What is a cruise to Alaska like?

Question

We are going for the first time (there are 16 of us altogether-- family trip-- and yes 6 of them are kids.) We are going on the Holland America cruise line. I need tips, advice, and help on:

-seasickness

-what to pack (weather)

-what to expect

-anything else you think I need to known

Answer 1

I just got back from an Alaskan cruise in June. It was fabulous! The scenery is so gorgeous. I tend to get very seasick, so I always wear a scopolamine patch. I was fine with that. You'll need warm clothes, especially if you like being outdoors--gloves, hat, layers! Make sure you bring your camera. On days at sea, you can usually spot dolphins and some whales. Have fun!

Answer 2

I was BS'n with someone in the hot tub in Mission, TX once and he told be that he had taken his wife on a Caribbean cruise 12 years in a row. Then one day, he decided to try something different and take an Alaskan cruise. He wished someone had told him how wonderful they were a long time ago. We're going to deviate from the South one of these years and try Alaska. We would be inclined to consider a cruise-tour, which includes a glass domed train to the interior, which is 2 nights over before getting back on the ship.

Answer 3

I have been to Alaska twice, once on business for two weeks  that included some sightseeing and a cruise on a small ship, and then on a cruise inside passage and land tour.

Cruises of the inside passage to Alaska are typically very smooth and there is very little need to worry about seas sickness.  The inside passage cruise is ver much like cruising down a river and in many places you can see land on both sides of the ship.  So its not like being in the open ocean.  In addition, the ships used these days have automatic stabilizers that deploy under water to prevent the ship from rocking.  If you are still concerned about seasickness then take along some ginger candy or cookies, or get a prescription patch or pills from your doctor.  As a last resort the ship's doctor will have sea sickness pills.

What you need to pack for an Alaska cruise is not that much different from any other cruise or trip. The weather in Alaska on land can be very pleasant; maybe in the 70's during the day, and 60's at night. It will likely be rainy in a couple of your port stops like Juneau and Ketchkan. Not a downpour but like showers.

It will be pleasant on ship while you are in inside area but breezy and chilly on open decks. When you get near the icebergs and glaciers it will be cold. And I mean like hat, coat and gloves cold. But the way to dress is layer your clothes so you will be warm enough when its cold but not too hot when you are in warmer areas. Instead of a ski jacket, take a lighter one that you can wear comfortably over a sweater or hoodie. Take some long sleeved shirts and slacks. Take a cap or hat and even gloves. Think dressing in layers this way:  underclothes, shirt, sweater, jacket for your dress each day.

Most ships that do the Alaska cruises have areas where you can see things without being outside. They also generally have a solarium, a glass covered pool and hot tub area. And of course the ship will have a gym. So you can take things to enjoy these activities on ship.

Holland America, like other cruise lines, will have free programs.  This is from Holland's web site:

"Club Hal® Youth Program

Holland America Line has a youth program for guests ages 3-17*. Each ship is staffed with a professional Club HAL Director dedicated to making sure children have a great time. Some of the fun-filled activities include bingo for prizes, arts & crafts, special parties and much more. Each participant also receives a Club HAL t-shirt. An activity schedule for each age group will be delivered to your stateroom each evening.

Activities are offered for kids (ages 3-7), 'tweens (8-12) and teens (13-17). The program has an open door policy, which means participants may come and go as they please. All activities are supervised; however, the Club HAL Director is not responsible for any child if he/she chooses to leave the activity.

*On the Prinsendam, youth activities are offered for ages 5-17. All other ships offer youth activities for ages 3-17. "

So tell the kids they will have a great time.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take:

- swim wear (at least 2),

-sun glasses and sun screen, lotions,

-a warmup suit or sweats to relax on ship in,

- a hoodie and a jacket that you can wear over it,

- a hat and gloves for when you get near the glaciers and ice fields,

- a rain poncho because it will likely rain in Ketchakan and/or Juneau,

-a book if you are a reader,

-your music player,

-sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, -good walking shoes,

-your camera, and binoculars,

-other personal toiletries.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool towels. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand. They do not provide tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions. They DO provide a hair dryer.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.  Kids will be fine in pants or skirt and tops with a collar; just not "T" shirts, flip flops, and torn jeans in the main dining room. Don't over pack , take clothes that you can mix and match tops and bottoms and plan to wear each piece twice.

Your cruise will have a formal night when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. But most people do dress up; a suit or tux for men and a gown or party dress for women.   Kids can dress in for boys a suit or shirt and tie, and for girls a dress of just about any kind or color.  Women should take a shawl or other wrap for the formal dress.

Some other packing tips:

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage.

-Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you want to use the pool, hot tub, or gym as soon as you get on the ship, take clothes for these in your carry on bag because your checked luggage will likely not get to your room until much later in the afternoon, maybe by @ 6:00 PM.

- If you can take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

- Take a can of air freshener for your cabin bathroom; it has no exhaust fan.

- Since you have a big family going its a good idea to get a couple sets of walkie talkies to you can stay in touch somewhat on ship.  They are permitted and work well.

Answer 4

I traveled on an NCL cruise line last year to Alaska and it was horrible. Alaska is absolutely beautiful but since Im from Colorado the landscape was nothing unique to me. Also since its cold on deck you cant really swim in the pool. But perhaps Holland America will be more accomodating to you and your family and a family trip with 16 people sounds like a blast.

If you are prone to seasickness take motion sickness medicine two days prior to your trip, and continue taking it all the way up to two days after the trip is over.

Pack warm clothes (sweaters and long sleeve) but dont forget to bring a swimsuit becase they may have a hot tub on board

expect to see dolphins in the ocean and other ocean life. Also glaciers were very prominent on my Alaskan cruise.

Know that the ports of call are the best part of the cruise. If you go to Ketchikan, juneau, and skagway like our cruise line did than you will thoroughly enjoy yourself. However, skip all the tourist shop because all the shops in all the places are identical to one another!!

Answer 5

Alaska has been my favorite cruise and next year I'm going again with family like you. So I found bringing some warm gloves and a warm hat as very use full. Also mosquito repellent too.Leave shorts and sandals home. I wore pants, t shirts and a light weight jacket most of the time. The coldest part was going through Glacier national park(the inside passage). Everyone pretty much went outside to view the glaciers and it was chilly. The swimming pool was not used as much as they are on a Caribbean or Mexico cruise with the temps averaging around 60 degrees. But it can get in the 70's or even a little warmer too. I thing I liked the most about this cruise is seeing all kinds of wildlife from bald eagles(lots of them), to moose, to bears. Also the scenery was spectacular. Lucky for you that you get to see this wonderful state. Enjoy your cruise.