douleur ❤

[@TheCMLion]

"Sunny Seattle..."? Wow! I've never been to Seattle and it was sunny. 🙂 The last time I was in Juneau--visiting a friend who owns a bar there--the glacier was much farther out. Did you stop by the "world famous" Red Dog Saloon? The ship looks lovely. It's so nice that you can take your mother along with you. I have a Gump's bee pin that my mother always wore, that I wear to events I know she would love and "take her along with me" (my wedding, meeting my husband's family the first time, etc.)

[@PurelyCoincidental]

If you've never been to Seattle when it was sunny, I'm guessing you didn't come here in the summer. It's common to get weeks at a time without a spot of rain then.

[@TheCMLion]

@@PurelyCoincidental True: Fall and Spring.

[@PurelyCoincidental]

@@TheCMLion Yeah, it's hard to predict in spring and autumn. This year, "spring" didn't seem to happen until June, I think.

[@OuiInFrance]

We really lucked out with the weather! And no Red Dog Saloon.... next time!

[@wastenotwantnot6754]

What a lovely tribute to your Mom. It's coming up on 10 years that I lost mine. I wish you peace through your grieving process. It can't be rushed. I'm very happy to know about the Memorial Diamond. I wonder if they take pet's ashes too? And, BTW, we're sailing with Holland America on the Koningsdam on a 10 night cruise to the Mexican Riviera and Sea of Cortez in late November. I would love to cruise to Alaska. Maybe 2025. We plan to be in Europe in 2024. Thanks for the amazing footage of the bald eagles!

[@OuiInFrance]

Yup, pet or animal ashes and they don't need to be new. ;-) The Koningsdam looks great. Have an amazing time!

[@aquilestadeumartineli7592]

Loved your vídeo 🙏

[@brendaalaniz8289]

This review was exactly what I have been looking for!! You did a wonderful job explaining most everything. I do have a couple of questions…were all the excursions including the deadliest catch booked through HAL. Also do the fully close the roof over the pool area in colder months like September for the Alaska cruise so it’s comfortable to lay in the cabanas? Thanks 😊

[@OuiInFrance]

Hi, glad my video was helpful! Yes, we booked all our excursions through HAL. I do think the roof fully closes over the pool and cabana area when it's cool out or if there's bad weather. Even with it closed though, it may be too cool to swim. But the cabanas would be protected. Enjoy your trip!

[@peppertree8244]

Hi! Thanks for sharing your great and meaningful trip. Hail to the moms! Good to see your dad. I never got back w/my mom story when you first mentioned doing the ashes diamond. Here we go: I thought it ironic-funny that you were making something w/your mom's ashes and I was making ashes w/my mom's stuff! In the purging process after Mom died, some things were too dear to just throw away but not things to keep. So, on the year anniversary of her death, I lit the firepit and sent them in smoke to the heavens! Greeting/birthday cards, letters, pictures, some of her sister's things, a penoir set she had forever, the godawful pink-cream-lacy curtains she loved from the dining room, etc. Some of Dad's things, too. Mom & I had wine while Dad had a beer, (smaller but decent amounts since it was just me drinking, obviously!). Also, I played many different versions (thanks You Tube) of the tune her jewelry box played - a present from Dad when they got married! (I'll Be Loving You) Always. (Kd Lang version sooo well done). It was 2 -3 hours of great memories and singing and mourning and tribute. Even the weather was good for a November night! I'm glad I chose ceremony instead of trash can. It was very meaningful and ... complete.💞 ...as I am with this long post. Au revoir for now! My best to you and your dad!

[@theposhmaniac5169]

What a wonderful way to honor your Mom & her things without feeling guilty, etc. I've lost my Mom & my husband now. It's tough but it has to be done... Love the eagles angels! I saw my first wild one while on our own boat in Georgia, while pregnant! Magnificent memories! Bon Voyage!

[@peppertree8244]

@@theposhmaniac5169 All my heart to you, most definitely. Eagle angels!? So wonderful!! I think things like that are them saying 'hello' to us. And, since I just watched the movie Coco last night, remembering our great memories of and with our loved ones are always a great way to honor them. My best to you. all you have gone through, and to your life forward...with great memories. 😊

[@lilly6766]

❤

[@DOCSORFF1]

Curious-what size cabin did you get to have the hide a bed? and the tub

[@OuiInFrance]

It was a verandah aft cabin (back of ship looking straight out)

[@lowsee]

🎶a three hour tour... a three hour tour...

[@peppertree8244]

Lol, went through my head, too. Couldn't help it! I wonder how many times the staff hears that?

[@buttercup6170]

Losing someone you love dearly is not easy and I know first hand. What helps me is believing in God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I know I will see them again in the here after !!!

[@jc2333]

Does the piano bar have lame dirty jokes ? This ship looks good. The crab looked good. I’ll get the memorial Diamond when death happens . I see how it is no Like .

[@lizkeith1356]

is it time for a new pup ?

[@LadyCatFelineTheSeventh]

I live near Seattle and even locals won't go there. It's crime-ridden and dirty. Make you way to cruise ship and be careful to go no where else and hopefully you;ll be safe.

[@OuiInFrance]

We loved Seattle and had a great time being tourists!

[@Steven-gr4hb]

Promo-SM 🙄

[@OuiInFrance]

What does that mean?

[@xlrationmarine]

Right now, 10 minutes into the video, it’s on the TV. My wife is treating me to this cruise in September, and she bought me a fly fishing excursion. Very nice video from a well spoken lady.

[@OuiInFrance]

Have an amazing time!!

[@nancyj621]

Would you share who you booked the fly fishing with? I don’t see it as an excursion on the ship website.