Alaska Cruise Question

[BobH]

I did a search and found a lot of great info on the Alaska Cruise with Holland America. Has anyone ever taken the cruise with points and made reservation for the rail car trip to Denali? Either through DVC or on their own? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Dean]

I haven't taken the cruise but have investigated it a couple of years ago. There were some issues though it's possible things could have changed since. One is that ALL points have to be in one contract, only a problem for those with multiple contracts and it is a workable issue. The other is that there was NO way to schedule the tour potion directly with DVC OR to link it with HAL. It was possible to schedule the tour potion through HAL but it would have been totally separate and you'd have to arrange your luggage and the like between one and the other. You should check as things might have changed. The costs and setup has certainly changed the last couple of years.

 

[BobH]

Thanks Dean. I hadn't considered the luggage transfer issue either. I read one post that said they uprgraded their regular stateroom to a verandah stateroom so some changes seem possible. I have never taken a crusie but I have also read that excursions of the ship can be booked ahead when you pay for the cruise so I hope that it is possible to add the rail car trip from Seward to Denali to the Glacier Discovery Cruise offered in the members DVC book. I'll be calling member services to check.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by BobH
Thanks Dean. I hadn't considered the luggage transfer issue either. I read one post that said they uprgraded their regular stateroom to a verandah stateroom so some changes seem possible. I have never taken a crusie but I have also read that excursions of the ship can be booked ahead when you pay for the cruise so I hope that it is possible to add the rail car trip from Seward to Denali to the Glacier Discovery Cruise offered in the members DVC book. I'll be calling member services to check.

Definitely check and let us know, things could have changed. DVC can book higher rooms at more points and I'd guess you could upgrade for cash when you check in if available, just like DCL. And excursions are a function of the cruise itself, so no problems there. At least when I checked, there was no way to combine the tour and cruise options as one continuous unit. HAL as a tour company where you can book things separately, call or email them and have it sent to you.

 

[Minybear]

Bob
We took the Inside Passage on HAL w/our DVC points (8/28/04) out of Vancouver. We didn't do the rail car trip to Denali. I can try to answer any other questions you have regarding booking through DVC on HAL.

Minybear

 

[krdisneybound]

We took the Alaska cruise with HOL. It was a tour with about 30 individuals - We started in Seattle, WA and then went to Fairbanks, Alaska - from there we went to Denali and other points on the schedule.

We went southbound and the last week we took the week cruise.

The cruise line took care of us completely including our luggage at each and every stop and each hotel. Everything was included - even tips along the way.

It was a two week tour and just fabulous

Possibly you would wwant to check into this type of tour

 

[CarolMN]

We did an Alaska cruise with Holland America in the summer of 1995. It was the trip of a lifetime for me. Traveled with my DH, daughter, Mom & Dad, 2 aunts, a friend and 2 cousins. Service on the HA ship was just wonderful.

We flew to Ancorage via Seattle and spent a night there. It was so amazing to have to block out the sun at 11 pm to sleep. We went last week of June. From there we took the train with the glass tops to Denali - awesome scenery along the way. Stayed overnight in Denali. While we were there, some of us rode the rapids of the Nenana river (Level 4). Have picture that looks as though we are one nano second from capsizing and drowning. (Never felt in danger, though, LOL). Saw a moose with its calf and rangers trying frantically to keep the dumb tourists from getting too close.

Took train to Fairbanks - saw University of Alaska, a museum and part of the pipeline. Flew back to Anchorage and took bus to cruise port. Stopped in Valdez, Sitka, Juneau & Ketchikan (probably have order wrong). Saw glaciers calve and seals playing diving games off the tiny icebergs. Panned for gold. Saw so many eagles, we couldn't count them all. Saw a bear, St. Michaels' Russsian Orthodox church and a Klinghit (sp) Indian village. Went kayaking. Walked on a glacier and took small boat sealife tour. Bought many souvenirs. Ate lots of fresh salmon. Many other highlights. I still go there (in my mind) whenever I need a break.

Awesome experience. Hope to repeat it again someday. I will go Holland America again.

Best wishes -

 

[krdisneybound]

Carol summarized the trip very well - all of that was on my trip also - and yes, we also forgot the order in which we saw everything. The trip was awesome. I actually got to take the trip twice in 3 months. My daughter worked for a cruise line and employees were able to take an extra person on a two week tour for the employees to see what they were selling their cruise people. AND THAT WAS AWESOME to see everything twice.

Take the trip. you will never forget it

 

[Dean]

It is possible to do the combo directly with HAL but is not (or at least was not when I checked) possible to do the combo on points.

 

[BobH]

Thanks to all for the information. As usual it is a pleasure to correspond with the people on this board.

I called member services today and was told by a DVC representative that I should be able to use points for a Glacier Discovery Cruise but I would have to make my own separate arrangements with Holland America for the rail trip to Denali that I wished to take - as Dean had posted. I still have to call Holland America to confirm what DVC member services told me - and I do not know the cost of an add on trip by rail car to Denali yet.

I know I would prefer a Verandah Suite so I also asked member services if I could upgrade the stateroom I would get based on my points. Member services told me that currently you get a catergory "C" stateroom with points but that I could pay from
$310 to $410 per person for an upgrade to a Verandah Suite Category B stateroom. They stated that I could pay from $350 to $450 for a Verandah Suite Category A stateroom. These numbers were for all ships with the exception of the Oosterdam. The Oosterdam upgrades ranged form $110 to $500 for cabin upgrades from the
type you get with points.

I'll put up another post after I have the time to contact Holland America. Thanks.

BobH

 

[BobH]

I contacted Holland America regarding taking Discovery Cruise with points and
adding a Mckinley Railcar Tour at a cash cost. Holland America referred me to http://www.graylinealaska.com (owned by Holland America) and there are precruise and post cruise options ($999 to $1200) for 6 day/5 night rail tours that go to Denali Natl Park. The rail car tours coincide with the Cruise sailings and are evidently the same itinerary on the same train that you would get if you booked the whole trip through Holland America crusie lines. Dean has said before that it is more cost effective to sell your points and pay for the cruise but it is nice to know that the option to use points and get the same trip at a lower out of pocket cost is available. Thanks to Dean, Kay, Carol and Minybear for pointing me in the right direction.

Bobh

 

[Dean]

I contacted Holland America regarding taking Discovery Cruise with points and
adding a Mckinley Railcar Tour at a cash cost. Holland America referred me to http://www.graylinealaska.com (owned by Holland America) and there are precruise and post cruise options ($999 to $1200) for 6 day/5 night rail tours that go to Denali Natl Park. The rail car tours coincide with the Cruise sailings and are evidently the same itinerary on the same train that you would get if you booked the whole trip through Holland America crusie lines. Dean has said before that it is more cost effective to sell your points and pay for the cruise but it is nice to know that the option to use points and get the same trip at a lower out of pocket cost is available. Thanks to Dean, Kay, Carol and Minybear for pointing me in the right direction.

Bobh

I guess it's glad to hear the specifics haven't changed though it'd be nice to have more options. I'm glad we could help in some small way.

 

[CarolMN]

.......(snip).... I'm glad we could help in some small way.

Me, too. And Bob, if (hope it's when, though) you take the trip, we'd all love a trip report. Our Alaska cruise was the best trip/vacation I've ever had - even including all our WDW/DVC trips!

Best wishes-