Introduction
In late September 2025, my family and I embarked on an 8-day, 7-night Alaska cruise. This article shares our authentic review of our very first experience with Holland America Line (HAL) aboard the MS Eurodam. I’ll take you inside our balcony and interior staterooms, break down the onboard activities, review the dining options, and compare HAL to other major cruise lines.
As a professional travel blogger who has spent over 140 days at sea—including voyages with Peace Boat, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Celebrity Cruises, and Virgin Voyages—I’m writing this guide from the perspective of an experienced cruiser with extensive port experience.
(This blog contains affiliate links)
Embarkation at Seattle Pier 91
We started our journey from the Sheraton Grand Seattle. Taking an Uber to Pier 91 cost around $46.
Pro Tip: We highly recommend tipping your driver directly in cash for luggage handling so they don’t lose a cut to the platform’s commission system, especially given how heavy cruise luggage can be.
- [2026 Seattle Travel Guide: Itinerary, Attractions, & CityPASS Tips]
- [EXchange Hotel Vancouver Review: Best Downtown Stay]
Why Choose Holland America for an Alaska Cruise?
1. Guaranteed Access to Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay is a stunning national park that can only be accessed by boat. Because the National Park Service limits entry to just two cruise ships per day, choosing a line with ample permits is crucial.
👉 [Check Holland America Alaska Itineraries on CruiseDirect]
Holland America Line and Princess Cruises hold the majority of these permits. In fact, HAL has been operating in Alaska since 1947—twelve years before Alaska even became a US state! On Glacier Bay day, passengers gather on the deck to enjoy panoramic views while savoring HAL’s traditional Dutch split pea soup.
2. The Mid-Sized Advantage for Alaskan Fjords
The MS Eurodam sits at 86,700 gross tons. Mid-sized ships are ideal for Alaska because they are small enough to navigate narrow fjords and get much closer to the glaciers.
Furthermore, lower-deck designs place you closer to the water line for incredible photography, and the ship can dock directly at smaller ports without requiring time-consuming tender boats.
HAL ships also retain classic features like wrap-around teak promenade decks. While it was a bit too cold to walk laps during our autumn voyage, it’s a beautiful feature that modern mega-ships often lack.
👉 [Check Holland America Alaska Itineraries on CruiseDirect]
Cabin Comparison: Balcony vs. Interior Stateroom
To give you a complete look, my parents booked a Balcony Stateroom, while my brother and I stayed in an Interior Cabin.
The MS Eurodam launched in 2008 and was completely refreshed in 2023. A massive perk of classic ships is that the staterooms are noticeably larger and offer significantly more storage space than newer builds.
| Cabin Type | Pros & Unique Features | Personal Experience & Hidden Details |
| Balcony Stateroom | • Generous square footage • Private balcony for glacier viewing • Surprise full bathtub upgrade | Our room assignment changed during app check-in. The view looked down onto lifeboats, which my mom disliked at first. However, it came with a rare bathtub that my dad loved, making it a fantastic upgrade! |
| Interior Stateroom | • Highly functional layout • Fits 2 large suitcases fully open • 115V & 220V power outlets on vanity | Features a decorative curtain and a clever layout. Room stewards are meticulous, even placing protective mats on the bed and desk during luggage delivery. Quiet and perfect for deep sleep. |
The Balcony Stateroom (With a Surprise Bathtub!)
During the digital check-in on the HAL app, my parents’ room assignment was modified. Their balcony looked out over the lifeboats. While looking straight ahead offered unobstructed ocean views, looking down revealed the boats.
However, the room came with a full bathtub! This was a fantastic upgrade, as not all standard rooms on the Eurodam include one. My dad loved the tub, so we gladly kept the room.
The Interior Stateroom
Our interior room featured a decorative curtain at the head of the bed and a protective runner over the sheets for guests who sit down before removing their shoes. The layout was highly functional, featuring a compact bathroom, a large wardrobe with a full-length mirror, and enough floor space to fully open two large suitcases.
The vanity desk was equipped with both 115V and 220V power outlets. The cabin stewards were incredibly meticulous, even placing protective mats on the desk during luggage delivery.
👉 [Check Holland America Alaska Itineraries on CruiseDirect]
In-Room Entertainment & Features
While Celebrity Cruises has great in-room TVs, Holland America takes it a step further. The system streams live lectures, daily port guides, documentary videos, and a great selection of movies.
Onboard Vibe & Activities: Is It Just for Seniors?
About 95% of the passengers on our sailing were American. The demographic skews older, with very few children or Asian travelers. The crowd has a distinct energy—loud, lively, and incredibly social.
HAL excels at enrichment lectures. We attended destination talks, native Alaskan cultural presentations, and a fascinating session detailing the history of the cruise line since 1873 (including how Albert Einstein used to sail with HAL).
Unique Highlights:
- Wildlife Tracking: HAL features a dedicated onboard naturalist guide to help passengers spot humpback whales and marine life. Tip: Bring a good pair of binoculars!
- Specialized Classes: We attended a floral design demonstration led by a master florist who has been with the line for 20 years, alongside watercolor painting workshops.
- Onboard Fairs: The ship hosts lively backyard-style carnivals with games, popcorn, and chicken wings for all ages.
- Main Stage Shows: While the production shows were less memorable, the guest entertainers—including Las Vegas illusionist James Cielen—were phenomenal.
