eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

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eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

Find a Cruise on Eurodam

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Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 1061 guests have reviewed Eurodam , giving it a rating of 4.1 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type, most recent reviews.

Missing so Much and Could Have Been Much Better

Mar 9th, 2024

Overall I wish I had taken a larger more "alive" ship to these ports. I think Holland America catered to a much older crowd and the music for the most part was boring (the Ocean Lounge had the same soft jazz group play for all 11 days!!). The main show seemed to miss the point (women in music) on several fronts. The food variety was lacking. I likely won't sail this ship again and will pay more attention next time I do sail with Holland America. I think this ship is not well suited for the Caribbean traveler.

Traveler Type

Another relaxing HAL cruise.

Feb 19th, 2024

The service, food and mainstage entertainment was all great!

Another fun HAL cruise.

Feb 18th, 2024

It was a very relaxing cruise with great food, great service and great mainstage entertainment.

Best cruise we have ever taken

Feb 17th, 2024

Amazing experience. We have been on many cruises and enjoyed them all. This one was the best.

HAL cruises are the best!

Jan 18th, 2024

The food was awesome with great service throughout the ship. We enjoyed some great mainstage entertainment too.

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE!!!

Jan 16th, 2024

This cruise has turned us off cruising for a very long time.

Singles/Friends

Another great HAL cruise!!!

The weather, food, service and main stage shows were all great!

Must see Alaska in person

Jan 13th, 2024

It was a trip of a lifetime. I highly recommend it

2-3 cruises

Great food & service but rocky seas

Dec 30th, 2023

Food & service was amazing. Like that they wait on you for drinks at the Lido. Most other cruise lines you have to get you’re own drinks at the Lido cafe.

would have been better if we bought a deal with included package(s) as otherwise it was bit pricey. pros: nice staff.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

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Cruise Maven

Cruising the World One Port at a Time

Holland America Eurodam Review on Alaska Cruise

By: Sherry Laskin · Updated On: October 8, 2022

Nearly four years had passed since my last Holland America’s Eurodam  cruise. But now I was going on a cruise to Alaska aboard the recently refurbished Eurodam .

Here’s my review of the ship and what Eurodam is like on an Alaska cruise.

Holland America Eurodam Alaska Review

Holland America Eurodam Review and Photos

Eurodam has been a long-time favorite ship for me. This Alaska Inside Passage cruise was a chance for me to experience the ship after its major 2015 refurbishment. Most of all, I’d learn what cruising Alaska is like on a medium-sized ship.

From Seattle our itinerary included Juneau, Sitka , Ketchikan and the required stop in Victoria, British Columbia. In addition, Eurodam would spend a full day cruising spectacular Glacier National Park.

Eurodam Fast Facts

Cruise Line:  Holland America Cruise Ship:  Eurodam Category:  Premium cruise line – $$$ Passengers/Crew: 2,104/929 Refurbished: 2015 Dining Rooms: 2 Dining Times: 5:45,  8pm and Open Self-Serve Laundry: No

eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

Welcome aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

Holland America Eurodam crew greets each passenger.

What to Expect on Holland America’s Eurodam

I’ll start my Alaska Holland America Eurodam review with a little background info about the ship.

Holland America launched Eurodam in 2008, the first of two ships in their mid-size Signature Class of ships. 

With only 11 decks and 2,104 passengers, based on double occupancy, it’s fairly small compared to the mega-ships of other cruise lines. 

That’s one thing I really like and appreciate about Holland America; all of their ships are medium-sized and very easy to get around without a major learning curve.

When Eurodam was refurbished in 2015, it was the first ship to add B.B. King’s Blues Club, and has become one of the liveliest nightspots on the ship.

The following year, the cruise line partnered with the BBC Earth and now features live classical music to accompany the amazing BBC Earth Live movie presentations in the main theater. 

On this particular itinerary, the one-night-only BBC Earth Live event was entitled, “Alaska in Concert”. I never miss these multi-sensory production shows.

There are a total of 24 public rooms aboard Eurodam including 12 bars and lounges, two swimming pools (one under the sliding glass dome), fitness center, spa and salon and my favorite, a dedicated movie theater with freshly popped popcorn.

Alaska is all about the outdoors and there’s plenty of deck space aboard the Eurodam. There’s no “best” side of the ship for viewing as the ship makes a U-turn in Glacier Bay so everyone gets the best view.

Also Read:  21 Best Things to Do in Sitka, Alaska

One of Holland America’s long-standing accolades has been the superior level of service provided by their crew and staff. This cruise didn’t disappoint in that category either. 

Every crew member always said good-morning, may I help you, can I get you anything, without getting too friendly or intrusive that it made you cringe upon each encounter.

Onboard Expenses

Holland America is not an all-inclusive cruise line so plan to pay extra for specialty dining, soft drinks, alcohol & spirits, deluxe coffees and shore excursions. You can purchase various beverage and dining packages before or during your cruise, and you won’t feel nickel’d and dime’d during your vacation. One bottle of wine per person may be brought aboard at embarkation.

As with most cruise lines, wifi is not complimentary. The wifi packages are reasonably priced and connectivity fairly consistent except in wilderness areas of course. One advantage of an Alaska cruise is that you’re still in the United States and you can use your phone for internet access. Just make sure to turn on Airplane mode when cruising the coast of British Columbia!

Eurodam Stateroom Review

eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

My standard balcony stateroom, with a little extra balcony

This is stateroom #5138 and as you can see, there’s a wee bit extra balcony space. There are two really cool features to this balcony; 1. if you stand in the little triangle space you have a perfect forward view without having to look to your side and 2. There’s no one above you to look down onto your balcony – as I was able to do to the enormous balcony just below my room.

As you can see, the standard balcony has everything you’d need including a ton of USB ports dotted around the stateroom. There’s extra storage in the bins above the small sofa as well as at the end of the desk and under the bed. Closet space is excellent, too, with “real” hangers that you can actually remove from the closet rod. You don’t find that on many cruise lines very often.

Something else you don’t find very often is a bathtub. I think almost all of the older Holland America ships put bathtubs in all but the inside staterooms. I was also happy to see that the tub is equipped with large grab bar to help getting in and out of the tub/shower. Or to hold onto in the shower in rough seas!

Under the bathroom countertop is more open storage space. A non-wall-mounted hairdryer is also furnished as is a magnifying mirror. Toiletries are the Elemis standard and pump bottles with shampoo, conditioner and body wash are mounted in the shower. I find the basic Elemis products too harsh so I always bring my own. The bar of hand soap on the sink is just fine.

Cruise Maven Loves:   In the closet is a neatly-folded, not-to-heavy bathrobe and slippers tucked inside a mesh zip bag.

Read next:  How I traveled from Florida to Alaska without flying

Eurodam Dining Review

Assorted starters in the Eurodam main dining room

I’ll admit it. I’m a fussy eater. That’s why more times than not, you’ll find me at the Lido Market scouting out my options. Holland America has revamped their Lido dining experience and grouped food stations into a smoother flow, with clearly-marked signs for each type/category of food; The Homestead for comfort food, salad bar, Asian, a carvery, ice cream, etc.

READ MORE:  Holland America Increases Specialty Dining Fees

Eurodam ‘s Rembrandt Dining is on two levels. The first level is located on Deck 2 and offers open seating at breakfast and lunch. At dinner time, it’s again open seating, called “As You Wish” dining with Holland America. You can choose to dine from 5:15 pm until 9:00 pm. The second level is on Deck 3 and is where you go for fixed dining times, offered at 5:15 pm and 8:00 pm.

All totaled, there are 14 dining options, including daily afternoon Royal Dutch Tea time.

Complimentary

  • Main Dining Room, Lido Market, Dive-In, 24-hr room service, New York Pizza

Additional cost

  • Grand Dutch Café, Gelato, Explorations Café (specialty coffees), Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Culinary Arts Center

Cruise Maven loves:   Any of the three dining packages. You’ll save $6 – $9 per person and have wonderful culinary experiences to remember.

Eurodam Entertainment Review

At the new B.B. King's Blues Club aboard Eurodam.

My favorite night spot on Eurodam and any Holland America ship with B.B. King’s Blues Club. The band plays three sets on almost every evening, the last set starting at 10:45 p.m. and that’s when the place really gets going. In addition, there are specialty cocktails with jazz and blues themes.

In partnership with BBC Earth, you can experience live concerts that accompany BBC Earth nature production films from all corners of the earth.

If you haven’t had enough music, head over to Billboard Onboard’s piano bar. Guests can sing along with the piano players who dole out fifty years of top of the charts hits.

Cruise Maven loves:   To arrive a little early for the one and only BBC Earth main stage event. I think the best seats are middle-center.

Onboard Activities

America's Test Kitchen cooking demonstration

Onboard activities are offered from sunrise til late night. On an Alaska cruise like this one, the ship brought a naturalist on board from the National Park Service and Alice, a member of the Tlingit tribe. They joined us as we entered Glacier Bay and set up their tables in the EXC Lounge.

As part of Holland America’s EXC, Explorations Central – a destination immersion program, the naturalist narrated our 9 -hour cruise through Glacier Bay. Alice was on hand to talk about Native American life in Alaska. I had met Alice a couple of weeks before on another guided trip so it was fun to see her again.

Several times during the cruise (on sea days) a chef from America’s Test Kitchen does a cooking demonstration. No, there aren’t any samples given out at the end! But you do get a large recipe card to bring home.

Also Read:  Holland America and America’s Test Kitchen Jalapeno Poppers Recipe

The pool under the dome was pretty popular – in fact this whole area was usually filled with swimmers, loungers and diners from Dive-In (upper left corner) or the Lido Market.

There’s trivia contests, dance lessons, computer classes and more. Everything is listed in the daily planner that you’ll receive at bedtime.

There’s so much going on, I can’t list it all. But this gives you an idea of some of the activities, especially on sea days.

Cruise Maven Loves:   To always pack a yellow highlighter pen to note the activities in the daily planner that I want to do .

Who’s Onboard

Cruise Maven Sherry Laskin aboard Holland America Eurodam at Sail-Away

For years, Holland America was known for catering to the over-55 crowd. And for good reason. 

With smaller, easy-to-get-around ships, superior crew training that resulted in respect and kindness to their older passengers and a slightly less jam-packed onboard schedule, it was a perfect combination.

Today, as you’d expect, Holland America adjusted their focus to attract the 40s to 60 crowd. The addition of Music Walk (with Billboard, Lincoln Center and B.B. King’s), more active shore excursions and even improved wifi all help to lower the age demographic.

This Alaska cruise, as on many cruises to our 49th state, attracted an outdoorsy crowd across the age range spectrum. Our cruise began on September 1 so the amount of young children was really minimal. 

During a conversation with the Captain, he related that during the past summer, there were many families some of which spanned three generations.

Despite a somewhat older crowd, every show at the B.B. King Blues Club was a full house. The dance floor was jumping until the last minute of the last music set. Older doesn’t mean the carpet rolls up at 9 p.m. Especially not here.

On every cruise, Holland America hosts a loyalty club luncheon. Eurodam ‘s luncheon filled the lower level of the Rembrandt dining room. Holland America has an avid loyal following and at this event, it was evident.

Cruise Maven Sherry photo with costumed bear

Parting Thoughts

During this time in Alaska, I also completed a one-week Alaska Inside Passage cruise on a very small ship. 

Getting to Alaska without flying, I traveled aboard the Alaska Marine Highway ferry. I was curious what the same itinerary would be like aboard this larger 2,104 passenger ship.

Bottom line, the Eurodam Alaska cruise was excellent, for several reasons. Because Holland America has been cruising Alaska for 75 years, they have a bit of clout when it comes to being allowed into Glacier Bay.

On my small ship cruise, the Park Service said we weren’t allowed to get up to breathtaking Marjerie Glacier because the viewing area already had its two allotted ships. 

But aboard Eurodam , under spectacular blue skies, we scooted right up to what’s probably the most photographed glacier in the park.

The selection of well-managed shore excursions was vast and varied. There was something for every level of Alaska adventurer. 

Float planes and helicopter rides to stand on mighty glaciers. There were culinary tours, easy walking or uphill hikes, and my favorite, a visit and ride to a dog sledding training camp. 

Something for everyone at every level. Alaska cruises are about the great outdoors, so visits to museums or indoor activities are nearly non-existent.

More of What I love About Eurodam

  • Riding up and down in the glass elevators overlooking the ocean. You have to try it – the view is amazing though a bit daunting at first!
  • The traditional teak wraparound promenade. No running allowed.
  • Watching first-run movies in the dedicated Cinema. Pick up your bag of popcorn at the entrance.
  • To have a cocktail or two at the exotic Silk Den Lounge while relaxing on plush, purple velvet sofas.
  • The lighted, magnifying make-up mirrors and detached hair dryers
  • On Deck for a Cause 5K walk to benefit cancer research.

Holland America Eurodam Review Facts in a Nutshell

Cruise Line:  Holland America Cruise Ship:  Eurodam Category:  Premium cruise line – $$$ Passengers/Crew: 2,104/929 Best time to go:  Alaska cruises go from May – Sept. Beginning and end of season offer best values. Internet:  Fee-based, packages available. Shoreside phone signal in Alaska is available. Itinerary:  Inside Passage cruise round-trip from Seattle. Ports included: Ketchikan, Juneau, Inside Passage, Sitka, Victoria – British Columbia. Gratuities:  Tipping guideline – $14.50 per person per day standard staterooms / $16.00 per person per day suite guests.

Disclosure:  I was an invited guest aboard Holland America Eurodam . I was not offered compensation nor was I required to write this article. As always, all opinions are my own. Cruise experiences are very subjective and if I like or dislike something, it does not mean my readers will all agree. My Holland America Eurodam review represents my personal experiences without bias.

If you like this Eurodam review, please PIN it!

eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

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About Sherry Laskin

I'm the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath...stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.

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September 16, 2019 at 2:08 am

Hi Rebecca, Thank you for your comment…I have to update my article as it seems that you are correct. They’ve gotten rid of the dedicated movie theater. There still are six other Holland America ships with a movie theater and popcorn, though. Also, the newer Koningsdam and the new Nieuw Statendam have movies on the Lido deck and serve popcorn. I’m sorry to learn about the Eurodam losing the movie theater. But the Eurodam is a fabulous ship and always has a good Alaska itinerary. Thank you again and have a wonderful cruise next year. Sherry

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September 6, 2019 at 3:16 pm

According to the Holland America Line “Our Ships At A Glance” pdf – the Eurodam does not have a movie theater. Which might be disappointing because I was looking forward to a movie and popcorn one evening. I’ll find out for certain when we board soon for the next cruise to Alaska.

June 30, 2019 at 5:16 pm

Hi Liz, Thank you for reading my Eurodam review. I’m currently aboard the Maasdam and enjoying movies in the dedicated Wajang Movie Theater. Holland America’s website states that Eurodam does indeed have a movie theater…same as in my review. Unless something’s changed and their site hasn’t been updated, then the movie theater is still there. I hope this helps. Thank you again. Happy Cruising! Sherry

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June 24, 2019 at 10:27 pm

Just wanted to ask about the Movie Theater – I saw some posts in 2018 that said it had been removed, but sounds like they brought it back since you were there in 2019?

Also, did you happen to see the Retreat Cabanas and do you think one would work for a trip to Alaska in July. We don’t have a balcony booked, but thought this would be a lovely way to view the glaciers.

Thanks – loved your review. I’ll pin it to my pinterest page.

eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

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What our Alaska cruise was like aboard Holland America Line’s Eurodam

on everything else · travel

My dad and I just wrapped up a trip of a lifetime to Alaska. We had an amazing time aboard Holland America Line ‘s Eurodam on our 7-day Alaska cruise. This was a very special trip to honor my mom who passed away in October 2021. She had always wanted to do an Alaska cruise but never got the chance, so we did it in her honor.

Let’s get into my Holland America Alaska cruise review!

Table of Contents

Where we went on our Holland America Alaska cruise

I’ll break down each of our port stops below, but here’s our 7-Day Alaskan Explorer cruise itinerary at a glance aboard the Holland America Eurodam cruise ship from June 3-10, 2023:

Saturday: Departed Seattle, 3 p.m.

Sunday: At sea

Monday: Juneau, 1 p.m.-10 p.m.

Tuesday: Glacier Bay scenic cruising & Icy Strait Point evening arrival 6 p.m-10 p.m.

Wednesday: Sitka, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Thursday: Ketchikan, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Friday: Victoria, British Columbia 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

Saturday: Seattle arrival, 7 a.m.

space needle photo seattle

Here we are at the Space Needle!

Our Holland America Alaska cruise left from Seattle on Saturday afternoon but we arrived Thursday night, which gave us a bit of a buffer in case our flight was delayed. The early arrival also allowed us to explore Seattle. It was our first time there and the weather cooperated. We had sunny skies and temps in the high 60s F. It was literally a warm welcome!

