MS Westerdam
August 31, 2025

Puget Sound in Washington has no docking; ships cruise to Seattle. Travelers observe orcas breaching in open waters. Excursions explore Olympic National Park’s rainforests. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to September, brings mild weather; taxis cost 5-10 USD. Photography captures San Juan Islands’ rocky shores. Dining onboard includes clam chowder. Souvenirs, like totem replicas, are available in ship shops. Briefings cover marine ecosystems. Light layers suit coastal weather. Puget Sound’s islands and whales provide a scenic Pacific Northwest coastal experience.

Seattle, Washington, offers docking at Pier 91. Travelers explore Pike Place Market and Space Needle. Excursions include whale-watching in Puget Sound. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban landmarks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes Dungeness crab, a Washington favorite. Souvenirs, like native crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Salish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Seattle’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic markets and scenic waterways, making Seattle an engaging destination for exploration.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, offers docking at Canada Place Port. Travelers explore Stanley Park and Gastown. Excursions visit Capilano Suspension Bridge. Local markets sell poutine. The peak season, June to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban parks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, a BC favorite. Souvenirs, like Inuit crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Salish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Vancouver’s urban charm offers a vibrant Canadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural beauty and cultural landmarks, making Vancouver an engaging destination for exploring Canada’s west coast.

Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view fjords and humpback whales from the ship. Excursions include zodiac tours for wildlife spotting. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal cruising. Photography captures glaciers and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like totem crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tlingit history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while binoculars enhance wildlife viewing. Inside Passage’s natural allure offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of marine life and scenic fjords, making Inside Passage an engaging destination.

Sitka, Alaska, offers docking at Sitka Port. Travelers explore Sitka National Historical Park and St. Michael’s Cathedral. Excursions include whale-watching tours. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures totem poles and Inside Passage vistas. Dining onboard includes halibut, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like Tlingit crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Russian history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance park walks. Sitka’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of native heritage and scenic fjords, making Sitka an engaging destination for exploration.

Cruise Hubbard Glacier, Alaska, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view Hubbard Glacier and Disenchantment Bay from the ship. Excursions include zodiac tours for seal spotting. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for glacier cruising. Photography captures icebergs and Yakutat Bay vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like glacier crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tlingit history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while binoculars enhance wildlife viewing. Hubbard Glacier’s natural allure offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of glacial beauty and marine life, making Hubbard Glacier an engaging destination.

Anchorage, Alaska, docks at Port of Alaska, 3 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute rides. The city, population 290,000, features the Anchorage Museum with Athabascan artifacts. Travelers visit Ship Creek for salmon fishing demos. Excursions to Chugach State Park, 30 minutes east, offer bear-spotting hikes. Local markets sell ulu knives. Peak season June to August; taxis 10-20 USD. Dining includes reindeer sausage at street carts. Souvenirs feature totem carvings. Bike paths suit urban exploration.

Cruise College Fjord, Alaska, no docking; ships cruise Prince William Sound. Travelers spot harbor seals. Lectures cover Harriman Expedition. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season June to August; weather unpredictable. Photography captures Harvard Glacier. Dining limited to ship. Souvenirs include glacier postcards.

Valdez, Alaska, offers docking at Valdez Port. Travelers explore Columbia Glacier and Worthington Glacier. Excursions include kayaking in Prince William Sound. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures icebergs and Alaskan vistas. Dining onboard includes halibut, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like native crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Chugach history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance glacier walks. Valdez’s glacial charm offers a vibrant Alaskan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of icy landscapes and marine adventures, making Valdez an engaging destination for exploring Alaska’s coastal wilderness.

Kodiak, Alaska, has docking at Kodiak Port. Travelers explore Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge for bear spotting. Excursions visit Russian Orthodox churches. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather. Photography captures rugged coasts and wildlife. Dining onboard includes king crab, an Alaskan favorite. Souvenirs, like bear carvings, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Russian history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance bear spotting. Kodiak’s wild beauty offers a vibrant Alaskan stop, blending nature with cultural heritage.

Dutch Harbor, Alaska, has docking at Unalaska Port. Travelers explore Aleutian WWII history at the museum. Excursions spot bald eagles on volcanic trails. Local markets sell smoked salmon. The peak season, June to August, brings fog. Photography captures rugged coasts. Dining onboard includes king crab. Souvenirs, like Aleutian prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover island history. Waterproof gear is essential for rain. Dutch Harbor’s remote port offers a wild Alaskan experience.

Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hawaii, offers docking at Nawiliwili Port. Travelers explore Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. Excursions include snorkeling at Tunnels Beach. Local markets sell shave ice. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures rugged cliffs and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes kalua pork, a Hawaiian favorite. Souvenirs, like kukui nut crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance canyon hikes. Nawiliwili’s natural charm offers a vibrant Hawaiian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of dramatic landscapes and marine adventures, making Nawiliwili an engaging destination.

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, offers docking at Honolulu Port. Travelers explore Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Local markets sell poke. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic memorials and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes loco moco, a Hawaiian favorite. Souvenirs, like aloha crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Honolulu’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Hawaiian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic beaches, making Honolulu an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Honolulu — see Day 19 above for port info.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, offers docking at Kailua-Kona Port. Travelers explore Hulihe‘e Palace and Kona Coffee farms. Excursions include snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay. Local markets sell poke. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic beaches and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes loco moco, a Hawaiian favorite. Souvenirs, like Kona coffee crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Kailua-Kona’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Hawaiian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural heritage and scenic beaches, making Kailua-Kona an engaging destination.

Hilo, Hawaii, offers docking at Hilo Port. Travelers explore Rainbow Falls and Volcanoes National Park. Excursions include snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay. Local markets sell poke. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures lava fields and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes loco moco, a Hawaiian favorite. Souvenirs, like macadamia crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance volcano hikes. Hilo’s natural charm offers a vibrant Hawaiian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of volcanic landscapes and marine adventures, making Hilo an engaging destination for exploration.

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, no docking; ships anchor offshore with zodiacs to Big Island coast. Travelers view lava flows from zodiacs. Helicopter tours spot active craters. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season year-round; eruptions variable. Photography captures red lava. Dining onboard features poke. Souvenirs, like lava rocks, in ship shops. Briefings on safety. Sun protection essential. Kilauea’s ongoing eruptions offer dynamic volcanic spectacle.

Returning to Seattle — see Day 1 above for port info.