Noordam Alaska Cruises 2024 ship schedule (2024)

FAQs

What is the best side of the ship to be on for an Alaska cruise? ›

Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.

Answer: Guests will be assigned a check-in time to report to the terminal, which will be provided approximately 14 days prior to sailing. Please download the Navigator mobile app for access to tour digital boarding pass and more.

Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage.

Holland America Noordam Dress Code

Recommended dress code on most nights is "smart casual," meaning skirts or pants for women and casual slacks and shirts for men. Two formal nights on our cruise brought out a smattering of tuxes and sequins.

On most cruise ships, the most luxurious accommodation is on the upper decks. Here, you'll find a selection of elegant suites, with generous outdoor space, separate living areas, and amenities ranging from all-inclusive drinks to the service of a concierge.

The forward is subject to the most movement out of anywhere on a ship. And the higher the deck, the more pronounced that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than the forward, but still isn't the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness.

Main Dining Room

Holland America has “As You Wish Dining,” which means you can choose to dine any time from 5:15 pm to 9 pm, or you can have a traditional dining time, either early seating at 5:45 pm or main seating at 8 pm.

Please complete the Online Check-In process at hollandamerica.com 72 hours prior to your sail date. Guests who wait to check in at the terminal risk being unable to sail even if they arrive at the terminal before the vessel leaves.

Complete Online Check In and required documents. Check in for your cruise and print your luggage tags. Log in to your Cruise Planner to check in, get your boarding passes and print your luggage tags. Or, use the Holland America Line Navigator to get your digital boarding pass.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska for Good Weather: Summer (mid-June through August) If you prefer warmer temperatures, ranging from 50° to 70° Fahrenheit, and longer days with up to 22 hours of sunlight, a summer Alaskan cruise might be the perfect choice.

What is the best cruise line for Alaska cruise tours? ›

Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World's Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years. HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line.

Alaska Cruises Can Be Bumpy in the Gulf of Alaska

Rough Waters: The majority of sailing on an Alaska cruise is done in the protected waters of the Inside Passage, but ships sailing to Seward, Whittier or Anchorage must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which is much rougher.

Laundry – there are no passenger laundries onboard, so budget for sending your clothes our for the ship to wash or dry clean.

Noordam has two pools, both on Deck 9. The largest, the Lido Pool, with its centerpiece leaping-dolphins sculpture, has a retractable roof that makes it a popular spot in cool-weather venues.

Holland America Line

Holland America gratuities are automatically charged at $17 per person, per day for regular cabin passengers and $19 for suite passengers. Gratuities on HAL apply to both adults and children. Passengers should visit guest services to adjust these if they want.

The higher the deck, the better and, often, more panoramic the view. Cabins on top decks aren't always the best on the ship, but many suites and specialty cabin categories are typically located on upper decks.

The bottom line. There is no one side of a cruise ship that is always “the best.” Whether a cruise ship's port versus starboard side is better for you on a given itinerary will be a personal calculation based on preferences, route and what you want to see.

Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Haines, Sitka, Wrangell, and Thorne Bay are the best ports of call for cruises throughout Alaska. The state of Alaska is unrivaled in the United States as a place to discover the breathtaking wilderness, history, and culture that surrounds the Northwest.

It's a matter of personal taste. Some people don't like open-jaw flights (flying into one city and out of another), and so prefer the round-trip Inside Passage route. Others don't mind that and enjoy the additional glacier visits of the Gulf cruise itineraries. It's entirely up to you.