Question by 1st_time_cruiser: What should I expect on cruise to Alaska – Holland America?
We are 1st time cruisers. We are taking Holland America’s Alaska cruise from Seattle in mid-Sept. 2006 aboard its “Zaandam” ship. We are taking 2 senior citizen couples with us. Will they have things to do? What do the staterooms look like? We have 3 Oceanview rooms. What can you tell me about food options – we are all vegetarians? What is included in the price we paid? Are spa services and fitness center use included or is there separate charges? What should we take with us for clothing? Will I have motion sickness? How to prevent/treat that? Any advice/info you can give me will be really helpful.
Best answer:
Answer by SheBiggles
Ive not cruised to Alaska, but I’ve researched it. I recently did a world cruise (14 weeks) the ship was fab, food, entertainment, state rooms etc. Even better if you have an outside cabin with a balcony? By all acoubnts the Alaskan cruises are fabulous but cold, obviously. You will see whales and spectacularly haunting scenery….so don’t forget your camera!! Happy cruising!
Sorry….forgot the most important bit! All food is included, but not drinks. Wine with dinner is a rip off (so take a couple of bottles, then buy more and have a pre-dinner drink if you dont want to pay the prices) the gym is free to use for all and verty good, but if you want t apersonal trainer you have to pay. All entertainment is free. Take your currency with you as its expensive to change it onboard. Usually, if the ship is a largish one there will be a launderette so you can wash and iron your clothes…free. If you want to use the onboard dry cleaning service you have to pay. Don’t take too much luggage as you have to store all the cases in your state room and also there is not an awful lot of hanging space, remember it is better to get some washed or dry cleaned than to clutter your small room up. Ther entertainment programmes work in with the dinner sitings (1st or 2nd sitting) so you shouldn’t miss anything. I know you are going to Alaska so you need SOME warm clothing, but you can get really BADLY sunburnt at sea (the sun reflects off the water and you can get burnt in the SHADE) so take a hat and a good high factor sun screen. Hope this helps! Take motion sickness tabs as it can get rough at sea sometimes (they have a hospital and can give a shot but its unbelievably expensive!!) If you feel ill through motion sickness you MUST try to eat a little (dry crackers are good) if your stomach is completely empty you can feel worse. Hope its calm at sea for you. Enjoy!!
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