Read Time - 8 mins & 4 secs
Constructed in 2016, the Koningsdam is the largest luxury cruise ship offered by Holland America Cruise Line and it features a spacious interior with all of the modern amenities and furnishings that will make your cruise up the Pacific Coast a memorable experience.
With service to ports in Seattle, Vancouver, and throughout Alaska, you will be treated like royalty as implied by its name that translates from ‘koning’ in Dutch to ‘king’ in English.
The Holland America Alaska Cruises 2020 line-up features more excitement than ever before and you will be treated to an itinerary full of fascinating nature sights, fun shopping opportunities, and a list of day excursions you can participate in while visiting the ports along your cruise route.
TIP: Ask a travel agent about Koningsdam’s Vista Suite. This ultra-comfortable suite option is more affordable than the Signature or Neptune suites and they feature a balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, and plenty of room.
The Vista Suite is a popular option for travelers looking to explore Alaska onboard Koningsdam in total comfort.
After a long day of sightseeing, return back to the ship where the fun will continue with live music performances, gourmet dining options that capture the essence of the ports you visit, and recreational activities that will keep the whole family busy. Pack your camera and be ready to capture all the action on your epic adventure up to Alaska!
Delightful Onboard Dining
Holland makes your onboard dining experience as enjoyable as possible with wonderful décor to set the tone for your delicious meals whether it be in the beautiful Dining Room or one the many other restaurants to choose from.
Enjoy New York strip loin, salmon, chicken, or another mouth-watering dish sure to satisfy your cravings at the Dining Room, which is designed to wow cruisers with a glistening chandelier, extensive staircase, and huge, curved pillars that tower over the seating area. You can reserve a table at anytime after 4pm or join during the set dining times on your itinerary.
Holland America spoils its cruisers with stunning settings and delicious cuisine offered at any of their many onboard dining venues like the Dining Room pictured above.
Other dining options to check out are Rudi’s Sel De Mer, where you can enjoy the finest French dishes like steak frites, duck cassoulet and classic coq au vin, and the poolside Lido Market, the marketplace-style dining area that offers fresh breads and pastries, salads, comfort foods, hearty meats, international dishes, and pretty much anything your taste buds desire!
Onboard Entertainment
During your Koningsdam Alaska itinerary you’ll have plenty of entertainment to fill up your days at sea. If you are a fan of live shows this is one the best ships at sea for you. Explore the Music Walk where you can find Billboard Onboard, an interactive live piano show where fifty years of chart-topping hits are played by two pianists in partnership with Billboard.
Koningsdam is one of the best ships at sea when it come to live music. Stroll through the Music Walk to find fun-filled venues like B.B. Kings Blues Club and Billboard Onboard.
You’ll also find B.B. King’s Blues Club, one of the most popular venues on the ship. Inspired by Beale Street in Memphis, you can dance the night away to funky, soulful, and smooth live music as you sip on specialty cocktails.
Other notable things to do onboard are the BBC Earth Experiences for a fascinating program designed to immerse cruisers in the natural world, port to table culinary activities, and the Rolling Stone Rock Room.
Departure Ports for Koningsdam Alaska 2020 and Beyond
Travel through the Pacific Northwest and up to Alaska where you will discover all the natural woodland beauty that makes this region so stunning. It is one of the few regions of the world that maintains its rich earthy greenness all year long. Seattle to Alaska itineraries take you up the Pacific Ocean and along the route followed by those with gold fever during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 19th century.
Not only will you be in for an amazing journey onboard the ship, but you will also have the opportunity to tap into your adventurous side and explore nature or the downtown regions at your ports of call. Here’s a look at the main departure ports for Koningsdam Alaska…
Vancouver, B.C.
The Parliament Building in Vancouver is a gorgeous landmark to check out pre- or post-cruise.
Considered to be the main departure port for the Koningsdam, Vancouver, B.C. is a picturesque port city that provides guests with a warm welcoming into Canada. It is known as the ‘Tomorrow City’ thanks to its forward-thinking attitude and contemporary urban downtown region.
Similar to Seattle, Vancouver, B.C. is along the route up to the Klondike and was founded as a lumber hub during the westward movement of the 1800s.
Attractions worth checking out while at the port include Gastown, a historic shopping center near the waterfront; Chinese Gardens, an ornate nature area with historic architecture; or Richmond Night Market, which mimics the night markets found in Asia where you can dine, shop, and haggle for some good deals on gifts and other items.
Vancouver is considered to be one of the friendliest cities in North America and after spending some time there, you will understand why.
Seattle, Washington
Home to countless modern attractions like the Fremont Troll and Pike Place Market, Seattle pays tribute to it’s history and is a popular departure port for Koningsdam.
A departure point for Koningsdam's Gold Rush cruise package, Seattle is a city that was built on dreams of striking it rich in the Klondike, burned to the ground, and then was rebuilt to become the thriving metropolis that it is today.
