A few weeks back, I was invited to tour a Holland America Cruise ship. The tour was arranged by Expedia Cruise Ship Centers. It was a 4 hour event. It included lunch and a presentation of cruise options for Alaska. If you know much about cruising to Alaska, the season comes to an towards the end of September. Which means, you have the next 9 months to plan your cruise!

I went on a cruise to Alaska with family in 2011, there was 16 of us. The scenery took my breath away every turn the ship took. The glaciers are a stunning sight to behold! Our cruise was on a different carrier, which didn’t offer the same experiences available at Holland America.

Seattle

Late spring and all summer long, the Seattle waterfront is packed with tourists getting ready to board a cruise. The day I took this tour, the city skyline looked like the twilight zone. The fires from B.C. left a smoky haze lingering all over the area.

It was so fun to be a tourist in my own city, and enjoy the perks of a cruise ship. Even if it was just for half a day!

Ms. Eurodam

The Eurodam is a beautiful, majestic ship. It’s Holland’s signature class ship. Ms. Eurodam carries 2104 passengers and it is the largest in its class of ships. I’m always in awe of these huge “floating cities.”

I read the other day that a cruise ship is a floating city of lazy people, ha ha…well I’ll leave that to your judgment. It is the ultimate vacation, with everything at your fingertips. The best part: you only have to unpack once!

Cruise Ship Dining

If you have ever been on a cruise, you know the cuisine is an adventure in itself. It’s called “stuff it til it hurts!” The meal for the tour was no exception. They spoiled us with a 5 course meal, which included bubbly and yummy dessert!

On a cruise, choosing what to eat everyday is quite the dilemma, ha! How can there be so much yum in one place?! I remember getting so overwhelmed with all the choices

The Pool

Anywhere there is a pool , or beach I am right there. It didn’t take me long to find my favorite spot on the ship. I was excited to find a cabana to crash on for a few minutes!

Relaxation & Leisure

Isn’t this view incredible? It is one of many stunning scenes you will see if you cruise out of Seattle to Alaska. Being on a cruise is the ultimate for relaxing and doing your own thing. Some peeps are happy to hang out and read a book. If that sounds too boring, no worries there is something for everyone to keep entertained.

If you are planning a cruise…

Why You Should Cruise Holland to Alaska

1) Explore the Alaska Few Ever See:

Holland has been there since the beginning . Cruise ships started going to Alaska in 1947, and Holland America was the first to go. They offer exclusive , curated experiences that other cruise lines don’t. Which ever journey you choose, you’ll enjoy elegant mid sized ships with less crowds.

2) Exclusive Land and Sea Packages:

There are different excursions you can choose from. It is a one hour flight from Fairbanks to Dawson City, in the Yukon Territory. Here you will experience the old west, and relive the Gold Rush Days.

Ride the only glass domed railway cars into the Alaska interior: the McKinley Explorer. The panoramic view is in constant change as the train approaches the mighty Denali Mountain. Travelers are encouraged to have their camera ready at a moments notice. Feel the mountain air rushing by on the outside deck, as eagles soar by.

Experience refined lodging and the best of Alaskan wilderness at Denali Square. This is a new resort built by Holland, located on 60 acres of private land. Spend the day exploring rugged wilderness, and enjoy the evening by a campfire. You can also discover the history of the park’s creation at the Golden Nugget Saloon.

3) A Professional Journey Host

Holland land tours include a knowledgeable guide , to be by your side for this entire portion of your trip. They know the best time to spot a red fox, where to find elk, and share tips on how to pan for gold in the Yukon

I hope you enjoyed the tour of the boat, and perhaps you will be planning an Alaskan cruise soon!