First up, we visited Pike Place and the original Starbucks in the early morning hours (thanks jetlag!) and retraced my mom’s footsteps from years ago when she went to Seattle on a business trip. We also went to the Seattle Art Museum and the Space Needle before the cruise left and had a lot of fun discovering Seattle.

My dad and I arrived at the ship on Saturday morning around 11am and the embarkation process had us on the boat and in our room at noon. One thing to note is that your luggage will be delivered to your room up to a couple of hours later, so keep any medication and other important items you might need right away in your carry-on.

Holland America Line Eurodam alaska cruise

The ship: Holland America Line’s Eurodam

The Eurodam was Holland America Line’s first Signature Class ship, completed in 2008, and accommodates about 2,100 passengers and is 936 feet long. It’s home to several specialty restaurants, a bunch of entertainment venues such as B.B. King’s Blues Club where you’ll hear all kinds of R&B classics, a World Stage for the dance, other performances, and talks, and Billboard Onboard.

There’s also a pickleball court on the top decks along with a basketball hoop, walking track, ping pong, pools, and hot tubs.

If relaxing at the spa is more your thing, you’ll find the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® up on Deck 9 next to the fitness center complete with hydropools that are perfect for sea days. There’s also a casino down on Deck 2 with both table games and slot machines.

verandah cabin aft eurodam

Cabin 6170, Aft Verandah Stateroom aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

We stayed in cabin 6170 of the Eurodam which is an aft verandah stateroom (balcony cabin) at the very back of the ship looking straight out. It has two twin beds that can be pushed together or kept separate, a couch that can be pulled out to a third bed, desk area, and a bathroom that had a bathtub (not just a shower).

I appreciated the different sized pillows and the fact that there were three per bed. They were comfy as well. It’s the little things, right?

bathroom eurodam verandah cabin

Cabin 6170, Aft Verandah Cabin aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

We found the space to be very comfortable with plenty of room and adequate storage both under the bed and in the closets. The balconies on the aft cabins seem to be a little bigger than standard verandah cabins on the sides of the ship and had two chairs with footrests and a small table.

There were several electrical outlets in the cabin to charge your devices right next to the bed and by the desk. They all had USB outlets so you can plug your chargers directly into the USB ports.

The cabin was a 10/10. Zero complaints! We didn’t find it to be any louder or more prone to motion than other cabins so seasickness wasn’t an issue. I appreciate that Holland America ships all have classic styling and a relaxing feel in all the cabins — no crazy colors or anything so you’ll get great sleep!

glacier bay mountain

Ports we visited on our Holland America Alaska cruise on the Eurodam

I told you a little bit about our short time in Seattle above and I’d definitely recommend spending a day or two in Seattle either before or after the cruise. There’s a lot to see and do and it’s well worth leaving yourself some extra time.

mendenhall glacier juneau

Our first port was Juneau and we had a whale watching/glacier excursion booked. It was a small group tour of just 20 people and included an easy hike to the Mendenhall Glacier first, followed up by a scenic trip on a whale watching boat.

The hike to the glacier is slow and easy and only about a mile long. The tour company has access to a private trail that takes you to the glacier, so there were no crowds along the way. Thank goodness our guide had bear spray just in case we encountered any grizzly bears. Luckily, we didn’t and I’m not sad we didn’t see any bears up close.

The Mendenhall Glacier is stunning in person and well worth the trip. We learned that it’s receding little by little each year so we’re glad to have seen it before it disappears. We also learned a bit about the area and its wildlife along the way. We even saw a porcupine in a tree.

Then, it was time to board our whale watching boat. We lucked out and saw about 15 humpback whales! Tour boats needs to stay 100 yards away from the whales, but even at that distance we saw the whales as they came to the surface and even did a few tail flips for us. It was an amazing sight to witness! They moved too quickly for me to get a photo, though.

Definitely wear layers, gloves, and bring a hat or headband to cover your ears. Even though we had nice weather and it was June, you might get a bit splashed like I did. It also got windy and quite cool toward the end of our tour and I was glad I dressed for the weather (high 40s F). More on what to wear below.

Glacier Bay alaska

I believe this was the Margerie Glacier. Just WOW!

Glacier Bay

The next day in Glacier Bay was one of the highlights of our Holland America Alaska cruise. Just WOW! It reminded me of some of the sights from our Norway trip ! It’s part of the scenic cruising and you stay on the ship and take in the views from the water.

The narrow bay is flanked by majestic terrain on both sides. From snow-capped mountains to glaciers and forests, it’s out of this world. Glacier Bay State Park was a perfect mix of calm and beauty in one. If you have the chance to go, DEFINITELY GO!

Something I appreciated that really helped us to see everything was how the captain stopped several times and slowly turned the ship 360 degrees. Everyone on board was able to see Glacier Bay in all its glory no matter what side their cabin was on.

kayaking icy strait point alaska

On our kayaking excursion!

Icy Strait Point

Later that day after hitting the casino a bit and trying our hand at pickleball, we pulled into Icy Strait Point around 6 p.m. and promptly hopped off the ship to head out to our kayaking excursion. Despite the fact that neither my dad nor I have kayaked much in the past decade, we figured it would be fun. Oh boy, were we in for a surprise.

For the life of us, we couldn’t get the dang tandem kayak to go straight for the first half of the tour. We were just laughing the whole time looking like degenerates at the very back of the group with the second tour guide.

We tried our best and finally got a little better and joined the rest of the group. Our group even saw a sea lion and bald eagle (probably laughing at our pitiful kayaking skills lol).

Kayaking is harder than it looks, let me say that. Thank goodness it was a beginner excursion, nothing strenuous, so we didn’t get too far behind. If you can paddle forward, you’re in good shape.

Along the way, the guides told us about the local area including the wildlife, what life is like there, and the price of groceries. They explained how everything has to be flown in and the meat and dairy products are nearly at their expiration date upon arrival.

You do get a bit wet while kayaking and the tour company provided us with special pants, a life jacket, and a leg covering so we wouldn’t get too wet, so rest assured you’ll have all the gear you need for this excursion. 

icy strait point gondola ride

We finished up around 9 p.m and had to get back to the ship. There was a cool gondola ride that I wish we had time for. Tom would have loved that. Next time, I guess! All in all, the kayaking was fun and once we figured things out, the tour went a lot more smoothly.

Also, if you stop like our group did a few times to listen to the guide, there are midges (insects) that will bite your face. My dad didn’t feel them biting him and when we got back to the ship, I gasped because his whole forehead looked like he had the measles. They faded after a day or so, but be prepared.

sitka eurodam port

We didn’t have an excursion booked and decided to explore Sitka on our own. There’s a free shuttle bus right from the port that’ll get you into town in about 10 minutes. The downtown area is right on the water so you can walk around and take in the beautiful scenery while shopping or grabbing a bite to eat.

big king crab legs sitka alaska

Enormous King Crab legs for sale in Sitka, Alaska

Check out the biggest King Crab legs I’ve ever seen. I thought they were fake at first!

We did a little souvenir shopping and then headed back to the ship in the afternoon.

bald eagles bering sea fisherman's tour holland america

One of the most stunning things I’ve ever seen with my own eyes.

Ketchikan was where we did the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s tour with crew from the Deadliest Catch reality show. It was the highlight of our trip and this gets a 10 out of 10. If you’re on the fence about what Alaska shore excursions might be right for you, definitely go with this one if you’re interested in fishing, wildlife, and good stories.

First up, you board the Aleutian Ballad that’s been outfitted for tours and you have the option to sit either upstairs or downstairs. Make sure you arrive early so you can get a front row seat.

It’s a 3-hour tour that stays within the calm waters of the Inside Passage, so you definitely won’t get seasick. Along the way, you’ll be treated to stories from Bering Sea fishermen and even get to see and hold some of the crabs they catch. The King Crabs were HUGE and the biggest I’ve ever seen. Everything is released back into the sea. 

king crab alaska tour

Only the tour guides were allowed to hold these because if not done correctly, they could break your finger!

Two parts of the tour were especially moving for us. The first was when the fishermen threw bait into the water which attracted about 20-30 bald eagles. We saw them up close as they dove into the water to grab the fish with their claws.

They swooped down and around in this flying frenzy like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It was quite a show! To be able to witness this in nature — not in a zoo — was extremely emotional for my dad and me and we knew my mom was with us. I’m so grateful we got to see that.

Quick aside: I actually made a memorial diamond from my mom’s ashes and she had her homecoming in March 2023. This special trip is the first (hopefully of many) where my mom came along in diamond form.

crab pot bering sea fisherman tour holland america

The second thing which was especially meaningful to us was when the crew members pulled up a crab pot that had a bunch of tags on it. They explained that each tag had a handwritten message from guests who wanted to honor a loved one and we knew it was something we wanted to contribute to as well. It was perfect, considering the whole purpose of our trip — to honor my mom and take her on her bucket list trip.

The donations go toward helping a local group of natives who have lost fishermen over the years. They depend on fishing to live and donations go toward helping their families. We made a donation and got our own blank tag that will then get attached to the crab pot with all the others. I wrote my message, signed the tag, and smiled despite the tears.

Victoria, BC

It was a rainy and cool night, so my dad and I decided to stay on the ship. It was a late arrival, and since we had food and drinks on the boat and were tired, we figured we’d catch Victoria another time and call it an early night.

food main dining room eurodam holland america

Holland America Line Eurodam food

OK, let’s move on to what we ate!

For meals, you have several dining options on your Holland America Alaska cruise:

–Buffet on Deck 9, the Lido Deck (for breakfast, lunch and dinner)

–Main Dining Room on Decks 2-3 (for breakfast and dinner, and lunch on certain days)

–Specialty dining restaurants (additional fee, for lunch and dinner)

–Room service (24/7)

— Dive-In and New York Pizza on Deck 9 (Dive-in closes at 6 p.m. but NY Pizza stays open until 11 p.m.)

room service breakfast eurodam alaska

First, I’ll start with the most important meal of the day! We’re breakfast lovers and had no shortage of choices. Since it’s our favorite meal of the day, we went big and tried almost everything on the menu. Standouts for me were pancakes, French toast, Belgian waffles, omelets, and the sausage patties (you can’t get them in France!).

You can either have breakfast upstairs at the buffet on the Lido Deck 9, in the main dining room at a sit-down table with a menu and waiter, or opt for room service (which is free). We split our breakfasts between the buffet and main dining room.

We opted for a room service breakfast on the morning we arrived in Ketchikan, as we had an early excursion and the main dining room wasn’t open yet (had to be out the door by 7:30am and that’s when it opened). The buffet opens at 6 a.m., though for the early risers.

For lunch, we usually hit the buffet and had a small lunch and saved our appetite for dinner. I tried Dive-In and New York Pizza and both were excellent. Dive-In is kind of a Shake Shack-style place with a bunch of burger, hot dog, and fry options.

For dinner, we ate in the main dining room every night except for the first night where we had booked a table ahead of time at the Pinnacle Grill. You can book specialty restaurants ahead of time or once you’re on board, but if you have your heart set on a specific day and time, definitely reserve a table ahead of time or on the first day since reservations are required. My dad got lamb and I got chicken. Both were excellent. There are also vegetarian options.

To sum up my thoughts on the food, well, I can’t praise the food enough. We didn’t have a single subpar meal on the Eurodam. We ate everything from fish and shrimp to beef and lamb and even escargots. Desserts ranged from tiramisu, to a hot fudge ice cream sundae, to a fruit crumble, and so much more. Portions are on the medium size, I’d say. They were just right.

I’d also like to point out that the entire Holland America staff took extra care with my food allergy and no mistakes were made. I let the dining staff supervisor know about my problem with citrus right when we boarded and everyone was made aware.

This was really important to me because sometimes I get nervous at restaurants when the staff doesn’t seem too confident about what’s in their food, but this was not a problem at all on our cruise. I was so thankful that mealtime wasn’t stressful for me. Thanks, Holland America, for taking food allergies seriously.

mendenhall glacier alaska crusie

What to pack for an Alaska cruise

This could be an entire post in and of itself, but here are a few quick tips for what to pack for an Alaska cruise in June.

A light rain jacket , thin goose down packable puffer jacket , both short and long sleeved shirts, and sturdy hiking shoes/sneakers are a must. It’s a good idea to wear non-cotton pants that won’t absorb water, so leave your jeans on the boat and opt for quick-drying pants on excursions.

A scarf, gloves, and a hat are must-have items as well. I wore a poncho (above) for our Whales & Trails tour and it served me well in the drizzle. An umbrella would have worked as well.

I’d recommend being prepared for a variety of weather conditions including rain and wind, with temps that range from the 40s-70s F. In Juneau, it was about 48 F as a high and it got cool and wet on our whale watching tour. Same for Glacier Bay — not warmer than 50 F and it was cloudy.

The sun came and went and I was glad I layered up. In the cooler ports, I had on a t-shirt, long sleeved medium-weight hoodie, my packable puffer jacket, and a thigh-length rain jacket (plus a scarf and gloves), plus sneakers. And I’m someone who is rarely cold. What I wore was perfect.

Other days, I left the puffer coat on the ship and just wore a long sleeve shirt and rain jacket.

Depending on your excursions, you may want to consider hiking boots and additional gear if you’re doing all-day hiking, fishing, etc. But for the average cruiser, what I’ve mentioned above is sufficient. Also keep in mind that there are laundry services on board.

holland america eurodam pool

If you are planning on going to the spa or the hot tubs or pool, don’t forget your swimsuit. On our first day as we left Seattle, it was in the low 70s F and people were in the pool, so it’s not always too cold to swim.

I will point out that our tour guides in Juneau remarked that it was a bit cooler than usual (in the 40s F), but still, definitely bring layers and be ready for anything. June really is the best time to go to Alaska — not quite peak season and not as much rain as later in the summer.

Things I brought that I never ended up wearing : Shorts, sandals, and my dress. The formal/gala nights are pretty low-key in Alaska and plenty of people opted out or just wore nice pants (it’s quite cool on the ship) and a dressy top — not a fancy dress. I also packed about four tops I never touched.

2 Things I should have brought that I forgot : A refillable water bottle. Totally slipped my mind! It’s great for both on the ship and off. This is the one I forgot (with a sports top).

Also, hand cream would have come in handy (couldn’t resist the pun!). While there’s regular body lotion in the cabin, a moisturizing hand cream would have been great to have. This is my favorite . Your hands will get dry from all the hand washing and hand sanitizer, as well as from the cool weather.

champagne onboard holland america eurodam

What’s a Holland America Line cruise like?

Before last summer when Tom and I went to Norway on Holland America’s Rotterdam , I didn’t know what to expect. As a teen and young adult, I had cruised on Carnival and wasn’t familiar with Holland America Line at all. When I asked around, people said it’s for elderly people and the ships don’t have much going on. 

But the stereotypes didn’t hold true.

Alaska is a pretty active destination with many cruisers opting for active excursions like kayaking, hiking, and more, so I found the other passengers to be on the younger side overall. I’d say over 90% were American (whereas on our Norway trip, the majority were Dutch).

I don’t have stats from the cruise line, but the average age was probably 50 (not 80!), with many couples in their 20s and 30s and lots of multigenerational families cruising together.

Keep in mind that Holland America is an American-owned cruise line — Carnival Corporation is the parent company — and its cruises are for people who want a classic, upscale cruise experience at whatever age.

School is out in June in many areas of the U.S. so it makes sense that we saw a bunch of kids and teens. As we get further into the summer season, I’m sure that will only increase. The average age skews toward an older crowd outside of peak season.

If you haven’t seriously considered Holland America because it has a rep for being a cruise line for senior citizens, I’d urge you to reconsider. Yes, there were older folks on board but it was a nice mix. I definitely didn’t feel like I was on a retirement cruise by any means. Not that that would be a bad thing, but for those of you curious about the average age, I just wanted to share my experience.

While you won’t find water slides, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, and wet tee shirt contests on Holland America, you will find great live music, destination talks, expertly choreographed dance shows on the World Stage, a casino, gym, spa, and a bunch of daily on-board activities like tai chi, pickleball, origami folding, a game room, and all kinds of other things to keep you busy.

holland america eurodam library room

Something I loved was the library where you can borrow a book for the duration of the cruise. I read Lucy Foley’s “ The Paris Apartment ” and loved sitting in the Barnes & Noble-esque library chairs watching the waves from the window. It was a perfect cruise (or beach) read!

Another highlight was the B.B. King’s Blues Club. The musicians ROCKED and often had crowds well after midnight. We also loved the dance shows. The six dancers that made up Step One performed beautifully.

Would I cruise with Holland America Line again?

Absolutely, yes. This was my second Holland America Line cruise ( Norway was my first, and this was my dad’s first cruise with them, of hopefully many) and we had a great time! 

Holland America has a more classic style and feels more low-key than other cruise lines. What I mean is that you won’t find activities on the schedule at 2 a.m. The shows don’t have a cast of 30 people. There’s also no nightclub/DJ, although there is a dance floor at B.B King’s and entertainment that can span well past midnight.

