Need Tips for Alaska Cruise on Zaandam

[like2cruise]

Well as you can tell by my signature I have cruised several cruise lines...primarily Eastern, Western, Mexico and Hawaii. This is our first time to Alaska and first time on Holland. I know there are always cruise tips to be shared and would love to hear all of them. What to pack, what to eat, what to do, which side of the train to sit on for the white pass...anything you think helped to enhance your alaska cruise with Holland! THANKS!!!!

Carnival Jubilee 6/95
Carnival Imagination 6/96
Carnival Destiny 11/98
RCI Grandeur 3/99
Disney Magic 11/99
Grand Princess 3/00
Carnival Celebration 2/01
Carnival Elation 3/01
Celebrity Century 3/02
NCL Star 6/02
RCI Navigator of the Seas 3/03
Carnival Paradise 11/03
Grand Princess 3/04
Holland Zaandam 07/04

[doone]

Welcome to HAL. Alaska is a beautiful cruise. I would highly recommend you make reservations at the Pinnacle Grill. The food here is fabulous, there is a $20 per person charge for this, but well worth the $20 plus. Gotta have the volcano cake for dessert.

Don't forget the bread pudding which is served each afternoon on the Lido. Escargot are wonderful served in the dining room on one of the formal nights. HAL is a great cruise line and I am sure you will enjoy the service of the Philipino and Endonesian staff, they are wonderful, friendly, courteous and sincere.

Enjoy your cruise.

[Stevesan]

I'm sure you will receive a lot of excellent answers to your questions. Alaska is just too vast to cover even a smidgen in one thread, so may I suggest you visit Cruise Mates Alaska message board. I found a world of good info there, as well as other "Ports of Call" boards, including Cruise critic.
Pay particular attention to comments from Karen16, aka Budget Queen on this board. She has vast experience and is very generous with her knowledge.
Do some Google searching for Juneau, Sitka Saskatchewan, etc. There are extensive web sites for all of the Alaska ports.

http://cruisemates.com/MBindex/destinations.cfm

1957-USS General A.E. Anderson, Tokyo to San Francisco; 1999-Norwegian Sea, W. Carib; 1999-RVI, Europe; 2000-Mercury, W. Carib; 2000-Volendam, S. Carib; 2001-Viking Star, Danube River; 2001-Veendam, E. Carib; 2002 B2B- Veendam, Alaska; 2003 B2B-Zuiderdam, W/E Carib; Mar 2004-Maasdam, E Carib; 26 Nov 2005 Veendam, S Carib

[gonnago]

These are good sites to start your ports of call searching.
http://www.everythingalaska.com/eta.cg.html
http://www.alaska.com/plan/visitors_guide/
http://www.travelalaska.com/Regions/StateCommunity.aspx

"Thanks to all for your help & advice. Our May 28th cruise was much better for it!"

[WindyCity]

I assume you are doing the Inside Passage cruise. We had a cabin on starboard side last year and it was perfect for viewing in Glacier Bay. Our son went up and got all of us "Glacier Baileys" the drink special in a thermal mug - hot chocolate with Baileys - delicious! We viewed all of Glacier Bay from our verandah (get some woolen lap pads from the steward if you do this), but it does not matter which side of the ship you are on - Captain turns the ship so both sides can view the glaciers.

If you are doing only a one way trip on White Pass, then I suggest the left hand side of the train overlooking the vistas. If doing round trip, does not matter, as passengers are asked to switch sides.

Zaandam is a beautiful ship - the atmosphere seems "intimate" not that it seems crowded or anything like that - its just not overwhelmingly huge.

When disembarking at the ports, we found it was best to take the elevators at the opposite end of the disembarkation deck - less crowded and to walk down the corridor to take the stairs down. Seemed to move faster than taking elevators near the disembarkation point.

Have a great cruise!

Westerdam Eastern Caribbean 12/12/04

[camachinist]

Short list...

1. Take your time and enjoy yourself; don't pack too much into the time you have and leave some plans open-ended to just enjoy what comes.

