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

I lately had the chance to spend a number of nights at Holland America Line’s Denali Lodge in Alaska. The lodge is situated simply outdoors 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 further days on land that may be added to pick out cruises to Alaska. You’ll be able to 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 will be completed earlier than or after the week-long cruise, however I feel I personally want to do it after the cruise.

The cruisetours embody the practice trip 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 liked, and explanation why you need to contemplate a cruisetour to Alaska.

Practice

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

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

Within the picture under, you may see the small lounge space and the a part of the railroad automobile the place you may go outdoors.

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 may keep right here for per week”.

I stayed within the Cottonwoods constructing dealing with the river and I completely liked it. My first morning there, I stepped outdoors 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 could keep in, 11 up prime by the Essential Lodge and 17 down under by the river. I used to be instructed that the older 11 buildings up prime are being torn down and changed.

My favourite a part of your entire 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 embody an Artist in Residence, firepits and reside 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 hung out 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

The most effective options of Holland America’s Denali Lodge is that it’s solely a mile away from Denali Nationwide Park. You’ll be able to 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 without doubt one of the hottest trails to hike and it was attractive. It’s a path that I might 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 trip that explores the great thing about the nationwide park and the wildlife that lives there.

There are additionally number of excursions which you could guide if you are staying on the lodge so you may expertise extra of Alaska. I booked the Denali Glacier Touchdown by Helicopter tour and it was one of the unbelievable excursions I’ve completed on a cruise/land tour.

The trip to the glacier gave us unbelievable views of the mountains and wildlife. We noticed a herd of 150 caribou on the trip 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 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 enjoyable.

You don’t have to fret about dashing and getting again to the ship earlier than it leaves. If you happen to’re out climbing in Denali and need to cease and benefit from the views for so long as you need, you may. The solar didn’t set till after midnight after I was there so you actually can profit from every day.

I additionally liked sitting by one of many many firepits at night time, having a drink, and speaking to different vacationers.

The cruisetours provided by Holland America Line vary from nine- to 18-days in size, together with the cruise. This offers you the pliability to guide the correct amount of time in Alaska that you really want.

After taking this journey, I truthfully consider that is one of the simplest ways to see Alaska. You’ll be able to go to glaciers and ports on the cruise after which get extra of an in-depth take a look at Alaska on the land portion of the journey. You get the perfect of each worlds.