My First Alaska Cruise Was Not What I Expected. Here's Why [Holland America Koningsdam Review]

Are you planning an Alaska cruise & not sure what to expect? We're back from our first Alaska cruise on Holland America Koningsdam & I'm sharing everything you need to know!
From our Alaska cruise embarkation day, to the Holland America Koningsdam cruise ship, dining, entertainment & cabin, you'll find out what to expect on an Alaskan cruise. I also share our Alaska excursions in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan & our day in Glacier Bay.
This Alaska cruise review has information about what to expect on Holland America Koningsdam, as well Alaska ports. If you're going on an Alaska cruise for the first time, I hope these Alaska cruise tips will help you to prepare for your cruise vacation.
We were invited by Holland America (press trip), however all thoughts & opinions are my own.
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Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic

[@LifeWellCruised]

Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limited time). Here are the details: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner

[@mikelee1524]

😅😅😅😅 9:05 😊

[@caroloneal9564]

Do you have a sheet for packing for Alaska. Thx love your videos

[@user-uu6yl5bk2l]

Alaska is unlike any other cruises we’ve taken. It’s an absolutely visceral experience that leaves you feeling like you’re communing with nature. Just spectacular! 🍺🚢

[@LifeWellCruised]

I totally agree!

[@ricobhi]

Totally agree!

[@annekirkpatrick7197]

Absolutely agree! And then you have to go to Antarctica via the Falklands & Cape Horn! Totally awestruck! 🙆‍♀️😲

[@mchotsie4723]

Agree 100% we were blown away. Didn’t want to go home 😢

[@markchristianburgess4409]

Of all the Alaska cruise videos I've watched, this is by far the most informative and well thought out. Thank you LIfe Well Cruised.

[@TrudyMarchant]

My daughter and I are going to Alaska on the Holland America Eurodam in Sept leaving from Seattle. We are taking the Amtrak from Jacksonville, FL to Seattle and getting in two days before our cruise. We are gong back on the train also. I am 76 years old and this is my first cruise and first train trip. I was originally going solo, but my daughter arranged to come with me. I have watched so many of your videos. I wished I had watched them before I booked but I know it is going to be wonderful. I will let you know when we get back.

[@eminbc]

*** H.A. Zaandam to Alaska was wonderful. BUT wish we had known = $17 USD per day Crew Appreciation NOT shared by ALL. Ask bar servers if they get portion. If not, leave $1/$2 per tab instead of signing tip on bill b/c 18% will be added to room charge. Best to give directly. Also, Guest Services do not share Crew Appreciation. Pop drinks not included but ice tea, lemonade, coffee with meals (not other specialty coffees). Otherwise fantastic food and service. Just be informed.

[@lynnkaeser6620]

Went to Alaska last year and I would definitely recommend adding a land portion to your cruise. We did ours through Princess and it was amazing. We feel it truly added to our Alaska experience!

[@debbieblair3329]

I did this same ship and while it was nice I really enjoyed the land portion. OMG it was amazing. I recommend the land portion to everyone.

[@BonVoyageCruiseTravel]

Alaska is amazing. I have been 3 times and it never gets old! I prefer a smaller ship for this destination, it just is less chaotic! Thanks for your insight!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Very true!

[@JoaquinChea]

We went on our first Alaska cruise 4 weeks ago, it was wonderful with one exception due to heavy ice flows our close up glacier excursion was cancelled. In Skagway I want to recommend the White Pass Railway excursion, it was our favorite on this cruise. There so much to see and do that we will definitely be going on another.

[@debbiedavidson4877]

We sailed every year and sometimes twice a year on only Holland America but only one Alaska cruise which was early June and spectacular. My regret for you was that you didn’t go on the railroad out of Skagway…the most gorgeous and exquisite scenery I’ve ever seen. PLEASE do this if you go again. We loved the aesthetic of HAL and the food. We were last in Asia in 2019 but in 2020 my husband passed unexpectedly and I’m just not ready to cruise again. So I love watching your channel and cruising vicariously!

[@LifeWellCruised]

I’m so sorry for your loss 😢. Thanks for your comments & suggestions Debbie

[@WineAndRoses9526]

I went on my first Alaskan cruise in 2021. And I just loved it. From start to finish Alaska is absolutely beautiful. And the Alaskan people are very friendly and welcoming. I will go back probably several more times.

[@KikiB90]

Just returned from our first Alaskan Cruise Tour with Princess. We started out from Fairbanks (2 days) followed with a bus ride to two different Overnight locations within Denali. Throughout the whole day Mt McKinley was completely visible. A train took us to Whittier, where we boarded the ship and our cruise took us to Hubbard and Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan and ended in Vancouver. Weather, Scenery and Excursions were absolutely great and we can't wait to go back. Alaska is a must for all cruise fans

[@lvon1950]

Christel - we were on the Majestic Princess. Wondering if we were on the same cruise. Started out in Fairbanks on May 14 and ended at Vancouver May 27. We were able to see the beautiful Denali.

[@KikiB90]

@@lvon1950 Hi there, I believe we were on the same Land/Cruise Tour. We stayed at Pike's Lodge in Fairbanks. And yes, it was incredible to see Denali for the whole day of our trip down to the Princess McKinley Lodge. Were you on the same train that got delayed? We (my best friend Regina and I) were on that train that everyone on the ship was waiting for to arrive in Whittier. We had the best time and I hope you enjoyed your trip just as much as we did

[@lvon1950]

Christel - we stayed at the Westmark in Fairbanks. We were supposed to take a motorcoach from Denali Princess lodge to Mt McKinley lodge but military had some of the roads closed for maneuvers so we traveled by a very nice train. Top with a dome cover and a dining room at lower level. That was a bonus for us. Different from the train to Whittier to go on the ship.