From our trip:

1. We rented a SUV in Skagway and drove to Carcross and had lunch in Whitehorse. Great drive and saw much of what the train saw, in our case fog http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif, in the canyon and went far beyond that.

2. Call up Jeff Carlin (http://carlinair.com/) and hitch a ride in his DeHavilland Beaver. You won't regret it. The weather, when we were there, was at minimums but we got some great flying in anyway. He's a great pilot and a nice guy to boot. Ask him about some tips for local watering holes.

3. If you need a pre-cruise hotel, pick up the Marriott Pinnacle on Priceline for 45-50 bucks. We toted our luggage a short walk from the hotel to Canada Place. First class property.

4. If you want to wander Vancouver after your cruise, watch to your left as you disembark into the main gallery before the doors to the loading area. There is a luggage storage service which will store your luggage pretty cheap while you shop.

5. Our cruise wasn't up to the usual HAL standards (in our opinion), likely partly due to noro-virus protocols, our having caught airline colds, and the fact that it rained nearly constantly. I'll leave ship-board tips to others. The movie theater was nice. Our inside-out aft cabin I7086 was our saving grace, giving us nearly complete privacy, yet having a quick hop up the outside stairs to Lido to see whales and other interesting wildlife. I'd highly recommend that location to anyone. Great value.

6. Don't try to know to much ahead of time; I'm very guilty of that. Takes all the fun out of adventure, my wife tells me http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Have fun!

Pat

[sammiedawg]

When in Glacier Bay, find your way to the bow of the ship to see the glaciers up close. Attend the ranger and naturalizer lectures. Try out the movie theatre with free popcorn. Spend some time in the Crow's Nest. Go to the desert extravaganza. Last July when in Glacier Bay they had a wonderful cookout on the pool deck. The food in the dining room and Lido buffet was excellent. We enjoyed it.

[jstducky]

i agree with everything sammiedawg said. on glacier bay day, definitely to the bow of the ship so you get an up close view of marjerie glacier. the bow can be accessed by walking to the theater, on the side (behind the curtains) is the door that leads to the bow. or go up to the gym, there is access to a little outside railing portion where you can get good views and less crowds!

when leaving glacier bay in the afternoon go up to crows nest to do some whale watching.

the salmon bake on the lido deck on glacier bay day is good and a lot of fun!

and try a whale watching excursion in juneau and get over to haines in the afternoon on your stop at skagway!

most of all, just enjoy!

jstducky!
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...til 9/04 - Jewel of the Seas - Canada / New England

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...til 7/04 - Zuiderdam - Western Caribbean

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7/03 - Zaandam - Alaska
4/03 - Norweigan Star - Hawaii
7/96 - Noordam - Alaska
7/96 - Golden Princess - Alaska
8/94 - Jubilee - Mexican Riviera

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[like2cruise]

Thanks for all the great advice!!

Carnival Jubilee 6/95
Carnival Imagination 6/96
Carnival Destiny 11/98
RCI Grandeur 3/99
Disney Magic 11/99
Grand Princess 3/00
Carnival Celebration 2/01
Carnival Elation 3/01
Celebrity Century 3/02
NCL Star 6/02
RCI Navigator of the Seas 3/03
Carnival Paradise 11/03
Grand Princess 3/04
Holland Zaandam 07/04
RCI Explorer 06/05 back2back

[a1moty]

like2cruise:
what is your departure date?
We are on the Zaandam July 24th~~
T.

[like2cruise]

a1moty,
We are one week a head of you (7/16). We will leave her in good shape for you!
Happy Cruising http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Carnival Jubilee 6/95
Carnival Imagination 6/96
Carnival Destiny 11/98
RCI Grandeur 3/99
Disney Magic 11/99
Grand Princess 3/00
Carnival Celebration 2/01
Carnival Elation 3/01
Celebrity Century 3/02
NCL Star 6/02
RCI Navigator of the Seas 3/03
Carnival Paradise 11/03
Grand Princess 3/04
Holland Zaandam 07/04
RCI Explorer 06/05 back2back

[a1moty]

like2cruise:
Sorry we won't have a chance to hear all about your trip before our turn to go and experience it ourselves. I love to hear what other folks think and advise ---
Have a great time!!
a1moty

[auj1fan]

like 2 cruise,

I am on the Zaandam on 7-17-04 with you!!!

