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First Time to Alaska


Eatlovetravel
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Hello! This is my first time on here, also our first trip to Alaska. It’s going to be a kid free trip for my husband & I. We will be 33 & 35. I’m planning on going on Holland America. We don’t party/gamble/stay out late, but we do enjoy shows. We want to go on a helicopter tour for certain. I did read reviews that the HA line is dated & that the food wasn’t good. I always thought HA was the best cruise line to go to Alaska. I was also told Southbound cruising is the most enjoyable. So I’ve been looking at flying from DFW to Anchorage the day prior, then taking the train to Seward where we do the 6 hour Kenai Fjords Cruise then board the ship. Has anyone been on the Westerdam or Noordam? We would fly home from Vancouver. I would love any advice before booking. This is our first trip alone for this amount of time since having kids so I want it to be enjoyable.

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EatLoveTravel -- Recently returned from a 2-week Alaska cruise on the HAL Zaandam, with seven additional members of my family. Had to pry the nine of us off the ship! (Ages 36-79.) Food was spectacular, if you don't like something, get something else.

 

Our first Alaska cruise was the Northbound route opposite of yours. I liked the NB because it seems you are getting deeper and deeper into the wilderness, but there is nothing wrong with your plan at all! The Kenai Fjords or Major Marine tour out of Seward is in no sense redundant to spending a week on a ship -- totally a different experience and well worth it!

 

I have not sailed on a Vista class ship but will in April. I have cruised twice on the much smaller Statendam (no longer in the fleet), three times on the just smaller Volendam and Zaandam, and once on the Nieuw Amsterdam, which is the same length is the Noordam/Westerdam/Zuiderdam/Oosterdam, but taller (more people) and newer. In general the larger the ship the smoother the ride!

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I did an Alaska cruise on the Zuiderdam a few years ago. We found the food to be very good, but it really is a matter of preference. In general, Holland America caters to an older crowd, but my wife and I enjoyed it because we got the opportunity to participate in a lot of activities. Alaska is very scenic so be ready to take lots of pictures.

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Thank you everyone for your responses, I didn’t know if I would get any. I will change to the plane ride. I’m glad to know HA will be a wonderful cruise. [emoji5]

 

 

 

As regards the plane ride, do your research. Really do find and specify that you want to fly on a Beaver. Not every company has them. Also, look for companies that will do a water landing mid-trip (on some pristine lake.

 

Before you "pull the trigger" on that HAL cruise purchase, take a look at what some of the premium/luxury lines have to offer. "Inclusive" pricing may make "bottom line" cost comparisons surprise you. For example, Oceania includes air tix (or an air credit) plus much of what you'll pay extra for on HAL (and I trust you'll find few folks who disagree that O's food is the line's hallmark. The 670 passenger Regatta gets "up close and personal" with the Hubbard Glacier.

In any case, do the research and you'll have a great vacation.

Edited by Flatbush Flyer
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Why is southbound more enjoyable? The scenery becomes more beautiful as you progress northward. Guess it doesn't really matter. HAL a dated line? It's more classic in its feel, but not necessarily dated. I would concentrate on itinerary more than the ship. I've always had good food on HAL.

 

Roz

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And on Alaskan (and Med) cruises, there is so much to do in the ports and everyone tries to get max time out of being there, that not many are dancing into the AM hours anyway. You wake up, have breakfast and are off on an adventure, come back to the ship to clean up and have dinner, then maybe a show or some casino time, off to bed and a few hours later, you're repeating the cycle.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

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Why is southbound more enjoyable? The scenery becomes more beautiful as you progress northward. Guess it doesn't really matter. HAL a dated line? It's more classic in its feel, but not necessarily dated. I would concentrate on itinerary more than the ship. I've always had good food on HAL.

 

Roz

 

While we normally do N'bd & S'bd R/T from Vancouver, personally we prefer the S'bd trips as we get to see the BC Inside Passage in daytime.

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It's commonly said that Alaska is "about the itinerary", not the ship or line -- however, most of the 7-day cruises stop at the same three ports (Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway) and even longer cruises are limited to what additional ports they can add (Sitka, Kodiak, Icy Strait Point). So I say, choose a ship that will enhance the experience!

 

I think well-meaning people over-emphasize Glacier Bay. Sure it is fantastic, but Hubbard Glacier is a strong second and many people prefer its blue color and amazing width.

 

I haven't tried a lot of different lines -- because when I shop around, I seem to always come back to HAL!

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