After years of hearing that Holland America Line “does Alaska best,” I finally took a seven-night round-trip Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver aboard the ms Koningsdam.
This wasn’t my first Alaska cruise, but my first time sailing the region on a Pinnacle-class ship (most of my sailings have been out of Seattle).
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Koningsdam |
| Year Launched | 2016 |
| Capacity | 2,650 |
| Tonnage | 99,863 GRT |
| Itinerary | 7-night Alaska Inside Passage round-trip from Vancouver |
| Stateroom | Verandah on Deck 5 |
Boarding ms Koningsdam in Vancouver
Boarding in Vancouver at Canada Place was surprisingly smooth, especially considering it was peak Alaska cruise season. I arrived around 11 a.m., and the terminal was alive with cruise passengers, but the check-in process was well organized.
Canada handles customs a bit differently. The Canada-U.S. agreement lets cruise passengers clear U.S. immigration before boarding the ship, eliminating the need to go through American customs upon return. This streamlines the debark process at the end.
After passing through security, Canadian customs with facial recognition and a quick health screening, I went to the boarding area. Holland America had plenty of staff to direct passengers and keep the lines moving.
From curb to ship, the whole process took just under an hour. The signage throughout the terminal made it easy to follow (if you’re paying attention), and the staff were friendly and helpful.
Tip: Read the terminal signs. They are very clear. I almost boarded another ship because I was replying to a text and following the crowd instead of paying attention.
Once onboard, I stepped into the ship’s central atrium and was immediately struck by its smiling crew, warm wood tones, and artwork.
Fun fact: Koningsdam has over $4 million of artwork throughout the ship.
My previous cruise was a sailing on Carnival Firenze from Long Beach, which has a more party atmosphere on embarkation. A laid-back boarding was welcome after traveling across the continent to get to Vancouver.
It didn’t take long to feel settled in. Elevators were easy to find, and within moments, the Koningsdam felt like coming home. The last time I was onboard was in Europe in 2016, so it had been a while.
Verandah Balcony Cabin on Koningsdam
We had a Verandah stateroom on deck five, which gave me the right balance between space, amazing views all week, and a mid-ship location.
We were in a perfect location since everything happens on decks two or three, or nine and above.
The room felt modern and well thought out. There was enough closet and drawer space for my cold-weather clothing and camera gear. The bed was also extremely comfortable.
The bathroom was a decent size, larger than other ships I’ve been on lately. The glass shower doors make the space feel larger than it is. I’m sure ladies love the shaving bar in the shower.
I have to say, the balcony was one of the highlights of this Alaskan cruise. There was enough room for two chairs and a small table, and while it wasn’t huge, it never felt cramped. It became my go-to spot early in the morning and just before sunset.
On sea days and scenic cruising through places like Inside Passage and Glacier Bay, I spent hours outside reading a book with a latte, watching the landscape. More on that later.
The lighting in the stateroom was soft and ambient, though the closet area could have used a little more brightness—perhaps it’s my eyes these days. Noise wasn’t an issue—aside from the occasional hallway sound of people getting off the elevators, it was very quiet.
Main Dining Room, Lido Market, Morimoto by Sea
Dining aboard Koningsdam was impressive. I ate a couple of dinners in the main dining room, where the menu rotated nightly and always had a fresh seafood selection.
The service was prompt as usual. Since I signed up for anytime dining and was eating alone, I tucked away at one of those smaller tables on the port side. Not a fan of sitting in the middle of the dining room when solo.
The food quality was a cut above what I’ve experienced on other lines recently—not fine dining exactly, but flavorful, well-prepared, and presented well. I was in and out of the main dining room in 45 minutes both evenings.
One main dining room favorite was the Alaska sea day brunch on the first sea day. It felt like a special event, and I appreciated that they brought in regional ingredients. Most of my table went with breakfast items, but I had a lunch option since it was pushing noon.
I went with the halibut sandwich; you could tell it wasn’t just pulled from the freezer. Our tablemates agreed on the quality.
I also tried three specialty restaurants: Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, and Morimoto by Sea.
As always, Pinnacle Grill delivered an excellent steakhouse experience, with nice cuts of steak, and the famous clothesline hanging bacon was a real table pleaser.
Tamarind was the surprise favorite. Its Asian fusion menu felt fresh and unique, and the ambiance was upscale without being stuffy. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys Thai, Japanese, or Indonesian flavors. I went with the pan-seared lobster.
