HAL fans, if you’re thinking about taking one of of popular Alaska CruiseTours, we wanted to share with you that we rebranded them and they are now called Land+Sea Journeys!

This change reflects substantial program updates designed to appeal to the desires of today’s travelers. Now our guests will have more opportunities than ever to explore and personalize Great Land vacations.

Land+Sea Journeys offer the benefit of combining the “must-see” of Denali National Park with the “seldom seen” wonders of the Yukon, including one- or two-night stays in the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush Country. We are employing a refreshed approach to add to guests’ leisure time so they can further engage in their own personal discoveries and experience more highlights en route.

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Topics: Alaska | | 1 Comment

Thanks to Betsy Majma for sharing this touching story about cruising on Zuiderdam with her mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law had never been on a vacation her whole life that did not include visiting relatives. We waited for years for her husband to exit his misery so that she would be free to travel without worrying about who would take care of him. He required 24/7 care and couldn’t be put in a home due to his confused aggression. Her entire life revolved around his care rather than taking care of herself. She was isolated from having friends or any freedom because of the time required to manage him…..so when he finally passed on, we invited her to join us for our cruise to Alaska on the Zuiderdam back in July 2009.

She instantly jumped on the opportunity to breathe life into her again. This was her first real vacation ever. On the first day she cried — she couldn’t believe how wonderful this ship was or how beautiful things were around her. In typical Holland America style, we had a great time and the staff and yummy food were all excellent. By the end of the cruise she cried more saying she didn’t want to get off that ship, that she wanted to get a job there and stay forever.

The next year we went on the Baltic cruise and brought her with us for that. She’s still bragging about that rooftop tour we took in Stockholm. The year after that she went with us again to the Caribbean – this trip she brought a friend … and was mostly independent of our assistance. We’re so happy that she now has an active life to really enjoy. Thanks Holland America for the great trips!!! You’ve given my mother-in-law fantastic memories. — Betsy Majma

Mother in-law Suzi, with my son Cameron and husband Mory.

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Topics: Alaska, Baltic/Northern Europe, ms Zuiderdam, Postcards from..., Shore Excursions | | No Comments

Thanks to Facebook fan and Mariner Linda Bair for sending us this nice photo from her cruise with her parents to Alaska.

What is the perfect HAL cruise for a little “older” mom (and dad) like mine? ALASKA! We arranged for my parents to have a suite with a large balcony and then everyone in the family who came on the cruise would meet in their suite to watch the glaciers and wildlife and share special family experiences. We dined together every evening and enjoyed a few less strenuous activities with my parents (after all they were almost 90 at that time). Happy memories! — Linda Bair

Topics: Alaska, Mariner Voices | | No Comments

Thanks to guest Helena Friesen who sent in this stunning photo from her Alaska cruise.

Topics: Alaska, Postcards from... | | No Comments

Here is our sail away from Vancouver a few days ago.

Csaba Desvari is Oosterdam’s culinary operations manager.

Topics: Alaska, ms Oosterdam, Postcards from... | | No Comments

On April 28, the ms Volendam was in Glacier Bay, Alaska. She is the first HAL ship and the second cruise ship to enter Glacier Bay this season.

The day started with snow storms in the early morning and strong winds. It can be seen that the ice is on the window wipers on the bridge and on the various outside decks.

After that it cleared and we had a spectacular day as can be seen in the pictures.

Glacier Bay, Alaska

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Topics: Alaska, Captain's Log, ms Volendam | | 18 Comments

Special thanks to HAL’s Director Mariner Society Gerald Bernhoft for this post.

Spring in Seattle brings with it two Dutch treats: Beautiful tulips of every color of the rainbow and soon the return of Holland America Line ships to our fair city. A sight that rarely graces Seattle’s Elliott Bay was the arrival of the ms Amsterdam and ms Zaandam on the same day which was May 13, 2011. A beautiful sight indeed!

Our Alaska season is beginning. Sister ships ms Oosterdam and ms Westerdam will sail two stunning Southeast Alaska cruises this Spring and Summer. The ms Westerdam will sail every Saturday seven-day roundtrip from Seattle cruises with visits to the state capital of Juneau; famed Glacier Bay; Sitka, which is known for its Russian history; Ketchikan, known as the Salmon Capital of the World, and Victoria, B.C., before returning to Seattle.

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Topics: Alaska, ms Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Zaandam | | 2 Comments

Thanks to passengers Dawn and Nick Fovargue for sharing their wedding memories aboard a HAL cruise.

In July 2008, we took our first cruise on board the Oosterdam where we got married on Eagle Glacier while docked in Juneau. The entire experience hooked us on cruising, and this year we will be back again with HAL celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary.

Topics: Alaska, ms Oosterdam | | No Comments