Anid Kalifa by Dream Vacations

09/06/2026

🚢 Alaska aboard Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam—and beyond!

After spending a week aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, I can honestly say Holland America does Alaska very well. The ship is a great size—large enough to offer plenty of amenities, but still easy to navigate and never overwhelming.

The ship was exceptionally clean, and I was impressed by the beautiful décor throughout. One of my favorite features was the retractable roof over the Lido pool. That is such a smart feature for Alaska’s unpredictable weather! My balcony stateroom was comfortable and spacious, and having a private balcony made it even easier to enjoy Alaska’s phenomenal scenery.

The food was also very good. Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto were standouts, but I have to give a special mention to Dive-In—the hamburgers and hot dogs were surprisingly delicious! 🍔

The atmosphere onboard is relaxed and more low-key than some cruise lines, which makes it a wonderful choice for travelers who enjoy attentive service, enrichment activities, art programs and a comfortable pace. The crew members were consistently friendly, helpful and attentive. We also unexpectedly had reason to experience the ship’s medical center, and the care provided by the medical team was excellent.

As wonderful as the ship was, Alaska itself was the true star. Whale watching, fishing, glaciers, the White Pass train and the breathtaking scenery were all completely over-the-top amazing. It is difficult for pictures to capture just how spectacular Alaska really is! 🐋🏔️🧊

My biggest recommendation? If your time and budget allow, don’t stop with the cruise—add the land portion!

Traveling into Denali and riding the glass-domed McKinley Explorer train allowed me to experience a completely different side of Alaska. The cruise and land tour complement each other beautifully, and I’m so glad I chose to do both. For me, going into Denali was an essential part of the experience.

One lesson learned: bring the packing cubes! I skipped them because of my bulky Alaska clothing, but with several hotel changes during the land portion, they would have made staying organized so much easier.

Would I sail Holland America again? Absolutely—and I would love to experience another one of their ships.

Oh and I can’t forget the Holland America Denali Lodge and Karstens restaurant for the great ambiance and food!

If Alaska is on your wish list, I would be happy to help you choose the right ship, itinerary, excursions and cruise-tour combination for the experience you want. Alaska isn’t just a vacation—it truly is an adventure! 💙

09/02/2026

Usually over an hour wait, but not today! 😋 If you are ever in Anchorage you need to stop by!

09/02/2026

🚂 All aboard the McKinley Explorer!

Today’s journey through Alaska was so much more than just getting from Denali to Anchorage. With the glass-domed railcar, incredible views, delicious food, and miles of beautiful Alaskan wilderness, the ride itself was an experience! 🏔️🌲

Sitting back, relaxing, and watching Alaska unfold outside those huge windows was the perfect end to this trip. Even after everything I’ve seen on this trip, Alaska continued to amaze me at every turn—or in today’s case, every mile of track! 💙

This train ride was definitely a highlight to my trip! Highly recommend! 🚂 ✨

09/02/2026

She was expecting some treats!

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

I believe this was Thorne, the lead dog, and the largest.

09/02/2026

This was a demo. These canine rangers are twice the size and weight of race dogs. You would not believe the work these dogs are capable of! Amazing! 🐕

09/02/2026

🐾 One of my favorite experiences in Denali—and it was FREE!

Near the Denali Visitor Center, I attended a sled dog demonstration and got to meet the beautiful, energetic dogs. I loved learning how they’re trained and discovering the differences between racing sled dogs and working sled dogs. Denali’s dogs aren’t racers—they’re trained to help park rangers patrol and transport supplies through the park during Alaska’s long winters.

If you’re visiting Denali, don’t miss this fun and educational experience! 🐕❄️🏔️

Enjoy the photos and keep an eye out for video clips as well ❤️

08/25/2026

Good morning from Ketchikan, Alaska!

08/22/2026

Pitstop before Vancouver!