I Visited Holland America Line’s Denali Lodg...

I not too long ago had the chance to spend a number of nights at Holland America Line’s Denali Lodge in Alaska. The lodge is situated simply exterior of Denali Nationwide Park and is a part of their cruisetours within the forty ninth State.

I’ve beforehand been on a number of cruises to Alaska however have by no means stayed in a cruise line lodge. When Holland America Line invited me to go to their Denali Lodge, I used to be excited to see and expertise what their cruisetours have been all about.

For many who aren’t conversant in Holland America’s cruisetours, they’re additional days on land that may be added to pick cruises to Alaska. You may add on wherever from two to 10 days to their seven-day Glacier Discovery cruise. These are the one-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier.

The cruisetours might be completed earlier than or after the week-long cruise, however I feel I personally desire to do it after the cruise.

The cruisetours embrace the prepare journey as much as Denali, the Tundra Wilderness Tour, and a keep on the Denali Lodge, situated one mile from the doorway to Denali Nationwide Park.

Right here is my expertise staying on the lodge (post-cruise), what I beloved, and explanation why it’s best to think about a cruisetour to Alaska.

Prepare

The cruisetour begins with a ten hour prepare journey on the McKinney Explorer from Whittier, Alaska, the place the cruise ends, to Denali.

It’s a two-story prepare with assigned seating up prime and a restaurant and small lounge space on the underside deck. There may be additionally space the place you’ll be able to go exterior to get some nice images or simply some contemporary air.

Within the picture under, you’ll be able to see the small lounge space and the a part of the railroad automotive the place you’ll be able to go exterior.

Lodge

Holland America Line’s Denali Lodge is situated proper subsequent to the Nenana River and subsequent door to Princess Cruises’ Wilderness Lodge. My first thought after arriving on the lodge was “I might keep right here for every week”.

I stayed within the Cottonwoods constructing dealing with the river and I completely beloved it. My first morning there, I stepped exterior and noticed a moose and her child grazing beside the river. You by no means know what wildlife you will notice right here.

The buildings are unfold out over 60 acres, however they’ve shuttles that may take you across the property so that you don’t should stroll. There are 28 completely different buildings which you can keep in, 11 up prime by the Important Lodge and 17 down under by the river. I used to be advised that the older 11 buildings up prime are being torn down and changed.

My favourite a part of your complete property was Denali Sq., it’s the important social hub of the lodge. There are two eating choices right here, a number of retailers that embrace an Artist in Residence, firepits and dwell music at evening.

The 2 eating choices at Denali Sq. are Karsten’s Public Home and the Music of Denali. The Music of Denali is a family-style dinner present with a enjoyable musical concerning the historical past of Denali. I actually loved eating at each.

There may be additionally a strolling path alongside the river that I frolicked on every morning whereas sipping on my espresso. It was a good way to kick off every day that I used to be there.

Denali Nationwide Park

Probably the greatest options of Holland America’s Denali Lodge is that it’s solely a mile away from Denali Nationwide Park. You may stroll to it or take the free shuttle that runs each half-hour. I walked the primary day and took the shuttle the second.

I spent a number of days on the park, climbing trails and simply having fun with the fantastic thing about Alaska. 

Horsehead Lake Path is without doubt one of the hottest trails to hike and it was attractive. It’s a path that I’d positively hike once more on my subsequent go to.

Excursions

Holland America Line features a free tour for everybody staying three or extra days on the lodge. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is a bus journey that explores the fantastic thing about the nationwide park and the wildlife that lives there.

There are additionally number of excursions which you can ebook if you are staying on the lodge so you’ll be able to expertise extra of Alaska. I booked the Denali Glacier Touchdown by Helicopter tour and it was one of the unimaginable excursions I’ve completed on a cruise/land tour.

The journey to the glacier gave us unimaginable views of the mountains and wildlife. We noticed a herd of 150 caribou on the journey to the glacier and together with a waterfall.

We landed on the Yanert Glacier and spent 20-25 minutes strolling round on it earlier than heading again.

The tour is a bit expensive however I extremely advocate it. It’s an expertise you’ll discuss for years.

Why Keep in a Lodge?

My favourite a part of staying on the Denali Lodge was that you just aren’t confined to quick days in port like you might be whereas on the cruise portion of the journey. You get extra time to discover Alaska and I additionally discovered it extra stress-free.

You don’t have to fret about speeding and getting again to the ship earlier than it leaves. In case you’re out climbing in Denali and wish to cease and benefit from the views for so long as you need, you’ll be able to. The solar didn’t set till after midnight once I was there so you actually can benefit from every day.

I additionally beloved sitting by one of many many firepits at evening, having a drink, and speaking to different vacationers.

The cruisetours supplied by Holland America Line vary from nine- to 18-days in size, together with the cruise. This provides you the flexibleness to ebook the correct amount of time in Alaska that you really want.

After taking this journey, I actually imagine that is one of the simplest ways to see Alaska. You may go to glaciers and ports on the cruise after which get extra of an in-depth have a look at Alaska on the land portion of the journey. You get the perfect of each worlds.