First Time HAL Cruiser: Coming Soon, Live Review of Alaska Cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam May 28- June 4 2023

[dfish]

4 hours ago, Denise T said:

After a long day, I have made it to Alaska! I will post some pictures tomorrow. The first thing I noticed were the snow capped mountains. Beautiful!. Going to bed..

Wonderful!   Enjoy every  moment.

[Haljo1935]

@Denise T happy to hear you finally made it to Anchorage!! I hope you enjoy the Nieuw Amsterdam  - no Waterpark, etc and being a very "walkable" ship makes her one of our favorites on HAL.

Tip: for great views w/o crowds be sure to go up to deck 12. You will have to walk up from 11 forward as the elevator doesn't go there.

Something fun to do onboard is to look for rubber ducks; elevators are a good place to look. Please post a picture if you find one.

Excited to see your pictures. 

Edited May 28, 2023 by Haljo1935

[Denise T]

8 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

@Denise T happy to hear you finally made it to Anchorage!! I hope you enjoy the Nieuw Amsterdam  - no Waterpark, etc and being a very "walkable" ship makes her one of our favorites on HAL.

Tip: for great views w/o crowds be sure to go up to deck 12. You will have to walk up from 11 forward as the elevator doesn't go there.

Something fun to do onboard is to look for rubber ducks; elevators are a good place to look. Please post a picture if you find one.

Excited to see your pictures. 

Thank you for the info. My sister and I have already vowed to look for those rubber ducks. 

[Cruisercl]

@Denise T, It is get on the ship day!! This is what we always call it...lol. What time is your embarkation?

So glad for you that your long travel day is over! Just wow, those travel days can be a pain.

Enjoy the travel to Whittier and the first day of your cruise.

Sailaway is beautiful.

Cheers, bon voyage and safe travels!!  🍸🥂 😊

 

[Nickelpenny]

@Denise T Have a GREAT voyage!!  AK is amazing!!

[Denise T]

2 hours ago, Cruisercl said:

@Denise T, It is get on the ship day!! This is what we always call it...lol. What time is your embarkation?

So glad for you that your long travel day is over! Just wow, those travel days can be a pain.

Enjoy the travel to Whittier and the first day of your cruise.

Sailaway is beautiful.

Cheers, bon voyage and safe travels!!  🍸🥂 😊

 

We have a time of 3:20. Taking HALs cruise train to Whittier.

[Cruise Suzy]

@1ANGELCAT posted a link to the Webcam (https://www.cruisingearth.com/port-webcams/united-states/whittier-alaska/) and I can see passengers boarding now. Looks like it will be a rainy sailaway.

[0106]

@Denise T I hope the weather has improved and you are able to enjoy fantastic views of the Hubbard Glacier this afternoon.  Looking forward to your next post.

[Denise T]

Hey everyone. Internet has been sketchy. I want to give a full report on each day.

Embarkation:

Took the train to Whiiter to board ship. One thing about the tran transfer. You check in to the Egan Convention Center by 10:30 where they check you in and take your luggage. This has been an issue as no information is found on the boarding pass. The staff checking us in took a picture of my boarding pass so they can let the higher ups know. The coach was delayed but HAL held the train for us.

 

The train ride was fun. We were seated with another couple and we had a great time. It was cloudy but the mountains were beautiful. They almost look Photoshopped. I saw an eagle.

 

We made it on board. Rainy and chilly in Whittier. Pack your patience with the security line. It was quick. Keep everything in your backpack to put through the xray.

 

Once on board went to our stateroom. No sooner then we arrived our room steward introduced himself. He asked us what we needed as far as room cleaning. You can get evening turndown but need to request it. I have seen comments that this was unavailable. It is, just ask.

 

Dinner was in the MDR. We have anytime dining but you can make a reservation which we did for a table of 4. Dinner was amazing. Service was awesome. Staff was very attentive. The food was great. Had salmon.  Many have said the wait is long and dining is long. Makes a reservation and you are fine. Dinner was about an hour.

 

We enjoyed drinks in Ocean bar. We also played music trivia and came in 3rd. We had a blast. We left Whittier early and watched the boat pull away. We also stopped in to BB Kings and the band was awesome. Lots of energy. We wound up back In our staterooms to unpack. 

I am still getting used to the time change so I don't really know what day it is.

 

We are meeting great people. More later for day 2.

 

 

 

[1ANGELCAT]

@Denise T, it’s currently 85 with a real feel of 92 at home. Enjoy the cool weather in Alaska.