We also didn’t witness any crazy behavior that people sometimes associate with cruises. You know, overly inebriated folks who make a scene and that sort of thing while wearing their swimsuit to dinner. None of that to be found!

Holland America is classy and attracts a clientele looking for an upscale, cultured experience. Even in college, I was 20 going on 60 and am not big into nightlife and partying. I am an early riser and go to bed well before midnight, so some of the more lively nightlife you’ll find on other cruise lines isn’t my thing anyway.

For me, Holland America is suited to my personal cruise style. Great food, a nice selection of music and entertainment, nicely equipped gym, a casino and spa, and loads of areas in which to relax and hang out.

Our Holland America Alaska cruise was absolutely incredible and I hope my mom was able to enjoy it too. I have to believe she was there with us in spirit and is at peace. Cheers to Alaska and thank you to my dad. 😉 This was the most meaningful trip I’ve ever taken and it was brought me so much comfort to have been able to do it with my dad.

I hope you’ll check out Holland America Line for your next cruise to Alaska and that you’ll have as much fun as we did! It was truly a great experience.

Disclosure: Please note our Holland America Alaska cruise was NOT a press trip.

PIN my Holland America Alaska cruise reviews post:

what's a holland america alaska cruise like

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June 17, 2023 at 3:20 pm

Wow! I’m glad you and your dad had an amazing time, and also that you felt your mom there in spirit! Seattle and Alaska are two places my family and I would love to visit. I’ve wanted to go on a cruise to Alaska for quite a while. The atmosphere on this cruise sounds perfect to me too! We went on a cruise to Nova Scotia out of Boston in June, maybe 10 years ago, and I loved the cool, foggy weather. It was on Carnival, which isn’t really my ideal atmosphere, but my sons liked all the activities. Thanks for a great review, and I hope you have a great summer!

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June 17, 2023 at 5:48 pm

Thanks so much, Susan! It’s really a spectacular trip. Hope you have a great summer too 🙂

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June 17, 2023 at 5:12 pm

A wonderful post. Thank you, Diane.

June 17, 2023 at 5:47 pm

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for reading!

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June 18, 2023 at 11:52 pm

This sounds like the trip of a lifetime, Diane! I’m so glad you got to do this with your dad in memory of your mom. It’s so meaningful that you were able to write a message on the crab pot tag as well.

The photos are also absolutely stunning – I’ve been meaning to ask, but did you get a new camera in the last couple years? Would love to know the model and lens as I’ve been considering getting a new camera for a while (looking at a Sony full-frame).

Hoping you have a wonderful rest of your summer with many more meaningful trips!

June 19, 2023 at 3:08 pm

It really was amazing, thank you so much for reading. 🙂

So glad you like my photos and to answer your question, believe it, or not, all the photos you see here (except kayak pic, that was a GoPro) were taken with my iPhone 11!! I do have a new camera, but I did not bring it with me on this trip in an effort to pack light. Thx again!

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Early morning in #istanbul when the streets are still calm. Something that caught us by surprise was the fact that cars and scooters really don’t slow down much for pedestrians and they get really close to you when they pass. Definitely use the sidewalk whenever you can! Lots of fun shops and cafes here near the Galata Tower where we’re staying.

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  • Holland America Line

Live Review Eurodam Alaska April 29 - May 6 2023 Seattle Roundtrip

Haljo1935

By Haljo1935 , May 3, 2023 in Holland America Line

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Wasn't able to start this Sat, but will catch up quickly. Opening the 2023 AK season for HAL – and celebrating their 76th season in AK, not to mention 150 years of sailing!! Before boarding, after check-in, we were part of a small group that got to watch a ribbon cutting ceremony where the captain presented a donation check to the local CoC. There was a marching band as well as Miss AK and Miss WA (2nd pic), who welcomed us onto the ship. Beautiful blue sky to enjoy the excitement.  Boarding was a snap - our flight was almost 30 minutes early and I was not looking forward to sitting 4.5 hours at the cruise terminal waiting for our group to be called. We didn't have to - we did have to wait a bit while all debarking passengers got off before we were allowed to even enter the cruise terminal. That wait was longer than the wait inside!! Went through check in very quickly  - only showed boarding pass & passport twice. Our cabin wasn't ready but we were allowed to drop our carry-on in it then head to lunch.  We had finished Mariners Lunch in MDR and taken a picture from our balcony before our 1:20 boarding time!! Yay - we're starting off well. Beautiful weather, clear blue sky for waiting outside the terminal. We were too close to get the entire ship, but the blue sky is visible   🙂 Balcony is too big to get in a single shot (I know - high class problem 🙂 ) but the view from it is stunning (3rd picture). Today (Sun) has been very foggy, so no pictures; sun is now starting to poke out, so maybe later. First stop is tomorrow - Juneau - where I hope to get nice pictures from atop Mt Roberts. After a foggy, rolling (no rocking) day yesterday, today is starting off very nice - cloudy but no rain. About 5 hours from Juneau; the beautiful AK scenery is abundant.  I love how the fog sits low so you see the water below and mountain peaks above. Had whales spouting last night during dinner - no pictures (I don't take my phone to dinner) but very lovely - it was dinner and a show at the Canaletto. Food was awesome and portions beyond generous. This was our first time at Canaletto – we’ll be back. Tiramisu is absolutely best I’ve ever had; served in a clear glass cup to appreciate how pretty it is.  •    Entering Stephens Passage 815am •    Beginning approach toward Juneau – starting to see buildings along the Beach 1030am

•    Arriving Juneau 1.5-2 hours ahead of schedule due to medical emergency.

•    Walked to drug store then to The Hangar for late lunch.

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Today we cruised Glacier Bay National Park. Two park rangers came on board to answer questions and explain what we were seeing and going to see.

Drizzly most of the day, but not a downpour- it's May in AK 😊 Although we have a lovely balcony, I chose to enjoy Glacier Bay from Explorations Central to stay dry - and get hot pea soup!! 

Saw several otters playing in the icy waters near the glaciers; no glacial calving.

Alaska Geographic set up in Explorations Central near the Rangers. There were shirts, pins, books and other Glacier Bay specific items for purchase including a USB drive with hundreds of photos; many have a portion of proceeds supporting wildlife efforts. A national parks passport stamp was available for those who collect them.

Rangers left the ship at 3:30 - off to Hoonah (Icy Strait Point).

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A couple short hours after we left Glacier Bay, we arrived in Hoonah (Icy Strait Point). This is a local owned port, not the usual cruiseline port w/diamond stores; it is small with the fishing history literally everywhere. 

We didn't take the gondola up, but I'm sure the views are amazing. It was late (6pm) when we got in with pretty heavy cloud cover and light rain, so didn't think we'd be able to see much. Instead, we walked to the cannery and on to the Cookhouse for an awesome dinner of local, fresh food. Husband said the halibut was best he ever had. The fries are cooked in separate oil than the fish so even those with seafood allergies can enjoy them. That has been an issue this trip as all the other restaurants we've been to use a "communal" fryer.

A small pod of whales with babies has been hanging out in front of the Cookhouse so we had a nice show (unfortunately no pictures - couldn't get camera out fast enough & didn't leave it out due to the rain). There were people walking along the beach looking for seaglass who got a very close view. Worth the rain to see the whales - I'll do it every time!!

We didn't go into town and didn't even ask about a shuttle, so I don't know if that's even an option if you choose to pass on ship excursions. There are no local tour operators at the pier, so you do have to plan ahead if you want to do something not through the ship.

The former Company Store has quite a lot of shops with many local artisans wares for purchase along with shirts, etc. You can easily spend a couple hours just looking at the old canning equipment, watching the films, and reading the plaques. So there's likely something for everyone. 

There are a couple of houses along the walkway past the cannery facing the beach. They all have "private residence " signs posted - what a unique place to live!! There is also a cemetery just after the last house. 

Icy Strait is non smoking, so if you smoke, it's a bit of a walk - plan accordingly. The entire area is clean, very well maintained, with no shortage of restroom facilities. The locals are proud to welcome you into their "home" - it's a refreshing change from the commercialized ports. 

After dinner, we headed back to the ship, ready for dry, warm clothes. We left about 15 minutes early (9:45 pm), so I guess everyone decided to come in out of the rain, lol. Tomorrow is an early morning in Sitka.

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Here's the dedication plaque for the statue at the end of the pier (visible in picture in my previous post) - there's a nice viewing platform around it.

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It sounds like you are enjoying Alaska so far even with the rainy weather.  Travelers do learn to go with the flow, as you are!  

Ship is sold out, but other than waiting for elevator returning from Port, it doesn't feel full. The lines have been short at the Lido, chairs available in the Thermal Suite, and no delays with room service. Even in Juneau where there was another large ship (Norwegian Bliss) we just didn't feel crowded as we have experienced before. Line at Guest Services; however, is crazy ridiculous long...and slow...

There has been a lot of movement (rolling) on the ship; although, the water looks fairly smooth. Not sure what's up with that, but I do hear passengers talking about it and you can certainly see it in the hydro pool as we all bob and slosh about like clothes in a washing machine 😀  

Food has been good, portions huge. Only issue we've had was today DH pork in the Lido was cold.

Welcome to Sitka! 

Sun is mostly shining, currently 41 w/forecasted high of 46. Ship just got clearance for passengers to go ashore. All Board is 3:30.

The welcome center is completely new since we were here last; it looks very nice.

There is a free shuttle running to/from Downtown throughout the day (approx 15 min ride), so if you didn't book an excursion, you will have no issue getting into town. 

We didn't book an excursion and will be exploring on our own. On previous visits, we have gone to Fortress of the Bears, the rapture center and a local brewery and really enjoyed them all. Fortress of the Bears was under expansion during our last visit, so it should be really nice.

More to come after we get into town.

Plan was to have breakfast in MDR, but plans changed and off to the Lido we went. Lines were very short - probably because many passengers have already gotten off the ship. Although there is a pizza place in town we really like, the plan is to not eat again until dinner - it will be early today (5pm) so DH can enjoy the seafood boil. That is booked ahead, $35pp, but they will let you order by the person rather than the entire group so non-seafood eaters can get their dinner from the buffet but sit together. He hasn't done the seafood boil before and has high hopes!

Will post pictures when we have a stronger connection.

First picture was earlier this morning as we were just coming into Sitka Sound. It is so peaceful here - sunrise was lovely. 

Cool Cruiser

Thank you for your travel log and all the pictures.  We sailed this itinerary last year on the Eurodam and will be doing so again this year.  Its fun to read your report and remember our last cruise and look forward to the next.  I have a question for you.  Have you sailed on the Eurodam before?  I understand it was in a short drydock this year and am curious if there are any noticeable changes.

4 minutes ago, BuddyBee said: Thank you for your travel log and all the pictures.  We sailed this itinerary last year on the Eurodam and will be doing so again this year.  Its fun to read your report and remember our last cruise and look forward to the next.  I have a question for you.  Have you sailed on the Eurodam before?  I understand it was in a short drydock this year and am curious if there are any noticeable changes.

We have previously sailed Eurodam to AK Sept 2018 & Sept 2019 and also to Caribbean Jan 2022. Honestly can't remember much specifically about her from those voyages, but I will say DH commented that the outside is looking a tad rough for a ship that just came out of drydock. There are paint scrapes, visible rust (?) on balcony, and several cracked windows in the Lido. Inside carpet in our cabin (SS6056) is a little frayed along the wall and there are screw holes where the old small 12" TV was removed above the fridge. With that said, overall she isn't really looking aged, just not fresh. But I think the biggest change was the installation of the library - it is very nice. Not sure what else was done, but that is noticeable.

We're really enjoying the trip - first cruise of the season has been nice. The earliest we've been is a May 5 sailing. Here's wishing you a fabulous voyage!!

Back on board after a pleasant stroll around downtown Sitka. Resisted the urge to get popcorn from the church - it always smells so good - but did give in to the cappuccino. Weather cooperated nicely, just clouds and an occasional breeze; light drizzle just started as we were boarding.

Announcement has been made about us leaving on time, which should be in about 15 minutes, then we're off toward Ketchikan.

As always, the town was very clean (LOVE that people use the abundant trash cans) and the locals extremely welcoming.

Ooh - we're moving!! So we're 15 min ahead of schedule.

Will post pictures shortly...

Here's pictures DH took of the smoking area near The Cookhouse in Icy Strait Point and kayakers in front of our ship that we saw as we were headed back down the path from The Cookhouse.

Where the kayaks are is not far from where we saw the whales, so we had a very good "parking spot."

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As we're leaving the Sitka port heading back into Sitka Sound, CD came on reminding passengers that completing the Canadian customs declaration form is not optional and must be done by everyone on the ship for us to get clearance into Victoria. Violators are subject to fines or even more harsh action and potentially delaying (or even denying) entry.

So, everyone on every cruise, please kindly submit the customs forms where/when you're asked. Thank you!

TriumphGuy

Thank you so much for this vlog. We board Eurodam on Saturday, first time to Alaska, first time on HAL (former Princess cruisers)  Very informative and timely post!

49 minutes ago, BuddyBee said: Thank you for your travel log and all the pictures.  We sailed this itinerary last year on the Eurodam and will be doing so again this year.  Its fun to read your report and remember our last cruise and look forward to the next.  I have a question for you.  Have you sailed on the Eurodam before?  I understand it was in a short drydock this year and am curious if there are any noticeable changes.

Update - found this re Eurodam's recent drydock - the casino was to have been revamped. Not spending any time in there, I couldn't tell you if it was significant or not, but happy to go take a peek at it if you'd like.

image.thumb.png.a14140f2015d73e67fabd1ca62042fd0.png

15 minutes ago, TriumphGuy said: Thank you so much for this vlog. We board Eurodam on Saturday, first time to Alaska, first time on HAL (former Princess cruisers)  Very informative and timely post!

Awesome - welcome to HAL and to AK!! We were also Princess cruisers then rec'd a random email w/AK itineraries on HAL; we booked one and have been hooked since. That was May 2018 - we have thoroughly enjoyed all of them except last May when we did a land cruise. I'll spare you the horror story, but know that we'll be sticking to the cruises even though we blamed the disasters (of which there were many) on Covid.

Thanks for the info. We don't spend nuch time in the casino either, so no need for you to "take a peek". There's so much else to see and do.

We're in the Lido for DH seafood boil. Have a great view of Mt Edgecumbe,  volcano about 15 miles west of Sitka.

We've had about 5 or 6 whales spouting, so we have a great  location.

Tables are wrapped in lobster printed Butcher paper and there are plenty of bibs coming out!! No lemonade tonight - only iced tea or cranberry juice.

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1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said: We have previously sailed Eurodam to AK Sept 2018 & Sept 2019 and also to Caribbean Jan 2022. Honestly can't remember much specifically about her from those voyages, but I will say DH commented that the outside is looking a tad rough for a ship that just came out of drydock. There are paint scrapes, visible rust (?) on balcony, and several cracked windows in the Lido. Inside carpet in our cabin (SS6056) is a little frayed along the wall and there are screw holes where the old small 12" TV was removed above the fridge. With that said, overall she isn't really looking aged, just not fresh. But I think the biggest change was the installation of the library - it is very nice. Not sure what else was done, but that is noticeable. We're really enjoying the trip - first cruise of the season has been nice. The earliest we've been is a May 5 sailing. Here's wishing you a fabulous voyage!!

Very glad to hear they have installed a library.  There was one when we first sailed with HAL in 2019 and were sad to see that there was not one when we sailed in 2022.  It was our favorite spot on the ship.

Ivar's clam chowder is up first, followed by a steaming pot of Dungeness crab legs, clams, mussels, shrimp, Alaskan salmon, corn 🌽 on the cob, red skin potatoes, drawn butter, lemon and mini baguette.

I don't eat seafood, so I'm waiting for the buffet to open.

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Lid of the steamer pot becomes the vessel for the "spent shells" lol.

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Progress has been made on the steamer pot, as there is now more in the lid than the pot. The pot is mostly crab and soup.

Triple berry crisp a la mode will finish it off. That I will eat, lol, we had it at the Mariners Lunch and it was awesome!!

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Time for the good stuff- berry crumble!!

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Mmmm now I'm craving crab and clams!  I'm enjoying your report.  I love Sitka!

Warm goodness...

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UMMM-UMM, sign me up! I remember Princess had something similar, The Crab Shack. can't wait! 