Morimoto by Sea was a standout and a great addition to the specialty dining lineup. Created by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, the menu blends traditional Japanese dishes with modern twists. I ordered the pork dumplings and the angry lobster pad Thai. Both were full of flavor and spot on.
Having spent over $200 at his restaurant in Las Vegas, the $55 upcharge felt like a steal!
During the day, we dined at the Lido Market. It offered a wide selection of buffet items, with almost identical food. I appreciated the different stations—salads, hot entrees, carving, international—though it could get crowded at peak hours. To avoid that, we went when they first opened.
The Dive-In by the pool was my go-to for a quick lunch. The burgers and fries were better than expected, and the signature sauce added a nice kick. Recently, I’ve been using the lettuce wrap bun to save calories! Or at least that’s how I’m justifying eating that much.
A cold-day favorite was the Grand Dutch Cafe. Although it’s a bit tucked away on a lower deck, it’s worth seeking out for light bites, coffee, and Dutch desserts. I occasionally stopped on a few cold days for grilled ham and cheese and split pea soup.
I had room service once for breakfast on an early port day, and it arrived exactly on time with hot coffee and fresh fruit.
I didn’t have any dietary restrictions, but I did notice clear labeling in the buffet and menus, which would likely be helpful for those who do.
Awesome Live Music
Nighttime on Koningsdam struck a nice balance. It wasn’t a party ship, but far from boring. There was always something going on, from music to gaming.
As far as live music, the Rolling Stone Lounge quickly became our go-to venue. The band performing there all week was incredibly tight—every night was a rock concert.
They effortlessly switched between classic rock, country (my favorite), Motown, and a few surprise covers that got the crowd moving. I can’t tell you the last time I heard Black Velvet played live—talk about a throwback to the ’80s!
Tip: Check the daily schedule or the digital signage by the forward elevators to see which set the band will perform. They usually perform 45-minute sets of each genre.
Just across the Rolling Stone Lounge, the dueling pianos at Billboard Onboard were fun for sing-alongs and lighter entertainment. It’s not my thing, but people packed it out every night.
We also popped into B.B. King’s Blues Club during the week—another music venue with tight R&B performances.
The main theater also had nightly performances, with singers, dancers, and different acts taking the stage. For me, the Rolling Stone Lounge was the star of the show.
HAL’s Origin Story and Glacier Bay
Holland America does a great job of leaning into its legacy and destinations, and on this sailing, that shined.
Early in the cruise, I attended the Origin Story program, part of Holland America’s 150th anniversary series. It covers the line’s history from its early days in the Netherlands to its role in immigration and modern cruising.
I’ve seen it four times now, and it still hits. The vintage photos and storytelling give the voyage a deeper sense of tradition. If you’re curious how HAL came together, it’s worth attending, and it’s not super long.
Another memorable moment came the day we entered Glacier Bay. That morning, a National Park ranger boarded the ship and provided commentary in the Crow’s Nest from the bridge as we sailed through the park.
Throughout the day, they gave several talks on Alaska’s wildlife, climate, and history, and answered questions from passengers watching the presentation in the Crow’s Nest. But the real star of the show was entering the park at John Hopkins Inlet and spending an hour in front of Marjorie Glacier.
Many of the talks were piped in on the TV so we could hear them while the balcony door was propped open.
Daily trivia sessions, mixology classes, Alaska beer tastings, and arts and crafts workshops filled the sea days. I even sat in on a watercolor painting class, though I did not paint this time after butchering Van Gogh’s Starry Night last year!
Midship Roof, Aft Pool Views, and Glacier Bay
The outside decks were some of my favorite places on Koningsdam, especially during our scenic cruising day in Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage.
Koningsdam has two main pool areas: the midship Lido Pool and the Sea View Pool at the aft. The Lido Pool is covered by a retractable roof, which was closed most days due to cool weather but some days it was cracked just a little bit.
Read more: When is the best time to cruise Alaska?
That made it a comfortable spot to relax without wind, and it was great for families or anyone wanting a swim, regardless of the weather outside.
With the pool area being two decks by the pool, many loungers were around, and I never had trouble finding a seat.
This is also where NY Pizza is located. I’m embarrassed to admit how much pizza I had over the week—it’s in the double digits.
The aft Sea View Pool was quieter and more adult-oriented, with the smoking area on the starboard side. I spent a couple of afternoons here enjoying the open air, grabbing lunch from the Lido Market, and taking in the views.
