Holland America Alaska Cruise

[wildcatwmn]

Has anyone ever used their points for this cruise? Was it worth it? We are thinking of going in August. Any info would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[SB in KY]

We are booked for a HAL Alaska cruise in June....not using points though. Just a word of caution....cabin selection may be VERY limited at this point. Many of the summer dates are already sold out and most others are approaching that point, so if you are going to go for this summer I would suggest booking ASAP...

 

[MinnesotaChill]

My husband and I did the HA cruise last year that was one way Vancouver to Seward. It was fantastic and we loved every minute of it! I must caution you, however, that HA is know for its high service and beautiful ships. It is not the FUN ship and there was not a lot for kids to do. They did have a kids club, but the week we were there, there was only a handful of children. Luckily, my husband and I were content to sit on the deck, read books and watch the beautiful scenery, since our kids were at home, but if the weather had been foggy and cold (which I guess it normally is) we would have been looking for things to do. We are in our early 30s. There was only one other couple on our ship our age and they were with a set of in-laws. Everyone at our table for dinner was over 60.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! Not on Holland America, though. We were on a beautiful ship, but there were almost no activities besides playing cards or working out. No golf, etc. Like I said, we were so happy to just get away we didn't care.

We went June 20-27 and had warm sunny wonderful weather. While on the ship, however, they were telling us they'd never seen it like that for so long. There is one mountain they said they hadn't seen in a year because it is always fogged. I know many people who have done the cruise and they've always had cool, foggy weather, but enjoyed themselves anyway because the views are breathtaking.

My advice: don't worry too much about dressing up, even on "formal" nights, most people wore what I normally wear out to dinner, some much more casual; bring two sets of binoculars (sp?), if there are whales, otters, bears, etc nearby you don't want to be jumping up and down saying, "let me see, let me see!"; bring a windbreaker or waterproof jacket (normal cruise fashion goes out the window for Alaska, warm and casual are in); plan shore excursions in each city; in Juneau, try to climb to the top of Roberts Peak. You take a cool elevator up part of the way. The hike takes a very long time, but the views are amazing. We have pictures of ourselves in t-shirts and shorts (the only ones we saw who had thought to bring them (just in case)) standing on the middle of a glacier. I will caution you, this is Alaska, if you take kids, I would not take this hike. My husband and I turned back just short of the peak because we were scared we weren't properly equipped. The incoming jets were lower than we were. It starts out really easy, and then you get an adrenlin rush to see how far you can go.

PM me if you want to talk more!

 

[Dean]

DVC has contracted for an ocean view cabin on HAL. If it's not available, I suspect you'll have to pay more points for a higher cabin. I'd second the idea about the best cabins being gone. See what's available for cash then compare to points. If you move your plans to next year, you'll have a lot more options and likely cheaper as well.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Oh, I forgot to mention that we went very last minute. We made ressies two weeks before departure and all that was available were ocean view. We went through lastminutetravel.com, and they were trying to fill the empty rooms that had originally been more expensive. Maybe it was the time of summer we went?

 

[wildcatwmn]

Thanks All. I called Friday and they had plenty of rooms open on 4 of the dates I am interested in (Seattle RT and Vancouver RT). We are in our 40's and not the disco, night club, casino types. I work long days (international business) so am happy with a book on a lounge as I never get any down time.

My son being an only child is pretty content doing whatever we do, and would be really into the nature aspects of the trip. I just need to convivne the DBF who has never been on a cruise!

HAL probably wouldn't be my first choice, but we have some points to burn, and seems like a good fit for our August vacation. How many times could I do this for little cost (plane tkts are $297 RT right now).

With the exchange, you get an Outside view room standard. The only way to upgrade is by cash (which based on reviews Iwould do). It is $445 or $515 per adult to upgrade dependign on the dates. The new ship Oosterdam is $750 per.