AKJonesy

You mentioned getting sleep so I would try to go over to the other terminal which is connected by a walkway in the baggage claim area. You can do the same by walking outside of baggage claim and walk down to the other terminal via a sidewalk and go through the exterior doors. You didn't mention what time of year you are coming, but if you are interested, you can go for a walk at night because it's light up here in the late spring and early summer. You can walk over from the other terminal cross over the road to where the private aircraft are parked and head toward Lake Hood. There is a walkway around the lake which would take good hour plus and maybe even catch seaplanes taking off at Lake Hood. Just another option if you don't want to be in the terminal for the entire time you could spend a few hours walking outside. Depends on time of year. Later in the summer it would be dark.

IDK your cruise schedule for the day but you are a mere 1.5 miles from Ship Creek, the ULU Factory and downtown for starters. IDK how you get out of the Anchorage Port because it is industrial. I go fishing down there at Ship Creek, but never went to the Port which is close by. How long do you have in port that day?

To the OP, I do believe my last voyage which was on Zuiderdam San Diego to FLL was understaffed. I was a little annoyed but then changed my strategy on board and avoided the LIDO for the busiest hour at lunch when staffing seemed pretty lean and tables were not cleared. We missed several ports due to emergencies so that added to our sea days. This time I booked a port heavy cruise and probably won't worry about any understaffing. I don't care about turn down service and the towel animals. I am more interested in enrichment, but that has gone downhill so that is why I booked a port heavy voyage and will probably be too pooped to be requiring enrichment anyway. I do long for the "good ol days", but not sure if those are going to return to HAL so I'm adapting.

Well here is the last refurb info so I don't think it has to do with drydock. Some experienced cruisers will avoid a cruise just before or just after a drydock. https://www.cruisemapper.com/deckplans/ms-Nieuw-Amsterdam-559 Maybe count yourself lucky. I loved NA when I sailed her a year ago. I love both the signature class HAL ships; Eurodam and NA.

I am also looking for tours in Castries. Make sure to read the TA tours.

I'm wondering how active this part of cruise critic is. But, thanks for that information. Today, I was just looking at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten and looking at car reviews. Most got bad reviews but one stood out as near excellent. If you have something to share in ST. KITTS, I would love to know...meaning, who did you rent from, did you walk up or rent in advance, and if so through which outlet. Again, thanks.

Not really understanding the question, but here you can find rooms and on halfacts.com also. https://www.icruise.com/cabins/holland-america-cruises-rotterdam-cabin-VC5046.html I do see balcony rooms on 6 forward available. I think these would be a good distance away from the World Stage 3 floors below so you don't hear the sound.

I see you joined your Roll Call for your voyage. Those boards will start to pick up in the spring so keep checking back. Just to let you know you are not going to see the Northern Lights up here in July. If you were coming for the Northern Lights you would travel to the icebox (Fairbanks) in the winter to get the best opportunity. Enjoy your cruise and Happy Anniversary. You will love it.

Mary229 brought up the ship's app. As an example of this, Holland America's is called Navigator. Download the app and it's pretty straight forward from there. Depending on which line you are cruising you can pop over to your Roll Call here on Cruise Critic for your specific voyage and ask there as well.

I'll mention another option only because it hasn't been brought up. You will need to rent a car and plan accommodations. Don't forget that renting an RV is an option for you also and many people come in and choose that route. I bring it up because I know the cost of a car and accommodations and you might consider the RV as an option. However, with that comes other decisions you have to make. Looking at trip reports from others is a good suggestion and you can go to the trip advisor, forums, alaska board and read trip reports as well as ask questions there. There are a few good people posting on that board.

Forgot about 3 Bears and shop there all the time. 3 Bears does not require a "discount" card.

Your cruise will offer same day motorcoach transportation.

Flying is cheapest on Alaska Air from ANC to FAI

No customs for you. You should be fine for the 1:20 but keep in mind when all of those people get off the bus, they are also heading to check in as well, and that is where the lines can get long. So, don't dilly dally getting up to check in. At least for Delta, they have a bag drop line if you already checked in prior to arriving. I don't know about others. I'd "check in" in advance; in port in Whittier before getting on the bus. The good thing is that the gate agents know how many people are in line and they communicate that with the gate agents once the gate opens and boarding starts.

Grocery Stores Our main stores are Fred Meyer, Carrs-Safeway, Walmart and CostCo All are in Anchorage and Fairbanks FM, CS and WM in Wasilla and Eagle River - no CostCo CS in Seward Stay away from the Walmart store on Benson in Anchorage. It's creepy. Fred Meyer and Carrs Safeway require a card for the discounts. Stop at the customer service desk and get one. They are free. No big sign up. Then, be careful when you shop these places; they like to do "digital" deals and regular deals. Digital deals you "load" to your card. Do it beforehand by looking at the weekly flyers which are online. They also like to try and trick you by showing the lowest price, but you have to buy 5 to get the price. Just be aware of it.

