Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Tips
Book yourself a Balcony cabin!
On your Holland America Line Alaska cruise, your average day will include up to 20 hours of sunlight! During significant portions of your
Alaska cruise you will sail within a few miles of land. So, balconies are extremely popular on Holland America Line Alaska cruises and often sell-out well in advance - check out the latest
prices on Holland America Line Alaska cruises.
When is the best time to Sail to Alaska on Holland America Line?
Holland America Line's Alaska cruising season starts in May and ends in September. The best time to visit Alaska is likely to vary based on whom you ask. If you are looking for the best prices, May and September may be more appealing. The
lowest prices on Holland America Line Alaska cruises are offered by the cruise lines during the shoulder months, and, the prices in port tend to be lower (vs the summer high season months). Also, in May and September, many of the ships that sail Alaska have either not arrived, or, are repositioning to/from other markets. What this means is that there are fewer ships, and, fewer people in port when your ship makes a port call. Local retailers will often make better deals when there are fewer customers around -- especially at the end of the Alaska cruise season.
What about the weather on my Holland America Line Alaska cruise?
The weather tends to be the best (wildflowers in May, not as rainy as July – August, wonderful fall foliage in September) during these months. However, July – August is a great time for a Holland America Line Alaska cruise as the days are longer and warmer. Warmer weather means that the ice melts and you are likely to see more sightings of "calving" glaciers. When a glacier "calves", you witness tons of ice smashing into the water followed by giant waves.
When should I book my Holland America Line Alaska Cruise?
Just about every cruise web site and cruise line will advise you to "book your cruise early". And, many cruise web sites will tell you about the "great last minute deals" they have on Alaska cruises. Just a little confusing...
So, here is why it is critical to book your Holland America Line Alaska Cruise early.
- First, the biggest expense of an Alaska vacation is quite often the airfare. If you are shopping for a last minute deal, you may get a great cruise price, but, blow all your savings trying to secure an airline ticket at the last minute.
- Second, Alaska is a place where your cabin choice matters – wait too long and the cabin choices might put you in an inside cabin or a cabin with a porthole.
Holland America Line offers the following discounts on cruises to Alaska:
- The most commonly available Holland America Line Alaska cruise discounts are targeted based on where you live. Cruise pricing can vary depending on your place of residence. For example, a resident of California may get a higher price than a resident of Texas. This system of discounts is extremely complex, and, it is very difficult to project when, how much or for how long such targeted discount programs may be offered.
- Military Discounts for U.S. Military and Canadian Forces -- Active and Retired. On selected Holland America Line Alaska cruises, there may be discounts available to members of the military. Please note that these discounts are on selected sailings only.
- U.S. or Canadian Law Enforcement, Fire Dept, or EMT personnel. On selected sailings, Holland America Line may offer discounts to law enforcement personnel, fire department and EMT personnel. Please note that these discounts are on selected sailings only.
- Loyal cruisers. Holland America Line may offer special incentives to their past passengers -- known as "Mariner Society" members.
Alaska is a very competitive market with
Carnival Cruises, NCL,
Royal Caribbean and
Celebrity Cruises all in competition with one another -- it pays to shop around.
CruiseTours on Holland America Line Alaska Cruises
Alaska is the trip of a lifetime and cruising is one of the most economical ways to see the state. However, you only experience a portion of Alaska by only taking a cruise. A CruiseTour lets you see the inland of Alaska, including, beautiful places like Mount McKinley (North America's largest mountain) and Denali National Park where you will get your fill of moose, caribou, grizzlies and eagles. Your adventure includes a tour on the White Pass & Yukon railroad, and, will let you visit the historic gold rush town of Fairbanks, the coastal towns of Seward and Alyeska. An Alaska CruiseTour is a big-ticket item -- we do not sell them online. Call us at (800) 961-4635 and we would be happy to help you find the perfect Holland America Line Alaska CruiseTour.
What Else Should I know about Holland America Line Alaska Cruises
Holland America Line Alaska cruises are "one-way" cruises that include sailing the Inside Passage along the coast of British Colombia. That means that your cruise either starts or ends in Alaska. So, make certain that your flight arrangements take into consideration that the port where you get on the ship is not the port that you will leave the ship. The ports where Holland America Line Alaska cruises start and end from are Seattle or Vancouver.
Holland America Line Alaska Resources
Let AmericaCruiseDeals.com send you on a Holland America Line Cruise from Alaska. You'll find the largest selection of Holland America Line cruise deals, discount prices and helpful advice on Holland America Line Alaska Cruises. Book your Holland America Line Alaska Cruise online, or call our Alaska cruise experts at (800) 961-4635.
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