[RMLincoln]

Happy to hear you are having a blast!  Hope the weather was good for Hubbard!
Wondering if there’s any classical music:  a quartet?  a duo?  Lincoln Center near-daily venue, or maybe as a visiting stage show?  Thanks! Maureen

[Cruise Suzy]

1 hour ago, Denise T said:

I am still getting used to the time change so I don't really know what day it is.

Check the mats in elevators.

[ger_77]

I'm so glad you made it onboard; enjoy your journey!

[wvucruisers]

Looking forward to hearing about your adventure!  Going the same route in July!  Have fun!!

[Denise T]

Hubbard Glacier

What a day. 

Started off with whale sightings. Saw two whales. 

 

Breakfast was in the main dining room. Breakfast was good. Met a couple on their honeymoon and who knew they were Phillies fans. My sister-in-law wanted to play bingo, so we went to listen to a shore excursion talk in BB Kings so we would have a nice seat for Bingo. My brother came close to winning but alas, it was not to be. 

 

We wanted to try the Buffet for lunch, but it was packed with no seating. We opted for the main dining room. The vibe was different. It seemed a little more chaotic, but we were in and out within an hour. Staff were attentive. Many complainers. The staff handled the complaints very well in my opinion. I saw the restaurant manager stepping in to resolve many issues with a smile on his face. I saw staff members stepping in and helping each other all the while being attentive to us and the other cruisers. I think that many fail to notice that the main dining rooms serve many hundreds of diners during one seating. The staff are human. Sometimes they may not get it right but if you are kind, you will be the problems are resolved. 

 

After lunch we walled the outside promenade. Cold and windy. We came in and warmed up in the Ocean Bar which seems to be our favorite. We saw more whales. 

 

We then sailed through Hubbard Glacier. Such breathtaking views. I will have pictures up when I have a more stable Internet. We saw the ice chunks and the captain did a slow turn so everyone could see. We watched on our balcony so we could just run in and warm up. We saw otters, seals, and ducks. 

 

Dinner was in the MDR. It was dressy night. Again, the food was terrific and the staff very attentive. We then went to the captain's welcome who is celebrating 21 years. After that we saw the Step One Dance Company in Humanity. What a great show! I have read that some did not like it but the dancing and music were awesome. A must see. 

 

We ended our night early because I think the jet lag caught up with us. The might ended with a spotting of a rainbow. 

 

Tomorrow is Glacier Bay. I will have pictures when I get a more stable Internet. 

[Denise T]

9 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

Happy to hear you are having a blast!  Hope the weather was good for Hubbard!
Wondering if there’s any classical music:  a quartet?  a duo?  Lincoln Center near-daily venue, or maybe as a visiting stage show?  Thanks! Maureen

No classical music as of yet. Nothing is going on with Lincoln Center. 

[grapau27]

4 hours ago, Denise T said:

Hubbard Glacier

What a day. 

Started off with whale sightings. Saw two whales. 

 

Breakfast was in the main dining room. Breakfast was good. Met a couple on their honeymoon and who knew they were Phillies fans. My sister-in-law wanted to play bingo, so we went to listen to a shore excursion talk in BB Kings so we would have a nice seat for Bingo. My brother came close to winning but alas, it was not to be. 

 

We wanted to try the Buffet for lunch, but it was packed with no seating. We opted for the main dining room. The vibe was different. It seemed a little more chaotic, but we were in and out within an hour. Staff were attentive. Many complainers. The staff handled the complaints very well in my opinion. I saw the restaurant manager stepping in to resolve many issues with a smile on his face. I saw staff members stepping in and helping each other all the while being attentive to us and the other cruisers. I think that many fail to notice that the main dining rooms serve many hundreds of diners during one seating. The staff are human. Sometimes they may not get it right but if you are kind, you will be the problems are resolved. 

 

After lunch we walled the outside promenade. Cold and windy. We came in and warmed up in the Ocean Bar which seems to be our favorite. We saw more whales. 

 

We then sailed through Hubbard Glacier. Such breathtaking views. I will have pictures up when I have a more stable Internet. We saw the ice chunks and the captain did a slow turn so everyone could see. We watched on our balcony so we could just run in and warm up. We saw otters, seals, and ducks. 

 

Dinner was in the MDR. It was dressy night. Again, the food was terrific and the staff very attentive. We then went to the captain's welcome who is celebrating 21 years. After that we saw the Step One Dance Company in Humanity. What a great show! I have read that some did not like it but the dancing and music were awesome. A must see. 

 

We ended our night early because I think the jet lag caught up with us. The might ended with a spotting of a rainbow. 

 

Tomorrow is Glacier Bay. I will have pictures when I get a more stable Internet. 