[@JaciHirschi]

I’m so excited for our Alaska cruise! My siblings, their spouses, and I are surprising my parents for Christmas with an Alaska cruise next summer! It has been on their bucket lists forever but they are so frugal, they would never spend the money. Their first ever real vacation was just last year and that was only because accommodations were taken care of.

[@LifeWellCruised]

What an incredible gift!! Love this

[@tonymorello8914]

Ilana, I just returned from my very first cruise, which was the Inside Passage of Alaska on the Discovery Princess. You and your family were cruising the same week on HAL, and in fact we were docked next to your ship in several ports. The Discovery Princess is a fabulous ship at only a year old. Shiny, new and immaculate. I'm not a warm weather person, so Caribbean cruising is not of interest to me. This was my first cruise and I watched many of your KZbin videos in preparation. I must say, the rain everyone predicts did not materialize. Every day was warm and sunny. Not a drop of rain. Another thing I never used was my winter jacket, since at some ports it was 82º, We were fortunate enough to have a mini suite overlooking the bow of the ship, with a huge balcony. So I was able to look straight ahead as we cruised the inside passage. Overall, the entire cruise exceeded my expectations in every respect. One thing that caught me by surprise was the amount of WALKING we did. I'm in my late 60's and walking the ship combined with walking in the ports really taxed me. I think I actually lost weight, which was unexpected. Thanks for all the info and helpful tips, which I did indeed use to make my first cruise a huge success.

[@kathryncashner3294]

In August, we saw both Orca and Humpback whales and they put on quite a show for us. Our best Alaska cruise was a B2B where we went from Vancouver to the north and then came back. The cruise had the same ports each way, which allowed us to do "both" activities when we couldn't decide which we wanted most. Adding the second cruise was actually cost effective as flights out of Anchorage were quite costly but the round trip to Vancouver wasn't bad.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Love that idea!

[@j.m.7056]

Thanks, that is good to know.

[@lorimasterson8427]

I was in Alaska 8 years ago and LOVED it! I do agree that the flight to Anchorage and 4 hour drive to Seward was a lot. We are deciding whether to do a back to back in July/ August north and south just like you mentioned. Celebrity has some great rates right now! I like the idea of going to the same ports as it was almost stressful trying to choose only one excursion. After watching this video and reading the comments, I think we will book the b2b cruise! 😊

[@chriswaters1912]

I just came back from an Alaskan cruise with my family on the Eurodam. It was a fantastic experience. The highlight was cruising through Glacier Bay National Park. I have a 7 year old boy and he really loved the cruise and the kids program. HAL is a unique cruise line. They actually give you space, quiet time and I actually returned well rested. The service was great and the food program was well maintained with high standards. I would sail with HAL again.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great to hear your perspective as a family cruiser! Thanks for sharing

[@sandhyapapineau4008]

This is very helpful as another parent with a young child. Thank you for sharin!

[@moondancetravel]

Your videos are so timely! My sister-in-law and I are leaving in 5 weeks to do the exact same itinerary on princess Cruise line. So happy to hear how much you enjoyed Glacier Bay as I wasn't sure if two days would be too much. Greatly appreciate all your tips and comments as it's given the two of us so much to talk about and helped tremendously with our planning! Thanks so much!

[@christineshields1714]

Wonderful video Ilana! We just returned from an Alaskan cruise out of Vancouver a week ago. Alaska was on my husband's bucket list, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. The scenery is constantly changing, and pictures simply do not do it justice!

[@darklyte24]

We went on the Westerdam in May 2014 to Alaska. Yes it was older folks but also families. We did a crab fishing excursion at George inlet lodge and ate crab at Ketchikan. Sight see at Juneau, mendenhall glacier, sitka, glacier bay and Victoria. Now we have seen so many videos on others experiences we have much more knowledge and know what to see at the towns, what to try to eat. Cruise food and service was pretty good. Were going on Royal Caribbean next. We appreciate all the tips!

[@ToursOfJoyTravelandCruising]

Thank you for sharing. We just went on the NCL Jewel and had the same itinerary and I also agree my Alaskan cruise was one of my favorite trips of all time and I would say….never do an Alaskan cruise without Glacier Bay included. Only two cruise ships per day are allowed into glacier bay. It was spectacular and thank you so much for sharing your Holland American experience looks like an outstanding cruise ship!

[@pamalatalley7262]

I'm doing my first solo cruise this year, and it's to Alaska. This is my year of adventure and solo cruising!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Sounds great!

[@TWILLIE639]

Me too! I’m a bit scared but trying to build my confidence so I get to see places on my bucket list.

[@KikiB90]

I have done so far three solo cruises and I enjoy the freedom, to do whatever I want to do. I would do so many more solo cruising, if it weren't for the supplement charge. I will try Norwegian Cruiseline next, since they have special solo cabins to choose from. Have fun and enjoy every moment of your adventures.

[@KikiB90]

@@TWILLIE639 No need to be scared. I never felt more safe that on the cruise ship and the excursions that are offered from the various cruiselines. Have fun and enjoy all the places on your bucket list.

