Post Last Modified – March 15, 2025 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
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Holland America Alaska Cruise Line – Volendam
After many years of wanting to do an Alaska Cruise departing from Vancouver BC, we finally made it happen in September 2023.
We selected a …
🌺 Holland America Alaska Cruise 🌺
choosing their 7 day cruise onboard the Volendam.
Holland America Line Celebrating 150 Years
In 2023, Holland America Line celebrated an astounding 150 years sailing the high seas. As part of their anniversary celebration, they offered an excellent deal with added incentives, on their Alaska Cruise Itineraries and many others.
It was their Anniversary Special, that was just too good to pass up. Our family members even booked and joined us as well!
Living on {Vancouver Island} in British Columbia, Canada for years, we would watch the cruise ships sailing by each season coming to and from Alaska.
It was about time we finally booked a voyage to Alaska!
About The Volendam
Volendam III, was launched back in 1999. This smaller cruise ship was then refurbished in 2019.
R Class | 1,432 Guests | 781 feet long | 105.8 feet wide | Flag – Netherlands | Crew 587
Years in Service: 1999 – present
Volendam is the perfect ship for mature travelers including; couples, singles and friends, seeking a traditional cruise experience, with personal service.
Volendam – 7 Day Alaskan Inside Passage
Our seven day voyage departed and returned from the City of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Stops on our itinerary included;
Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan
We chose to sail at the end of August into the first week of September.
Wednesday, August 30 Vancouver, BC, Canada 4:00pm
Thursday, August 31 Inside Passage, AK (Cruising)
Friday, September 1 Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), AK (Cruising)
Friday, September 1 Juneau, AK 1:00pm 10:00pm
Saturday, September 2 Skagway, AK 7:00am 8:00pm
Sunday, September 3 Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, AK (Cruising)
Monday, September 4 Ketchikan, AK 11:00am 7:00pm
Tuesday, September 5 Inside Passage, AK (Cruising)
Wednesday, September 6 Vancouver, BC, Canada 7:00am
We were aware the weather would be turning at this time of year in Alaska, with cooler temperatures, and the possibility of rain showers more frequent. We dressed accordingly for the cooler weather, and the possibility of rain.
Holland America Alaska Cruise – Review
Vancouver BC, Canada Harbour
Of all the cruises we’ve taken over the years, we’ve never experienced a more organized check in, then that of at the {Cruise Ship Terminal} in downtown Vancouver.
Prior to arriving, we were given a check in time via email and on the Holland America; cell phone App.
Our check in was at 1:20 pm for a departure time of 4 pm.
It’s as if everyone was already checked in and we breezed through the process, including at the U.S. Customs lines, with no waits at all.
My wife and I also have {Nexus} customs clearance cards, and we cleared customs in minutes. Our bags were dropped off after checking in, to be delivered to our cabin by ship attendants.
Lido Market
Soon after boarding the ship and checking out our assigned cabin, we made our way to the; Lido Market Buffet, for lunch.
This is the main buffet restaurant on the Volendam. We enjoyed many great meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in this restaurant. Certain parts of the buffet, are kept open for those wishing a … late night snack.
You will certainly never go hungry on this ship, day or night!
Departing The Port Of Vancouver
Our departure time was 4 pm and it was a beautiful afternoon leaving the Port of Vancouver. As we do live in this part of the world, it was very cool leaving Vancouver harbor, and sailing under the Lions Gate Bridge and alongside the city’s beautiful …
🌲 Stanley Park.
We would also be sailing alongside Vancouver Island, where we make our home here in British Columbia.
After enjoying the view from the outside upper deck and as the sun was setting, it was time to return our cabin and prepare for our first dinner in the ships;
main dining room.
Partially Obstructed Outside Cabin – Lower Promenade Deck
We selected a stateroom on this deck and were quite pleased with the overall size and layout. Our cabin was the very last one, located at the stern of the ship.
We found it very convenient and quiet in this part of the ship. We also had direct access to the walkway outside, circling this lower promenade deck. This was something we really enjoyed, walking throughout the day and evening while sailing.
It made for easy access outside, to enjoy leisurely walks around the entire ship.
The views throughout the voyage were amazing!
Our other family members’ cabin was just a few doors down, having chosen a comfortable; inside stateroom.
Both staterooms were well appointed and kept very clean at all times.
Our assigned attendants entered our cabin a few times each day, keeping our stateroom immaculate.
