Holland America Southeast Alaska Review + Cruise News [Podcast]

In this episode of Cruise Radio, Doug Parker and Richard Simms discuss concerns about the safety of bottled water on cruise ships, new regulations in Juneau to limit daily cruise passengers and an electrical fire incident on the MSC Armonia.

They also cover mixed feedback on Disney Cruise Line’s new destination, Carnival Cruise Line’s loyalty program changes, and operational challenges on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander preview cruise.

We also get a review of Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam in Southeast Alaska.

This episode is brought to you by TripInsurance.com, giving you three levels of travel protection — Good, Better, and Best — a travel insurance policy for every budget.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or where you listen to your favorite podcast.

Timestamps:

• Concerns about Drinking Water on Cruise Ships (00:01:12): Discussion about the safety of bottled water on cruise ships and the potential risks associated with tampering.
• Regulations in Juneau (00:04:44): Starting in 2026, new regulations will limit the number of daily cruise passengers allowed to visit Juneau.
• Fire Incident on MSC Armonia (00:07:52) The ship’s crew quickly extinguished A small electrical fire on the MSC Armonia.
• Feedback on Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (00:09:39): Initial guest feedback on the new experience offered by Disney at Nassau, including concerns about the long walk from the pier and reports of flies in the food area.
• Changes to Carnival Cruise Line’s Loyalty Program (00:13:23): Discussion of changes to the loyalty program, including the removal of certain perks and potential future changes to the program.
• Preview Cruise of Margaritaville at Sea Islander (00:18:12): Feedback on the preview cruise of the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, including issues with leaking atrium, non-functional toilets, and intermittent Wi-Fi.
• Feedback on Cancelled Cruise Incident (00:20:31): Receiving feedback from listeners regarding a story about a woman whose cruise was canceled by an unknown person.
• Carnival Cruise Scam Controversy (00:21:03): Discussion on the controversy surrounding a scam involving a canceled cruise and the potential repercussions.
• Preparation for Alaska Cruise (00:25:43): Discussion on the importance of arriving a day early for an Alaska cruise and the experience of preparing for the trip.
• Embarkation Experience in Vancouver (00:26:57): Doug Parker shares his experience with embarkation at the Vancouver port and customs clearance process.
• First Impressions and Atrium Layout (00:30:12): Doug describes his first impressions upon boarding the Holland America cruise ship and the layout of the atrium.
• Passenger Demographics and Children’s Activities (00:31:24): Discussion on the age demographics of passengers and the availability of children’s activities on the cruise.
• Stateroom Features and Tips (00:32:58): Description of the stateroom features, including outlets and the use of an ottoman for space optimization.
• Alaska Itinerary and Weather Conditions (00:37:19): Doug shares the itinerary and weather conditions experienced during the Alaska cruise, including visits to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Ketchikan.
• Glacier Viewing and Balcony Experience (00:38:35): He describes the experience of viewing glaciers from the balcony and witnessing calving phenomena.
• Balcony Benefits for Alaska Cruise (00:39:47): Discussion on the advantages of having a balcony for an Alaska cruise and the preference for a quieter environment.
• Observation Lounge and Balcony Cabin Tips (00:39:51): Recommendations for experiencing scenic views on Holland America ships and the value of balcony cabins in Alaska.
• Premium Bookings and Bucket List Experiences (00:40:53): Discussion on paying a premium for specific experiences and excursions to make the most of an Alaska cruise.
• Port Highlights and Over-Tourism Concerns (00:42:25): Insights into port experiences, including the impact of over-tourism in Alaska and its effect on cruise passengers.
• Juneau and Ketchikan Port Experiences (00:42:35): Experiences and observations while visiting Juneau and Ketchikan, including crowd levels and local attractions.
• Scenic Cruising in Glacier Bay (00:48:17): Detailed description of the scenic cruising experience in Glacier Bay National Park, emphasizing the natural beauty and wildlife encounters.
• Alaska’s Daylight and Sea Day Activities (00:51:16): Discussion about the daylight hours in Alaska and the availability of sea day activities during the cruise.
• Fresh Seafood Initiative and Specialty Restaurants (00:55:15): Exploration of Holland America’s fresh seafood initiative and dining experiences at specialty restaurants onboard.
• Tamarind Bar and Music Walk (00:58:37): Discuss the little-known Tamarind bar and the popular Music Walk on the ship.
• Entertainment Venues (00:59:19): Description of the various music venues on the ship, including BB King’s Blues Club, Billboard on Board, and the Rolling Stone Lounge.
• Changes in Music Programs (01:00:24): Discuss changes in the ship’s music programs, including reducing the Lincoln Center partnership.
• Casino and Disembarkation (01:01:39): Information about the casino facilities and a smooth disembarkation process in Vancouver.
• Packing Tips and Excursion Booking (01:02:34): Tips on packing, excursions, and the importance of booking early for popular activities.
• Alaska Excursions Booking (01:03:59): Further emphasis on booking Alaska excursions early due to limited capacity and high demand.