[@everalvarado3704]

We did our first Alaska cruise in June 2021 with NCL . We went on the float planes to see the glaciers. It was the most incredible experience! We loved Alaska so much that we went again in 2022 and were hoping to go on the Whitepass railway from Skagway but there was an emergency on board and someone had to be airlifted off the ship. It delayed our next port which was Icy Strait Point. But the captain decided to cancel Skagway instead of Icy Strait Point. We highly recommend going on the glacier excursion. They take you closer than the ship gets to go and it is really cold getting there but the sights are incredible. We just booked a cruise for late April from Vancouver to Seward. We looked at flights and decided to book a cruise from our home city of San Diego to Vancouver on Holland America Zaandam. Never been on Holland America so we are looking forward to it. Excited to hopefully get to go on the Whitepass rail. Thank you very much for your videos. We love to cruise and your videos are very helpful.

[@michellebee1661]

My sister and I are planning an Alaska cruise with Holland America for early fall of 2025 round trip out of Seattle. We are so excited as it will be our first time to Alaska and our first time cruising. Your videos have been so helpful! Your content and tips have left me feeling informed and so looking forward to cruising. Thank you!

[@maryannereid41]

My husband and I are going on our first cruise and it’s an Alaskan cruise! We also live in Canada, in Nova Scotia, however my husband is from Britain and I am originally from Newfoundland, so I am used to the cold. We are looking forward to it and have been watching so many videos, love your channel it’s so informative, very helpful and has definitely helped us plan. Can’t wait for our Alaskan cruise, we are sailing on Celebrity Eclipse.

[@CarboneCat]

We did the very same cruise on the very same ship but last July. I’m reliving our cruise by watching your video. We had a great experience there.

[@dawnparker4476]

Hi Ilana, i was on this ship last June and have been to Alaska 6 times. During the summer months there are many families traveling aboard. Its a great cruise for the whole family because there are so many shore excursions to choose from that will appeal to all age groups. Im so glad that you enjoyed it and it only gets better each time you go back. Holland & Princess are my favourite cruise line for Alaska as i think they do it best.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for watching :)

[@sandhyapapineau4008]

Thank you for this information. I'd really like to do this cruise but was worried about taking along my young son (he's turning 4 soon, and I wanted to do this when he is around 6 or 7).

[@kimberlyblackwell121]

We are going in August on Regent Seven Seas with a Denali land trip prior. I'm so excited 😊 Thank you for the video !

[@LifeWellCruised]

Amazing!! Starting off with land sounds like a fantastic experience

[@michaelluczyk]

I’m excited to be on the Norwegian Spirit later August into September! It’s 16 days, Vancouver, Alaska, and Hawaii! Binoculars were something that wasn’t even on my list, so thank you so much! I am quite looking forward to it! 🥰🥰🥰

[@lindabellamy1466]

I just got off the Koningsdam on Saturday 3rd June. Unfortunately weather changed and we had 2 very wet port days but we still had an amazing time and didn't stop us from doing our excursions. I'm British so used to rain. Lol. On the ship the music venues were my favourite part and my husband came 3rd in the orange party dress up competition.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for sharing your experience & the weather! Congratulations 👏

[@markaz1959]

Cruise scheduled for September 16 on the Eurodam to Alaska. Thanks for the preview. First cruise.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Nice!! We were on an excursion in Juneau with guests from Eurodam

[@oliviajor]

so glad I discovered your channel! I'm going on a solo alaska cruise with this same ship and itinerary in a week, and I've been powering through your videos in my final days of planning. I'm used to traveling solo but this will be the first solo cruise (I'm 29, so interested to see the demographic of the ship haha). Just watched like 5 in a row, super helpful thank you!

[@shespeakssoftly]

I hope you’re having a good time! ☺️ I’m in my early 30s and will be going on an alaska HAL cruise soon too. But I like it quiet and just want nature and scenery, so I think I’ll love it. No parties needed for me.

[@allisongonzalez7087]

We're going on the Norwegian Bliss to Alaska next June. Our trip includes 14 family members (multi generational ) which will be very special.

[@nkguenther1]

Thank you so much. Great video. We aren’t cruise people but talked my husband into a river cruise which he loved and just booked this exact cruise on the Koningsdam for June 2025. We are 80 now so my husband, a private pilot, says we are running out of runway and need to keep ticking those items off our bucket list. 😅

[@lexa_power]

Ilana this video was so fun! Thanks for sharing this with all of us :) looks like an amazing cruise! Can’t wait to cruise to Alaska in October & hope to try Holland America someday! The painting classes look especially fun 🎨🖼️

[@seafarer_]

Went on a cruise to Alaska the week after y’all, and surprisingly - absolutely no rain at all! It was actually pretty mild and sunny the whole week, which I didn’t expect. One thing I wish we had is an indoor pool. I don’t swim too often on a cruise (maybe once or twice a voyage), but it seemed like such a waste to have a ship mostly dedicated to Alaska (Discovery Princess) that has pools that are mostly unusable 😢 I personally loved the nature and cultural lectures on our ship! Our expert even gave live commentary over the captain’s PA on a day where we saw an exceptional amount of wildlife.

[@rebbiejeantet3524]

We are headed to Alaska via Seattle on August 6th… I love all the information you shared!!!

