A review of our Holland America Alaskan Cruise and everything you need to know about life on board the Koningsdam cruise ship!
Why we chose a Holland America Alaskan Cruise
We booked the Holland America Vancouver — Vancouver 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage cruise on the Koningsdam Ship, which came highly recommended. Holland America has somewhat of a cult following, for good reason! They have mid-sized ships that tend to be more upscale and have a refined experience.
Read on for more!
- FOOD: They are also known to be best in class for the quality of dining on board. As huge foodies, this was a big priority for us! If this is important to you too, I have an entire post dedicated to dining onboard Holland America with a review of all the restaurants and specialty dining options that you should check out.
- SERVICE: We were blown away by the friendly and attentive service in every aspect of the cruise, from our cabin stewards to the waitstaff.
- FEWER KIDS: Holland America lacks the amenities that draw families, such as waterslides and mini golf, and has less kid-friendly programming. As a couple without kids, a quieter experience with fewer small children around was ideal for us.
- GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK: Only two cruise ships per day get to enter Glacier Bay National Park. Holland America’s 7-Day Inside Passage Cruise is one of them! To maintain access, they must undergo a rigorous assessment on sustainability and safety every 10 years. More on our time in Glacier Bay below.
- ROOMS: The cabins are modern and spacious, packed with amenities. More on that below, including photos of our Holland America Koningsdam stateroom.
- STRONG COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY: I don’t think I saw a single piece of plastic the entire time we were on board. It was so refreshing! They also have a commitment to using sustainable seafood through their Global Fresh Fish Program, which you can read about in my Holland America food review post. Their goal is to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, and they are already utilizing biodigesters and dehydrators to manage it more effectively.
Holland America Stateroom Review
We stayed in a 10th-floor Spa Verandah Room #10019 on the Koningsdam Ship. The category is named for its proximity to the gym and spa (perfect for us). Our room was gorgeous. It exceeded expectations in every way. The decor was very Scandinavian and minimal, and felt surprisingly spacious.
There were lots of outlets and even motion-sensing lights if you got up at night to use the bathroom. The room also had a desk and a couch. In some rooms, the couch even pulls out to a second bed for one person. The beds can be made as a queen or split into two twins.
The hallway was quiet and we didn’t hear our neighbors.
Alaska Cruise Balcony vs Interior Room:
If you can afford it, the Verandah Rooms are magical. Seeing glaciers and sealife from our balcony was amazing. There’s always something to see on the cruise, so being able to look outside at any time made this truly a remarkable experience.
Storage in Koningsdam Verandah Rooms:
I overpacked and brought a 70-pound absolutely enormous suitcase and was sure the room would be bursting at the seams with all my dresses, boots, and winter clothes. Everything was put away easily with room to spare! There is a double hanging closet and drawers galore. Amazingly, both my giant suitcase and Pat’s carry-on fit neatly under the bed.
Cruise Ship Stateroom Bathroom Koningsdam:
Our crisp and modern Koningsdam cruise ship bathroom was surprisingly spacious with a large shower, a tankless toilet, and a sink. To one side (not pictured) are three shelves with a little rail to keep your items from sliding off.
Amenities in Koningsdam Cruise Rooms:
The bathroom is stocked with their signature Elemis Aromapure soap, lotion, conditioner, and shampoo. There was a hair dryer and a magnifying makeup mirror. The room had two fluffy robes and a TV. Spa rooms also have a yoga mat. Laundry service is available for a fee. There is also 24-hour room service.
Information on other types of Holland America rooms, if you’re curious.
Holland America Cabin Stewards
Each Holland America cabin is assigned two cabin stewards. Our stewards were Immanuel and Putu. They kept our room absolutely pristine, checking on it multiple times per day. The care of your room also includes turndown service at night and tidying the room throughout the day. The service and attention to detail were absolutely astounding. They always greeted us with a smile, remembered our names immediately, and were able to assist with any requests we had.
What is There to Do on the Holland America Koningsdam Cruise Ship?
There is a huge array of activities every day on board, which are all easily available on the Holland America app during your cruise. Here are a few we tried during our Alaska Cruise.
Dining on Board Holland America Alaskan Cruise
This was our number one favorite pastime aboard the Koningsdam cruise ship. We feasted on some of the best food I’ve ever had. I published a separate post that looks at specialty restaurants on board as well as dining that is included in the cruise.
Afternoon Tea on Holland America Koningsdam
This was fun and festive, but portions are small, so I didn’t stay long. This is complimentary, and no reservations are needed. I recommend arriving 15 minutes before it starts so you can secure a table by the window.
Entertainment on Holland America Koningsdam
Every night, there was an assortment of live entertainment onboard our Holland America Alaskan cruise. It ranged from stand-up comedians to bands to dance troupes and more! Admittedly, we didn’t check out much of the entertainment on board. After dinner every night, we relaxed in the room and went to bed early so we could get an early workout in. I guess we’re pretty boring. 🙂 Here are some of the options from the Holland America website.
Holland America Greenhouse Spa & Salon
On one of our non-port days, Pat and I both splurged on facials. They were about $200 each, and mine was the best facial I’ve had. It felt amazing, the products were excellent, and my skin felt great at the end. It was the perfect indulgence.
The one downside was the hard sell to buy the very expensive Elemis products at the end. My facialist actually asked me, “How are you going to invest in your skin?” while holding a $350 bottle of skincare. Admittedly, it was a fantastic product. Maybe someday I will actually be able to invest in skincare at that level!
Holland America Alaskan Cruise Line Koningsdam Gym
If you love staying in shape on vacation, the Holland America Koningsdam cruise ship has a gorgeous gym on board. It’s at the front of the boat, giving fabulous views while you’re running on the treadmill or using the elliptical. There are universal weights, (outdated) spin bikes, and a few yoga mats.
