WESTERDAM: ALASKA VS. CARIBBEAN HAL delivered yet another consistent product, but with some distinct changes for the colder climate. After a dozen visits to St. Maartin and countless shopping days in Old San Juan, I headed to Seattle for a change of scenery. This was my fifth HAL cruise, but nearly twentieth overall. Here's my review of Westerdam's Alaskan Explorer Cruise with a comparison to HAL's sunnier itineraries.

ALASKA IN SEPTEMBER

While visiting Glacier Bay, one of the park rangers said, "I love Alaska in September. You get the best and worst weather in the same day." Although she was referencing the blue skies opening behind Marjorie Glacier, this statement easily described a week's worth of changes. Read more