Cruise to Alaska is worth the sites

Westerdam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

ValerieI1

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 37

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaskan Explorer Via Glacier Bay (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 29, 2008

Ship: Westerdam

Cabin type: Suite

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 16 years ago

Review summary

Holland America provides very good value overall with lots of choice for food, fun and excursions. Our room steward was very good natured, very attentive and provided reliable service. The views from the ship and shore were spectacular, and the excursions (we chose the lazy ones) were all about nature, which is plentiful in Alaska. All of our tour guides were wonderful, friendly and informative. They seem to love the tourists and love their state! Only down sides: Room service NEVER got our orders correct (we had breakfast in our cabin most of the time, and ordered three late night snacks). Two of our excursions were cancelled due to fog and the possibility of arriving late back to the ship, but we were refunded. If you are a Coke-a-holic like we are, you can spend a fortune on soda. Bring your own as much as you can. Don't use the spa salon to get more than a hair cut - it's horribly expensive!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

While on another Holland America cruise, I could eat at either late or early seating for dinner. On this Alaskan cruise we were limited to our specified seating, and if we missed it we HAD to eat in the Lido. Food quality is average, if plentiful. Late night and in between meals is limited to pasta and pizza - too limited - especially since we eat small meals and are hungry at odd times.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Tons of entertainment on the ship if you ever got tired of the views, and their shows were quite good.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everyone is friendly and willing to help. We only had trouble getting beverage service at meals. Always had to track them down to get our $2 Diet Cokes.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We had a deluxe suite and loved it!

Ports of call

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Anything on or around the Mendenhaul Glacier. We went on the dog sled ride and helicopter ride. Very informative, and if you had sunny weather like we did, you can't beat the scenary. The helicopter and dog sled guides were funny, fabulous and great at their jobs. We also visited the rain forest and gardens. Beautiful.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Mendenhaul Glacier

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5

This is a port that really requires a full day, but even our short tour was worthwhile. We saw several neighborhoods on the island and downtown. We also visited the Craudough Castle- which, if you have seen any European castles, wasn't worth the time. Take other tours.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: The Empress Hotel and high tea!

Sitka, Alaska

5 out of 5

Anything on sea or land provides great sites of nature and wildlife - all of it is good.

Thumbs Up 0

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Our tour at the Misty Fjiords and floatplane was cancelled due to bad weather, but the dock-side shops more than made up for it. Someone else was able to visit the fjiords and said they were spectacular (they didn't go as far as we would have), even in the fog.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: The stores at dock-side

Pros: The glaciers, and the ship

Cons: Room service was never right and some excursions cancelled due to bad weather

Recommends Westerdam? Yes!

1 Comment

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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