Our Alaska Cruise on Holland America’s Koningsdam – An Experience We’ll Never Forget

We recently had the most incredible experience sailing Alaska’s Inside Passage onboard Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, and it honestly exceeded every expectation we had.

From the moment we arrived in Vancouver, we knew we were in for something special. But what followed was a week of incredible scenery, amazing wildlife, unforgettable excursions and plenty of moments where we simply stood looking out at the scenery thinking, “Wow.”

And yes… we came home with hundreds of photos and videos! 😂📸

Setting sail from Vancouver

Our Alaska adventure began in Vancouver, where we boarded Holland America Line’s Koningsdam.

We stayed in a spacious balcony cabin, which I would absolutely recommend for an Alaska cruise.

Having our own balcony meant we could sit outside with a coffee, watch the scenery go by and keep an eye out for wildlife without even having to leave our cabin.

And believe me, we used that balcony!

There is something completely different about cruising somewhere like Alaska. You aren’t just travelling between destinations — the journey itself is part of the experience.

One minute you’re sailing through beautiful waters surrounded by mountains, and the next you’re spotting wildlife in the distance.

We also had an all-inclusive package, which made the whole experience incredibly relaxing. Once we were onboard, we could properly switch off and enjoy the holiday without constantly thinking about the additional costs.

Skagway – stepping back into the Gold Rush

Our first stop was Skagway, and this was one of those places where you can almost feel the history around you.

We took the famous White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, travelling through some absolutely spectacular scenery.

The railway dates back to the Klondike Gold Rush and was built to transport prospectors towards the Yukon.

As the train climbed through the mountains, the views were incredible. Waterfalls, forests, mountains and dramatic landscapes seemed to appear around every corner.

We also visited the Gold Rush Cemetery, which gave us another glimpse into the history of the people who came to this area chasing their fortunes.

It was fascinating to see the contrast between the beautiful scenery surrounding us and the harsh reality of life during the Gold Rush.

Skagway definitely felt like somewhere that had its own story to tell.

Juneau – cable cars, craft beer and husky sledding!

Juneau was another highlight — and we certainly packed a lot into our day!

We started by taking the cable car, heading up to enjoy the views over Juneau and the surrounding landscape.

From up there, you really appreciate just how spectacular this part of Alaska is.

We then headed to a local microbrewery, which was a great way to experience a little bit of the local food and drink scene.

But the real adventure came later that evening…

Husky sledding in Alaska! 🐕❄️

Yes, we actually went husky sledding!

This was something I had been really looking forward to, and it absolutely lived up to expectations.

Being surrounded by the dogs, learning about how they train and work, and then getting to experience the sledding itself was something I’ll never forget.

It was one of those experiences where you think, “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this.”

Ketchikan – another glimpse of Alaska

Our next stop was Ketchikan, another beautiful Alaskan town surrounded by incredible scenery.

Every port gave us something completely different, and that’s one of the things I loved most about this itinerary.

You’re not simply visiting one Alaskan destination — you’re getting to experience different sides of the state, each with its own history, culture and landscapes.

And, of course, there was always that question in the back of our minds…

What are we going to see today?

Because the wildlife encounters on this trip were something else.

Glacier Bay – the WOW moment

Then came Glacier Bay.

If you’ve never experienced cruising through Glacier Bay, it is incredibly difficult to put into words just how spectacular it is.

We sailed through the national park surrounded by towering mountains, huge glaciers and landscapes that looked almost unreal.

It was one of those days where you don’t really want to put your camera down because you feel like you’re going to miss something.

And that brings me to one of the biggest highlights of the entire trip…

The wildlife 🐻🦅🦦🐋

Alaska absolutely delivered when it came to wildlife.

During our trip we saw:

🦅 Bald eagles
🦦 Sea otters
🐻 Brown bears
🐋 Humpback whales
🖤🤍 Orcas
🐬 Dolphins

Seeing these animals in their natural environment was incredible.

The whales were particularly special, but honestly, every sighting felt like a little bonus.

You could be standing outside watching the scenery and suddenly someone would shout, “Whales!”

Everyone would rush over to see them, cameras would come out and for a few minutes the entire ship seemed to be looking in the same direction.

It’s moments like that which make an Alaska cruise so special.

Life onboard Koningsdam

Of course, an Alaska cruise isn’t just about the destinations.

We absolutely loved our time onboard Koningsdam.

Having a spacious balcony cabin made such a difference. Alaska is one of those destinations where I think having outdoor space is particularly worthwhile because you never know what you might see while sailing.

We could sit out, enjoy the views and watch the landscape change around us.

And because we had our all-inclusive package, we could simply relax and enjoy everything the ship had to offer.

There was something incredibly relaxing about waking up somewhere completely different each morning, enjoying breakfast and then heading out to explore.

Would I recommend an Alaska cruise?

100%.

In fact, I think Alaska is one of those destinations that you have to experience to really understand.

It’s not just a cruise.

It’s mountains, glaciers, forests, wildlife, history, adventure and some of the most incredible scenery we’ve ever seen — all combined into one holiday.

And I think that’s what surprised me most.

Before going, I knew Alaska was going to be beautiful.

I just didn’t realise how much we would experience in such a short time.

From riding the White Pass railway in Skagway, to cable cars and husky sledding in Juneau, exploring Ketchikan and sailing through Glacier Bay, every day gave us something completely different.

And then there were those unexpected wildlife moments that you simply can’t plan.

So, is Alaska on your bucket list?

If it is, I’d say don’t keep putting it off.

An Alaska cruise is perfect if you want something a little different from a traditional cruise or beach holiday.

It’s ideal for couples, families, multi-generational trips and anyone who loves adventure, wildlife, photography, nature and incredible scenery.

And if you’re wondering whether I’d do it all again…

Absolutely. In a heartbeat. ❤️

Now I just need to find the hundreds of photos and videos I took because apparently I’ve spent the entire trip saying “I’ll sort those out later.” 😂📸

Alaska, you were incredible. 🇺🇸🏔️🐻🦅🐋