What has become the city of Seattle today, was actually built on top of the old city that burned to the ground during the 1800s. While you are waiting for the ship to depart up to Alaska, you can go on a guided tour of Seattle's famous Underground and learn more about it.
Seattle is also home to a variety of gourmet coffee shops (first ever Starbucks), a huge troll sculpture under the Aurora bridge called the Fremont Troll, award-winning international cuisine, and a slew of historic bars, hotels, and the famed waterfront Pike Place Market. Seattle is an interesting city that pays tribute to its rugged past and celebrates its futuristic urban life.
Seward, Alaska
Spotting wildlife is one of the main reasons travelers love to visit Alaska, and you can often see them from the ship.
Located on the Southern coast of Alaska, Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and will provide you with plenty of photo-taking opportunities. It is a place that is adorned with both cascading mountains and glacier packs as well as vastness of the Northern Pacific Ocean.
Keep your eyes peeled and you just may see some local whale pods frolicking and playing in the water. While at the port in Seward, get a glimpse of the iconic Iditarod Trail, learn about the marine wildlife in Alaska at The Alaska Sealife Center, or purchase some Alaska loot at one of the specialty shops located in town.
Related: A Guide to Seward, One of Alaska’s Best Port Cities
What excursions does Koningsdam offer during your Alaska itinerary?
Sailing onboard the Koningsdam offers the unique opportunity for you to see some of the most iconic natural attractions in Alaska without having to go to all the trouble of planning the excursions yourself.
All you have to do is sit back and relax and wait for the landmarks to come to you. Here is a look at some of the sights you have the chance to see on your cruise through Alaska with Holland…
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park provides breathtaking views and experiences like nowhere else on the planet.
A breathtaking nature sight that is known for its huge glacier wall, Glacier Bay National Park encompasses over 3.3 million acres of natural habitat. At Glacier Bay National Park, you will get the opportunity to see sea lions, wild birds, a variety of whales, and maybe even a bear or two.
While at the bay, a park ranger will hop aboard the ship and provide you with valuable information about the glacier and conservation efforts that are currently underway to ensure it is protected for centuries to come.
Klondike Gold Rush
Visit Skagway to explore the same routes that gold miners did in the 1800s and take in the rich history of the region.
While at port, venture into Skagway and roam the same streets as gold miners did during the 1800s during the Klondike Gold Rush. The town has remained much like it did during the gold fever days, but instead of brothels and shady bars, you will find gift stores and history museums.
To make the most out of this excursion, be sure to talk to some of the historians and explore the exhibits located around town. You can purchase souvenirs at one of the many gift shops you encounter.
Alaska Fishing and Wilderness Dining
Enjoy the most authentic dining experience in Alaska by catching your own fish and cooking and eating it in the wilderness with the rest of your excursion group.
Want to know what it is like to dine like a true Alaskan? Join in on this excursion and head out onto the open water with a tour guide onboard a skiff and catch your own dinner! You will get to try your hand at fishing and will then feast on your catch in the wilderness with your group. This adventure offers the perfect opportunity for you to make a connection with your food.
More Holland Ships that Sail to Alaska
Looking for more exciting Alaskan adventures? Holland America Line offers more cruise ships that allow you to explore Alaska and see the sites you really want to see, while taking a cruise you will remember for the rest of your life.
Maasdam
A smaller cruise ship that has the capacity to accommodate just over 1200 passengers, Maasdam will take you on the Alaskan adventure of a lifetime. This luxury cruise ship features a variety of elegant staterooms, world-class dining options that highlight the regional food of Alaska, and plenty of recreational activities to keep you busy and engaged during your entire sailing.
Maasdam is another great Holland America Alaska option and is a smaller, more intimate ship experience compared to Koningsdam and Eurodam.
Maasdam is unique in that the ship is outfitted with mini Zodiac boats that will get you closer to all of the natural attractions in Alaska. The Maasdam departs from Vancouver, B.C. and will take you all the way up through the inside passage of Alaska.
Eurodam
Eurodam offers service up through the inside passage of Alaska from Vancouver, B.C. and is loaded with entertainment venues that will leave you begging for more. Aboard this cruise ship, you will find BBC Earth Experiences, which is a theater with music, videos, and stories that will connect you with nature in a relaxing way; B.B. King's Blues Club, the iconic nightclub where you can let your hair down, have a cold drink, and listen to blues music all evening long; and Lincoln Center Stage, a regal theater where you can listen to live music performances.
Similar to Koningsdam, Eurodam offers BBC Experiences, B.B. King Blues Club, and other popular entertainment options that will fill up your free time during itineraries to Alaska.
This ship also offers an assortment of spacious staterooms that accommodate just about any size travel party as well as fine dining restaurants. While on your trip up to Alaska, you can soak all of your stress away in one of the ship's hot tubs, visit the day spa, or work up a sweat at the state-of-the-art fitness center.
Related: Travel Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska