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Holland America Eurodam Deck Plans & Reviews

eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

Holland America Eurodam

eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

Activities & entertainment

  • Afternoon Tea
  • America's Test Kitchen Cooking Classes
  • Art and Craft Classes *
  • Art Gallery *
  • Beer Tasting *
  • Cigars Under the Stars *
  • Digital Workshop *
  • Digital Workshop Computer Classes
  • Explorations Central Port Lectures
  • Fitness Center
  • Fitness Classes *
  • Greenhouse Spa & Salon *
  • Happy Hour Drink Special *
  • Hot Tubs (5)
  • Hydro Pool *
  • Hydrotherapy Pool *
  • Martini Tasting *
  • Onboard Lectures
  • Photo Gallery *
  • Solo Traveler Get-Togethers
  • Sports Courts
  • Team Trivia
  • Wine Tasting *
  • The Retreat *
  • Afternoon Musical Concerts
  • B.B. King's Blues Club & America's Test Kitchen
  • BBC Earth Onboard Features
  • Billboard Onboard
  • Feature Movie Matinees
  • Lincoln Center Stage
  • Live Nightly Music
  • The Mainstage
  • The Dining Room - American
  • Gallery Bar - Art Bar *
  • Tamarind - Asian Fusion *
  • Atrium Bar - Atrium Bar *
  • Ocean Bar - Atrium Bar *
  • Lido Market - Casual
  • Explorer's Lounge - Classic Bar *
  • EXC & Explorations Café /Crow's Nest - Coffee Bar *
  • Dive-In - Fast Food
  • Canaletto - italian *
  • New York Pizza - Pizza
  • Lido Bar - Pool Bar *
  • Sea View Bar - Pool Bar *
  • Tamarind Bar - Scenic Bar *
  • Pinnacle Grill - Steakhouse *
  • Pinnacle Bar - Steakhouse Bar *
  • Neptune Lounge - Suite Guests
  • Excellent 58
  • Very Good 32
  • Terrible 11
  • All languages ( 133 )
  • English ( 131 )
  • Dutch ( 2 )

Upcoming itineraries

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eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

Fodor’s Expert Review

Ship overview.

Holland America Line

Celebrating 75 years of Alaskan cruises in 2022, Holland America is one of the longest-running cruise lines to Alaska. Eurodam has an additional restaurant and approximately six percent more staterooms than the line’s earlier Vista Class ships. The first of two Signature Class ships saw another upgrade in the form of the Asian fusion premium dining option Tamarind. With its maiden voyage in 2008, the Eurodam’s name symbolizes the company’s Dutch and European roots. Further highlighting the company’s origins is an extensive art collection; the display highlights Dutch contemporary artists.  Read More

Newly refurbished in December 2015, the ship premiered with fresh interiors, new bars, dining, and suites—including Bose Bluetooth speakers and USB outlets. Another significant update is the Music Walk, a multi-room music venue featuring classical, blues, and pop and rock music and live performances. The Eurodam visits Mexico, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbeans. It departs from Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Venice, Vancouver, and Barcelona.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

What to expect on board, staterooms & cabins.

There are three cabins available: Interior, Ocean View, and Verandah-style—all rooms have two lower beds that can convert into one queen-size bed. Also included are Euro-Top mattresses, massage shower heads, a selection of free on-demand movies on the flatscreen TV, and ample closet space. Suites include perks such as sofas, a spacious bathroom with whirlpool tub, and options for two lower beds to convert to a king. Spa room upgrades are available for regular cabins or suites and include amenities such as yoga mats, loofah mitts, pedometers, and aromatherapy bath salts. There are no single-occupancy rooms or multi-room cabins.

There are 30 wheelchair-accessible staterooms, including turning space, accessible routes, and bathrooms. A caretaker companion is required if the guest needs help with basic needs such as dressing, eating, etc. Certain service animals are allowed on board, accessible routes are available onboard, and elevators access all levels.

Food & Drink

The fare includes a number of dining options from the Lido Buffet, to the Main Dining (enjoy a three-course dinner here), room service, a burger joint, and a pizza bar. There’s also afternoon tea, and Dutch pea soup, a hearty and warming nod to the brand’s roots, is served when cruising by the Hubbard Glacier. There’s so much tasty food that there’s no need to spend additional cash on the premium options, but if you spring for it, the possibilities are delicious. Fee-dining options include the steakhouse, Pinnacle Grill, the aforementioned Tamarind Bar, seafood popup, Sel de Mer, Italian at Canaletto, and coffee and pastries from Explorations Café.

Lemonade, water, coffee, and iced tea are complimentary, but sodas and alcohol cost an additional fee. You’ll want to opt for the drink packages as per drink costs can add up quickly. Make sure to sign up for the drink package deal offered before the trip; the price onboard is much higher. 

Popular bars onboard include Crow’s Nest for its cocktails and exceptional panoramic views, Tamarind Bar (get the chilled apple-pear saketini), and the Ocean Bar, which invites mingling while sipping.

Entertainment

There is plenty of entertainment at sea, including live music, dancing, a casino, bingo, two swimming pools, six hot tubs, sports courts, and more. The Main Stage features dance and musical performances, destination and wildlife lectures, movie matinees, and one of the highlights, the BBC Earth featuring stunning wildlife footage and a live orchestra. There are kids and teens clubs with plenty of kid-friendly activities.

Spa & Fitness

The Fitness Center on Deck 9 offers generous machines such as ellipticals, treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, weight machines, and free weights. Free classes are available with an upcharge for categories such as spinning, yoga, and Pilates. For walks, head to the Promenade Deck. Adjacent to the Fitness Center, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon encompasses steam, sauna, aromatic, and massage rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, heated ceramic lounges, a full-service salon, and relaxation areas.

Key cruising tips

Health & safety.

Rotterdam has a staffed medical facility with a physician available for more serious issues; consultations will be charged to an on-board account. 

Covid protocols are evolving and largely dependent on destination. Vaccinated guests do not need to test before boarding but must show proof of vaccination, and unvaccinated guests must take a Covid-19 test (can be self-administered) within three days of embarkation.

Some itineraries have additional requirements,   including all Canada, Alaska, and Australia cruises.

The general dress code on board is casual. Shorts, beachwear, jeans, and men’s tank tops are not allowed in fine-dining spots, though none of this is strictly enforced.

Junior Cruisers

Club Hal offers a haven for kids 3 to 12 with a play area, youth programs, and activities. Teens 13-17 have their own designated club called The Loft.

Eurodam has outstanding, attentive service, from personal waitstaff to bartenders and performers. Our waiter made a special effort to seat us window-side for dinner when available. The daily cleaning service includes surprise animal towel creations on occasion.

Tips are automatically added to your bill at $15.40 per person/day for standard cabins and $16 for suites. The staff appreciated additional tipping for stellar service.

QUICK FACTS

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Always Bring Sunscreen

Eurodam alaska cruise review (holland america line).

Our family loved Alaska’s natural wonders, but we have mixed feelings about the Eurodam.

Our family loved Alaska’s natural wonders, but we have mixed feelings about the Eurodam.

If you're planning an Alaskan cruise, the ship you choose matters a lot .

Our family took a 7-Day Alaskan Explorer Cruise aboard the MS Eurodam. We loved every second that we spent in Alaska, but the time was short! 

Only 23% of our trip was spent in port or at Glacier Bay National Park. We slept for 33% of our voyage; the remaining 44% of our time was spent at sea.

In hindsight, the Eurodam may not have been the best choice for our family.

That said, some of the Eurodam's onboard activities and entertainment were excellent. We hope that our review will help you decide if the Eurodam is the right choice for your family.

Itinerary - The Eurodam visits Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia. It's a solid schedule. There are also opportunities to see wildlife and natural wonders from aboard the ship.

Food - We enjoyed lamb, steak, lobster, crab, salmon, halibut, rockfish and specialty deserts like "baked Alaska." These beautifully-plated dishes were included in our cruise fare.

Entertainment - Illusionist Joseph Réohm puts on a fun and interactive magic show and comedian David Crowe delivered fresh, funny material in each performance. The Eurodam also hosts live music, including: a blues band, dueling pianos and a string quartet.

Cleanliness - The Eurodam is kept immaculately clean and the workers who paint and varnish the decks do so without disturbing passengers. The U.S. CDC awarded the Eurodam a perfect sanitation score for 11 consecutive years (and 96 out of 100 points, most recently ).

Passage aboard the Eurodam included a guided tour of Glacier Bay National Park. That tiny speck in front of the Johns Hopkins Glacier is a 19-deck cruise ship. Words and pictures don’t do Glacier Bay justice.

Passage aboard the Eurodam included a guided tour of Glacier Bay National Park. That tiny speck in front of the Johns Hopkins Glacier is a 19-deck cruise ship. Words and pictures don’t do Glacier Bay justice.

Commercialization - We resented the constant barrage of advertisements, "upsell" moments, and private cabanas that obstructed the views of the Alaskan coastline.

Organization - It was unclear when certain facilities opened and closed on the ship; the "official" hours were different depending on the crewmember we asked or signage we read.

Noise - This is a loud ship. At 20 knots, the rumbling and rattling inside the second-floor dining room makes it difficult to have a conversation. The ninth-floor Lido Deck has a retractable ceiling that amplifies the sound of children screaming in the pool.

Passengers - We encountered boorish passengers on our cruise. That's not Holland America's fault, but we wish that the crew enforced basic safety rules and etiquette.

Our Verdict and Rating

2.5 out of 5 - Our family enjoyed every moment that we spent in Alaska, but we found the Eurodam to be a stressful ship. The salesy nature of the voyage is like a toothache: It's a nagging discomfort that distracts you from the fun that you should be having.

What Other Reviews Say

Cruise Critic - 4.5 out of 5

U.S. News and World Report - 4.2 out of 5

PhilaTravelGirl - Not recommended

Cruiseline.com - 4.1 out of 5 - 820 reviews

Trip Advisor - 3.2 out of 5 - 6 reviews

What's Included in the Fare?

The Eurodam has several all-inclusive dining options, including: a buffet, dining room, fast-food takeout and 24-hour room service. Seen here: Alaskan salmon and king crab served in the Lido Market (buffet).

The Eurodam has several all-inclusive dining options, including: a buffet, dining room, fast-food takeout and 24-hour room service. Seen here: Alaskan salmon and king crab served in the Lido Market (buffet).

Meals and snacks;

Live entertainment;

Fitness center;

Pools and hot tubs;

24-hour room service;

Ice service;

Turndown service (with chocolates);

Soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion;

Stationery;

Shoeshine service;

In-room movies (ala Netflix);

Pool towels;

Wakeup service;

CD/DVD player;

In-room safe;

Hairdryer; and a

Narrated tour of Glacier Bay National Park.

What's Available, but Not Included in the Price?

These are some of the advertisements and solicitations that we received in our stateroom. Sometimes, we didn’t notice important paperwork because it was mixed-in with junk mail.

These are some of the advertisements and solicitations that we received in our stateroom. Sometimes, we didn’t notice important paperwork because it was mixed-in with junk mail.

Shore excursions;

Bottled water and soft drinks;

Espresso-based drinks;

Spa services;

Premium dining;

Private cabanas;

Casino gaming;

Portraits and photography services;

Cellular at sea;

Laundry services.

Our cruise aboard the Eurodam cost roughly $1,000 per night for a family of three:

Passage for (3) Aboard the Eurodam : $5,337.00

Shore Excursions : $829.55

Onboard Spending : $497.50

Total Cost for Cruise (Excluding Airfare) : $6,664.05

We booked our trip on short notice and in peak travel season . As a result, there weren't many Alaskan cruise deals and discounts available to us. With proper planning (and flexible travel dates), we could have saved around $2,000 on our trip.

What to Pack

Layered clothing, rain jackets and binoculars made our excursions comfortable and memorable.

Layered clothing, rain jackets and binoculars made our excursions comfortable and memorable.

Summer temperatures in Alaska can range from 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a recipe for packing one's entire wardrobe (not to mention the two formal nights aboard the Eurodam).

Here are some tips on how to pack for an Alaskan cruise , based on our experience.

Embarkation

The Eurodam is docked at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91.

If you're arriving at the terminal via Uber or Lyft, be prepared to walk four minutes from the drop-off area to the baggage drop. Taxis and private vehicles are allowed to drop off passengers closer to the entrance. 

We arrived at 11:30 a.m. and boarded the ship 35 minutes later. It was a quick process. Here is a guide to the Eurodam's embarkation process and boarding times .

Staterooms and Suites

Our family stayed in a midship Verandah Stateroom on Deck 5. The loveseat converted into a full-size bed. This was convenient, but it made our balcony inaccessible at night.

Our family stayed in a midship Verandah Stateroom on Deck 5. The loveseat converted into a full-size bed. This was convenient, but it made our balcony inaccessible at night.

The Eurodam has five types of cabins. 

Our family chose the middle option: A stateroom with a balcony. This worked out to 90 sq. ft. per person (which is small), but we didn't feel crowded. Our cabin had a smart layout, lots of storage space and excellent housekeeping service.

We think that the Verandah decks (5 and 6) are the best decks on the Eurodam , especially in combination with a midship room (to minimize seasickness). 

The dishes served in the dining room were plated with care. We loved the food aboard the Eurodam, but not the ambiance.

The dishes served in the dining room were plated with care. We loved the food aboard the Eurodam, but not the ambiance.

Passage aboard the Eurodam includes access to a buffet, dining room, fast food and 24-hour room service. We were impressed with the food on the ship, but dealing with crowds and noise was an ongoing challenge. Here is our review of the dining options on the Eurodam .

Club HAL (Childcare)

Childcare is included in the Eurodam's fare.

Our seven-year old daughter visited Club HAL during each day of our voyage. She was happy to mingle with other kids and to get a break from Mom and Dad, but she didn't like Club HAL as much as the kid's clubs at all-inclusive resorts like Beaches or Dreams .

Here is our daughter's review of Club HAL aboard the Eurodam .

The Lido Pool sits beneath a retractable roof that remained shut for most of our voyage.

The Lido Pool sits beneath a retractable roof that remained shut for most of our voyage.

There are two pools aboard the Eurodam .

The indoor pool was mayhem because parents left their children unattended all day long. The outdoor pool was no escape because of the cool, windy weather. It was very disappointing.

Bars and Alcohol

Alcohol and soft drinks (including bottled water) are not included in the Eurodam's fare.

After running the numbers on Holland America's beverage packages, we decided that à la carte drinks were a better value for our family. Here is an overview of the Eurodam's alcohol policy, drink prices and onboard bars .

The Eurodam's staff always put a smile on despite looking overworked.

Our daughter loved discovering towel creatures in our cabin each night. Nyoman and Rizal, our room stewards, were excellent.

Our daughter loved discovering towel creatures in our cabin each night. Nyoman and Rizal, our room stewards, were excellent.

We appreciated the good service that we received onboard , though we wished that there was less sales pressure on the ship. Sometimes, it was just downright silly. For example:

~"I'll have the surf and turf, please." -"Would you like to upgrade to our premium surf and turf for $75?" ~"Not really, but what's the difference?" -"It's a larger steak and lobster tail." ~"But, couldn't I just order two surf-and-turf meals for free?" -"Of course, sir."

Tipping Policy

Holland America automatically charges a hotel service charge of $14.50 per guest per day for stateroom guests and $16.00 per guest per day for suite guests. This automatic gratuity can be adjusted up or down by speaking with Guest Services.

A 15% service charge is automatically added to all beverage purchases.

The Eurodam has a relaxed dress code. During the day, passengers are asked to wear shirts and shoes at indoor dining establishments. In the evening, two dress codes may be enforced:

Smart Casual - Shorts, beachwear, distressed jeans and men's tanktops are not permitted at fine dining establishments (like the dining room or specialty restaurants).

Gala Attire - There are two formal nights aboard the Eurodam. To gain entrance to a fine-dining restaurant or entertainment venue, men must wear collared shirts and slacks. Women are required to wear elegant dresses, skirts or slacks.

Entertainment and Activities

B.B. King's All Stars play their first set of the evening. We enjoyed the live entertainment on the Eurodam, but many of the ship’s activities were aimed at an older crowd.

B.B. King's All Stars play their first set of the evening. We enjoyed the live entertainment on the Eurodam, but many of the ship’s activities were aimed at an older crowd.

There are several t hings to do aboard the Eurodam .

Holland America provides excellent live entertainment: We loved the magic, comedy and music acts that we saw. On the flip side, we found many of the activities on the ship to be salesy and aimed at an older crowd. For example, "Pain, Digestion and Chinese Herbs." 

Three laps around the Promenade (Deck 3) equals one mile: It’s a relaxing way to pass the time at sea, especially when the weather is nice.

Three laps around the Promenade (Deck 3) equals one mile: It’s a relaxing way to pass the time at sea, especially when the weather is nice.

We enjoyed strolling around the Promenade (Deck 3) during the day.

If you're planning to try a speciality restaurant, consider doing so while at sea. The Deck 2 Dining Room is very noisy while the ship's engines are running. It rattles and rumbles so loudly that it is hard to have a conversation. Meanwhile, the Lido Market (the ship's buffet) is crowded and noisy when all passengers are onboard. 

Fitness Center

The Eurodam's Deck 9 fitness center includes stationary bikes, treadmills, cardiovascular machines and free weights. There is a jogging track on Deck 11.