Stateroom Amenities
Daily housekeeping;
Complimentary 24-hour room service;
Elemis Aromapure soap, lotion, shampoo;
Luxurious bathrobes;
Hair dryers, makeup mirrors;
Generous storage;
Fresh fruit upon request;
Safe;
Ice service;
Shoeshine;
TV with On Demand movies, programming.
Volendam – Dining
You do have a variety of dining options while sailing on the Volendam.
From the great selection in the main buffet for; breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snacks, to the main dining room for more relaxed served meals, the decision when and where to dine is yours.
Below, is just a sample of some of the wonderful dishes we were served, the main dining room for dinner.
For the most part, we chose the buffet for our breakfast and lunches. My wife and I did enjoy breakfast in the main dining room on a few occasions, on the mornings we were sailing.
For the most part, we chose the buffet for our breakfast and lunches.
The eggs benedict in the main dining room for breakfast, was outstanding!
There are no reservations required for the main dining room. In the evening hours for dinner, you simply check in and you’re handed a call monitor, informing you when your table is ready.
We never had to wait for more than 15-20 minutes each evening, and went up to the games room while waiting. 🙂
Dive-In Poolside Culinary Classics
One other option to the day is casual dining at the Dive–In buffet and eatery. Here, you can enjoy superb; classic burgers, hotdogs, fries and much more.
We enjoyed dining here on a number of occasions, for lunch and late afternoon snacks, as everything was freshly prepared and delicious!
There’s excellent poolside seating alongside the large view windows. You can also bring your meals from the buffet to this open area as well, if you prefer.
There is also a pool cocktail bar located in this area, open throughout the day and evening.
You also have a choice of 2 excellent specialty restaurants for dinner as well. Unless included in your cruise package, these restaurants are an additional charge, for guests wishing to make reservations for dining at.
World Stage
Of course, one of the main attractions onboard ship for cruise guests, are the live theatre presentations, held each day and evening.
From excellent daytime informative lectures and videos, to live evening performances, we attended numerous talks and live entertainment here, throughout the entire voyage.
Our cruise director spoke on numerous occasions, along with invited guests to lecture. There was variety of very interesting and informative topics, well worth sitting in for.
Fitness Room and Spa
Onboard, there’s an excellent very large fitness room, complete with up to date equipment, for a complete workout.
As well and located beside the fitness area, is a full facility health spa. They offer a variety of services, along with enticing package deals to purchase.
Cocktail Bars & Live Entertainment
In addition to the world stage, guests can sit and relax with live entertainment performed, in the ship’s main cocktail bars each evening.
Casino Open 24 Hours
There’s also a full casino onboard, for guests entertainment throughout the day and evening. As well, there’s an additional adjoining cocktail bar to the casino, featuring nightly; live entertainers.
Crow’s Nest Lounge
A favorite among ship’s guests, was the top deck forward Crow’s Nest Lounge.
Located at the bow of the ship, this is a perfect place to enjoy your favorite cocktail, and/or specialty coffee.
A great spot to sit and soak up the beautiful view ahead of you, day or night.
Our family had a wonderful time on this 7 day Holland America Alaska cruise. The weather was to be expected, cool and with some rain. However, our morning cruising up through spectacular …
Glacier Bay National Park, absolutely beautiful!
If you haven’t yet experienced an Alaska Cruise and have always thought about it, like we did for so many years, then just do it!
You will not be disappointed, and the scenery along the entire route is … Stunning!
Just a few of our shore excursions included;
✔ Mendenhall Glacier and Goldbelt Tram in Juneau;
✔ White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad Journey in Skagway;
✔ Beautiful Glacier Bay National Park & Reserve;
✔ Photos of Ketchikan, Alaska.
We were all glad we finally and after all these years, sailed to Alaska. The service on Holland America Line was excellent. From our ever so tidy stateroom, dining, entertainment and shore excursions, it was all superb!
If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, whether by cruise ship, road trip or flying, I’ve included a link to the official Alaska Tourism website below. A great resource for planning that perfect Alaska vacation.
🗺 Be sure to check out the {Google Map} box at the bottom of this post for Alaska’s exact location. 🗺
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😎 Safe and Healthy Travels! 😎
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✨ Did You Know …
⚓ Carnival Cruise Line Caribbean Cruise {Review}
⚓ Royal Caribbean South Pacific Cruise {Review}
⚓ NCL Mediterranean Cruise {Norwegian} Review
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