This was our first Holland America cruise. This was our second trip to Alaska. The first trip to Alaska was on Celebrity and we did the land plus cruise experience. This trip was cruise only. Initially, the reason we selected Holland America was the fact that they are one of very few lines that can cruise Glacier Bay. (Celebrity does not). When it is simply my wife and I we have tended to cruise Celebrity or Princess. When we take all the family we cruise Carnival or Royal. We loved the whole Holland America experience and no its not just for old people! We will be cruising Holland America again this winter on a Panama Canal trip.

Embarkation was out of Vancouver. We flew in the day before and spent the night at the Pan Pacific Hotel at the port. This is the perfect hotel for ease of getting set up to cruise. It’s about a 40 minute trip from the airport so staying at the port makes sense. One of the perks at Pan Pacific is the bellmen will pick your luggage up the morning of your cruise and deliver it to the ship, saving you the hassle. When it’s your embarkation time take the elevator directly down a couple of levels and all of it is done in one of the hotel’s ballrooms. Very easy!

The Koningsdam was immaculate. We were impressed at how well maintained a 2016 ship was. The layout was easy to master. Loved the Promenade deck 3 with an “old school” walk around the ship which many newer ships no longer offer. A very comfortable ship to spend time on. Loved the Ocean Bar and sitting by the window in a comfortable chair enjoying an adult beverage while reading. The glacier ice drinks are great as the glacier ice is the densest ice that seems to take an eternity to melt. Lastly a small detail that we appreciated were the real flower arrangements throughout the ship. Read more