We have a group of 11. Mostly first timers.

Hope to meet up with you on board!

Kim

[like2cruise]

Hi Kim,
Thanks for the post...yes I meant to post the 17th. We are flying to Vancouver on the 16th. WE love to cruise and as you can tell by my signature we have sailed on many of the main cruise lines. This is the first time on Holland and our first time cruising just the two of us (my husband and I). We always have sailed with our daughter (who is 18 now) and typically with a group of friends. We are looking forward to a great cruise. Is this the first cruise for you? If so, beware you will get hooked! See you on the Zaandam!

Carnival Jubilee 6/95
Carnival Imagination 6/96
Carnival Destiny 11/98
RCI Grandeur 3/99
Disney Magic 11/99
Grand Princess 3/00
Carnival Celebration 2/01
Carnival Elation 3/01
Celebrity Century 3/02
NCL Star 6/02
RCI Navigator of the Seas 3/03
Carnival Paradise 11/03
Grand Princess 3/04
Holland Zaandam 07/04
RCI Explorer 06/05 back2back

[auj1fan]

Like2cruise,

Yes this is my first cruise. We have a group of eleven and I think only 4 have sailed before.

I'm sure I'll be addicted. I just can't wait and am so excited.

I'd like to meet up on the ship and find out your opionion of HAL since it's your first time.

I'm on the Verandah deck and you?

Kim

[like2cruise]

We do not know where we are booked as of yet as we have a guarantee and our documents have been delayed. Have you received your documents yet. You will love cruising! We are hooked!!

[dam1050]

like2cruise:

I sailed on the Volendam last month, which is the sister ship to the Zaandam and has the same itinerary on the Inside Passage route.

You can find my review on the Cruise Critic boards here for some into on different excursions, etc....

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=4829

As far as the White Pass and Yukon Railway tour goes, they will have you change sides on the return trip; that way each and every passenger has a great chance to enjoy all the views.

Dave

[like2cruise]

I enjoyed your review very much. It was very well written and has me wanting to eat at the Pinnacle. Thanks for the link! Any must do's for our extra time in Vancouver that you as a local would suggest? We are staying at the Hyatt near Canada Place one night before and two nights after our cruise.

[auj1fan]

like2cruise,

My group of 11 has been informed that our documents are in and we are meeting with our TA on Monday evening.

One way to possible find me on sat the 17th is that I will be one of the 11 people with matching yellow/gold tshirts on. They have our names on the front and a funny cruise saying on the back. Feel free to come up to myself or anyone in my group.

I am on the Verandah deck B6210. Hope to meet up with you onboard for a drink!

Thanks!

Kim

[dam1050]

I enjoyed your review very much. It was very well written and has me wanting to eat at the Pinnacle. Thanks for the link! Any must do's for our extra time in Vancouver that you as a local would suggest? We are staying at the Hyatt near Canada Place one night before and two nights after our cruise.

You'll love the Pinnacle for sure!

As for Vancouver, you are staying in a great location. You are a short walk to our beautiful Stanley Park http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ which has many areas to see and much to do. Visit the Aquarium http://www.vanaqua.org/ rose gardens, walk around the seawall, etc ...

Head to the North Shore (via bus on Georgia st over the Lions Gate Bridge- or via the SeaBus)to see Grouse Mountain http://www.grousemountain.com/, or perhaps the Capilano Suspension Bridge http://www.capilanosuspensionbridge.com/

If you like harbour cruises, try http://www.boatcruises.com/

If you like shopping, you are only a block from Robson Street, which has all the "high-end" brand name stores. You are only a couple blocks to the Pacific Centre Mall (underground - enter through Sears or Hudson's Bay)

It's hard to point you in the right direction without knowing your likes and dislikes.

Check out the Tourism Vancouver website http://www.tourismvancouver.com/docs/visit/index.html for a vast array of choices.

Enjoy your cruise and your stay in Vancouver!

Dave