Boarding Times Holland America Amsterdam departing Seattle

[Krimson]

I've looked around and can't seem to locate this information. We'll be driving into Seattle from Spokane Sunday, the morning of the cruise, supposed to be about a 4.5 hour drive (we're from Texas so if someone has any info about the drive it will be welcome). I need to know by what time we need to be in the terminal so I can plan that drive. The ship sets sail at 4pm. I'm also interested in hearing anything people want to share about Amsterdam, it's our first time on HAC and our first time in Alaska. We have a fully obstructed outside cabin, selected it for the extra square footage. We've done 7 nights on NCL, 26 I think on RCL, and I think 28 on Carnival. Mediterranean, Scandinavian and several Caribbean cruises. Suggestions for port activities in Alaska also welcome. Sailing August 23 through 30th, any chance we'll get to see the Northern Lights?

[CruiserBruce]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

First of all, there is a portion of Cruise Critic devoted to HAL (the common acronym here, not HAC), which is located here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=171

 

Look over there, and you will find all the HAL info you will ever need.

 

The HAL fleetwide policy is for boarding to start at or very close to 11:30. You must be onboard no later than 90 minutes prior to scheduled sailing for the starting port (30 minutes prior to sailing time for the other ports).

 

The chance of seeing Northern Lights is very slim.

 

As to things to do in Alaska, we don't know what ports you are stopping at, nor do we know your interests, budget or limitations. Some research on what HAL offers will give you ideas on excursions, and some research on the Alaska board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

will be very helpful in deciding what you do or don't.

Edited June 28, 2015 by CruiserBruce

[Krimson]

Thanks. I did try running some searches, but didn't turn up my answer. So we need to be at the port by about 2:30pm, which shouldn't be too difficult to make from Spokane. Our ports will be Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria. We are very budget conscious, but will stretch for things we really want to do. A few cruises ago we quit using sponsored excursions and started locating our own activities. I can research what's available; what I'd really like to hear is what other people found to be their best experiences. What looks good on a website or brochure may not turn out to be so great in reality, and sometimes great activities have sketchy or nonexistent marketing. I'll have a look at the HAC link and see what I can learn.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Thanks. I did try running some searches, but didn't turn up my answer. So we need to be at the port by about 2:30pm, which shouldn't be too difficult to make from Spokane. Our ports will be Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria. We are very budget conscious, but will stretch for things we really want to do. A few cruises ago we quit using sponsored excursions and started locating our own activities. I can research what's available; what I'd really like to hear is what other people found to be their best experiences. What looks good on a website or brochure may not turn out to be so great in reality, and sometimes great activities have sketchy or nonexistent marketing. I'll have a look at the HAC link and see what I can learn.

 

I would plan to pad in a lot of time for the drive. You just never know what could happen. In other words, don't plan to arrive at the last minute. In fact, many people will get to their port of embarkation at least a day ahead unless they have a quick drive in. For us, we're an hour's drive to the Port of LA, but we'll be on the road by 10am at the latest. Again, just in case.

[Krimson]

I understand. But our main reason for traveling to the Mighty Northwest is to attend the World Science Fiction Convention in Spokane August 19-23rd. We really hoped to find a cruise departing on the 24th and drive to Seattle on the evening of the 23rd, but the only one available was about 25% more so we are giving up the last day of the event to head for Seattle first thing Sunday morning to catch the Amsterdam. After the cruise we'll have brunch at the Space Needle then start the 1,916 mile drive home to the Desert Southwest, with stops at Yellowstone National Park and in Denver for Tacticon, another Science Fiction Convention. So getting there a day early isn't in the cards for us, although I am excited to be cruising with HAC for the first time. But if we are on the road by 7am, we should get to Seattle about 11:30am, which gives us three hours of latitude for unforeseen problems.

Edited June 28, 2015 by Krimson

[cattolica]

I am originally from the Pacific Northwest. I would allow 6 hours to get from Spokane to Seattle. You need to build in stops for lunch, etc.

 

4 and 1/2 hours is based on straight driving with no stops. Plus since you aren't familiar with Seattle freeways and traffic you want to be prepared for possibly getting lost.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

I agree -- plan on an 6 - 6 1/2 hour trip.

You are really cutting it too close by arriving at 2:30 since the ship leaves at 4 PM.

If anything goes wrong -- traffic, and you get to the pier late, you may be denied boarding and there is no refund.

We have done quite a few Alaskan cruises and have never seen the Northern Lights.

[BorderLodge]

I've looked around and can't seem to locate this information. We'll be driving into Seattle from Spokane Sunday, the morning of the cruise, supposed to be about a 4.5 hour drive (we're from Texas so if someone has any info about the drive it will be welcome). I need to know by what time we need to be in the terminal so I can plan that drive. The ship sets sail at 4pm. I'm also interested in hearing anything people want to share about Amsterdam, it's our first time on HAC and our first time in Alaska. We have a fully obstructed outside cabin, selected it for the extra square footage. We've done 7 nights on NCL, 26 I think on RCL, and I think 28 on Carnival. Mediterranean, Scandinavian and several Caribbean cruises. Suggestions for port activities in Alaska also welcome. Sailing August 23 through 30th, any chance we'll get to see the Northern Lights?

 

For what it’s worth, I’d have to agree with everyone else. I’d allow about 6 hours simply because you don’t know what delays could happen. 7:00am is a good time to leave. Better to be early kuz late don’t work. We live in Renton (about 15 miles away from the pier) and have taken several cruises out of Seattle. It’s normally about a 30 minute drive but because of construction/traffic/events at the Seattle Center it has taken well over an hour a few times. I assume you will be parking your car in the lot at the pier so you have to allow time for transfer from there.

 

 

 

As far as excursions, over the years our favorite has been kayaking. It’s generally not too expensive and it’s just cool to be ON the water plus you get to see some nice scenery and wildlife. We’ve only done that in Juneau. It’s a lot better if the weather is nice. Otherwise a trip to the Mendenhall glacier in Juneau is interesting and informative. Of the 8 cruises to Alaska over the last 20 years or so, we’ve only seen the Northern Lights once and you have to stay up fairly late since it really doesn’t get dark early. They will announce it on the ship if there is any chance to view them. Have a great time!!!