I'm pleased you are having a great time Denise.

When we have been in the MDR if we have good service we always let the head waiter/restaurant manager know when we are leaving that we had excellent service and it is always appreciated.

[RMLincoln]

8 hours ago, Denise T said:

No classical music as of yet. Nothing is going on with Lincoln Center. 

Thanks for this info. Just trying to understand…. I think it may be different on different ships. 
Glad you enjoyed the Humanity show. I think Step One dancers are quite good. 
Nice that you are trying different things aboard. You have a happy attitude so for sure you will Enjoy it all!  
Maureen

[cat shepard]

Denise, I am so happy to see you enjoying yourself. Clearly the wildlife heard you were c9ming & had to show off. 

[happywandering]

On 5/4/2023 at 9:18 AM, Haljo1935 said:

Sorry, @Denise T I should have checked your itinerary before posting the Sitka pics - it's worth a stop on your next trip!

We've entered the Tongass Narrows as we head closer to Ketchikan. 

BTW - balcony pictures are taken port side.

Additional posts & pictures are on my Live Eurodam AK April 29 - May 6 thread. I am really excited to follow @Denise T and her pictures in a few weeks - no such thing as "too much Alaska" for us Lower 48ers.

Sitka is my favorite Alaskan port.  Loved walking around and exploring the town.  Very nice museum. (Nice bathrooms too)  Talked to some fishermen who told us much about living in Sitka. 

[Denise T]

Glacier Bay. What can I say? How about AWESOME!

 

Forst, for those new to Alaska, be prepared for varying weather. It changes at the drop of a hat. We went from chilly and rainy, to bright and sunny, and back to rain. Dress accordingly in layers. 

 

We had breakfast in the buffet. What is it about buffet's that people forget their manners? 

 

We then stopped in on the bow of the ship for a bit in the rain and wind. We then settled for a while on the promenade deck. We warmed up in the buffet and had lunch. We then spent the rest of the time on our verandah. We spotted lots of otters and even some coastal brown bears. We visited Reed Glacier, John Hopkins, Lamplugh, and Margorie Glacier. Sadly, Margorie did not calve for us. I have many pictures. When we get into Skagway, the Internet may be a little better to download some of them. 

 

Dinner was in the MDR. Staff continue to be attentive and the food delicious. I find that there is something for everyone in the buffet and Main Dining Room. 

 

We played trivia (not our best attempt), then hit the casino, which is no smoking for those interested. 

 

Tomorrow we are in Skagway. Captain says we will arrive two hours early and that there will be four cruise ships. We are docking at Broadway dock. Hope to have some time to eat the local cuisine. Looking forward to it. 

 

[Haljo1935]

So happy to hear y'all are enjoying your cruise - knew you would since you packed your positive attitude. 🙃😎

Excitedly awaiting pictures.

Hopefully trivia outcomes improve.

[acct1975]

How is your cabin? Thinking of cruising on this ship and am curious about how cabins are.

 

Thanks

[lilacsam]

8 hours ago, Denise T said:

Glacier Bay. What can I say? How about AWESOME!

 

Forst, for those new to Alaska, be prepared for varying weather. It changes at the drop of a hat. We went from chilly and rainy, to bright and sunny, and back to rain. Dress accordingly in layers. 

 

We had breakfast in the buffet. What is it about buffet's that people forget their manners? 

 

We then stopped in on the bow of the ship for a bit in the rain and wind. We then settled for a while on the promenade deck. We warmed up in the buffet and had lunch. We then spent the rest of the time on our verandah. We spotted lots of otters and even some coastal brown bears. We visited Reed Glacier, John Hopkins, Lamplugh, and Margorie Glacier. Sadly, Margorie did not calve for us. I have many pictures. When we get into Skagway, the Internet may be a little better to download some of them. 

 

Dinner was in the MDR. Staff continue to be attentive and the food delicious. I find that there is something for everyone in the buffet and Main Dining Room. 

 

We played trivia (not our best attempt), then hit the casino, which is no smoking for those interested. 

 

Tomorrow we are in Skagway. Captain says we will arrive two hours early and that there will be four cruise ships. We are docking at Broadway dock. Hope to have some time to eat the local cuisine. Looking forward to it. 

 

 

[lilacsam]

Hi Denise T, we’re doing a cruise in 2 weeks time with similar itinerary

and so looking forward to it, hoping for chances to see plenty of wildlife too.

I would be interested to know if Skagway is fully operational now after last years landslide as we have an excursion while in port too.

Really enjoying your travel log, looking forward to any info that would be useful to us too. Thanks in advance.