Holland America Cruise Dining Review
Food preferences are subjective, and while our family preferred the refined, smaller portions of Celebrity Cruises, HAL offers solid, hearty American fare.
| Dining Venue | Food Style & Quality | Our Family’s Honest Verdict |
| Dive-In Burger | Freshly made 1/3 lb (~150g) beef burgers and crispy fries. Consistent premium quality. | The absolute best food onboard! It is an American brand, so they completely nail the burgers. We used the HAL app to pre-order without internet charges and ate here 3 times. |
| Lido Market Buffet | Standard buffet with an Asian station (hot soup and sushi). Bigelow & PG Tips tea bags available. | Solid and hygienic, but staff-served portions make grabbing food slightly inconvenient. The Earl Grey tea was so good I bought it at Target after the cruise! |
| Main Dining Room | Traditional American cuisine. Large portions, consistent quality, but limited culinary creativity. | Reliable but not premium. Portion sizes are huge but not very refined. We all agreed that Celebrity Cruises’ dining is much more memorable and delicious. |
| Special Event Dining | Regional themed menus (e.g., wild blueberry crepes) and traditional Dutch tea service on Sea Days. | Nice traditions to experience once, but the taste felt standard rather than a luxury culinary experience. |
| Room Service | Complimentary hot breakfast delivered straight to your stateroom. | 100% Free! Unlike other lines that charge service fees, HAL’s room service is free. We enjoyed a hot breakfast on the small table in my parents’ room. |
Memorable Onboard Perks & Experiences
Professional Photography Studios
The ship’s photography team is exceptionally talented. They are a group of Filipinos, who greeted us enthusiastically whenever they see us and shoot during embarkation, elegant nights, and even host studio portrait sessions. I know it’s part of their job too greet people and try to get as many pictures as they could but the photos turned our really good.
You can easily track and tag your favorites using the cruise app. We purchased a package of 10 souvenir prints with custom Holland America borders for $199, and later we were so convinced so we opted for a high-end studio portrait package with digital copies. Honestly it’s really smart for families to gather and take photos together on a vacation.
Effy Jewelry Giveaways & Duty-Free Sales
Like most ships, there is an Effy Jewelry boutique on board. They host fun, daily check-ins where they hand out complimentary pendant charms. Because we sailed the final voyage of the Alaskan season, the onboard shops featured excellent end-of-season sales, including local Alaskan tea samplers for just $2.
Sea-Day Spa Nail Services
Taking advantage of promotional vouchers sent to our stateroom, I booked an onboard manicure. The service was efficient, used high-quality standard polish that lasted over a week, and cost roughly $25 USD after discounts.
Dress Code: The Orange Party
Holland America enforces a relaxed “smart casual” dress code in the evening. Shorts, swimwear, and distressed jeans are not permitted in the Main Dining Room, but neat denim is completely fine.
Because orange is the signature color of the Netherlands, the ship hosts an Orange Party. Guests are encouraged to wear orange clothing, and the environment is perfect for dancing.
Catching the Northern Lights at Sea
Sailing in late September gave us an extraordinary privilege: witnessing a massive Aurora Borealis outbreak.
Thanks to an alert from one of the ship’s photographers, we rushed to the top deck. While the lights initially appeared faint to the naked eye, they photographed beautifully on our phones. By the second night, vibrant green ribbons were dancing across the night sky.
Breakdown of Cruise Expenses (Value Review)
For our late September shoulder-season sailing, the baseline costs breakdown was as follows:
- Balcony Cabin: $2,901 total ($1,450 per person)
- Interior Cabin: $1,864 total ($932 per person)
- Crew Appreciation (Gratuities): $17 USD per person, per day ($119 total per person)
Excluding extra photography packages, the total came out to approximately $1,569 USD per person for the Balcony and $1,051 USD per person for the Interior. This represents exceptional value compared to peak summer pricing in July and August.
👉 [Check Holland America Alaska Itineraries on CruiseDirect]
Pros and Cons of Holland America Line
Pros:
- Premium, high-probability access to Glacier Bay National Park.
- Outstanding educational lectures, historic enrichment, and library facilities.
- Highly accessible ship design with reserved theater seating for wheelchair users.
- Fully smoke-free casino environment.
Cons:
- Traditional, conservative aesthetic with a significantly older passenger base.
- Limited entertainment options or dedicated spaces for young children.
- Dining is mass-tailored to American preferences rather than fine culinary execution.
Final Verdict: Would I Choose HAL Again?
If you plan on taking only one Alaska cruise in your lifetime, I highly recommend Holland America Line simply for their unparalleled access to Glacier Bay and excellent enrichment programming.
While our family ultimately prefers the modern elegance, smaller food portions, and meticulous service of Celebrity Cruises, Holland America remains one of the absolute best choices for an authentic, deep-dive exploration of the Last Frontier.
👉 [Check Holland America Alaska Itineraries on CruiseDirect]
Also read my Alaska Cruise Ports Guide: Best Excursions & Things to Do in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan & More!
Alaska Cruise Guide for First-Timers (2026): Routes, Best Time, Glacier Bay & What It’s Really Like
Is Celebrity Infinity Worth It? Honest Mediterranean Cruise Review
Mediterranean Celebrity Infinity Review: Amazing Food, Fun Shows
Croatia Cruise Ports: Split, Dubrovnik & Kotor (Virgin Voyages Real Experience)