[@marybaure8440]

Alaska glaciers have changed so much over the years. My first Alaska cruise, the glaciers were calving all the time and the glaciers were much bigger. My last cruise there in 2018, glaciers have shrunk and not much calving happening. Still a very beautiful place to visit. So many things to do in ports that you can go several times for different experiences. Halibut fishing is phenomenal!. Dog musher camp is fun too! White pass railroad has very scenic views. Food tour in Juneau takes you off the beaten path for food the locals go to.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for sharing those great ideas!! Nice for next time 😉

[@glfarwell]

I very much agree to the vanishing glaciers. Our very first cruise was in 2002 and this inside passage on Holland America. Our cruise into Glacier bay was a moment in time that will always stay with us. Our cruise through Glacier Bay in 2019 showed us how much the landscape is changing. The main glacier was reduced from a three mile face to a gravel bar. There were a lot of sizable ice floating with seals on the the larger ice. There was also noise coming out of the ice as tiny air pockets in the ice would escape during melting. The 2019 cruise was a tour/cruise. I very much recommend seeing interior Alaska. BTW, we had the Pea soup in 2002, great stuff.

[@francoisedunne223]

I definitely know what you’re saying we have been on 20+ cruises just to Alaska and everyone is spectacular views. We first went to Alaska in 2000. There was lots of snow all over the ground and definitely a lot more glaciers and caffing than they have done recently. There was lots and lots of snow on all the mountains cruising in to the glacier area. Definitely, we seen the difference in 23 years of global warming. But still a beautiful sight to see whatsoever. Especially if you get lucky to see the Eagles coming around on the harbor when the fishing boats are coming in with their catch of the day.

[@heideleskun1163]

I made my husband go last September because it was the best time for us. I wanted to make sure we could go ASAP, I kept telling him the Glaciers are melting and I want to see them now in case we can't go again. He has medical issues. We're in our mid 50's but medical issues are a pain. Do it now while you can is our new motto.

[@ToursOfJoyTravelandCruising]

We were there the week of May 14th…visited the Marjorie Glacier in Glacier Bay and it calved 4 times while we were there and one was spectacular!

[@colleenjanet16]

My husband and I are going on our first Cruise to Alaska in May 2025. This is our first Cruise. I’ve been watching all your videos and buying everything for our trip. Thank you for your awesome advice and tips. I also bought your Ultimate Cruise Planner. ❤🎉😊

[@hollycooper7177]

Love this! We just got home days ago from our first Alaskan cruise. We combined with a 5day Denali land trip then embarked in Seward to Vancouver. LOVED LOVED LOVED everything. You have described perfectly. We were on the Norwegian Spirit. My suggestion is don't over book yourself on excursions if you're not in top shape....they can be exhausting with lots of walking. But yes, do go on shore as much as possible to experience the local flavor. The Alaskan people are so welcoming and love to talk about their town, lives, and wildlife ❤️ This was a dream come true for sure!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m so glad you had an amazing time!

[@gr8houndmom1]

So glad you enjoyed Alaska. I, like you, chose to cruise warmer climates for decades. Eventually, I made my way to Alaska, and I wish I had done it sooner! We'll be sailing to Alaska for the third time later this year. I hope to return there on a regular basis for the rest of my life!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Lol, our family has been saying the same thing

[@snapchick]

So happy you enjoyed Alaska Ilana. We were there on Celebrity Solstice from 3rd-12th May and it was our third time. We travel a lot and although we have loved everywhere we have been, Alaska keeps calling us back. I can honestly say that no-where in the world is the scenery quite so stunning (imo). We were so lucky to see whales in the harbour at Skagway while waiting for sailaway and also off the ship in Icy Strait Point. 🐳🐳 😀

[@LifeWellCruised]

That sounds amazing!! Thanks for sharing:)

[@traceybartlam7737]

Our very first cruise was Alaska on celebrity solstice. Loved it

[@robinmartin8286]

I’ve just gotten home from a Holland American Alaskan cruise so I very much enjoyed this video. This was my 5th or 6th time to Alaska. It’s such an awesome and beautiful cruise. I was happy to hear that Hubbard Glacier is growing regardless of global warming. This was a Celtic Cruise, all entertainers were from Ireland. It was fabulous. A shout out to “Clouds of Good”. I’m some what disabled so I rented a shooter - awesome company - great communication and service. I had a balcony - a must on an Alaskan cruise. I so . . . enjoy your videos. Thank you!!

[@shespeakssoftly]

A Celtic cruise!! How cool. I didn’t know they did that. What boat were you on?

[@robinmartin8286]

@FGC. This was a chartered cruise with Holland America by Gertrude Byrne. She plans a Celtic cruise every year. Next year’s cruise is the Greek Isles and is already sold out but taking names on a waiting list. Gertrude Byrne Promotions

[@shespeakssoftly]

@@robinmartin8286 got it! Thank you 😊

[@rickinnes]

Well done! - loved staying at Pan Pacific - watching Cruise Ships leave the day before our cruise - waking up early - watching our ship come in - we had first check in - set a record - checked in on line and breezed through and on ship having a latte at 10:40 am .

[@fmliberatore599]

Thank you for the info. Your hair looks really pretty in this video.

[@tinadecker7947]

Alaska cruise is on my bucket list .

[@ladyk6829]

Alaska has never really been on my bucket list at least until not recently, I don't like the cold either but the more of these videos I watch the higher it comes up on my list. I definitely now want to go, especially to whale watch and for the wild life.

[@markdaniels7724]

We cruised Alaska in May a few years ago. The most memorable part for us was the White Pass Summit Railroad excursion. One of the best cruises we have ever taken.

[@falcon4548]

My wife and I just returned from a 12 day stay in Juneau… we took a Alaskaseaplane to Skagway, and took that train. Most amazing!!