Whale Watching

If it weren’t for the distinctive “spout” of mist, it would be easy to mistake this humpback whale for an otter or piece of driftwood.

If it weren’t for the distinctive “spout” of mist, it would be easy to mistake this humpback whale for an otter or piece of driftwood.

Yes, you can see whales from the Eurodam without booking a special excursion.

We spotted a pod of seven orcas (i.e. killer whales) swimming past our balcony. Soon after, a humpback whale breached in the distance. These sightings were dumb luck, however.

The key to spotting wildlife is having patience and a wide field of view. If we had a reset button, we would camp out in the panoramic Tamarind Bar during the day.

The Deck 11 bar has floor-to-ceiling windows, lots of seating and overlooks both sides of the ship: perfect for spotting whales spouts at a distance.

Itinerary and Excursions

The Eurodam visits Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia. This is a typical itinerary for a 7-day Inside Passage cruise to Alaska .

Is a cruise to Alaska worth it ? We think so, but we wouldn't have enjoyed our cruise nearly as much if we hadn't booked excursions at each Alaskan port . 

It's impossible to "see" Alaska from a cruise terminal: The 49th state is bigger than Texas, California and Montana combined. We know that the narrow slice of Alaskan life and wilderness that we experienced is not representative of the state itself, but it was special nonetheless.

The Mendenhall Glacier is sometimes called “the most accessible glacier in the world.” It’s 12 miles away from the cruise port terminal in Juneau and it is easily reached by bus or car.

The Mendenhall Glacier is sometimes called “the most accessible glacier in the world.” It’s 12 miles away from the cruise port terminal in Juneau and it is easily reached by bus or car.

The Eurodam spends nine-and-a-half hours in port at Juneau, Alaska . This was enough time for us to enjoy a three-part excursion that brought us to a salmon hatchery, private garden and the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier.

Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park is an amazing place.

Glacier Bay National Park is an amazing place.

Glacier Bay is home to 3.2 million acres of protected forest, shore, inlet and mountains rising more than 15,000 feet. It is also home to several tidewater glaciers that look like rivers of snow flowing from the mountains into the bay below.

We saw the Reid-, Margerie-, Grand Pacific-, Johns Hopkins- and Lamplugh-Glaciers, as well as drifting icebergs and the sea life perched atop them.

Sitka was once the capital of Alaska when the state was under Russian control. As a result, the downtown area is rich in local and cultural history.

We spent our time in Sitka aboard an Allen Marine tour boat. It gave us the opportunity to view otters, sea lions, bald eagles and humpback whales in their natural habitats. We also appreciated the natural beauty of Sitka's many rocky islets and lush rainforest.

"The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show" was the highlight of our time in Ketchikan, Alaska.

"The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show" was the highlight of our time in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Ketchikan is another Alaskan port city that is steeped in local and tribal history. It's home to the largest collection of totem poles in the world. It's also one of the rainiest places in the U.S.

The city has a rich history in fishing and forestry. Those industries are not as important to the local economy as they once were, but much of the local tourism is based on that history.

We saw "The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show" while in Ketchikan: It's family-friendly fun.

Because of a quirky 19th century law, Alaska-bound cruise ships are forced to stop at a Canadian port. We stayed onboard while at Victoria because we arrived to port late. 

Unfortunately, there was no live entertainment aboard the Eurodam while we were docked.

Our family used our Alaskan cruise as an excuse to spend a week in Seattle . Much to our surprise, it was the best U.S. city that we have visited (and a perfect trip within a trip).

The Eurodam’s casino is small, quiet and smoke-free. It made the nearby music lounge seem more colorful and energetic, which was a pleasant surprise.

The Eurodam’s casino is small, quiet and smoke-free. It made the nearby music lounge seem more colorful and energetic, which was a pleasant surprise.

The Eurodam has a small casino that includes card tables, slot machines and video games. It regularly hosts lottery drawings and Texas Hold'em (cash games and tournaments).

The Greenhouse Spa has a menu of spa services as well as hydro pools and thermal suites.

Counterintuitively, the shops aboard the Eurodam are one the few places on the ship with little-to-no sales pressure. We found the floor staff to be relaxed, friendly and helpful.

Disembarkation

A "Disembarkation Package" was placed in our cabin two days before the end of our cruise. 

The envelope included color-coded luggage tags and a schedule of disembarkation times by color and group number. Passengers must tag their luggage and place it outside of their cabin no later than midnight the evening before returning to Seattle.

Here is a full guide to disembarking the Eurodam .

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need a passport on my cruise to alaska.

Holland America recommends that all guests carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end of travel. Single adults traveling with a minor are required to have a passport. The following information is taken from Holland America's " Know Before You Go PDF :"

U.S. citizens on cruises in the Western Hemisphere that originate and terminate in the same U.S. port are required to have proof of citizenship such as a valid U.S. passport or a government issued birth certificate combined with a government issued photo I.D. Other approved proof of citizenship documents such as a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or certificate of naturalization along with a government-issued photo ID are also acceptable. A passport is still the preferred document.  Birth certificates from Puerto Rico issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not valid forms of proof of citizenship that is accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Guests from Puerto Rico either need to present a WHTI-compliant document or a government-issued photo identification with a validated birth certificate issued after July 1, 2010.  U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 traveling on a closed-loop cruise (a cruise in the Western Hemisphere which originates and ends in the same U.S. port) will be able to present their government issued birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card to sail. Birth certificates can be an original or certified copy.  When minors are traveling with only one adult 21 years of age or older, Holland America Line requires that all guests must be in possession of a valid passport. Holland America Line has implemented this requirement so that you all remain together should an emergency arise that requires one or more in your party to be disembarked in a non-U.S. port. 

Does the Eurodam have self-serve laundry?

No, there is no self-service laundry aboard the Eurodam. The ship does have a flat-fee laundry service: $20 for whatever you can fit into a canvas bag. The laundry bag is in the closet; it's around the size of a drawstring canvas backpack (i.e. not very big).

Does the Eurodam have a movie theater?

Yes. The Mainstage that encompasses Decks 1, 2 and 3 includes a theater that is used for movie screenings and presentations.

Where does the Eurodam dock in Seattle?

The Eurodam docks at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 W Garfield Way, Seattle, WA 98199. 

Does the Eurodam have a library?

The Eurodam doesn't have a library per se, however, the Crow's Nest (on Deck 11) doubles as a reading room. It contains an eclectic collection of books and periodicals.

When was the Eurodam last updated and refurbished?

The MS Eurodam was dry-docked and renovated in December 2015. The ship's venues and decor were updated as well as its menus and in-room amenities, like televisions and USB ports.

For additional information, see facts about Holland America's MS Eurodam .

About Our Family

Always Bring Sunscreen is our family's travel blog. We focus on family-friendly all-inclusive resorts and we only write about resorts at which we've stayed. Unlike many travel blogs, we don't accept free or discounted trips. For similar reasons, we don't publish our names on this website because we don't want special treatment at the resorts in which we stay.

Collectively, our family has a background in writing, editing, photography and data analysis (which is useful for estimating the best times to travel and finding top-rated products like sunscreen). All of our travel photography is original and copyrighted.

We live together in New York City and prefer to travel in the Spring.

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eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

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Holland America Eurodam

Holland America Eurodam Review On Alaska Cruise

Since my last voyage aboard the Eurodam with Holland America, over four years had gone. However, I was about to go on a trip to Alaska onboard the Eurodam, which had recently undergone refurbishment.

My experience aboard the Eurodam and what it’s like to cruise Alaska is outlined in the following review.

Review of Holland America ‘s Eurodam, along with Photographs

My all-time favourite ship is the Eurodam, and it has been for a very long time. This journey through the Inside Passage of Alaska gave me the opportunity to view the ship after it had undergone a significant repair in 2015. The most important thing for me would be to experience a cruise through Alaska on a ship of a more moderate size.

Our trip began in Seattle and included stops in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan in addition to the mandated detour to Victoria in British Columbia. In addition to that, the magnificent Glacier National Park would be sailed through by the Eurodam for an entire day.

Eurodam Fast Facts

Holland America Line is the Cruise Line .

Cruise Ship : Eurodam

Premium cruise line, which costs a lot of money

Passengers/Crew: 2,104/929

Remodeled in the year 2015

Dining Rooms: 2

5:45, 8:00, and open are the times for dining.

No to the Self-Service Laundry

What to Anticipate While Aboard the Holland America Ship Eurodam

To begin my evaluation of the Holland America Eurodam’s Alaska cruise , I’ll provide some background information about the ship.

In 2008, Holland America debuted the Eurodam, the first of two ships in their Signature Class of ships, which are in the mid-size category.

It is not quite as large as some of the other cruise lines’ mega-ships because it has only 11 decks and can accommodate only 2,104 passengers (based on double occupancy) .

The fact that all of Holland America’s ships are of a medium size and relatively simple to navigate without requiring a steep learning curve is one of the aspects of the company that I like and respect the most.

It was the first ship to receive B.B. King’s Blues Club during her refurbishment in 2015, and since then, it has developed a reputation for being one of the most lively nightclubs onboard.

The next year, the cruise line entered into a partnership with BBC Earth, and as a result, the main theatre on board now showcases live performances of classical music to complement the outstanding BBC Earth Live movie presentations.

“Alaska in Concert” was the name of the special BBC Earth Live event that was only held for one night on this particular itinerary. These multi-sensory production presentations are something I never miss.

On board the Eurodam, there is a total of 24 public areas, including 12 bars and lounges, two swimming pools (one of which is beneath a sliding glass dome), a fitness centre, spa and salon, and, personally, my favourite, a dedicated movie theatre with freshly popped popcorn.

The great outdoors are a significant part of the Alaskan experience, and the Eurodam offers a generous amount of deck space. Because the ship does a U-turn in Glacier Bay, there is no “ideal” side of the ship from which to see the scenery; instead, the view is the same for all passengers.

One of the compliments that has been bestowed upon Holland America for a very long time is the exceptional level of service that is offered by their crew and employees. This cruise did not fail to meet expectations in that regard either.

Good morning was something that was always stated by every member of the crew, as well as “may I help you” and “can I get you anything,” but they never got overly nice or invasive to the point where it made you want to grimace every time you saw them.

Onboard Expenses

Due to the fact that Holland America is not an all-inclusive cruise company, passengers should be prepared to pay additional fees for deluxe coffees, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, speciality restaurants , and shore excursions. You may avoid the feeling of being “nickel and dimed” during your cruise by purchasing a variety of dining and beverage packages either before you set sail or while you are on the ship . At the time of embarkation, each passenger is allowed to bring one bottle of wine with them.

Along with the majority of cruise lines , the internet connection is not free. The packages for the wifi are offered at reasonable prices, and the connectivity is very stable, with the obvious exception of parts of wildness. The fact that you will not leave the United States while on an Alaska cruise means that you can continue to use your smartphone as normal to browse the internet. When you are cruising down the coast of British Columbia, make sure that your phone is set to the aeroplane mode.

My regular balcony stateroom, which also included an additional balcony space.

You’re looking at stateroom #5138, and as you can see, there’s a little bit of extra space on the balcony. This balcony has two really cool features: one, if you stand in the little triangle space, you have a perfect forward view without having to look to your side, and two, there is no one above you to look down onto your balcony, which is something I was able to do to the enormous balcony just below my room. Both of these features are really neat.

As you can see, the regular balcony comes equipped with everything you could possibly require, including a significant number of USB connections that are dispersed throughout the cabin. Additional storage may be found in the bins that are hung over the compact sofa, as well as at the foot of the desk, and beneath the bed. In addition, there is a generous amount of closet space available, complete with “genuine” hangers that can be detached from the closet rod. That is not something that you will encounter on many cruise lines very frequently.

A bathtub is another item that is uncommon in most homes these days. I believe that practically all of the earlier Holland America ships installed bathtubs in all of the staterooms, with the exception of those located within the ship. In addition, I was relieved to learn that the bathtub has a sizable grab bar that may be used for assistance when entering and exiting the shower or tub. Or to grab onto while you’re standing in the shower if the sea is choppy!

Additional shelf space can be found beneath the counter in the bathroom. In addition, there is a hairdryer that is not fastened to the wall, as well as a magnifying mirror. Elemis toiletries serve as the industry standard, and pump bottles containing shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are affixed to the wall within the shower. Because I find even the most basic Elemis products to be extremely drying, I usually travel with my own. The bar of hand soap that’s now sitting on the sink is in perfect condition.

Eurodam Dining Review

I’ll admit it. I am a really picky eater. Because of this, you can find me at the Lido Market most of the time, considering the various possibilities that are available to me. The dining experience at Holland America’s Lido has been updated, and the company has reorganised the food stations to create a more streamlined flow, with clearly marked signs for each type or category of food, such as “The Homestead” for comfort food, a salad bar, Asian cuisine, a carvery, and ice cream, among other options.

Rembrandt Dining on the Eurodam is split across two floors. The first level, which can be found on Deck 2, provides guests with unreserved seating for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served with Holland America’s signature open seating format, which they refer to as “As You Wish” dining. You have the option to dine between the hours of 5:15 and 9:00 pm. The second level of Deck 3 is where you will find the restaurant that serves meals at predetermined times, specifically 5:15 pm and 8:00 pm.

There are a total of 14 different meal options, one of which being an afternoon serving of Royal Dutch Tea every day.

Complimentary

• New York Pizza, the Main Dining Room, the Lido Market, and Dive-In, as well as 24-hour room service

Additional cost

• The Grand Dutch Café, Gelato, Explorations Café (which serves speciality coffees), Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, and the Culinary Arts Center

Eurodam Entertainment Review

B.B. King’s Blues Club is my favourite place to spend the night on the Eurodam as well as any other ship that Holland America operates. The band performs three sets nearly every evening, with the last performance beginning at 10:45 p.m. and signalling the beginning of the most active part of the night at the venue. In addition, there are speciality cocktails available, with themes ranging from jazz to blues.

Live performances that accompany BBC Earth nature production films may now be experienced thanks to a partnership with BBC Earth. These concerts will take place in all four corners of the globe.

Head on over to the piano bar at Billboard Onboard if you still have room for more music in your life. Guests are encouraged to sing along with the piano players as they perform chart-topping hits spanning the last half-century.

Activities on board are available from the moment the sun rises until well into the night. During an Alaska cruise similar to the one that we were on, the ship invited a naturalist from the National Park Service as well as Alice, a member of the Tlingit tribe, to join them on board. They met up with us as we were driving into Glacier Bay, and they put up their tables in the EXC Lounge.

The naturalist provided us with a narrative throughout our 9-hour voyage through Glacier Bay as part of the destination immersion programme known as EXC, Explorations Central, offered by Holland America. Alice was available to chat to everyone about the way of life for Native Americans in Alaska. It was great to catch up with Alice after only having met her once previously a few of weeks ago on another guided excursion.

On the sea days of the voyage, there are multiple opportunities to watch a chef from America’s Test Kitchen put on a cooking demonstration. No, there won’t be any freebies handed out at the end of the presentation! You do, however, get a large recipe card to take home with you.

The pool that was located under the dome was rather popular, and as a result, the entire area was frequently crowded with people swimming, lounging, and eating at Dive-In (located in the upper left corner) or the Lido Market.

There are things like computer classes, dance lessons, and quiz competitions, among other things. Everything is written down in the daily planner that will be handed to you right before night.

I am unable to list all that is occurring because there is so much activity. However, this should give you an idea of some of the activities, particularly those that take place on sea days.

Who Is Joining Us?

For a number of years, Holland America was well-known for being a cruise line that catered to passengers aged 55 and over. And there’s a good explanation for that.

It was the ideal mix since the ships were smaller and easier to navigate, the crew had received improved training that resulted in respect and friendliness toward their senior guests, and the onboard schedule was slightly less jam-packed than usual.

Today, as you might imagine, Holland America shifted their emphasis to appeal to customers in their forties and fifties. The introduction of Music Walk, which has Billboard, Lincoln Center, and B.B. King’s, the expansion of active shore excursions, and even the improvement of wifi all contribute to a decrease in the average age of the passenger population.

This Alaska cruise, like many other cruises to our 49th state, drew an active and outdoorsy crowd that ranged in age from twentysomethings to retirees. Since the beginning of our voyage was on September 1st, there were relatively few young children on board.

During the course of our talk, the Captain shared that over the course of the previous summer, there were a great number of families, some of which spanned three generations.

Even though the patrons tended to be older, the B.B. King Blues Club never failed to sell out for any of their shows. Up to the very last minute of the final music set, the dance floor was packed with people. Being older does not equate to the carpet being rolled up at nine o’clock every night. Especially not in this location.

A luncheon for the loyalty club is hosted by Holland America on each and every voyage. The lowest floor of the Rembrandt dining room was completely occupied by Eurodam’s lunchtime. It was clear that Holland America has a devoted fan base from the crowd that showed up to this event.

Reflections Before We Part

In addition, while I was in Alaska, I went on a tour through the Alaska Inside Passage that lasted one week and was aboard a very small ship.