I posted about the RV option because many people do this when they come here to AK and they report on the flexibility of it. I also owned an Rv until recently. With all of the water and mountains here, the weather can change quickly. On the coast, like down in Seward the Gulf can churn up a lot of rain, but don't let that discourage you. What I am getting at here, is that if the weather doesn't cooperate, you can move on down the road. Into the Kenai Peninsula, there is one road from Anchorage - the Seward Highway. I tell people that if the weather doesn't cooperate then do that on your trip back to Anchorage. Whenever we had guests, this is what we did. I hope this makes sense.

If 5 of you, I'd recommend renting an RV and going to the Kenai Peninsula. A package land tour is NOT going to work for kids. Sitting on a bus for 8 or more hours will be miserable for them. In an RV, you can stop when you want, where you want and spend as much or as little time as you want. I mention the Kenai Peninsula because there is much to do and see, and the KP is beautiful. I'd recommend an RV over a car because then you don't have the added pressure of booking accommodations here which are OUTRAGEOUS.

To be clear, it sounds like you are arriving by ship in Seward, then you will transfer to Anchorage via a cruise ship transfer or take the train. Those are definitely the most convenient. I'd pick Seward, Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula anyday over Seattle. IMHO, Seattle is getting a bit too scary and it's dirty. Since you are already in Seward, I'd make arrangements to stay there for one or two nights. You have a few obstacles but don't let that stand in your way. Get off the ship as late as possible. Then arrange with your hotel or B and B to hold your luggage before check in. You'll have to grab some kind of transporation and since that is not a problem for me, I cannot recommend anything other than contacting the Visitor's Bureau in Seward...they are GREAT and they will tell you currently what options are available. It's too far to walk all the way downtown from the cruise terminal. I know there is a summer shuttle with scheduled stops, BUT they might go to the cruise terminal in the summer. Again, check with the Visitor's Bureau. 907-224-8051 They probably have limited hours now, but give them a call to get your plans going. https://www.anchorage.net/listing/seward-chamber-of-commerce-conference-&-visitors-bureau/36989/ Then you have to make arrangements to get to Anchorage after leaving Seward. You can take the train which would be lovely or possibly take the Park Connection which is a bus. Again, talk to Visitor's Bureau for the most up to date information. There are a good number of things to do in Seward and depends on your interests. I certainly recommend Exit Glacier, hiking from Miller's Landing and other places, or if you are really ambitious, hike Mt. Marathon. It's aggressive. Stop at the harbor when they come in with the fishing excursions and see them hang up all of the fish. There are also the nice shops in town...if you like that kind of thing. It depends on your abilities and wallet.

Most people completely skip Seward when they take a cruise arriving Seward from Anchorage and departing Seward the same day. That is a mistake. Seward is a beautiful community with much to offer. If you can stay over one night do it. If you head down on the ship transfer bus, you will go directly to the cruise terminal which is a bit of a hike from town and that is why most people just overlook Seward. There is a cab service in town, but don't think it is anything like in a big city. If you are interested, contact them in advance or call the Seward visitor's office. They are great help. There is also a shuttle, but not sure if it offers a stop at the cruise terminal...I don't think so but could be wrong.

You said you are on a land tour so I am assuming you have no vehicle. So, that will make it difficult to go beyond places from Girdwood unless you take the train, or an excursion which WILL pick you up at the Alyeska Hotel. I'm a bit this way or that way on the 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier if you are going to be on a cruise leaving from Whittier. If you are not, I do suggest the 26 glacier cruise. I'm not against it even IF you are southbound from Whittier because the 26 GC is narrated and very interesting. I'm just wondering how much overlap there will be in seeing the wildlife. Make sure to bring your binoculars. You didn't say what your physical capabilities. If you can hike at all, I'd take the tram but make sure to hike up to the glacier. If you are relatively fit at all, you can do it and it's worth it. To pay for the tram just to go up to the restaurant or museum/gift shop...I don't know that it would be worth it unless you get a really good price on the tram ticket. Right behind the Alyeska Hotel there is a great trail. Ask for directions at the desk. If you are fit, you can hike it all the way to the hand tram, even if the hand tram is not open, it's worth it. You can hike in only a few hundred yards and it's amazing, so do that if you can. From the hotel, it's not far to town, but if you don't feel like walking you can take the free Girdwood shuttle. For breakfast go to The Bake Shop and try their sourdough pancakes...probably the BEST I've had. For Dinner we like Double Musky. They open at 4pm and will get busy right away. You can grab a beer or cider and sit outside in their cutesy waiting area. Down the road a bit, still in Girdwood...if you like beer or homemade root beer you have to go to Girdwood Brewing. They have food trucks most days and you can look that up online. It's a fun place with a cool vibe. I'm a senior and I go there everytime in Girdwood. Downtown, go into the Merchantile. It's a grocery store but like days gone by. Fun to just check it out. Another restaurant recommendation is the Double Musky. It will get busy. Check their hours online and get there early. You have to wait in line to get in. Again, cool vibe and good food. Next to the Merchantile is a bar that serves really pretty good food, plus it's local so try that out. Can't remember the name off hand, but it will be obvious. Of course, enjoy staying at Alyeska and the salt water pool and the huge salt water walk in hot spa. That will be included. What is not included is the new spa. I haven't brought myself to try it out because it's expensive. I might sometime if for a special treat, but I'm not really a spa person, so I stick to the pool and spa at the hotel and I'm out of there in less than an hour...but that is me. I like sushi and Alyeska Hotel has a great sushi restaurant called Sakura. If you like that, then go. If your hotel includes a breakfast, well then ok, eat there. If not, go to The Bake Shop instead. Your just eating at a hotel restaurant with so so breakfast. One floor up from the Lobby you can grab some decent coffee, some pastry or a breakfast sandwich also. I usually go there for my coffee, but there is a oool coffee place in town by the Merchantile if you want something other than grab and go. I think you can keep yourself busy in Girdwood if only a few days. The town is cool. Use that shuttle to get around and make sure to get out of the hotel!