[@tomw4231]

We did our first ever cruise last September, and feel so lucky that we chose Alaska. We did the same 7 day Inside Passage that you did, but on a smaller Holland America ship (Zuiderdam). I have to concur with most everything you said about the trip. We chose different excursions but thought that they were good, We enjoyed every aspect. The weather was phenomonal, as we had 6 out of 7 days of clear skies and bright sunshine. Glacier Bay was incredible, almost surreal being surrounded by such beauty. We had a balcony cabin which served us well, and we thoroughly enjoyed the music walk every evening. The food was outstanding in every venue, but what impressed us most was the crew and the topnotch service that they delivered at every turn. We would do HAL again just for that reason, except that there were so many positives. We also enjoyed visiting Vancouver, but we stayed after the cruise instead of beforehand. We are now hooked on cruising, and will be heading for the Panama Canal this winter, again on HAL. I need to tell you that I have been following your vids since we decided to cruise, and they were a great help in planning our first cruise, and will use your experiences and tips to prepare for the next adventure. Thanks very much. Also, your Ultimate Cruise Planner was so helpful in getting us organized for our trip.

[@DonLekei]

We were like you, we booked an Alaska cruise in August-September because we didn't want to do much this year (just take the train/bus/Uber to the port). Cold weather exploring never had much appeal and we can see snow capped mountains out of our front door every winter. You are turning that around and getting me excited.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Lol, seems we have similar thoughts on this. I hope you really enjoy it :)

[@georgiarn3915]

We just booked the Konigsdam for May 2024. Super excited. I've never been big on cruises, but I love this ship and the music walk.

[@angelics-speak869]

I just returned last weekend from a 7 day Seattle to Seattle cruise to Alaska on the Westerdam. Fantastic cruise! I also went dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier which we accessed via helicopter. An absolutely wonderful experience which is unforgettable :)

[@mtascp05]

Just came back from an Alaska cruise. Five years ago, we went with Princess and this year to try something different we went on Celebrity. Weather was pretty good, our cruise director said we were a good luck charm at all our ports. Glacier day is always a highlight. Whale watching excursion in Icy Strait Point was great, we had calm seas, found a group of whales, and the operators were fantastic. Juneau has the most to see if you like walking around on your own. The ships are great, and offer a nice variety of activities.

[@angelahungate3437]

I've been to Alaska twice, once by myself, one year later with my husband and I could go back again. Royal Caribbean for me. Ovation of the Seas. Vancouver, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Glaciers, Ketchikan. 8 nights

[@westerncanadiangirl7302]

Hello. My husband and I returned just this afternoon from our Alaskan Cruise on the Koningsdam. Although we live in British Columbia, we aren't close enough to Vancouver to drive to the port on the same day as embarkation, so like you, we stayed at the PanPacific Hotel. It was very convenient to be right at the port. We parked our vehicle in the underground parkade at Canada Place and that was also convenient because it took us less than 15 minutes from the time of debarkation to the time we were in our vehicle and on the road for home. We enjoyed the food in the ship's dining room, where we ate all, but a few, of our meals. We had one delicious dinner at Rudi's Sel de Mer, and another delicious dinner at The Pinnacle Grill. We tried a few food items and coffee at the Lido Market buffet, but to us the quality and taste were not up to the same standards as the food and coffee served in the other eateries on board. We never returned to the buffet. Like you, we loved the coffee and treats from the Grand Dutch Cafe, but there was always a long lineup to place an order, and then another wait to get the order. It was the same at the Explorations Cafe. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but there was nothing in the ports of call for our budget that interested us. One port was just like the other with too many 'souvenir and tee-shirt shops' and too many jewelry shops. We took the White Pass Train Ride, and it was fine. We saw a lumberjack show in Ketchikan and it was good fun, but each town visited was like the other. Glacier Bay was lovely. We saw many sea otters, but even with binoculars, they are still far away. A few of us were lucky to see a whale (we think an orca) break the water and show its black dorsal fin 3 times - and this happened while we glanced out the window while eating dinner at the Pinnacle! I was hoping to see more marine wildlife and eagles, but I was disappointed. We have visited the Columbia Icefield in Alberta where we touched and walked on the blue ice of the Athabasca Glacier, so seeing the glaciers in Glacier Bay was pretty, but being up close and personal to a glacier is much more exciting! Every staff member we spoke to was friendly. The service in the dining rooms, the bars etc... and from the room stewards was excellent. Our aft balcony cabin allowed us to take in the sights of the voyage from our private room, but during some of the night cruising and the days at sea, there was no relief from the constant rocking of the boat. Anti-sea sickness medication is a need. Although I plan to take another cruise in the future, I will not be returning to Alaska!

[@coloradoklutch8005]

Great video! I was on this same cruise and had the pleasure of meeting Ilana and chatting with her on two occasions. She is a wonderful person with a really nice family. (I'm actually in two scenes in this video.) 😃 My only disappointment with this cruise was we did not actually sail through the Inside Passage going north. We took the Outside Passage. There was no announcement or mention of this from the Koningsdam staff. We did take the Inside Passage going south, but much of that time was after dark. We did the White Pass Railway excursion in Skagway. This was amazing! Highly recommend it. Skagway was a pleasant surprise. It's a very tiny town, but its squeaky clean with a brief and fascinating gold rush history. You can find multiple, historical exhibits around the town with park rangers. We watched a free film about the Klondike Gold Rush at the Visitor's center which was informative and very well produced. As for Juneau, book an excursion or stay on the ship. Meh... Mostly just a bunch of jewelry stores. Ketchikan was also nice. Creek Street is charming, but it's all trinket shops with one private residence. I booked my own excursion with Wild Wolf Tours. They were great! Give them a try in Ketchikan. This was the first cruise for my family and me. Mrs. Klutch and I will definitely cruise again and it will be with Holland America. If you you're not looking for a "party boat", HAL is the best choice outside of the ultra luxury cruise lines.

