Into the Wilderness: A Cruisetour Day in Denali

By Emily Mo

Note: Please enjoy this guest post from Emily, one of our team members, about her first Alaska cruisetour.

• When you take a cruise-first cruisetour, the land portion of an Alaska Cruisetour starts the day you leave the ship, and the logistics, including your luggage, are handled for you.
• A cruisetour combines guided experiences, like the domed train journey, with free time at the Holland America Denali Lodge to enjoy dining, meet the sled dog puppies, and get ready for both included excursions and any additional experiences you choose to add. Booking early gives you more date options, plus access to early booking offers, like the one that covered meals for the land portion of my trip.

My alarm went off at 7:30 a.m., and for once I was ready to jump out of bed.

Yesterday I said goodbye to Westerdam and today I will get to ride on the train to Denali!

Here’s how it went: a domed railcar from Anchorage to Denali, arriving at the Holland America Denali Lodge, an evening of wandering the property, dinner at Karstens Public House, and an early night before a morning in the park.

The best part of the morning we boarded the train was how little I had to do. My big suitcase needed to be outside my hotel door by 7 a.m. so it could travel to Denali ahead of me. I packed my toiletries, a change of clothes, and my most important items (my Kindle, of course!) in my carry-on, so I set the suitcase out the night before and slept in. Holland America gets it to Denali, where it met me in my room, which allows me to enjoy exploring with less to worry about.

Tonight, I’ll be sleeping with a view of Denali National Park, and between Anchorage and Denali is a full day on a train through some of the most gorgeous views in the country.

Pro tip: Pack a small carry-on bag with what you need for the day and a change of clothes — future you will thank you!

After breakfast, we headed to the train station by coach. Holland America’s railcars are double-decker with a glass dome upstairs for the views and a dining room below. I found my assigned seat, the train pulled out, and Anchorage was gone before I knew it.

From there, the views kept changing — spruce and birch forests, wide rivers, and sprawling panoramas. Our guide narrated throughout, sharing history, pointing out landmarks and calling out wildlife. We saw lots of gorgeous birds, but not what I was really hoping for — moose!

Lunch was downstairs in the dining room. I booked my cruisetour during a Have It All Early Booking Bonus promotion that included the Cruisetour Dining Package for the land portion of my trip. On the train, that covers your entrée, so my wild Alaska salmon BLT-O was taken care of. I added a cup of salmon chowder and a Diet Coke, which are extra, and worth it. Without this offer, you can still add a dining package before your trip or pay as you go. Salmon chowder with a river sliding past the window is about as Alaska as lunch gets.

I enjoyed the rest of the train ride watching the views, reading, playing cards, and chatting with the group around me.

The train pulled into Denali in the late afternoon, and about seven minutes later we were at the lodge. There’s no real ‘check-in’ here. I received my welcome packet while I was on the train, which included my schedule, room keys, and meal vouchers.

I headed right down to my room on the second floor of a building, along the river. It opened into a small living room with a TV, couch, and chair (plus a coffee maker!) and that led to the bedroom with a nice queen-size bed, standard bathroom. And then the best part — the window with a view overlooking the Nenana River and Denali National Park.

I felt in awe of this gorgeous place — the serene, quiet nature, and the looming mountains. The lodge sits across the river from Denali National Park, and after a few days at sea, it felt like coming home.

I dropped my backpack and went right back out. The property is truly made for wandering, with walking trails, the main lodge, a few shops, and Denali Square, where everyone seems to end up by evening. If you prefer not to walk, a shuttle runs throughout the property, so getting around is easy no matter how you choose to do it.

First stop, setting a dinner reservation at Karstens Public House. Pro tip: Lock in your table before you start exploring, especially if you have a specific time in mind.

Then, puppies! I’ll be honest, this was the moment I’d been looking forward to all day. Just outside of the main lodge, they bring in future sled dog puppies. Yes, you can hold them, and yes, they are as cute as they sound! Between cuddles (and nips!) I learned about what these well-cared-for pups’ lives will look like ahead.

Next, I stopped at the excursion desk to plan the rest of my stay. There’s a long list to choose from — river rafting, walking tours, and more. I picked the Covered Wagon Adventure with Backcountry Dining. Spoiler: it was a bumpy ride but so worth it for a tasty meal, gorgeous views, and getting to pet the horse!

Pro tip: Popular excursions can fill up, so if you have your heart set on one, book ASAP!

Last stop before dinner: the Grizzly Grind, the café in the main lodge with coffee and grab-and-go food. My included Tundra Wilderness Tour left early the next morning, so I pre-ordered a boxed lunch to take into the park and scoped out the coffee situation for the morning!

Karstens feels like a mountain lodge in the best way with fireplaces, a long bar, and giant windows that frame the views. It’s warm, comforting, and casual, the kind of place where the table next to you compares wildlife spotting with you. My Dining Package covered an appetizer and an entrée, and I made full use of both!

I started with the reindeer sausage, Tillamook cheddar, and pickle plate. If you’ve never tried reindeer — here’s your chance! It was delicious and perfectly paired with a slice of cheddar and a pickle. For my entrée, Alaska halibut fish and chips, because when in Alaska! As expected, also it was delicious — I’m really rounding out my fish must-haves on this trip! I also added a Wonder Lake Lemonade and a Karstens signature cocktail, named for the lake deep in the park, famous for its reflections of Denali on a clear day. Drinks weren’t part of my package, but hey, when on vacation!

After dinner, I wandered back to Denali Square. A fire was going, there was live music, and I made s’mores, which felt mandatory. Then I took a short evening nature walk around the property. It was still light out well past dinnertime, which takes some getting used to!

Back in my room, I laid out layers for the morning, charged my phone, and set the alarm for 6 a.m. Tomorrow is the Tundra Wilderness Tour that is included — a coach ride into Denali National Park to look for bears, moose, Dall sheep, and more! This is included with your cruisetour when you stay two or three nights at Denali Lodge.

Tours run all day, with some groups heading out earlier than mine and others leaving in the afternoon, so check your tour departure time when you arrive. I was so eager to get into the park, and hopefully finally spot a moose for myself!

Looking back, the easiest parts of the day were decided months before I ever started my vacation.

I booked during the Have It All Early Booking Bonus promotion. Not only did this include extra perks for my time on the ship, but it also included the Dining Package that covered my meals on the train and at Karstens (or other restaurants around the lodge). Plus, you can use your Have It All shore excursion credit to prepurchase your land excursions before your trip!

Ready to plan yours? Explore Alaska cruisetours and book before November 2nd with only a $99 deposit, including the Cruisetour Dining Package and other limited-time extras.

Access Exclusive Deals & More