Holland America Alaska Cruisetour Review – D0L Itinerary (Land and Sea)

If you are considering an Alaska cruise and land tour, Holland America Line’s D0L Cruisetour combines the best of both worlds by exploring Alaska’s interior and cruising its legendary coastline. Our trip spanned three generations, included unforgettable excursions, and gave us a full look at Alaska’s scenery, culture, and wildlife.

From the East Coast to Fairbanks

Traveling from the East Coast to Alaska is no small journey. It is six hours from JFK to Seattle, an hour layover, and then four more hours to Fairbanks. We were lucky to arrive 20 minutes ahead of schedule. At baggage claim, a friendly Holland America and Princess Cruises representative greeted us and directed us to a check-in station. We received luggage tags, welcome envelopes, and instructions for the next day.

A short ride brought us to the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks. Staff were working hard to turn over rooms after a full house the night before, and we appreciated their efforts. Our rooms were clean, beds comfortable, and the showers excellent. Dinner at the hotel restaurant was basic but satisfying, and breakfast the next morning was a solid buffet with friendly service.

Fairbanks to Denali National Park

Our group of six, spanning three generations, started the day with the Discovery III riverboat tour under sunny skies. We learned about Alaska’s history and native cultures and enjoyed a hearty family-style lunch. From there, it was a scenic three-and-a-half-hour ride to the Holland America Denali Lodge, where keys, itineraries, and vouchers were handed out on the bus.

That evening, we attended the Music of Denali dinner theater, a fun performance paired with family-style barbecue brisket, smoked salmon, and biscuits. The dinner theater, Karsten’s Public House, a sweet shop, and the Artists-in-Residence store all sit around a central square with fire pits and live music from morning to evening.

Exploring Denali

The next morning, our itinerary called for a 4:50 a.m. departure for the Tundra Wilderness Tour, timed by the National Park Service. We opted instead for a leisurely morning, visiting the Denali National Park Visitor Center, walking to the sled dog kennels, and meeting both working dogs and puppies. Guests who took the early tour reported no wildlife sightings that day.

That afternoon, we participated in a glacier landing by helicopter with Temsco. The aerial views, glacier water tasting, and surreal landscape made it a true bucket list experience.

Scenic Rail Journey to Whittier

The next day, we boarded Holland America’s rail service for a nine-hour ride to Whittier. With Mount Denali visible and a steady stream of commentary from our Rail Guide Ann, and drinks courtesy of her husband, Gary, the journey flew by. Breakfast and lunch were available in the lower-level dining room of our car. Two hours prior to arrival, Port of Whittier staff boarded the train to complete cruise check-in, ensuring a seamless embarkation process.

Emerging from the final tunnel, we saw our ship, the Noordam, waiting in port. We cleared security, found our keys outside our cabins, and headed to the Lido Deck buffet for dinner.

Life Onboard the Noordam

We dined at Canaletto, Holland America’s Italian-inspired pop-up restaurant, when we were unable to secure a Pinnacle Grill reservation for our group. Our Have It All package included beverages up to $11, basic Wi-Fi, a specialty dinner, and an excursion credit.

Bar service in the main dining room was uneven, with drinks sometimes delivered late or to the wrong person. Ordering the full meal, including dessert, at the start often meant courses arrived together, with dessert before coffee was offered.

Enrichment and Entertainment

Entertainment included much more than music and shows. In the main theater, we attended presentations on Alaska’s wildlife, whale behavior, and Holland America Line’s history. A Tlingit cultural speaker shared his experiences growing up in Alaska.

In the morning, we approached Hubbard Glacier, and Wildlife Guide Taz offered a wildlife-spotting talk and narrated from the ship as the glacier came into view. The next day in Glacier Bay National Park, National Park Service Rangers provided live commentary. Watching massive glaciers meet the sea was breathtaking, and learning how climate change is reshaping them was sobering.

Evenings brought top-tier entertainment from a talented dance troupe to the dueling pianos at Billboard OnBoard.

Ports of Call

Skagway: Morning aboard the White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad and an afternoon thrill-seeking on the Grizzly Falls Ziplining adventure.

Juneau: Small-group Alaska’s Whales and Mendenhall Glacier Trail excursion with a maximum of 20 people. We spotted orca pods, sea lions, harbor seals, and humpback whales. Later, we stopped at the Alaskan Brewing Public House for a pint.

Ketchikan: Souvenir shopping in light rain, the Lumberjack Show, and axe throwing. We walked along Creek Street, saw three playful seals, then visited Bawden Street Brewing Company before finishing our walk through the upper section of Creek Street, noting that the stairs may challenge those with mobility issues.

Disembarkation in Vancouver

Arriving in Vancouver around 6:30 a.m. allowed us to enjoy the city’s skyline in daylight. U.S. Customs was quick via facial recognition. Two nights earlier, we had completed Canadian customs declaration forms and left our suitcases in the hallway for pickup.

Our 45-minute airport transfer gave us a glimpse of downtown and suburban Vancouver. At YVR, we browsed the Lattimer Gallery shop, where the clerk pointed out the bronze First Nations sculpture outside near the “YVR” selfie spot. This is the second casting of a piece at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Final Thoughts on Holland America’s Alaska D0L Cruisetour

While wine-by-the-glass options were limited, dining room food was inconsistent, and service felt stretched at times, the overall experience delivered spectacular scenery, memorable excursions, and genuine hospitality.

I would gladly try Holland America again on a newer ship and a different itinerary to see if the service pace was due to the ship being at full capacity. The smaller size of Holland America’s vessels compared to mega-cruise ships is a big draw, and this Alaska Cruisetour offered a rich mix of Alaska’s interior and coastline for an unforgettable adventure.