By Dmitry Rashnitsov
Cruising Alaska
The Holland America Alaska cruise is seven days of all-you-can-eat dining, five bars with countless liquor, beer and wine choices, spa massages at your fingertips, and a gym, sauna and Jacuzzi to help sweat it out. The spa offers manicures and pedicures. Activities are scheduled day and night. The rooms are comfortable and allow visitors to spring for better views or bargain cruise in decent quarters. Bathrooms, flat screens and movies are on demand in every room.
Wows and Woes
Excursions to Ketchikan for fishing or gold panning in Juneau make the trek worthwhile. Although costly, they are a bonus added adventure.
It is not as relaxing as a Caribbean cruise because it is more about sightseeing than lounging around.
Insider Tips
Get to the dining room early for meals. All food is prepared at the same time and sits in big vats under heat lamps. The sooner you sit down, the better the food tastes.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
The picturesque views of the Alaska wilderness are one of the most gorgeous sites many people will lay eyes on. We spent hours sitting in a little bar called the Crow's Nest Lounge sipping on drinks while having our breath taken away by the majesty and beauty of the mountains, wildlife and forestry.
Bottom Line
Spring for one of the cheaper cabins below without much of a view, and this cruise is worth the price of airfare to get to Alaska.
About the Author:
Dmitry Rashnitsov is a writer based out of Fort Lauderdale. His work has appeared in the "Sun-Sentinel" newspaper, "South Florida Blade" newspaper, "Cape Coral Daily Breeze," "411 Magazine," "South Florida CEO Magazine" and the Examiner.com web platform. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Arizona.