[@pamhunter9617]

We did a glacier tour in Juneau. Helicopter up to a glacier, walk on the glacier, drink glacier water (which was the purest water I have ever tasted) and helicopter back. This was the highlight of our 14 day cruise/lad tour by far.

[@pamhunter9617]

*land

[@LifeWellCruised]

Awe, thanks for those kind words! I don’t think I realized that we were in the Outside Passage (I wouldn’t know). Really enjoyed your comments & great meeting you :)

[@mayavandoorn261]

Hi Alana, here's Maya from the Netherlands. I have booked my first cruise for july 7th, east mediterranian. Already I learned a lot from your video's. But this one brought a big smile on my face as you loved the Bossche bol and the Dutch peasoup. This cruise is now on my bucketlist and I will have to save up because I'm a solo-cruiser and HAL is not close to my budget. Thank you so much for all your video's and see you next time. 🧡

[@LifeWellCruised]

I’m so glad! Plus, the lovely blue & white dishes, fresh flowers, truly lovely :)

[@KikiB90]

Hi Maya, - Christel from Florida here. Would love to hear about your solo cruise to the east mediterranian. I have done three solo cruises in the caribbean and enjoy solo cruising very much and I'm considering to go on one or two in Europe. Which cruise line do you prefer. Hopefully your budget will allow Alaska soon, it is so worth it. Just got back from a cruise together with a friend

[@mayavandoorn261]

Hi Christel, it is sure worth it. 7th July I'm on Norwegian Gem and 13th November on Costa Toscna.

[@tomharrison8247]

We were on an Alaska Inside Passage cruise the week before you were there. We sailed on Holland America’s Westerdam out of Seattle and had stops in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, BC, before returning to Seattle. We were very fortunate to have exceptionally warm and sunny weather for our trip (15-20 degrees warmer than you had). It made the trip even nicer but we knew it was a bit of an aberration. Next time I would focus on at least one excursion to go wildlife watching in a small boat and would schedule at least one excursion that goes farther inland to see the landscape and vistas from up above. If I could afford it, I would also consider a flight over the glaciers. My son-in-law did it and was nearly in tears because of the beauty he was able to see. Thank you for your videos. They were very helpful in the lead up to our trip and I will continue to watch your channel for more tips on future trips!!

[@harperwood3562]

Such a great video tour of Alaska from a ship! Thank you!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@kathyslocombe1182]

Love all of your videos and this was no exception. My particular interest was your comments about the Koningsdam as we are on her in Feb./24 for a 35-day Hawaii/South Pacific/Marquesas Islands cruise. Alaska is definitely a must-do cruise but living in Vancouver, we don't have to go far afield to see Orcas, bears, salmon runs, etc. and, of course, we have the mountains. We have done Alaska twice and were greeted by rain in all ports so that was disappointing but you can't predict the weather. All in all, you profiled the cruise and ship beautifully and, again, a must-do cruise because Alaska is spectacular.

[@twimama43]

Sailing on HAL Eurodam on the 2nd to last cruise of the season this year. Looking forward to this more than I can even explain. :)

[@craighorton3688]

Just returned from an Alaskan cruise on Brilliance of the Seas. The best cruise I have been on and my wife and adult son loved it too. Stops were Sitka, Juneau, Haines and Ketchikan. The weather was great and light rain only one afternoon. Just beautiful scenery and I highly recommend an Alaskan cruise - I’ll go there over the Caribbean easily.

[@denisemishkit3487]

Our very first cruise was on Holland America to Alaska, the Ryndam, a small ship, a beauty. We celebrated our 25th. We went on several more cruises to the Caribbean , but the Ak cruise is by far spectacularly beautiful. We leave for another cruise to Ak in two weeks for our 50th, can't wait!!

[@Beachdudeca]

I think it’s hard to beat #HollandAmerica for #Alaska given the size of the ship, quality of the food, the covered pool area, and the ease of viewing the scenery 🏔️

[@LifeWellCruised]

Very true

[@stephenquayle1852]

The Rangers made the whole trip for me. The lady did a fantastic presentation, which made me quite emotional.

[@louiseclarkashburn6664]

I booked an Alaska cruise with RCL for this May. I have only done A River cruise in Europe before so this will be new for me. My adult niece is coming along so we can share some experiences and split apart for others. I’m partially disabled so I will be checking out how well they accommodate that but was fortunate to be able to get a stateroom near the elevators. I walk with a cane and cannot do stairs any more so the travel agent made a note of that on my reservation. Your videos are helping me to become better prepared for everything!

[@dianejohanson98]

My husband was stationed in Fairbanks during his time in the Army in early 70’s, so he was familiar with Alaska. We’ve been on 2 Alaska cruises, the second one we also did a week of the land portion, which I highly recommend. The Princess lodges are great! We are planning another Alaska cruise in probably May next year. We love Alaska. My favorite cruise.