Ports and Shore Excursions in Alaska
Our itinerary included Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Glacier Bay National Park. This solid Alaska itinerary offered a nice mix of scenic cruising, history, and two local seafood joints.
Depending on the port, I split my time between ship excursions and doing my own thing.
We had a late departure from Juneau, so we had plenty of time to explore. Since our original shore excursion was canceled due to weather, we pivoted.
We started at the Red Dog Saloon, then went to the Alaska Brewing Company’s downtown taproom, where we had some of the cruise’s best Alaska King crab legs.
By 8 p.m., we were the only ship in port, making Juneau feel much more laid-back and local.
Skagway ended up being the best port for us. We did the White Pass Railway, and if you’re on the fence about it, it’s worth every minute if you like scenic views. And yes, there is a bathroom in each rail cart. Otherwise, it would have been a long 2.5 hours!
It had the perfect blend of scenery and history, and with the late-season snow on the ground, it looked like something out of a movie. When we boarded, we walked to the front of the train to get great views ahead of us.
The train ride was filled with mountain views, snowy passes, old trestles, and stories from the Klondike Gold Rush.
Having hiked a good part of North America, I know there is nothing like crisp, clean mountain air, and I wanted to experience it with a clear view ahead.
Tip: Walk outside on a viewing platform to enjoy the fresh air and get photos of the stunning landscape.
In Ketchikan, it was another chilly day so we went for a walk down Creek Street to look for salmon in the streams and then went to a seafood restaurant along the harborfront to eat more crab legs.
Glacier Bay National Park wasn‘t a port stop, but it felt like one. I woke up early to grab a spot at the bow—Holland America opens that up for scenic cruising—and bundled up with a latte, I lasted an hour before the cold got to me.
For my Florida blood, the frigid 35-degree weather hit hard. The views from the front of the ship were incredible: glaciers calving, snowcapped peaks, and plenty of chances to spot wildlife. We even sailed by bears looking for food on the riverbank.
Tip: If you don’t have a balcony stateroom, the bow (front of the ship) is the place for stellar views.
Like me, other cruisers enjoyed the no-tendering on this itinerary!
Crew Going Above-and-Beyond
Holland America’s crew members have always stood out as the most memorable and genuine of all the cruises I’ve been on. Everyone we interacted with was warm, friendly, and genuinely seemed to care that we were having a great experience.
The crew members made the trip special, though. My cabana attendant, Cita, was an absolute gem. She knew what I needed before I asked and checked in without being intrusive.
On the Lido deck, a crew member, Gerald, remembered me from 2021. The memory of the crew and staff on cruise ships always blow me away.
One of our routines was grabbing coffee at the Exploration Cafe each morning at the Crow’s Nest. The baristas there were outstanding—quick and personable, and they somehow remembered our orders after just a day.
One of the baristas was signing off at the end of our cruise, so an ongoing joke was “we have five more days left!”
Hits and Misses
What Worked Well
Guests consistently praised the crew, from stateroom stewards to dining staff. Personal touches like this are why I have been cruising with Holland America for 15 years. Holland America crew members set a high bar.
My fellow shipmates also raved about the Music Walk venues, especially the Rolling Stone Lounge and B.B. King’s Blues Club. The quality of musicians created a high-energy nightlife that guests returned to nightly.
What Fell Short
If I could fix one thing on the Koningsdam, it would be that the daytime and nighttime entertainment felt limited, especially if you are looking for something more than lectures. There was either a lot going on or not much. In fairness, this is subjective because everyone has their own style of cruising.
Aside from the weather, which the cruise line has no control over, there weren’t many cons to this sailing.
Would I Cruise Alaska on Koningsdam Again?
Absolutely. Koningsdam checks many boxes for a smooth operation, quality dining, a strong entertainment lineup, and hard-to-beat service. It’s a ship that feels refined without being overly formal and the perfect size for Alaska.
Between the Glacier Bay scenic cruising, the live music at night, and the small touches like the baristas knowing your coffee order, I can say it’s a ship that knows how to create lasting memories.
I’m cruising on a Carnival Cruise Line ship in Alaska this summer, so I’m curious about the difference between the brands sailing in the region.
You can hear our podcast on the ms Koningsdam here.
I was a guest of Holland America Line on this Alaska cruise, but all opinions are my own.
