Holland America Line has long been a leader in Alaskan cruises, having sailed there the longest. With decades of experience, the cruise line has fine-tuned its itineraries and onboard offerings. Having enjoyed several Alaska cruises with Holland America, our latest on the Koningsdam was as expected……amazing!
This Pinnacle-class ship brings timeless luxury to the untouched beauty of Alaska’s landscapes. Onboard venues like the Crow’s Nest offer unparalleled views of pristine coastlines, and its large, covered pool provides a reprieve on a cold day.
The dining menus had plenty of fish and seafood dishes for a taste of Alaska. Their salmon entrees were the best and while I’m not big on the fish, I ordered it more than once because it was cooked to perfection.
My dining experience at Rudi’s Sel de Mer allowed me to enjoy one of the best specialty restaurants at sea. Lobster, king crab, tuna, and shrimp – need I say more?
Overview Of Holland America Koningsdam
The Koningsdam vessel was the first in the Pinnacle class launched in 2016. As one of the line’s largest and most advanced ships, it blends contemporary elegance with nautical tradition.
With a maximum capacity of 2,650, she’s big enough to offer a variety of venues but small enough to provide an intimate experience. We particularly like the Grand Dutch Café, unavailable on the Vista-class vessels.
Public spaces aboard the Koningsdam showcase innovative design elements. The ship’s entertainment venues include the World Stage Theater, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and the Billboard Onboard piano bar.
On embarkation day, we savored her extensive artwork pieces, a signature on all Holland America ships.
Koningsdam’s Alaska Cruises
Holland America has several ships offering itineraries to Alaska. While the Holland America Noordam offers Gulf of Alaska cruises, the Koningsdam provides 7-day roundtrip Inside Passage cruises from Vancouver, Canada.
Since we reside in Vancouver, we favor the Vancouver return cruises because they require no flight or hotel stay.
🛳️ New to Holland America?
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One of the reasons for choosing an Alaska cruise with Holland America Line is its access to Glacier Bay National Park. Only certain cruise lines have access to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, Holland America being one of them.
A park ranger boards the vessel for the duration of time in Glacier Bay. The ranger program offers commentary on the history, fauna, and flora, enhancing the overall experience.
Some Koningsdam itineraries also make a courtesy stop at Tracy Arm Fjord. Although our ship didn’t enter the fjord, we could purchase a small boat excursion to see Sawyer Glaciers in the fjord.
Tracy Arm Fjord features prominently in many itineraries. If you venture into the fjord, you’ll savor views of granite cliffs, towering waterfalls, and harbor seals gracing icebergs.
Avoid the early weeks of May, as ice often blocks passage through the fjord, preventing vessels from reaching Sawyer Glaciers.
Ports And Shore Excursions
Key ports include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. These are the most visited in Alaska, with Juneau, the capital, offering a diverse variety of excursions.
The most popular tours include Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching, dog sledding on a glacier, Mount Roberts Tramway, and the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Whale-watching tours are often combined with Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and the salmon bake.
We’ve done them all on various trips to Alaska and enjoyed many hikes at Gold Creek and Mount Roberts.
Skagway features the White Pass Railway journey or the option to rent a car and enjoy a self-drive to Emerald Lake in the Yukon. Both are amazing in their own way. We enjoyed the nostalgia of the train and the freedom to create our own schedule on the road trip.
Ketchikan, often called the first city of Alaska, excels in fishing trips and totem pole tours. You may witness the salmon run in Ketchikan Creek, depending on the time of year.
Our top pick for an excursion is the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour. Even though we’ve never watched the “Deadliest Catch,” which features the touring vessel, we thoroughly enjoyed the interactive experience. Onboard, we learned about the perils of crab fishing from its fantastic crew.
Wildlife Sightseeing Opportunities
The Inside Passage route maximizes wildlife viewing chances. We spotted humpback whales spouting along the shorelines. Porpoises and bald eagles frequently accompanied our vessel, too.
In Glacier Bay National Park, use compact binoculars to look for bears foraging for food near the water’s edge. While we didn’t see any this time, each day in the park offers different experiences.
At Sawyer Glacier and Johns Hopkins Glacier, harbor seals often grace large chunks of ice beneath the terminus, and we saw plenty. Look for the dark spots against the white ice.
In Tracy Arm Fjord, look to the cliffs near the glacier for a chance to spot mountain goats. We found the ship’s wraparound promenade deck provided an excellent place for viewing and was less crowded than the higher decks.
During viewing in Glacier Bay, staff hand out cups of hot Dutch pea soup. It’s a welcome treat on a cold day, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to have seconds. On other mornings, we often joined the naturalist on the promenade deck for wildlife talks and viewing.
Koningsdam Accommodations
The Koningsdam offers a range of accommodations across multiple categories. We like that there are 12 studio ocean-view cabins, sized between 127 and 172 square feet. These rooms feature efficient layouts and double-sized beds, ideal for solo travelers.
For families on a budget, the vessel features family ocean-view rooms that can accommodate up to five. The rooms feature a queen bed (that can be separated into twins), a sofa bed, and a single Pullman.
To make the room comfortable for five, they have two bathrooms. One has a shower and sink, while the other includes a toilet, bath, shower, and sink.
Our balcony stateroom featured a massive shower with a glass door, the best we’ve experienced across all cruise lines. It also had three Elemis bath toiletries, which I prefer over the 3-in-1 products.