[@user-ih5of5xc8l]

We're going on our first Alaska cruise on the Discovery Princess in mid-September. We have been watching all of your handy hints in the other videos. We have already gotten our waterproof boots. I am reading a book that takes place on one of the Alaskan railroad tours. In the book, the tour staff refers to the tourists as Q-tips. White hair on top and white shoes on the bottom. Cotton at both ends. I was in the tourist business (Greyline up and down Pikes Peak during college) and I am sure it is a term of endearment. We love our tourists.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Lol, that’s too funny! Hope you have an amazing cruise!

[@jenrn120]

Great video and info! Thanks Llana!

[@SusanSheehy]

We are going on an Alaskan cruise with Disney next summer. I’m excited to check out Vancouver beforehand as well.

[@elisagroendyke4466]

Headed to Alaska June 9th on Celebrity Millennium. Thanks so much for all your great tips and packing ideas!🎉

[@user-rk5vx6ww1s]

Thank you, your video provided us with much to think about. Coming from Australia, well we want to get as much right as we can because it is a one-time trip for us. If we go with HAL, it will be our first time too. (We wanted to try something different from Princess after 6 cruises with them). We really enjoyed the quality of your video aswell; the information you shared answered the many questions we needed answers to. 🙂

[@staceylp39]

Hello, just like you I never thought of Alaska bring in my bucket list, but it was on my moms. We took a 7 day cruise out of Seattle. We sailed on Celebrity Solstice. We had all the same stops as you. We had perfect weather n did do the whale excursion. N did the train. We did the exact same Canoe excursion as you too, lol. The scenery throughout our whole trip was incredible. We had a great time like you I like the warm weather n do a lot of Caribbean cruises I’m glad I made this trip with my mom. The weather was also perfect no rain in any of the ports. Near 50 degrees. Thanks for all your videos they helped

[@janajeffsilvernickelladventure]

We have been on one and have the second one booked for 2024. Alaska!! What can be said. It must be seen to be believed!! So Amazing!!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Very true!!

[@sdega315]

We did the same itinerary with Holland America in 2018. I'm a biology guy so I loved the nature talks. The Crow's Nest was my favorite place to hang on sea days with a G&T and a book. I read The Autobiography of Jean Luc Picard on that trip.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@debbiejohnson8640]

20 years ago we took the 2 week Holland America Alaska trip. Best vacation we have had We went too all ports and everyone port was better than the last Our teen age daughter just loved it. All the food and drinks were great. We made a lot of friends on our cruise. Most beautiful place I have ever seen. We got to play with the baby huskies and their moms very well kept dogs . 🐕 we also went to Homer if you watch the show deadliest catch it is what it looks like on t.v. We had the best 2 week vacation you can have. Also my husband and daughter took a helicopter to the top of a glacer they got to walk all over it. I didn't do that. The ship we were on was the Miss Amsterdam. We had a veranda suite. Best trip ever.

[@user-pm9fc7sz3e]

I am going on my first Alaska cruise on the Koningsdam in August and really like and watch ALL your cruise videos. Your videos are so helpful. Thanks and smooooth sailing.Lynn from Florida.

[@hermacoutts8587]

Our first ever cruise was with HAL on the Nieuw Amsterdam in 2016 in early May. Absolutely loved it, and didn’t have to travel far, just a ferry to Vancouver. We’ll probably go on the Triple Denali next year, on HAL again.

[@tbwarehouse]

We just got back from the Noordam Land and Sea! Next time you need to do the land tour on the railroad. It was the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. A great way to see the interior Alaska which looks nothing like the seaports. People think they say Alaska but they have not. I think you need to think about that someday. Holland had their act together and everything went so smoothly from transportation to hotels to luggage handling.

[@rikalr]

I'm going on my first cruise in June - on board the Disney Wonder to Alaska! I've watched a number of "trip vlogs" specific to the Disney line but find your content practical as it covers everything to expect regardless of cruise line. I'm lucky since I live in the Vancouver area so I don't have to worry about hotel stays or flying in before the ship departs.

[@FrancesErickson]

We are going on an Alaskan cruise in July to celebrate our granddaughter’s 14th birthday. (we will be on the Discovery Princess )This was her request and her dream to go on an Alaskan cruise. We have gone several times and have loved it each time and we would go back over and over again because it is absolutely breathtaking, I’m so glad that you had the opportunity to enjoy this experience. This cruise is so different than going to the Caribbean and it’s definitely a must put on the bucket list trip. I love watching all of your videos and I have learned so much even though we are seasoned cruisers. So.

[@LifeWellCruised]

What a nice cruise!!

[@zedex26]

We went on Koningsdam just the week after you went, and had cloudless skies the first 6 days, and finally rained/fog on the last sea day, which was amazing. I do want to mention, during the Glacier Bay day, they took away all the balls/paddles so you can't play Pickleball in the National Park. I think the staff said they didn't allow loose objects on deck for fear of falling into the water, so they store them away the night before, but will take them out after the rangers depart. Even the ping pong balls and the paddles got stored away, when those were in the enclosed pool deck. It was our first ever cruise, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. My wife was a bit sea sick the first sea day, as the ship was rocking a bit, but otherwise we loved every day there. Definitely a must do trip in our opinion. One caveat though, the excursions really are quite expensive...

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for sharing & glad to hear that you enjoyed!

[@sue4jesus]

Thank you for sharing. My husband and I are going on our 1st Alaska cruise this August on Princess Royal from Seattle. I appreciate all of your videos and have learned so much. I got your cruise planner and will use it.