To avoid having to fly while getting to Alaska, I used the ferry that is part of the Alaska Marine Highway. I couldn’t help but wonder how the same schedule would play out on this larger ship that could accommodate 2,104 passengers.

In a nutshell, the cruise around Alaska aboard the Eurodam was fantastic for a number of different reasons . Due to the fact that Holland America has been operating cruises in Alaska for the past seventy-five years, they have a certain amount of influence when it comes to entering Glacier Bay.

During my voyage on a tiny ship, the National Park Service informed us that we would not be able to see the spectacular Marjerie Glacier because the viewing area was already occupied by the maximum number of two ships.

But we were able to get very close to the glacier that is perhaps the most photographed in the park while we were aboard the Eurodam. The sky was a brilliant blue the entire time.

The variety of well-organized shore excursions was extensive, and they came in all shapes and sizes. There was an activity suitable for every skill level of Alaska explorer.

Float planes and helicopter excursions will get you up up and personal with these massive glaciers. There were walking tours, hikes that were either flat or uphill, and my personal favourite was a trip to a dog sledding training camp that included a ride there.

There is something for everybody, on every possible level. Since Alaska cruises focus on the great outdoors, passengers should not expect to visit any museums or participate in any activities that take place inside.

Even more of what it is about Eurodam that I adore

• Taking the glass elevators up and down with a view of the ocean during your ride. You have no choice but to do it since the view is incredible, even if it is a little intimidating at first.

• The classic teak promenade that goes all the way around. There is a ban on running.

• Attending first-run movies in the theatre that is specifically designated for that purpose. You’ll need to pick up your bag of popcorn at the front door.

• To kick back and relax on sumptuous sofas covered in purple velvet while sipping a few exotic cocktails at the opulent Silk Den Lounge.

• The make-up mirrors that are lit and magnifying, as well as the detachable hair dryers

• A 5K walk called On Deck for a Cause, which will raise money for cancer research.

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Stuffed Suitcase

REVIEW: Our Alaska Cruise with Holland America PLUS our Excursions

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: December 8, 2022

At the top edge of the United States sits our 49th state, Alaska. There’s no better way to get a taste of Alaska than aboard a cruise ship. And, Holland America has been operating Alaska cruises longer than anyone.

We recently had the opportunity to take a 7-day Alaskan Inside Passage Cruise in August aboard the Holland America Koningsdam ship. With my teen onboard, we reconnected with each other and with the beautiful nature that makes Alaska a coveted tourist destination.

Holland America Alaska Cruise Review view of Eurodam ship in Alaska cruise port

Thank you, Holland America for inviting me as your guest to check out one of your famous Alaska cruises. All thoughts and opinions written here are based on my personal cruise experience.

Holland Koningsdam Ship

view from top deck looking over top of Koningsdam Holland America Alaska cruise ship

Our family is used to big ship cruising, so the Koningsdam felt a bit smaller than some of our recent cruise ship experiences. However, the Koningsdam is still the 3rd largest Holland cruise ship and is essentially very close in size to the largest, the Rotterdam.

The Koningsdam is one of Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ships and was built in 2016. It can hold 2,650 passengers and weighs 99,500 gross tons.

The small”ish” size of the Holland cruise ships can be a big benefit for Alaska cruises as it lets them dock in the ports when larger ships have to tender. Tendering can take up valuable time in port and is less convenient for taking second trips back out to explore.

A few of the things that stood out to me aboard the Koningsdam:

view inside koningsdam cruise ship looking at the bb king blues stage from upper deck

The ship has the upscale glitz and glamor that you expect from cruise ships but also a few fun spots with a bit of flair.

I was most impressed with the amount of lounge seating around the ship. One of my favorite things to do on cruises is read in a comfy chair with a good view. And of course, enjoying a happy hour cocktail before dinner.

One of the most popular spots is the Crows Nest lounge on one of the top decks (deck 12), which features cozy seating along with a bar and coffee shop.

The restaurants are also beautifully decorated, while the casual dining options on the pool deck are laid back and perfect for families with young kids. The buffet features plenty of windows and seating.

Most of the decks are named after famous music composers and the art around the ship is beautifully curated and displayed. It truly does have an upscale cruise feel when you’re walking in the corridors.

I’ll admit that the rooms felt a bit small, so carefully check the square footage when deciding what type of cabin to book.

view of verandah stateroom on holland america koningsdam

If you like enjoying time in your room, a verandah (balcony) room can be an absolute treasure for an Alaskan cruise. Holland America even provides blankets to help you bundle up when doing your wildlife or glacier spotting.

enjoying alaska from holland america cruise ship balcony holding cup of coffee in my hand

Compared to other ships one thing I didn’t love was that the promenade deck view was mostly blocked by lifeboats. If you’re someone who likes to pop out on one of the mid-decks to enjoy the scenery and walk around, this ship isn’t the best for that. They do have a small jogging track on deck 11.

But, as I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of indoor lounge seating near windows, which is probably somewhat preferable for Alaska cruising versus Caribbean cruising anyway. So even though the outdoor lounge spaces are limited, with the cool weather of Alaska, the window indoor seating can be preferable.

teen looking out window on holland america alaska cruise

Overall, I really enjoy the look and feel of the ship. We found it easy to navigate with a nice flow and absolutely lovely decor.

Holland America Entertainment (WOW!)

I wasn’t sure what to expect from HAL in regard to entertainment. Would they have enough options that would help me and my teen stay entertained before or after dinner? The answer was a resounding YES!

The BBC Planet Earth II in Concert is a MUST watch in my opinion. It’s a beautiful blend of musical and cinematographic storytelling at its finest. There are some “circle of life” situations as it is a nature documentary, so young kids might be alarmed. But kids will also fall in love with the animals and the storytelling is gripping and keeps you engaged.

bbc earth entertainment show on holland america

Another BBC show takes place in the World Theater onboard, and it too is lovely. You’ll be ooh’ing and ahh’ing over cute animals as you watch. The storytelling of it is different than the Planet Earth II show but still worth seeing.

Holland America does an EXCELLENT job of drawing their Alaska cruisers into the story of Alaska. One of the featured entertainment shows is WE ARE ALASKA, a story shared early in the cruise to help draw you into the spectacular world you’re about to enter.

And if you love history, or even just love storytelling, you should absolutely watch the “Origin Story” which shares the rich history of the Holland America line and how it got started as a cruise company, and how they were the first to brave the Alaskan cruising frontier!

The live music onboard was also delightful. I enjoy orchestral music and so the performers on the Lincoln Center Stage were always a draw. But they also offer other great live music options like the Rolling Stone Rock Room, a piano bar, and B.B. King’s Blues Club.

Dining with Holland America

wok lobster and shrimp at Tamarind restaurant on Koningsdam cruise ship

Many have said that the food aboard Holland America is upscale and enjoyable and I’d have to agree. I don’t think I had anything I didn’t love, beyond maybe a dish or two that just wasn’t my taste at the Lido Market buffet. :)

If you’re a foodie and love dining experiences, you’ll want to budget to add in a visit to some of the specialty restaurants onboard. Their chefs create meals that are tasty as well as spectacularly presented.

Complimentary / Included Restaurants

Holland America has dining that will suit any cruiser. There’s the traditional dining room, which has flexible dining times, as well as multiple specialty restaurants that will delight food lovers aboard.

Holland America is also the only cruise line that is certified for serving sustainable Alaska seafood . It’s important for travelers to be conscious of their impact on the destinations they’re visiting and Holland America is helping do its part with the food they serve.

I also want to note that using the HAL Navigator app is extremely useful while onboard. It helps you find what’s happening each day as well as the hours for each of the restaurants. Plus, you can order food and some of the restaurants in advance via the app. Be sure to install it before or once onboard.

Lido Market

This is what is equivalent to a buffet with other cruise lines, however, in each of the stations on Holland America a staff member handles serving you the food.

I appreciate this from a cleanliness standpoint; however, it does mean you might have a bit more of a wait versus the traditional free-for-all serving at buffets on other lines. I personally will take the wait in exchange for knowing an employee is the only one handling the serving utensils.

You’ll find a variety of stations including a taco corner, salad bar, meat options, bakery, and desserts including ice cream. Seating can get crowded during peak mealtimes however a bit of patience had us always able to find a table, and many times it was next to a window.

The Dining Room

Formal dining happens in The Dining Room, located at the back of the ship on decks 2 and 3 (on the Koningsdam). This is your traditional cruise dining experience with many tables and a menu that changes daily with a few regular items remaining each day.

Holland America allows for flexible dining times, called As You Wish. This means you can show up to The Dining Room between 5:15 pm and 9:00 pm and be seated for dinner. I absolutely love the flexible dining time option as you can truly create the day you want and aren’t locked into shows and excursions based on a strict dining time.

Families cruising with teens will also appreciate this flexible dining option as some may want to eat at different times or on their own, this allows a family to truly dine how they want on board.

Room Service

room service in cruise cabin

I’m delighted to say that Holland America still INCLUDES room service as a main (included) dining option. The menu is limited somewhat, but it was SO delightful having breakfast delivered every morning. I was even able to order a coffee service in advance to get my caffeine fix while my teen daughter slept in. And their room service is open 24 hours, just with two different menus depending on the time of day.

For families cruising to Alaska, this room service inclusion makes a big difference. A friend who was sailing when I was found it useful for her young boys to have room service together watching movies while she had a specialty dining experience. A win-win for both the parent(s) and the kids!

If you love fries and sitting poolside, you’re going to love ordering from Dive-In. It’s your typical pool dining spot that serves famous Nathan hot dogs, burgers, as well as french fries. This is a popular spot for kids and families, so you’ll want to order in advance with the HAL Navigator app.

New York Deli & Pizza

Craving a slice of pizza, deli sandwich, or salad? Another complimentary restaurant near the pool is the New York Deli & Pizza restaurant, where you can order a custom or chef-designed personal 9″ thin-crust pizza.

This is another popular spot and you’ll want to order in advance via the app, especially during busy dining times.

Specialty Upcharge Restaurants

While there are plenty of great complimentary dining options available onboard with Holland America if you love enjoying upscale dining you need to splurge on a specialty restaurant or two.

Pinnacle Grill

Steak lovers will want to be sure to splurge for a meal here. The menu includes cuts of filet mignon, NY strip, boneless rib eye, or a massive 36 oz tomahawk bone-in rib eye (added fee). You can also add on a lobster tail for an additional charge if you’re craving a surf and turf meal.

They have some great starters including an Instagram-worthy clothesline candied bacon. And you can get some delicious wine recommendations to complement your meal, we started with some Veuve Clicquot champagne with our starters and moved on to a delicious 2015 Muga Reserva Rioja for our steak course.

You’ll pay $15 for lunch and $39 for dinner, plus an 18% gratuity to eat at the Pinnacle Grill and then additional charges apply for a couple of added choices.

Craving some spring rolls and lobster? Tamarind is an upscale Asian restaurant onboard that features a delectable menu with options like Thai citrus scallops and wok-seared lobster and shrimp. They also have a master sushi chef onboard.

The cost for Tamarind is $29 plus an automatic 18% gratuity. For cruisers who love Asian-inspired cuisine, this one is a must-visit.

Next up is Canaletto for all the Italian-loving foodies. Here you’ll find some of your classic Italian favorites like lasagne and risotto, but there are also daily specials and many seafood-inspired dishes. Order up some grilled calamari, lobster and shrimp ravioli, and finish with a slice of tiramisu.

Canaletto is $19 for dinner plus an automatic 18% gratuity.

Rudi’s Sel de Mar

Next to the Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mar is the most premium specialty dining experience you can experience on board. The restaurant is small and intimate and features a seafood-focused menu. This is a dining experience, so allow up to two hours to enjoy the food and your dining companions.

The cost is $49 plus an 18% gratuity, although there are upcharges for some dishes and some ships charge off an a la carte priced menu.

Grand Dutch Cafe

For the caffeine and pastry fans onboard, the Grand Dutch Cafe will become your new favorite home away from home. This is an additional charge restaurant, although coffee drinks are included with some beverage packages.

I personally fell in love with the seating area at the cafe, as did many others based on its crowd levels at times. :)

Club Orange on Holland America

Wanting a posh cruise and dining experience? Club Orange might be the program for you. While it’s included for guests booked in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, other non-suite stateroom guests can purchase Club Orange for their sailing. Know that availability is limited, so booking early is recommended if it’s something you want.

Club Orange costs $25 per person per day on cruises up to 13 days and $15 per person per day on cruises of 13+ days. So a 7-day cruise would cost $350 for a couple.

Club Orange will give you these perks:

PRIORITY ACCESS

  • Priority check-in
  • Priority access to specialty restaurant reservations
  • Priority line at the Guest Services desk
  • Priority line at the Shore Excursions desk
  • Priority access to tenders ashore in select ports
  • Priority disembarkation

PREMIUM DINING

  • Expanded 24-hour room service breakfast menu
  • Pinnacle Class ships: Private dining venue for breakfast and dinner with an expanded menu
  • All other ships: Priority seating in the Dining Room for breakfast and dinner with an expanded menu

EXCLUSIVE AMENITIES

  • Complimentary stateroom upgrade
  • Dedicated concierge service
  • Welcome glass of sparkling wine on embarkation day
  • Plush bathrobes
  • Club Orange keycard
  • Exclusive Club Orange tote bag (one per stateroom)

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • Private Greenhouse Spa & Salon® consultation
  • Complimentary jewelry cleaning
  • Coffee chat with some of our onboard entertainers
  • Guests will be notified of these exclusive experiences once on board

Our Holland America Alaska Cruise Itinerary

park ranger on cruise ship in front of margerie glacier in glacier bay national park alaska

We cruised the 7-Day Inside Passage route on the Koningsdam to and from Vancouver, BC, in August.

  • Day 1: Embarkation Vancouver, B.C.
  • Day 2: Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage
  • Day 3: Tracy Arm Inlet
  • Day 3: Juneau, Alaska
  • Day 4: Skagway, Alaska
  • Day 5: Glacier Bay
  • Day 6: Ketchikan, Alaska
  • Day 7: Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage
  • Day 8: Disembark Vancouver, B.C., CA

Alaska Cruise Tours

One of the best things you can do on an Alaskan cruise is to get off the ship and get into nature. For this trip, we chose Holland America Alaska cruise excursions at our three ports of call.

Many of the tours are limited, so I highly recommend booking in advance before your cruise. Unlike Caribbean cruises, many cruisers want to book excursions. I noticed that many of the premium experiences like glacier float plane tours and dog-sled adventures were sold out by the time we got onboard.

Juneau, Alaska Cruise Tour

I’ll mention that whale-watching is a very popular activity for Juneau and is worth doing if you haven’t seen whales before. We’ve done a couple of whale-watching excursions in the past and my teen really wanted to do the jeep rental in Juneau.

Self-Guided Jeep Rental

driving rented jeep for tour in Juneau alaska

I’ve cruised enough times to know that I’m not a fan of group cruise tours with a bunch of other people. My teen is the same way. That’s why we decided to choose a jeep rental and go explore some of Juneau on our own via an automated guide.

We booked a 2-door Jeep since there were just 2 of us, they do have a 4-door option as well. And the price is per jeep, which for a family can work out to make the excursion not too expensive per person.

We disembarked in the afternoon in Juneau and checked in with an excursion rep after exiting the ship. They directed us to the jeep check-in spot which was just a short walk away from the pier.

At the booth, I had to show my driver’s license and sign a waiver. They brought down our jeep and gave us a short tutorial on the automated map program, and then we were off.

We followed the set route and listened to the audio guide along the way. The route took us to a few of the popular attractions for Juneau, the biggest being a stop at Mendenhall Glacier.

view of mendenhall glacier waterfall in Juneau Alaska

For cruisers who don’t love being in big groups of tourists, renting and doing this self-guided tour is a great way to enjoy the scenery of Juneau. We spent about 4.5 hours driving around to the different sites and then returning our Jeep.

We still had enough time to do a little shopping in Juneau and eat at the Alaskan Brewing Co before we had to be back on the ship.

Ziplining in Skagway Cruise Excursion

girl upside down on zipline in skagway alaska

We chose the ziplining tour in Skagway, and had a blast! It wasn’t anything unique versus other ziplining tours, but always nice to be in the green forests of nature. Our guides were fun and encouraged some adventurous zip techniques, like hanging upside down, which I haven’t seen encouraged in the past.

After zipping, the bus transfer offered to drop cruisers in town versus at the dock (a short walk outside of town) and so we took advantage of that. We walked along the main street which is filled with some unique and local shops as well as tourist shops you’ll find in every cruise port.

Don’t forget to pack cash for tipping your two zipline guides and if you want to add another small tip for the transfer driver.