For the most part, we've found prices to be 1/3 higher post pandemic. We've cruised 4X post pandemic and MANY before. You can always find a great fare or promotion here and there, but overall prices are higher and services are less. I loved cruising right after covid when few people were on the ships, and cruiselines were begging for customers. Since then, I've found the ships are pretty full, prices higher and enrichment and other programs discontinued or are far less. I am speaking in generalities. We haven't cruised any lines that charge in the range of $10k pp so I can't comment on those.

Some areas there is not a lot of options due to covid devasting businesses. In Seward, you can go down to the marina and buy fresh fish and prepare it. In Anchorage, 10th and M would have fresh fish as well. As far as restaurants, in Talkeetna, options are limited but we like Denali Brewpub. Their food has been consistently good and the place has a fun and cool vibe. Latitude 62 is a local place with decent food, friendly service and a unique place with a lot of photos and a nice bar. Don't expect to find much in the way of groceries in Talkeetna so bring any food you might make with you. In Palmer there are people that rant about this or that place, but either food is overpriced or it's just so so. I like Palmer Alehouse for their exceptional beer menu, but consider the food just ok. People seem to like Vagabond Blues. I like it for coffee and pastry. You won't have many option in Whittier. In Anchorage there are many options but it depends on what you like. One of my favorites is Sushi Ya. It's expensive but worth it. It's probably the cleanest and friendliest place in Anchorage. They serve consistently good sushi and more. The Udon noodle soup is great. A local favored is Moose's Tooth for beer, pizza, sandwiches, soup and salad. Their sesame soy salad is super fresh and huge. It's got a cool and fun vibe. You can grab a beer or root beer, sit outside by the fire while you hang out and wait. Don't let the number of vehicles in the parking lot scare you off. They move people along pretty good, but don't rush you out at all. Spenard Roadhouse is another good brewpub with consistent pub fare. I've never really found anyplace in Fairbanks that I would consider awesome and I've been to many places. The food quality is good; not great IMHO. In Denali area (Healy) I'd recommend 49th State Brewing for the extensive menu and the cool vibe. It's a unique place.

One way car rental would be out of the question in terms of $$$. I just did a quick search on the Alaska RR and the train would be about $270. The cheapest would be to fly on Alaska Air. Just a random search returned a fare of around $90+.

NA is a nice ship. Deck 4, 5, or 6 midship or thereabouts. If deck 4, look at the Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam staterooms pdf and get staterooms above the Photo Shop. There ARE noisy areas on deck 3 so you want to be above the quiet areas like the shops or Photo Shop where there is no evening noise, like the bars. Decks 5 and 6 have staterooms above and below them so those. I have stayed on decks 4 and 5 a number of times in an outside room and have always been happy. I also get the motion sickness from time to time.

It is a very good question. I would have to say that on our last cruise in Nov 2022, it was the first time I really felt disappointed. At 10 days I was looking forward to getting off the ship (14 day voyage). I suppose it was a bit of a downer because we did miss two ports due to medical emergencies. Personally, I don't even require having a lot of ports. I also noticed a big reduction in Lido staff at lunchtime. It seems like many people show up in Lido around the same hour. We just got used to getting our own drinks which wasn't a problem, but what was a problem is that tables weren't cleared. At the end of the day, that didn't bother us. On board enrichment was poor. Doing crossword puzzles and team trivia is so been there did that. I found some fiction to reach, plopped down in the Crow's Nest with my afternoon iced coffee and read for a few hours. I think what I'm going to do is look for port heavy itineraries for future cruises. But, I see that HAL is doing the same been there did that itineraries and once you get to 4 star, you've kind of done that. It just seems to me the loyalty goes one way and the cut backs just keep coming. I know this really isn't an answer for you, but just my most recent experience which was kind of bleh. My husband wants to remain loyal to HAL but I'm kind of wanting to try something else...maybe Celebrity.