It was not even 8 a.m. on the first morning of our sailing onboard Holland America Line’s (HAL) Nieuw Amsterdam, but a handful of humpback whales had already brought smiles to the faces of more than two dozen folks who had rolled out of bed early, anxious and excited to get their first glimpse of Alaska and its wild residents.
As the ship made its way farther north along the Inside Passage, sightings of humpbacks, dolphins and porpoises became increasingly more frequent. A Mola mola (ocean sunfish) even turned up to welcome us back. It was the fifth of 10 planned seven-day sailings to Alaska for the 2021 season.
Holland America Line’s COVID-19 Rules
HAL resumed cruises to the region in late July with a list of protocols in place to ensure the safety of guests, crew and the communities the cruise line visits. All guests must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19; in addition, everyone must provide a negative medically supervised COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within 48 hours of embarkation.
Masks are required when in elevators, indoor entertainment areas, retail shops and in the casino, except when actively eating or drinking. Guests are also asked to wear face masks prior to being seated in all dining venues. The crew members are masked at all times.
Mask mandates are just one of a series of changes clients will likely notice once onboard. Required muster drills have been replaced with a quick check in and safety video viewed by guests in their cabin. Traditional paper menus are available, but tabletop QR codes are the preferred method for viewing drink and dining menus. Guests are strongly encouraged to install HAL’s Navigator mobile app on their cellphone before boarding; excursion tickets are now digital, issued and stored in guests’ digital wallets.
Nieuw Amsterdam is currently operating at about 70% capacity.
Credit: 2021 Dana RebmannNieuw Amsterdam’s 2021 Itinerary
Departing from and returning to Seattle, the voyage’s ports of call included Juneau, Icy Straight Point (a new addition for HAL), Sitka and Ketchikan in Alaska. Missing was the once standard stop in Canada (where cruise ships are currently prohibited), but hours missed in Victoria were put to good use, allowing guests to linger in Ketchikan a bit longer. (A 2021-season waiver of the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 is allowing foreign-flagged cruise ships to carry guests to Alaska without a stop at a foreign port.)
With 1,448 guests onboard, the mid-size Nieuw Amsterdam sailed at about 70% capacity, resulting in numerous perks for guests that were apparent throughout the seven-day Alaskan Explorer voyage.
Embarkation took just 15 minutes; primo spots by the pools were easy to come by; lines at the casual Lido Market buffet — when they existed — were short; and seats at evening shows and talks on Alaskan wildlife were plentiful. The only event that felt crowded was the Park Ranger Morning Chat, held inside at the front of the ship in a space called Explorations Central, as we entered Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
With far fewer ships sailing Alaskan waters, traditionally busy ports were quieter than most veteran cruisers had ever experienced, but the sense of appreciation for the return of visitors — from tour operators to staff in restaurants and shops — was obvious.
During an exceptionally warm day in Juneau, guides on the Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip celebrated the opportunity to work on their tan while showing off their beautiful backyard. An evening whale-watching trip off the coast of Icy Straight Point ended magically when the boat came across a transient pod of orcas teaching a calf how to hunt.
Almost on cue, a bear appeared onshore as we began a day of cruising Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It was moments like these that reminded us all even though planning a vacation has never been more complicated, cruising in Alaska comes with countless rewards.
The Details
Holland America Line