Fishing Cruise Excursion in Ketchikan

mother and daughter fishing in alaska

One of our splurge excursions for our Alaska cruise was the Alaska Fishing & Wilderness Dining: In Partnership With Food & Wine Magazine booked with Holland America. We exited the ship and met with our fishing outfitter on the pier, and they walked us down to their offices and boats.

When we arrived, we had to show our driver’s licenses (or passports) to obtain a fishing license for the trip. We were able to pay with a credit card and it was $25, kids & teens (not from Alaska) under 16 don’t have to have a license. We were put into a group of six, assigned a guide, and boarded our open-air skiff boat.

Our guide took us out on the water and headed towards a known fishing spot for rockfish. He helped each of us get our reels set and within seconds all of us had bites! We all reeled up our lines and each of us had landed two rockfish on our hooks. You’re limited to a certain number of fish total, so our guide had to drop a couple of the rockfish back down.

With our rockfish stored, we headed to another couple of spots to try our hand at salmon fishing. And they were biting! We each had a chance to reel in a fish, including one lovely Sockeye salmon and many Pink salmon.

Once we hit our limit we headed ashore to a small island camp where our guide brought a couple of our fish ashore to clean them. After being cleaned and prepped, they were handed off to a chef who prepared our group a plate of deliciousness.

food served during alaska cruise fishing excursion with holland america in ketchikan

This was a truly epic Alaskan experience and one I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys fishing. For teens, it’s an activity that engages them while also getting them out on the water and helping them be part of the Alaska fishing experience.

Don’t forget to bring a nice tip for your tour guide and a small token tip for the camp cook. Also be aware that it can be cold when the boat is going fast, so dress in layers and bring a hat and gloves. You also might want rain gear as this tour can run when it’s raining.

Another thing to note is that you can choose to have your fish processed and shipped home with the tour company. The pricing was not cheap, and seeing as we’re based in Seattle it didn’t make sense since we have easy access to fresh fish. Our guide also mentioned that some fish should only be transported smoked.

Overnighting in Vancouver

harbour view suite at Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel before Alaska Cruise

If you’re traveling to Vancouver for your cruise, you’ll likely arrive a day early and want to stay overnight. We stayed at the Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel which is at Canada Place and connected to the cruise port.

There are plenty of restaurants nearby, and you’re also within walking distance of many of the popular shopping areas of Vancouver. We enjoyed dinner and the sunset in their Coal Harbour Bar that is onsite and the live music was an added treat.

We were upgraded to a room with a view overlooking Vancouver Harbour, and it was a wonderful way to begin our vacation.

I highly recommend staying here for cruisers as its location can’t be beaten. The parking garage is also the same garage used for cruise passengers, so again, extremely convenient for cruisers.

The Pan Pacific also offers special bag check service from your room to the ship, making embarkation a breeze!

What to Pack on an Alaska Cruise

I have a full post about what to pack for your Alaskan cruise, including an Alaska cruise packing list . So be sure to read it! But a few things to make sure you bring:

eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

  • Layers of clothes – it can get cool but warm in the sun so pack plenty of layers, i.e. long sleeve tops, base layers, fleece jackets, and warm coats.
  • Rain gear – the forecast said we’d have rain but we lucked out most days, be sure to bring a rain jacket and a small umbrella.
  • Waterproof gear – depending on which excursions you choose, you might want to make sure you pack a thick waterproof coat and pants. Some excursions provide them, but always best to be prepared if you’re not sure.
  • Boots – depending on which excursions you choose you might want to bring a good pair of warm boots that are waterproof and good for glaciers, water, and rain.
  • Hat & Gloves – it can be cold on the water, so be sure to bring a knit cap (beanie/tuque) and a pair of gloves that allow mobility for your phone use.
  • Ball cap & sunglasses
  • Cash for excursion guide tips

Our time aboard the Holland America Koninsdam was a real delight. While Holland might not be as flashy as some of the more common “family” cruise ships, it still was a great home for myself and my teen for our one-week Alaska cruise adventure.

We enjoyed dining together and lounging in many of the ship’s seating areas. The entertainment was immersive and educational. And our lazy mornings enjoying room service in bed is a memory that will last us a lifetime.

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Holland America Line’s Eurodam cruise ship

936 ft. length

105.8 ft. width

Our first Signature Class ship, Eurodam epitomizes grace and excellence. Test your music trivia skills at Billboard Onboard or catch a performance at the stunning World Stage. During the day, head to top-level decks to play pickleball at sea amid an ever-changing ocean backdrop or rejuvenate with therapeutic spa treatments at the Spa & Salon.

Eurodam Receives Best Dining Award

BestProducts.com named Eurodam the best cruise ship for great dining and diverse cruise destinations. Guests will enjoy delectable food options and cooking classes, plus an array of exciting ports across the globe.

Eurodam Best for Great Dining & Diverse Destinations. 2019 The Best of the Best, BestProducts.com

Onboard Activities

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment and enriching activities.

Billboard Onboard

ENTERTAINMENT

Sing along, test your music trivia knowledge, or sit back and enjoy as chart-topping hits fill the room each night.

2 pianos - 60 Years of Chart Toppers - 100s Of Songs.  Sing along, test your music trivia skills or just sit back and enjoy as the hits fill the room each night.

World Stage

World Stage features innovative cruise ship shows and a two-story LED screen that creates a vivid wraparound display.

World Stage, the largest theater on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director. In the evenings, Step One Dance Company, vocal sensation Cantaré, BBC Earth in Concert and more take the stage.  Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam  and  Rotterdam  bring the World Stage experience to the next level by surrounding you in spectacular sight and sound with a two-story, panoramic LED screen.

Onboard Shopping

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping onboard.

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought to you by Effy.

Fitness Center

Take a class in our professionally staffed Fitness Center.

Stop by the professionally staffed Fitness Center equipped with the latest cardio and weight machines. Try one of our classes on indoor cycling, Pilates and more or work out at your own pace. You can also head out for fresh air and exercise on deck, where you'll find basketball and volleyball courts, and two refreshing pools (available on select ships). Some classes may have a nominal fee.

Holland America Line Navigator

Personalize your cruise experience with our free mobile-friendly tool.

Personalize your cruise experience once you’re on the ship with our free mobile-friendly tool. Plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, view restaurant menus, make dining reservations, check your account balance and more. 

Casino Action

The Casino offers games for all levels.

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Unleash your competitive spirit in our new family game room.

Unleash your competitive spirit at High Score!, our new family game room. By day, it’s a secret hideaway for kids and teens, where they can engage in a fast-paced flurry of four-person air hockey or contend for bragging rights in the video arcade. At night, the entire family is welcome to bond over board games, skee-ball, a tilting labyrinth and family activities.

Pickleball at Sea

Enjoy complimentary lessons, tournaments, and courts with amazing top-deck views.

Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. Frequent pickler? Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test. Hesitant amateur? Learn the basics at complimentary beginner’s lessons, starting in spring 2023. Commemorative starter kits will soon be available in our retail shops — purchase as gifts for avid players or as souvenirs, so that you can always look back on your pickleball cruise memories.

Kids ages 3 to 17 can enjoy an array of activities. Registration required for children under 13.

Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties. Note: Kids Club is not offered on cruises of 25-days or longer, including all Legendary and Grand Voyages. We will offer a selection of children’s activities throughout these longer voyages for any children who may be onboard.

Dining Experiences

Pinnacle Grill

The ultimate steakhouse at sea, with an exceptional menu of Prime steaks, seafood and wine.

Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. The refined menu features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks — meticulously chosen to guarantee the finest quality — as well as classic steakhouse dishes and innovative recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council® member, David Burke. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor.

*Meals at Pinnacle Grill are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Canaletto is a relaxed setting with authentic Italian cuisine that is best enjoyed when shared.

In Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. This is the inspiration for our onboard Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Enjoy amazing Italian classics like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri or garlic shrimp ravioli. And for dessert: tiramisù, cannoli alla Siciliana, gelato, and more. Including pasta made fresh daily. Buon Appetito!

Meals at Canaletto are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Explore traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan with cuisine praised by Condé Nast Traveler as rivaling the top restaurants on land.

Praised by  Condé Nast Traveler  for cuisine “that rivals the top restaurants on land,” Tamarind is the perfect place to explore the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan. The menu, which honors the elements of water, wood, fire and earth, features such exotic fare as wok-seared lobster, barramundi (Asian sea bass) in banana leaf and sushi, accompanied by chilled or heated sake. 

Meals at Tamarind are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Lido Market

A casual, modern marketplace, Lido Market offers the widest range of food options on board for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night snack.

Explore a world of intriguing culinary possibilities in the Lido Market. Steps from the Lido pool, this modern marketplace includes a curated selection of delicious options that you can grab on the go or have made to order: Breadboard, with freshly baked breads and pastries; Wild Harvest, offering a bountiful selection of hearty salads; Homestead, serving up comfort classics; Distant Lands, featuring global cuisine; Sweet Spot, for ice cream creations and desserts; Roasting Pan, hand-carved meats, fish and other hearty entrees; Perk, freshly brewed beverages and chilled juices; Quench, premium coffee, beer, wine, and soda available for purchase; Rise, savory quiches, croissants and sandwiches, and more.

This casual poolside grill serves up the best burgers at sea, Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dogs, golden French fries and more.

Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portabella mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea.

New York Pizza

Our poolside pizzeria has fresh Italian salads and authentic thin-crust personal pizzas with savory toppings.

At New York Pizza, choose from a variety of scrumptious, 9-inch, thin-crust pies. Named for New York’s famed five boroughs, our signature pizzas are made to order and topped with only the finest ingredients. Enjoy your pizza by day while overlooking the Lido pool, and into the night. This venue is New York Deli & Pizza on  Koningsdam ,  Rotterdam  and  Nieuw Statendam , offering made-to-order deli sandwiches in addition to pizza.

24-Hour Room Service

Enjoy breakfast in bed or an early dinner on your verandah — entrées and more are available whenever you wish.

Sleep in and have breakfast delivered. Enjoy an early dinner on your verandah before an evening excursion. Order a salad, sandwich or entrée any time. Room Service is only a phone call away. All selections are included in your cruise fare unless otherwise noted on the in-room menu.

Explorations Cafe

Our relaxing café with panoramic views is your home for handcrafted espresso drinks during the day and refreshing cocktails in the evening.

At Explorations Café, sink into plush chairs and sofas in a comfortable environment. Sip elegantly prepared espresso drinks and nosh on fresh pastries from the coffee bar. You can also take in fantastic views, catch up on your favorite book or browse the web. 

Dine on delectable sushi and sip Asian-inspired spirits at Nami Sushi, a sushi bar within Tamarind offering stunning ocean views.

Nami Sushi offers a tempting array of the sushi rolls he’s created. Choose from such delectable selections as Tempura Lobster Roll with soft shell crab tempura; Dragon Roll with tempura shrimp, unagi sauce and avocado; Tsutsumi Roll with snapper, green olive, caper and avocado; Futomoki Roll with crab, yamagobo, avocado and cucumber; Volcano Roll with sesame-marinated salmon and Thai chilis; Nigiri sushi with tuna, salmon and ebi shrimp; and more. The word “nami,” Japanese in origin, means “wave” and is an homage to the ocean views you’ll enjoy as you dine on the freshest, tastiest and most inventive sushi at sea.

The Dining Room

Our flagship dining experience is a welcoming and sophisticated setting for an exquisite breakfast, lunch or superb multicourse dinner.

For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. For dinner, choose from classics such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute, Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. 

Suites & Staterooms

Please select your stateroom or suite type and room category from the available options.

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Complimentary 24-hour room service
  • Elemis Aromapure soap, lotion, shampoo
  • Luxurious bathrobes
  • Generous storage
  • Fresh fruit upon request
  • Ice service
  • TV with On Demand movies, programming

Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms.

  • Hair dryers, makeup mirrors

These expansive staterooms include include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads, a host of amenities and an ocean view.

Filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these staterooms include a sitting area, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and bath tub with premium massage showerheads.

Signature Suite

  • Whirlpool bath

These large, comfortable suites feature a spacious sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and one murphy bed for one person. The bathroom includes a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, and an additional shower stall.

Neptune Suite

  • Premium bathrobes, slippers
  • Fresh flowers
  • One-Touch concierge service
  • Whirlpool bath (suite dependent)
  • In-suite coffee, espresso
  • Complimentary laundry
  • Pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres served in suite
  • Welcome glass of sparkling wine
  • Priority boarding for tender ports, priority dining/seating requests, special disembarkation service
  • High tea in suite on request
  • Exclusive tote bag

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, plus additional shower stall. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.

Eurodam FAQs

What entertainment options are available in my stateroom?  Each room includes a flat-screen TV with interactive menu of programming including; on-demand movies, music stations, as well as both live and pre-recorded television. Additionally, guests can access ship information, dining options, an onboard activities schedule, shore excursions, and port information through this interactive media console. There are no external inputs available such as A/V or HDMI. Does my stateroom have a mini-fridge?  A mini-fridge is included with all staterooms. Guests who need to refrigerate medication should store it in the ship’s infirmary, as mini-fridges aren’t cold enough for that purpose. What's the cost for mini-fridge rentals?  Unnecessary as all staterooms include a mini-fridge. Are the balconies partitioned? All can be opened upon request. Does my stateroom have an alarm clock?  No, but guests can request a wake-up call. Is there a hairdryer in my room?  Yes. Is there a safe in my room?  Yes. Are there coffee makers in the room?  Only Neptune and Pinnacle Suites feature in-suite coffee and espresso machines. Does my stateroom have WiFi?  All ships are outfitted with wireless Internet. However, we cannot guarantee that each stateroom will receive a signal, as signal strength varies depending on the location of your stateroom.  Porthole Size:  15-inch diameter. Voltage:  110V /220V. Window Size (average):  45 inch x 35 inch. Lanai Staterooms:  No. Family Rooms:  No. Single Rooms:  No.

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Eurodam Alaska Cruises 2024

Eurodam

Embark on an unforgettable Alaskan adventure aboard the magnificent Eurodam. As a member of the prestigious Holland America Line fleet, the Eurodam stands as a testament to luxury and elegance. With a multitude of decks boasting meticulously designed plans, it accommodates a generous number of guests while ensuring ample space for relaxation and entertainment. The ship's expertly trained staff is dedicated to providing exceptional service, ensuring that every aspect of your journey exceeds expectations. At the heart of the vessel lies its main attraction, a stunning atrium, adorned with sparkling chandeliers and a grand staircase, setting the stage for an unforgettable voyage. Discover the wonders of the Last Frontier as Eurodam set sail from Seattle in style and comfort aboard this remarkable vessel.

Holland America's Alaskan cruises typically range from seven to fourteen days, showcasing Alaska's remarkable ports of call like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka. Cruises sail past breathtaking sights like the Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage, offering a panoramic view of Alaska's natural beauty. Holland America provides a variety of shore excursion options, allowing passengers to explore local culture, wildlife, and landscapes in depth. Each day presents a new opportunity for discovery and adventure in the stunning Alaskan wilderness.

Alaska itinerary on board Eurodam from Holland America Line

Almost every Eurodam cruise to Alaska includes a visit to a tidewater glacier, glaciers which flow into the ocean, often with powerful calving. The most popular destinations are Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Strait of Georgia, Tracy Arm. The cruises nearly all call at Ketchikan, Skagway or Juneau, with some rarer alternatives for Haines, Hoonah and Sitka. Find and plan your next 2024 Alaska cruise out of Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, British Columbia; Whittier, Alaska; with Eurodam.

Eurodam Cruise Timetable 2024

Holland America Line Alaska 7-day route

7-day Alaska cruise from Seattle

Eurodam, holland america line.

Date: May 4, 2024

Ports of Call: Seattle, Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle; View Itinerary

Date: May 11, 2024

Date: May 18, 2024

Date: May 25, 2024

Date: June 1, 2024

Date: June 8, 2024

Date: June 15, 2024

Date: June 22, 2024

Date: June 29, 2024

Date: July 6, 2024

Date: July 13, 2024

Date: July 20, 2024

Date: July 27, 2024

Date: August 3, 2024

Date: August 10, 2024

Date: August 17, 2024

Date: August 24, 2024

Date: August 31, 2024

Date: September 7, 2024

Date: September 14, 2024

Date: September 21, 2024

Date: September 28, 2024

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Holland America Line website.

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Is an Alaskan Cruise Worth It? Pros and Cons for 2024

Are you wondering if an Alaskan Cruise is worth it? You’ve come to the right place!

Are you considering taking an Alaskan Cruise but unsure if it is worth it? As a travel advisor who has booked numerous clients on Alaskan Cruises, and with my own experience of having been on several myself I can give you all the pros and cons of an Alaskan Cruise.

As a cruise specialist, you can trust that I will provide honest advice to help you decide whether or not an Alaskan Cruise is the right choice for you.

Let’s dive in and explore what makes this trip so special, and by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly if booking an Alaskan cruise is worth it!

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Is an Alaskan Cruise Worth it?

If you’re looking for a vacation that offers stunning views, exciting excursions, and a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life, an Alaska cruise might just be the perfect choice for you.

