Back from Volendam Cruise to Alaska- LOVED it

[Nina2014]

I am just back from Volendam's Sep 3- Sep 10 cruise to Alaska; thank you to everyone on this board for all the tips and advice; we had the best time!!

 

Amazing weather , warm, sunny , brisk everyday except in Skagway which was the one day we got some rain and it was cold (about 10 degrees Celsius) on our trip up to the Yukon.

 

The ship is in very good shape, the service was good, stateroom was very comfortable and our room stewards were the sweetest guys.

 

Food was satisfactory most of the time; excellent sometimes. Desserts were wonderful. We preferred the Lido; ate in MDR 3 times including 2 formal nights; Food was beautifully presented at MDR; went to cupcake afternoon tea once.

 

Shows were amazing, we went to all of them ; the Volendam dancers and singers were sooo good. Loved the solo guitarist in Ocean bar and classical violinist/pianist duo (Adagio, I think).

 

Ports- Juneau - went to Mendenhall and Nugget Falls ($35 pp for city/glacier roundtrip) picked up at dock with MGT; walked around town later

Skagway- took Chilkoot tours to Yukon (8 hour bus /train combo)- was absolutely beautiful although foggy quite a bit of the way on the train back

Ketchikan- LOVED it ; warm and sunny day so we took a walking tour on our own around town ; went up funicular ($4 pp); shopped at Tongass ; it was my favourite port in Alaska

Glacier Bay was truly AWESOME- the sky was blue, sun was shining and the glaciers were sparkling bright white and blue ; it was so warm we took off all our layers; lovely day there; pea soup on deck

 

All in all, it was one of the best vacations ever.. already thinking of next year's trip!!

[canadianbear]

Thanks for the report! So glad you enjoyed your cruise-we love Alaska. I'd like to go every year if only the DH would allow it:D

[puppycanducruise]

Welcome back.

Glad you had a great cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome Home

Glad you had a wonderful Alaskan Cruise on the Volendam.

[PathfinderEss]

Glad you had a great cruise. Welcome back and thanks for your review.:)

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[erewhon]

Thanks for reviewing your Volendam cruise.

[tandemcruzr]

 

Ports- Juneau - went to Mendenhall and Nugget Falls ($35 pp for city/glacier roundtrip) picked up at dock with MGT; walked around town later

 

Who/what is MGT?

 

Ketchikan- LOVED it ; warm and sunny day so we took a walking tour on our own around town ; went up funicular ($4 pp); shopped at Tongass ; it was my favourite port in Alaska

 

What is funicular?

 

Thanks for the review. We aren't scheduled until Aug, 2015 but doing our research now.

[Nina2014]

OP here-

 

MGT- Mendenhall Glacier Transportation in Juneau

 

there are a number of tour companies offering various tours of the Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding areas at comparable prices; the Visitors centre recommended MGT to us. We took the City plus Glacier Tour ; priced at $35; they gave it to us for $25 pp since we were the last 2 seats vacant on the bus.

 

Funicular in Ketchikan - a little lift or tram that goes up a steep hill to the top of the hill to Cape Fox hotel; there are some totem poles at the back of the hotel and some gorgeous views.

 

hope this helps.

[Don't spammy]

Glad you really enjoyed. Your insights are appreciated