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This is the part I was most looking forward to, and my excursions didn’t disappoint. The staff were so great with my little guy, I was always happy to eat there, which we did for most breakfasts and dinners. Those in the dining room made a particularly great impression, remembering my son and always saying hi to him and bringing his fruit right away. Considering how many people they were seeing on a daily basis, I was impressed. The verandah room was spacious enough, though, with plenty of storage in the closets and drawers, as well as a space under the bed for suitcases. As long as we were good about putting things back in their place, the room was totally fine for the three of us.
Glacier Bay Cruise Itineraries
Tonight was the second performance by the Step One Dance company. I started with two appetizers, the pot stickers and the tempura shrimp. The pot stickers were soft with a savory combination of shrimp and lobster. It was a nice little send off as the ship began its journey back to Seattle. In between work and socializing with our cabin neighbors, we admired the scenery and soaked up the sun as the ship slowly pulled out of Ketchikan. Thanking our tour guides, we browsed the property taking photos of some of the exhibits and totem poles and the gift shop until our bus was called.
Dawson City, Yukon
Take thrilling excursions ashore in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. Linger at the face of frozen giants in Glacier Bay National Park. Or sidle up to Hubbard Glacier and watch house-sized icebergs cannon into the sea. Glaciers, wildlife and frontier towns are yours on these voyages. Praised by Condé Nast Traveler for cuisine “that rivals the top restaurants on land,” Tamarind is the perfect place to explore the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan. The menu, which honors the elements of water, wood, fire and earth, features such exotic fare as wok-seared lobster, barramundi (Asian sea bass) in banana leaf and sushi, accompanied by chilled or heated sake.
Holland America’s Alaska 2024 Cruises
This much needed connection to the real world had been one of the sticking points of this trip. By the time we finished, the first major glacier of the day, the Lamplugh Glacier, was beginning to appear through the fog on the portside. We knew from the get-go that it was going to be hard to beat our first visit to Glacier Bay. During our Alaska Cruise on Majestic Princess a few weeks earlier, we were graced with a sunny, 60 degree day while in this national park. Either way, with our signature drinks in hand, it was a excellent way to finish up a very long day on our Holland America Line Alaska cruise. With a few minor engine issues on the way back for good measure, we arrived about 30 minutes behind schedule.
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. The Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Denali is billed as the most scenic way to make the trip, in domed train cars that feature special viewing platforms. And the mountains and rivers that you pass by are scenic, although after eight hours, the extended trip becomes wearying.
McKinly Chalet Resort at Denali
With a few hours of LTE access left, we also wanted to make sure we could get a few social media posts done and our blog post scheduled. Easily finding our shore excursion guide, we were boarded on a bus for the 30 minute ride to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. Once the ship was cleared, we joined the masses exiting the ship on Deck A. We easily found our tour provider, as it was the group with the largest line! Once everyone arrived, we were ushered to the next dock to begin the 5+ hours of exploring the Sitka waters and city highlights.
Offered pre- or post-cruise, this inland trip begins with a scenic train ride on the glass-domed McKinley Explorer railcars to reach McKinley Chalet Resort. As the base camp for your stay, this 60-acre property is conveniently located near the entrance to the park on the banks of the Nenana River. More active excursions allow guests to land on a glacier and trek across the surface on a guided hike or roam around in an ATV. For the ultimate Alaskan adventure, carve it up on a dogsled, mushing a team of huskies through the snow. Accessible only by air, the camp is led by seasoned veterans of the legendary Iditarod Race who will teach you the tricks of the trade.
Alaska Cruises from Vancouver
We found a booth at the edge of the stage and listened to a few songs. Knowing we still had a few bars to cross-off our drink around the ship, we ended the evening with a drink at the Ocean Bar. Back on the ship, we grabbed a quick snack at the Lido Market. While it was not open for “lunch”, there were select stations open for snacks. This gave me the opportunity to try the Asian salad, which was actually quite good.
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Holland America Line Touts 'Glacier Day' Perks on Alaska Voyages - Cruise Hive
Holland America Line Touts 'Glacier Day' Perks on Alaska Voyages.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:29:21 GMT [source]
Felix squealed with delight at the helicopters taking off right outside of our room on the ship afterwards. The first evening after departing Vancouver was already beautiful, passing by the islands outside of the city and all along the coast of British Columbia. There are many Alaska itineraries to choose from, and they all offer scenic cruising with some variation in the stops they make. Mark Pells, Westerdam Hotel Director, says May and September are good for empty nesters who like a quiet environment with fewer kids. Ketchikan honors its native heritage with the world’s largest totem pole collection preserved at the Totem Heritage Center.
Learn about the heritage and culture from indigenous Huna Tlingit guides and on fascinating shore excursions. The adventure continues with Alaska land and sea cruisetour packages, including accommodation and tours not offered by any other cruise line. Enjoy an early dinner on your verandah before an evening excursion. All selections are included in your cruise fare unless otherwise noted on the in-room menu. It's one of the first decisions you'll have to make when booking.
However, there was plenty of variety, and I was able to eat healthy and find plenty of options for my one-year-old as well (veggies, grilled meats, and fruit were always abundant). Captain Bart Vaartjes maneuvered our ship remarkably close to Margerie Glacier. Our port-side balcony cabin provided a spectacular spot to admire nature’s incredible beauty. Then he turned the 935-foot ship 180 degrees to share the great views with starboard guests.
Located in the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush Country, this town is filled with historic buildings and offers a charming trip back in time. The port valet service took care of our two large suitcases, and we were assigned the departure time of 8 am. Disembarking the boat at Centennial Hall, we met Justin, our quirky tour guide/bus driver.
Our opinion is that the long days on the road can be grueling -- and after changing hotels five times, you'll relish your cabin even more once you board. So, the best choice tends to be a land tour first, cruise second. Nami Sushi offers a tempting array of the sushi rolls he’s created.
Our visit included a narrated tour of one of the training areas, as well as a presentation with one of the permanent eagle residents, Spirit. The center is home to the largest raptor rehabilitation program in the country. With the ability to rehab up to 200 raptors, such as eagles, hawks, and owls, the center also offers educational programs. Following this portion of the tour, we took another 10 minute ride to our next stop. Interspersed with personal and state history from our guide along the way, we arrived at the Alaska Raptor Center.
If you arrive early, you have the opportunity to take a day trip down to Portage Glacier on the Kenai Peninsula. Most tours include a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you can see moose, bears and buffalo. Find exceptional City Stays & Pre/Post Overland Packages, which offer a seamless experience ashore to add to your cruise.
With more fellow cruisers now onboard the ship, it was time to test out the food. Among them are the poolside Dive-In Burger that rivaled similar venues on other cruise lines. There is also a pizza window, the Lido Market buffet, and the main dining room. Not to mention, Holland America Line offers 24-hour room service. The food and wine program extends to many other styles of cuisine in fine and casual dining venues, but this is only one aspect of the onboard experience.
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