The Singles Club Alaska tour group in front of the Riverboat Discovery.
Ellie Daly and Doug Krause
On July 26, PebbleCreek Singles Club members including President Doug Krause, Vice President Jim Staude, Activities Chairperson Ellie Daly, additional Creekers, family members, and friends “40 strong” gathered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to embark on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam for a 14-day sea and land adventure through Alaska. The first week took us along the famed glacier route. Our first stop, Ketchikan “Alaska’s First City”—welcomed us with its rainforest charm, colorful Creek Street, and salmon fighting their way upstream. Some members enjoyed the popular Wilderness Exploration Cruise & Crab Feast, a four–hour outing through George Inlet featuring a crabbing demonstration and a feast of fresh Dungeness crab.
Our second stop was Juneau, Alaska’s capital, tucked between mountains and water. We visited the world famous Mendenhall Glacier, one of the most accessible and dramatic glaciers in Alaska. Its rapid retreat—100 to 150 feet per year—was sobering to witness. Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious salmon feast and capped the day with a lively stop at the iconic Red Dog Saloon.
Our next port, Skagway, brought the Gold Rush era to life. Wooden boardwalks, historic saloons, and stories of stampeders made it easy to imagine the town as it was in 1898.
A highlight of the cruise came next: Glacier Bay National Park. Rangers boarded the ship to narrate the breathtaking scenery—towering glaciers, thunderous calving ice, and untouched wilderness stretching endlessly in every direction. Cameras stayed busy again in College Fjord, where glaciers named after Ivy League schools lined the water like icy sentinels glowing in the northern light.
The ship’s final approach into Whittier revealed steep mountains, waterfalls, and a tiny port that marked the end of our cruise—but only the halfway point of our adventure.
In Whittier, we met our land tour guide and began a seven night exploration of Alaska’s interior. Two nights in Seward offered coastal beauty before we continued to Anchorage. There we visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a 200–acre sanctuary dedicated to caring for injured and orphaned animals. Up close, we saw black and brown bears, moose, elk, bison, muskox, wolves, foxes, and more unforgettable experiences. Our final day in Anchorage was filled with shared meals, laughter, and reflections on the journey so far. Then we boarded the iconic glass dome railcar northward. Panoramic windows revealed forests, braided rivers, and snow–capped peaks as we traveled toward Talkeetna, a quirky town with a big personality. There, many sampled Alaska’s most famous drink—the “Duck Fart,” a memorable mix of Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish Crème, and Crown Royal. From Talkeetna, we continued to Denali National Park. On a history tour, both the North and South Peaks of Mount McKinley were fully visible—a rare gift, as the mountain is often hidden behind clouds. We learned about Indigenous heritage, park wildlife, and the immense presence of Denali itself. Our final stop was Fairbanks, where we visited the Alaska Pipeline, tried our hand at gold panning, and boarded the Riverboat Discovery Cruise along the Chena River. We watched bush pilots demonstrate short takeoffs and landings, visited a recreated Athabascan village, and learned how Alaska Native cultures blend tradition with modern life. The group photo was taken in front of the riverboat.
With sunshine and temperatures reaching 75 degrees, Alaska showed off its best side. Members returned home from Fairbanks—some directly, others through Anchorage—bringing back memories of glaciers, wildlife, gold rush towns, dome top trains, riverboats, and friendships strengthened along the way.
The Nieuw Amsterdam itself felt like a ship with a soul. Polished brass and soft lighting set the tone, but the international crew gave it heart—dining stewards who remembered names by night two, housekeepers who kept every corner immaculate, musicians filling evenings with blues and jazz, and chefs turning meals into celebrations. Ellie, a travel agency owner with 50 years of experience, observed that sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam felt like joining a floating community where every crew member is genuinely invested in making your journey special.
Watch for future PebbleCreek Singles Club trips—open to all PebbleCreekers, family members, and friends.