They also offer fitness classes on board. They are very entry-level, so people of all abilities can participate. Some are free, and some come with a $20 fee.
Hot Tubs and Pools on Holland America Koningsdam Cruise Ship
At the back of the boat is a large pool that is warmer than pool water but cooler than a hot tub. It was fun to take a dip with snow-capped mountains in the background. There were also two small hot tubs next to the pool.
The indoor pool has two levels of lounge chairs around it. Towels are available on the deck, so you don’t have to bring the ones from your room. The indoor pool also had a hot tub attached to it. A few nights, they had movies on the pool deck.
Let’s Cake It Special Event:
As the cruise winds down and reality starts to set in, Holland America throws a complimentary “Cake Me Away” event on the second-to-last day. The Lido is filled with dozens of colorful cakes of all flavors. It’s quite the sight to behold and perfect for a sweet tooth. Get there early to beat the line!
Holland America Alaskan Cruise – Glacier Bay National Park
I wasn’t sure what to expect on our cruise day to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. This 3.3 million-acre park is only accessible by boat or by plane. Only two cruise ships are allowed to enter the park per day. It was an incredibly special experience to slowly make our way through Glacier Bay, marveling at glaciers right from our stateroom’s verandah. The water was so blue, and everything was so peaceful. This again felt like a truly precious experience, given the impact that climate change is having on the glaciers.
Spending time in this National Park, which is only accessible by plane and boat, was truly magical. To make the experience even more meaningful, Park Rangers and a local Huna Tlingit guide boarded the ship and spent the day with us, answering questions, discussing the park, and pointing out wildlife.
Sadly, most glaciers are shrinking, so this may not be an opportunity available to future generations. This was a huge factor in moving this Alaskan cruise to the top of our travel bucket list!
As a special treat, Holland America opens the bow (very front) of the ship for part of Glacier Bay day. Don’t miss this!
Holland America Alaskan Cruise Excursions
Excurisions, or experiences booked for when you are in port, are an essential part of the Alaskan cruise experience. They are the best way to see wildlife on the trip, and you can explore Alaska by air, sea, or land. They range in price from around $100 to as expensive as $1,000. I wrote an entire post about excursions on our Holland America Alaskan cruise, so make sure you check it out!
Best Time of Year for an Alaskan Cruise
The best wildlife viewing in Alaska seems to be directly related to when there are salmon! We visited the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve outside of Haines, Alaska, on a special excursion (Haines Eagle Preserve Float & Wildlife Quest, $280) during our stop in Skagway. Unfortunately, we only saw two eagles, both very far away. We learned that once the salmon are in the river, the trees are filled with eagles – sometimes dozens per tree! They come from all over to feast. It must be an incredible sight to behold!
Salmon in the rivers also increases your chances of seeing bears. In early May, the bears are just starting to wake up from hibernation, so it was just a bit too early to see them. We only saw one that was a teeny tiny spec during our Glacier Bay cruise day.
The salmon start mid-May and go as late as November, so there isn’t a bad time to go for the rest of the season! For the best balance of wildlife sightings and optimal daylight and weather conditions, I would recommend booking between June and August. Keep in mind that peak travel times sometimes mean more crowds and higher prices. 🙂
How Much is the Cost of a Holland America Alaskan Cruise?
We went early in the season, which tends to have lower rates. Our cruise left on May 7th. As of June 2nd, when I write, the lowest-priced room (without a verandah) is approximately $1,000 per person. Verandah rooms, like the ones we had, are roughly $2,700 per person (double occupancy) this year. In 2026, the cost is approximately $1,700 per person for a double-occupancy verandah room.
Holland America Extras that Weren’t Worth It (For Us)
Overall, I think the value of the Holland America Alaska Cruise was exceptional. There were only two things I wouldn’t pay the extra money for.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Packages:
We did the math, and the Quench Beverage Package (specialty coffees, mocktails, bottled sparkling and still water, soda, and juice) at $17.95 per day did not make sense for us. We never drink soda, and I could go without sparkling water for a week. You can get tap water and coffee for free on the ship, and this was enough for us. Pat got 1-2 specialty coffees per day, and each one was about $5.
Depending on what and how much alcohol you drink, the Elite Beverage Package (15 alcoholic beverages and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages) is available for $55.95 per day. Keep in mind that all people in the same cabin have to get the same beverage package.
Unlimited Fitness Class Pass:
When I purchased the unlimited fitness class pass, I envisioned a full array of classes to take all day, every day. In reality, there are 1-2 paid classes per day, plus around two free classes. At $69 for the pass, you have to take at least four classes to make it worth it. Even with Patrick and me working out multiple times per day, we still weren’t able to fit four classes into our schedule. The class quality was also just ok.
That said, the fitness center is gorgeous and huge, so fitness buffs won’t find a shortage of things to do. It’s located at the front of the ship and offers one of the best views on the boat! When I couldn’t make a class, I watched yoga and pilates workouts on YouTube. I also cycled and used the treadmill. It was open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
BONUS: Tips for Booking a Cruise on a Budget
Holland America Cruise Deals:
Keep an eye on the official Holland America Cruise Deals page.
Holland America Cruise Standby Program:
If you are located in a Holland America Line homeport (e.g., Vancouver, Seattle, Boston, San Diego, or Fort Lauderdale) and your schedule is flexible, there is the Cruise Standby Program. You sign up for their standby list, and 2 to 7 days before embarkation, you may be notified that you secured a spot on the cruise. The standby rate is $99 per person per day for an Inside or Oceanview stateroom or $129 per person per day for a verandah room.
I hope you enjoyed this Holland America Alaskan cruise review and look at life aboard the ship! Let me know if you have any questions. Check out more information about traveling to Alaska!
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