Let’s start with the Benefits of taking an Alaskan Cruise:

1. Captivating Scenery

One of the key reasons travelers choose Alaskan cruises is the breathtaking landscape that surrounds you throughout the journey.

You’ll be met with soaring mountains, crystal-clear glacial waterways, and lush forests, all unfolding right before your eyes.

Alaska’s waters, bordered by natural beauty and history, flaunt stunning vistas that will leave you in awe.

Get ready to have your breath taken away by the magnificence of glacier-carved fjords, walls of ice in Glacier Bay National Park , or the grandeur of the Hubbard Glacier.

And let’s not forget the mesmerizing sights of massive glaciers calving into the ocean – a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

2. Alaska’s Unique Wildlife

The array of wildlife that thrives in Alaska’s diverse ecosystems will make your heart skip a beat. Marvel at soaring bald eagles, black and brown bears, humpback whales, sea otters, harbor seals, and mountain goats.

Cruise lines often arrange wildlife excursions , such as whale-watching tours or bear-spotting treks, ensuring that you’re up close and personal with these fabled creatures.

From humpback whales gracing the icy waters to bald eagles soaring in the skies, the opportunities to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat are truly unparalleled.

3. Diverse Cultures and Rich History

If you have a passion for history or wish to explore Alaska’s vibrant heritage, then an Alaskan cruise is a perfect choice! Enjoy incredible sights and sounds as your journey takes you through this historical land.

You’ll have the chance to explore charming coastal towns, like Ketchikan and Juneau, where you can wander through quaint streets replete with timber-clad houses and storied totem poles.

Or, visit the historic towns of Skagway or Sitka , and witness the Gold Rush era’s remnants.

You might also get the opportunity to visit indigenous communities, where you can engage with the local Tlingit and Haida tribes to learn about their unique artistry and cultural practices.

4. Relaxation

Not only do Alaskan cruises offer a myriad of experiences that immerse you in the spectacular wilds of the Last Frontier, but they also give you a chance to unwind and indulge in some pampering.

You can choose from a range of luxurious cruise ships offering outstanding amenities like elegant cabins, spa services , fine dining, and even onboard entertainment.

In Alaska, there are many places without cell phone service or the internet. This can be a fun time to relax and spend time with your friends who are traveling with you.

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5. Meet like-minded travelers

Embarking on an Alaskan cruise also provides you with the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who share your passion for wildlife, nature, and adventure.

During your journey, you’ll develop heartfelt, lifelong connections that can transcend geographical boundaries or even inspire future trips together.

After all, it is often the people we meet during our travels that transform a wonderful vacation into an unforgettable human experience.

6.Unique Shore Excursions

From thrilling adventures to peaceful escapes, Alaskan cruises offer a myriad of activities that are sure to excite and delight everyone.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, culture connoisseur, or outdoor enthusiast, there’s something for everyone.

For those who crave exhilarating adventures, consider kayaking through ice-filled bays, zip-lining above vast forests, dog sledding atop epic glaciers, or helicoptering to remote mountain peaks.

For the culturally inclined, visit museums, theatres, and galleries, join a local fishing expedition, or savor the flavors of regional delicacies.

7. Ease and Convenience of Cruising:

Alaska is HUGE!

“Alaska is about one-fifth the size of the entire Lower 48. If you combined the area of Texas, California, and Montana, it would still be less than the size of Alaska. East to west, Alaska measures 2,500 miles, which is just about the distance from Savannah, Georgia, to Santa Barbara, California” – Royal Alaskan Movers

Planning for, paying for, and executing a trip of this magnitude can be overwhelming. Cruising makes it easy!

An Alaskan cruise offers convenience and comfort in one package. Your ship serves as transportation, accommodation, and a dining hub, making travel arrangements relatively seamless.

Most cruises provide gourmet meals, plush accommodations, and excellent guest services catering to your every need. This extensive range of onboard amenities makes cruising a popular choice, particularly for those who value hassle-free vacations.

Furthermore, the cruise route is preplanned, giving you ample time to research and plan your shore excursions. Travel is often arranged by the cruise line, minimizing preparations and ensuring that disembarking and returning to the ship is a breeze.

If you want to get deeper into Alaska, consider a cruise tour, where the cruise is one way, leaving you time to explore further in areas such as Denali National Park.

The Downside of an Alaskan Cruise

Of course, every rose has its thorn right? (Did I just show my age?)

There is a downside to everything in this life.

Fortunately, in the case of an Alaskan Cruise the plus sides greatly outweigh the negatives, but lets discuss them anyway.

Environmental Impact Considerations:

While the advantages of an Alaskan cruise are plenty, it’s essential also to consider the environmental footprint of such travel options.

Improper waste disposal and air pollution from large cruise ships have been detrimental to Alaska’s fragile ecosystem.

In response, some cruise lines have implemented stringent environmental policies and advocate responsible tourism.

Be mindful of your choices and opt for a cruise that adheres to eco-friendly practices and actively supports environmental conservation efforts.

Only a select few cruise lines are given permits to explore protected areas such as Glacier Bay National Park. This limits access to these areas and helps keep them pristine.

I also believe that exploring these areas and seeing them firsthand, helps travelers to understand why conservation is so important and makes them feel inspired to do their part.

Alaskan Cruises arent available year round

Due to the extreme winter weather Alaska experiences, cruising is not possible year round.

Whereas in warmer destinations, you have hundreds of sailings to choose from, on Alaska cruises, you have a very short sailing window.

Alaska Cruise season is May – September with July and August being the most popular times.

Alaskan Cruises can be expensive

This is the biggest downside to Alaskan Cruises. Due to the remote nature of the cruises, the short window for travel, and the popularity of the itineraries, Alaskan cruises are much more expensive than the Caribbean, or even European cruises.

Additionally, I always highly recommend my clients get a balcony stateroom when cruising to Alaska, which cost a bit more than interior rooms. The wildlife viewing opportunities and spectacular scenery make having a balcony room 100% worth it!

Nothing compares to the excitement I felt each morning, on my balcony sipping coffee and watching whales or cute little sea otters drifting past!

You can keep costs down slightly by booking at less popular times. Sailing in early May or into September are cheaper options than mid-summer. You may have to deal with not-so-ideal weather, but it can still be fun!

So, is an Alaskan Cruise Worth it?

Ultimately, an Alaskan cruise is as memorable as you make it. If the idea of sailing amidst glacier-carved fjords, witnessing the wonders of wildlife, and embarking on shore excursions that challenge your senses and inspire your soul resonates with you, then an Alaskan cruise is a journey unquestionably worth exploring.

Personally, my Alaskan cruise vacations are some of my best memories, and I will never tire of the beauty and magic I experience in the last frontier.

So, is an Alaska cruise worth it?

Absolutely.

With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and onboard amenities, an Alaska cruise offers a one-of-a-kind vacation experience that is sure to leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-time traveler, an Alaska cruise is an adventure that should not be missed.

Skipped to the end? No Worries, here’s the summary!

Alaska Cruise Pros

  • Breathtaking Scenery
  • Amazing Wildlife
  • Wake up somewhere new each day!
  • Food and entertainment
  • Exciting shore excursions

Alaska Cruise Cons

  • Short Season
  • Environmental concerns

Cruise Resources

These are my tried and true, favorite cruise-planning helpers:

➡️ Cruise Critic – for reviews, deck plans, and cabin choices

➡️ Parking – for saving on your long-term parking

➡️ Travel Insurance Master – Because, yes, you do need insurance

➡️ Trip Advisor –

For Reviewing Tours and Excursions

➡️ Viator – For Shore Excursions

➡️ Shore Excursions Group – More choices for small group excursions

➡️ Resort for a day Passes in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas

➡️ Atlantis Day Pass

➡️Cruise Packing List for Caribbean , Mediterranean or Alaska

➡️ Cruise Tips

➡️Also, if you don’t want the hassle and stress of booking your own cruise, I can do it for you at no additional cost! You can read more about

These products are services I have used myself and trust. Purchasing through the links above, helps me continue my blog at no additional cost to you, and I appreciate it so much!

Are you wondering if an Alaskan Cruise is worth it? You’ve come to the right place! Are you considering taking an Alaskan Cruise but unsure if it is worth it? As a travel advisor who has booked numerous clients on Alaskan Cruises, and with my own experience of having been on several myself I can...

IMAGES

  1. HAL-Holland America starts Alaska 2023 cruise season with MS Eurodam

    eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

  2. Holland America Eurodam Review on Alaska Cruise

    eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

  3. Alaska 2023 with Holland America

    eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

  4. Holland America Eurodam 2023 Tour & Review with The Legend

    eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

  5. Holland America Eurodam Review on Alaska Cruise

    eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

  6. Eurodam Photos on AlaskaCruises.com

    eurodam alaska cruise reviews 2023

VIDEO

  1. Holland America Eurodam Nami Sushi Restaurant April 30th 2023

  2. Cruise on Eurodam

  3. Alaska Seven day cruise First Stop Juneau then Glacier Day National Park

  4. Holland America Lido Market Dinner Buffet May 4Th 2023

  5. Exploring EURODAM On A Cold & Windy SEA DAY!

  6. Let's explore Alaska

COMMENTS

  1. Holland America Eurodam Cruise: Expert Review (2023)

    4.5 / 5.0 Editor Rating 1,200 reviews 9 Awards Write a Review Overview Reviews Dining Activities Photos Cabins Decks See all photos Editor Rating 4.5 Very Good Overall Aaron Saunders Senior...

  2. Eurodam Reviews from Travelers

    Eurodam Cruise Reviews - Reviews 4.1 ( 1061 Reviews ) View all 2172 Photos Tweet Overview Cabins Dining Onboard Activities Deck Plans Reviews Photos Tips Q&A Filter reviews by Rating Traveler type Cabin type Cabin Number Destination 1060 Eurodam Reviews Write a Review Sorted by Most recent verified 4.6 Verified review

  3. Holland America Line Eurodam Alaska Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED

    Holland America Line Eurodam Alaska Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Cruise Ratings on Cruise Critic Newsletter Write a Review Boards Find a Cruise Alaska Eurodam Alaska Cruise Reviews...

  4. Eurodam Passenger Reviews

    Reviews Photos Overview Cabins Deck Plans Reviews Photos Find a Cruise Find a Cruise on Eurodam SORT BY Call to plan a cruise: 1-833-468-6732 with a cruise advisor Traveler Reviews...

  5. Review of Club Orange on the Eurodam June 24, 2023 to Alaska

    Hi all! I know it's been asked a few times what Club Orange is like on a non Pinnacle ship. I've enjoyed CO many times on Koningsdam and booked it for our Alaska cruise in June of this year (2023) primarily for the room upgrade. Embarkation: This went really smoothly. We had an 11 am Group A time...

  6. A Popular Southeast Alaska Cruise Route

    10 June 2023 / Comments I tried a Holland America cruise to Alaska. Here's what it's like to sail on this cruise line Holland America's Eurodam isn't going to be the first ship you hear about when you start looking for cruises. It's a little older now. And it's not flashy. Certainly, nothing about it really stands out.

  7. Holland America Eurodam Review on Alaska Cruise

    Passengers/Crew: 2,104/929 Refurbished: 2015 Dining Rooms: 2 Dining Times: 5:45, 8pm and Open Self-Serve Laundry: No Welcome aboard Holland America's Eurodam It's really nice to be greeted with so many smiles when you board. Plenty of open deck space at the aft…to wave good-bye leaving Glacier National Park.

  8. Eurodam Cruise Review by ronarchuleta

    Overall rating: 5 out of 5 Verified Review 7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip) Sail date: September 23, 2023 Ship: Eurodam Cabin type: Balcony Cabin number: 4164 Traveled as: Family (older children) Reviewed: 4 months ago Review summary This was my first Alaska cruise, and I definitely picked the right line. I loved going to Alaska on HAL.

  9. What our Alaska cruise was like aboard Holland America Line's Eurodam

    I'll break down each of our port stops below, but here's our 7-Day Alaskan Explorer cruise itinerary at a glance aboard the Holland America Eurodam cruise ship from June 3-10, 2023: Saturday: Departed Seattle, 3 p.m. Sunday: At sea Monday: Juneau, 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday: Glacier Bay scenic cruising & Icy Strait Point evening arrival 6 p.m-10 p.m.

  10. Live Review Eurodam Alaska April 29

    Live Review Eurodam Alaska April 29 - May 6 2023 Seattle Roundtrip Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Live Review Eurodam Alaska April 29 - May 6 2023 Seattle Roundtrip ... Boarding was a snap - our flight was almost 30 minutes early and I was not looking forward to sitting 4.5 hours at the cruise terminal waiting for our group ...

  11. Holland America Eurodam

    Reviews Traveler rating Excellent 0 Very Good 0 Average 0 Poor 0 Terrible 0 Time of year Mar-May Jun-Aug Sep-Nov Dec-Feb Language English (0) Prices are cruise only, per person, double occupancy, and are provided by our partners. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included. Fuel supplements may apply.

  12. Eurodam Review

    Duration 7 days. Celebrating 75 years of Alaskan cruises in 2022, Holland America is one of the longest-running cruise lines to Alaska. Eurodam has an additional restaurant and approximately six ...

  13. Eurodam Alaska Cruise Review (Holland America Line)

    Our cruise aboard the Eurodam cost roughly $1,000 per night for a family of three: Passage for (3) Aboard the Eurodam: $5,337.00. Shore Excursions: $829.55. Onboard Spending: $497.50. Total Cost for Cruise (Excluding Airfare): $6,664.05. We booked our trip on short notice and in peak travel season.

  14. Alaska 2023 with Holland America

    Part 1 of a review of the Holland America Eurodam Alaska Inside Passage cruise. Part 1 covers the cruising experience on the HAL Eurodam - look for part 2 (A...

  15. Eurodam Cruise Review by KMonson

    Review: 1 Helpful Votes: 13 Overall rating: 4.6 out of 5 Verified Review 7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip) Sail date: June 10, 2023 Ship: Eurodam Cabin type: Balcony Cabin number: 8127 Traveled as: Large Group Reviewed: 7 months ago Review summary We had an amazing time. We will be cruising again. Embarkation 5 out of 5

  16. Eurodam Cruise Review by AliVaghar

    Review: 1 Helpful Votes: 13 Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5 Verified Review 7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip) Sail date: August 26, 2023 Ship: Eurodam Cabin number: 4103 Traveled as: Family (older children) Reviewed: 5 months ago Review summary

  17. Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Reviews

    1,945 reviews Filters Cruise Line Ship Destination Show more filters Good but some disappointments Review for a Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Eurodam cassandra44 10+ Cruises...

  18. Eurodam Cruise Review by Rphilosopher

    Overall rating: 3.8 out of 5 7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip) Sail date: September 23, 2023 Ship: Eurodam Cabin type: Balcony Cabin number: 8122 Traveled as: Couple Reviewed: 2 months ago Review summary We had a good time even in spite of my mobility issues.

  19. Holland America Eurodam Review On Alaska Cruise

    To begin my evaluation of the Holland America Eurodam's Alaska cruise, I'll provide some background information about the ship. ... Holland America Eurodam Review On Alaska Cruise. By Sean McKlveen October 31, 2022 November 1, 2022. Since my last voyage aboard the Eurodam with Holland America, over four years had gone. However, I was about to ...

  20. REVIEW: Our Alaska Cruise with Holland America PLUS our Excursions

    Seeing Glacier Bay with Holland America and National Park Ranger. We cruised the 7-Day Inside Passage route on the Koningsdam to and from Vancouver, BC, in August. Day 1: Embarkation Vancouver, B.C. Day 2: Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage. Day 3: Tracy Arm Inlet. Day 3: Juneau, Alaska. Day 4: Skagway, Alaska. Day 5: Glacier Bay.

  21. Eurodam Cruise Review by marie80911920

    Review: 1 Helpful Votes: 20 Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 Verified Review 7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip) Sail date: June 03, 2023 Ship: Eurodam Cabin type: Balcony Cabin number: 6044 Traveled as: Family (older children) Reviewed: 8 months ago Review summary

  22. Eurodam Cruise Ship

    Eurodam. 2104 guest. 936 ft. length. 105.8 ft. width. Our first Signature Class ship, Eurodam epitomizes grace and excellence. Test your music trivia skills at Billboard Onboard or catch a performance at the stunning World Stage. During the day, head to top-level decks to play pickleball at sea amid an ever-changing ocean backdrop or rejuvenate ...

  23. Eurodam Alaska Cruises 2024 ship schedule

    June 8, 2024 7-day Alaska cruise from Seattle Eurodam, Holland America Line June 15, 2024

  24. Is an Alaskan Cruise Worth It? Pros and Cons for 2024

    1. Captivating Scenery. One of the key reasons travelers choose Alaskan cruises is the breathtaking landscape that surrounds you throughout the journey. You'll be met with soaring mountains ...