Alaska is absolutely beautiful. Everyone should at some point go there and see its beauty in person. Just don't do it on Holland America.

I traveled to Alaska on ms Zaandam on 7/10/11 - 7/17/11. I stayed in balcony cabin 7077 (verandah suite).

I upgraded from my inside cabin ($2503) to the verandah suite ($5890) because I figured that a balcony would be nice to admire and experience Alaska's beauty from. I unfortunately had a room with a foul smell, and did not get to spend much time in it, except to sleep (which was difficult because of the smell). The cruise staff could not identify the source of the smell. They all agreed there was a smell, but, couldn't find the source, so said they couldn't do anything about it. I sprayed air freshener I bought in Ketchican, AK, but that did nothing. The cruise claimed they had no other rooms to put me in. Not even an inside cabin. They made us suffer for the whole week. For my inconvenience they offered to credit me $200. I felt stupid for upgrading for more than double the price and never being able to use the balcony cabin. Read more