I Visited Holland America Line’s Denali Lodge in Alaska and Beloved It

I just lately 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 individuals who aren’t aware of Holland America’s cruisetours, they’re additional days on land that may be added to pick out cruises to Alaska. You possibly can 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 may be carried out earlier than or after the week-long cruise, however I feel I personally want 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 you must contemplate a cruisetour to Alaska.

Practice

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 photograph beneath, 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 per week”.

I stayed within the Cottonwoods constructing going through 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 note right here.

The buildings are unfold out over 60 acres, however they’ve shuttles that can 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 Most important Lodge and 17 down beneath 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 all the property was Denali Sq., it’s the predominant social hub of the lodge. There are two eating choices right here, a number of outlets that embrace an Artist in Residence, firepits and dwell music at night time.

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 in regards to 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

Among the finest options of Holland America’s Denali Lodge is that it’s solely a mile away from Denali Nationwide Park. You possibly can 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 great thing about Alaska. 

Horsehead Lake Path is among 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 great thing about the nationwide park and the wildlife that lives there.

There are additionally a superb number of excursions which you can e book when 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 some of the unbelievable excursions I’ve carried out on a cruise/land tour.

The journey to the glacier gave us unbelievable 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 dear however I extremely suggest it. It’s an expertise you’ll speak about for years.

Why Keep in a Lodge?

My favourite a part of staying on the Denali Lodge was that you simply aren’t confined to quick days in port like you’re 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. When you’re out climbing in Denali and need 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 night time, 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 offers you the flexibleness to e book the correct quantity of time in Alaska that you really want.

After taking this journey, I truthfully imagine that is one of the best ways to see Alaska. You possibly can 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 very best of each worlds.