The room was spacious, with USB plugs by the bed, a nice-sized sofa, a large flatscreen TV, and hooks on the wall for jackets. The desk had more USBs, generous storage, and a French door to the spacious balcony instead of a sliding door.
Neptune and Pinnacle Suites offer the most luxurious accommodations, spanning up to 1,290 square feet. These spaces include separate living areas, private verandahs, and access to the exclusive Neptune Lounge.
Guests receive high-powered binoculars on a tripod to use during their sailing. The balcony private whirlpool adds a nice touch on a cool day.
Suite guests have a private butler who takes care of all their needs. All suites include premium amenities like priority embarkation, complimentary laundry service, and dedicated concierge service.
Onboard Amenities And Activities
Cruise guests can enjoy extensive activities and amenities across its 12 decks. Passengers can engage in enriching experiences while enjoying premium facilities designed for both relaxation and entertainment.
Entertainment And Alaska Talks
The World Stage features high-tech 270-degree LED screens for immersive productions. The projections on the screens during shows enthralling experience.
I particularly liked the theater layout and enjoyed the Step One Dance Company shows there. The immersive productions were more spectacular than the same shows on the Noordam.
Local experts present talks about Alaska’s wildlife, culture, and history in the theater. While we’ve attended many events on different cruise lines, the speakers on Holland America’s ships were very enlightening and knowledgeable.
If you’re into music, B.B. King’s Blues Club transforms nightly with live music performances. This venue gathered a crowd every evening. The Billboard Onboard showcases a piano player playing chart-topping hits just down the hall.
Dining Options
Flexible seating times were available in the main dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also tried out afternoon tea, which was well attended. Each table received a tea tower of finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
We recommend trying Pinnacle Grill for premium steaks and seafood. We went for lunch on a sea day, which was more affordable.
Other specialty restaurants include Tamarind for Asian fusion cuisine, Canaletto for Italian food, and Rudi’s Sel de Mer for fresh seafood. We tried Rudi’s Sel de Mer and the food was beyond amazing. The service was fantastic, and the meals were delicious and well presented.
The Lido Market on deck 9 is the ship’s buffet. It impressed us with its selection of food. We found everything from fresh sushi to made-to-order salads, international choices, and gluten-free options.
The Grand Dutch Café was the place to go for a quick bite. It always had a queue, but I loved the pickled herring and Dutch pastries, and the venue offered lovely ocean views. The Dive-In on the Lido deck was a popular casual venue for burgers and hot dogs.
Club Orange on Deck 2 provides exclusive dining for suite guests with an expanded menu.
Koningsdam Bars And Lounges
Although the Koningsdam is not a large vessel, it offers several inviting spots to enjoy an evening cocktail or drink. Near the atrium, the Ocean Bar was a popular hangout, likely thanks to its stunning ocean views.
During the day, the Sea View Bar and Lido Bar buzzed with activity, while the Panorama Bar, one deck above, remained quieter.
In the evening, the lively bars at Rolling Stone Lounge, Billboard Onboard, and B.B. King’s Blues Club became the go-to spots for entertainment and drinks.
Relaxation And Wellness Facilities
The Greenhouse Spa offers massage treatments, facials, and a thermal suite with heated ceramic loungers. Although very busy, we enjoyed the thermal spa on a sea day and found it lovely. Don’t be surprised to see a wait for the heated loungers.
Adjacent to the spa, a well-equipped fitness center provides modern cardio equipment and weights. Daily fitness classes include yoga, pilates, and cycling sessions. On an upper deck, a sports court was a favorite hangout for young adults and teens.
Pools
The Lido Pool features a retractable roof perfect for Alaska’s variable weather. Due to cool weather, it remained closed for our sailing. Three whirlpools surround the main pool area. We liked the double deck, offering ample seating around the large pool. Some guests chose to do their glacier viewing from there.
The aft Sea View Pool offers stunning wake views and a more peaceful atmosphere, but it is often too cold for Alaska. Outside the Crow’s Nest, private cabanas were available for daily rental. We saw no one use them in Alaska.
The Crow’s Nest
Floor-to-ceiling windows provide 270-degree views of Alaska’s scenery in the Crow’s Nest. Located at the bow, it’s the perfect venue to enjoy hot chocolate and the incredible coastal vistas.
Along with comfortable seating with cozy reading nooks, there’s a stocked games and puzzle area and a full-service bar serving craft cocktails and regional beers. This venue was always busy and often hosted trivia and other events.
Kids Club
We cruised early in the season and didn’t see too many children onboard. However, HAL features supervised kids’ programs for most age groups.
Club HAL divides activities into age groups: 3-6, 7-12, and 13-17 years. Their daily activities include arts and crafts, gaming tournaments, and Alaska-themed events.
Teen-only spaces feature movies, dance parties, and karaoke nights. A dedicated team of youth counselors leads educational and fun programming throughout the day.
Wrap It Up
Holland America has four classes of ships: Pinnacle, Signature, Vista, and R class. While I’ve cruised in every class, the pinnacle-class Koningsdam was my favorite. I liked its bigger size, state-of-the-art theater, and the addition of the Grand Dutch Café.
Since I prefer the cruise tours over the 7-day cruise itineraries, I hope she’ll offer Gulf of Alaska cruises in the future so I can experience another voyage on her.