[@asjones987]

Our first ever cruse was to Alaska (on Princess out of Seattle). We brought our kids 17 and 11 and they also enjoyed it. There were other families. Yes it was more "older" people, but it was a wonderful experience over all. We did not want/need the party stuff. Sea days were great with activities for all. The excursion were great. We did the lighthouse/whale watching excursion (learned it was newer) and LOVED it. We had never thought of ourselves as "cruse people" so this was the perfect cruse for us. I will also add we go many cruse tips from watching other videos from this channel so thank you!!

[@LifeWellCruised]

It’s so funny how so many “cruise people”, never started out that way 😂. Thanks for sharing & for watching

[@brettparnell8254]

I think im with your first point. I'll go someday when I'm retired, but livjng in Ontario I don't really want to be cold on vacation.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Totally get that. The guides told me that July is much warmer

[@kathyverstraete884]

We went in 2019 in June. Beautiful and quite warm. I actually wore shorts quite a bit. It got quite warm. So watch your time of year carefully

[@cindyderr225]

We are going on our very first cruise and it's to Alaska. We will be going the end of August. This has been on our bucket list for several years. We are so excited!

[@stephenquayle1852]

We were on that cruise 13-20 May and watched your great presentation Many thanks. We loved it!

[@ThenomanOG]

We are taking our first Alaskan cruise in a couple weeks. And it’s on the Koningsdam! I’m glad that you n your family enjoyed it. We can’t wait 😊

[@alisonmartz8470]

We are going on a 14 night cruise to Alaska on the Seabourn Odyssey in late August! We are super excited!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Amazing!!

[@tmoore1144]

We have only cruised once, to Alaska, 20 years ago. Same itinerary as yours only on Princess. Taking another cruise this summer around Hawaii. My husband has always wanted to go back to Alaska, it is so beautiful just perfect.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Have a fantastic cruise!

[@user-bo7hv7vq2d]

We are going on this cruise in 3 weeks,looking forward to it. Thanks Ilana for all the information!

[@lisadavis8389]

I've visited Alaska at !east 4,maybe 5 times and am always amazed at the scenery and the whole Alaskan vibe. Your observations are spot on. Thanks

[@LifeWellCruised]

So glad you had similar experiences:)

[@liddy1171]

Taking our 2nd Alaska cruise this summer. Perfect to get out of the PHX AZ heat! We’il see 3 new cruise ports (yes, Victoria!) and can’t wait to cruise thru Glacier Bay. 🔥❄️

[@kimfite6014]

Thanks for the video. It's very interesting and informative. We are sailing Alaska in July, and I can't wait. I'm glad you had a good time.

[@cherriallen5813]

My husband and I are going on our 1st Alaskan cruise July 19th. There are 11 total going. So excited.

[@britishcolumbianlife8084]

I spent 34 years in the Navy and the cruise you reviewed was also the same trip my wife and I chose for our first cruise ever. I spent 30 plus years at sea so going to sea as a vacation needed some convincing, but we enjoyed it immensely. We had the SPA package which we both enjoyed and since we had an inside cabin booked the retreat cabana for Glacier Bay, it was such a great idea. It was cool so we had the whole deck to ourselves, no crowds, great views and a Butler that was dedicated to us for the day. We are now looking at what to do next year for our 35’th. Any tips?Thanks for your videos, it really helped our planning.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great to read your comments! Have you considered a Med cruise? The sights, food & combination of ship life make this itinerary pretty amazing

[@slwaller3]

Would love to see a video or comment about what to pack for an Alaskan cruise. We’re going in July and can’t wait! We love all your videos!

[@patriciacassidy7677]

We cruised to Alaska for the first time last year. It is so beautiful and so majestic I fell in love with the place! I got to see 3 bald eagles in flight.for me that was a big deal. I was excited! Ill be back in a year or two

[@scottmilo2971]

Thank you,I really enjoyed the video. It brought back many memories! Headed to Alaska next May in 24 for the fourth time. The last time I was there about 10 years ago we were on Holland America and we enjoyed the cruise. Next year we will be on the celebrity edge. On Alaska cruise is unlike any others. As a citizen of the United States, it’s hard to express the patriotism, that I feel each time when I visit the beautiful state of Alaska.

[@LifeWellCruised]

So glad you enjoyed the video! Have a wonderful cruise

[@scottmilo2971]

@@LifeWellCruised thx. Headed out this summer for a 14 day princess cruise to the med including turkey. And in January taking my first Virgin Voyages cruise out of San Juan to the southern Caribbean. Also plan to try a river cruise in Europe @ Christmas 24.

[@DavidHarris8]

Really appreciate the Alaskan cruise playlist. Very helpful. Going on my cruise in July.

[@robinshultz2927]

Leaving September 9th out of Seattle on the Holland America Eurodam. My 9th cruise but my first Alaskan cruise. I’m mentoring a young friend in the hows and whys of traveling. It should be a fun trip.

[@gisme4648]

So many wonderful memories for me watching this video. In 2006 my husband and I and two of our adult children did the same itinerary on HAL Zuiderdam. Glacier Bay was by far the highlight. Would love to cruise there again someday.

[@dianastacey919]

Not sure if they still have this but the best part of my cruise was the bird rehab center where they had eagles, owls and all those raptor type birds were up close and personal. Also saw tons of whale tails because I went when they just got back from Hawaii migration and they were starving. That is a long trip and there is no food except off shore if you know any biology so they were very busy.