Adventure meets never-ending fun as RSVP returns to Alaska
for an unforgettable all-gay cruise from Seattle!
Sail with 2000 gay and lesbian guests into the heart of our most majestic state during the height of summer. RSVP invites you to discover a world of such incomparable majesty and scale that no photo can ever capture it's magic. Our biggest Alaska Cruise ever features the best on land and ashore, as we sail from convenient Seattle during the middle of August.
The mere mention of Alaska conjures up images of magnificent mountain vistas and glaciers. But there's more to the 49th state than natural beauty and abundant wildlife, especially if you journey with RSVP aboard the 5-star Westerdam. We'll pamper you with the best of Holland America and RSVP service, inspire you to explore and dazzle you with RSVP's hottest entertainment ever. It's a once-in-a-lifetime journey through America's last unspoiled frontier.
Beyond the incomparable scenery, glacier hiking, helicopter sightseeing, dogsled treks, and wildlife spotting you'll find a welcoming and refreshing all-gay environment ready to cater to your every desire. There's a 3-story theater packed with RSVP shows, Broadway productions, and featured specialty acts. Enjoy our inviting pool deck almost anytime, thanks to a massive retractable glass dome overhead, perfect for sunny Alaskan days. Relax with friends in RSVP’s signature piano bar, or try your hand in the casino. Revel in an RSVP theme party, costume ball, or t-dance with our favorite DJs in a friendly, comfortable setting. Throughout, a welcoming team of RSVP hosts will make your journey with us effortless, entertaining, and incredibly personal.
There's no better way to see Alaska than by ship, and no better ship to see the best than the Westerdam! Get ready for adventure as RSVP returns to Alaska during the height of summer.
Venture forth to see, feel, and taste Alaska. In every one of our ports, the opportunities for adventure multiply. Pick your favorite glacier – there are over 100,000 to choose from – and go where few have gone before. See how fast whales can swim, as you view them from a waterjet-powered catamaran. Whatever you choose to do, you'll be led by knowledgeable and passionate guides.
From gay-friendly Seattle, we'll head north through scenic Puget Sound on our way to a spectacular day in Glacier Bay National Park. The pioneering spirit lives on in Alaska's capital city of Juneau with a unique mix of cosmopolitan chic and frontier ruggedness. Spend an afternoon whale-watching, salmon fishing, or on an invigorating mush across a glacier aboard a genuine Alaskan dogsled. Want a bit more action? Try river rafting, sightseeing from an eagle’s point of view on a floatplane, or glacier explorations by helicopter.
The magic continues in Sitka with views of Island-studded waters, stately spruce forests, jagged mountains and a towering volcano surrounding Alaska's most beautiful seaside town. In addition to being the jumping-off point for seaplane excursions into the Misty Fjords National Monument, Ketchikan is also the ancestral home to the Tlingit tribe. You can also find the world's largest collection of totem poles if you're not ready to board a floatplane or kayak to explore the surrounding area.
Finally, we'll spend an evening in seductive Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to Seattle.
Your Ship - Holland America's Westerdam
There's no better ship to sail Alaska than the ms Westerdam, offering more features and pampering service than any other ship sailing the Pacific Northwest today. Some of the highlights include:
• spacious modern staterooms with verandahs for private dining, sunning, relaxing, and taking in the magical sights outside
• sparkling pools, one with a retractable dome, to let you enjoy the summer sunshine in style
• sumptuous dining options from the outstanding Pinnacle Grill to an abundant and casual Lido Buffet
• decadent pampering in The Greenhouse Spa and Salon to refresh and rejuvenate after a long day of exploring.
At the heart of the Holland America experience is a warm and award-winning style of service that's never in the way and never out of reach. Our specially trained crew takes pride in anticipating and fulfilling your every wish and everyone is dedicated to providing you with gracious and personalized service. It's no wonder Holland America is considered one of the world's best premium cruise lines
On Board by Day
There are so many things to do on board, you might be tempted to miss the spectacular sights outside! You’ll experience the best in RSVP entertainment along with our signature t-dances, outstanding performers, enriching lectures, and endless onboard amenities. All the perfect complement to the adventures that await you on land.
Culture hounds can:
• Take a hands-on cooking class from the Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food and Wine Magazine
• Attend the Explorations Speaker Series featuring experts on relevant topics like history, culture, astronomy, and more
• Check out the Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times with over 2,000 books, music listening stations, Internet access, puzzles, and more
• Go on a self-guided iPod® art tour of the ships' multi-million dollar art and antiques collections.
Fitness fans can:
• Work out in the fully-equipped Fitness Center
• Take a class in low-impact aerobics, spinning, yoga or Pilates
• Play a game of basketball, ping pong, tennis, volleyball
• Power walk around the ship
• Swim in one of two outdoor pools
Hedonists can:
• Rejuvinate at the elegant Greenhouse Spa & Salon with massage rooms, thermal suites and more
• Take a soothing Jacuzzi
Shopaholics can:
• Purchase works of fine art at our art auctions and arrange for in-home delivery
• Go duty-free shopping for brand names such as Lladro®, Swarovski®, Waterford®, Gucci®, Givenchy®
On Board by Night
When the Alaskan sun finally sets, get ready an evening of diverse choices. Just open your stateroom door and you're only steps away from adventure—whether it's a quiet romantic evening or a get down and dirty one.
• Start the evening with drinks and dancing in the Ocean Bar
• Try your luck at the blackjack table
• Take a gaming lesson from a professional card shark
• Catch an extravagant Las Vegas style production in the state-of-the-art show lounge
• Watch a recent-release movie Stop by the Crow's Nest for a highball or two or three
• Go to the Explorer's Lounge for an after-dinner drink or espresso, hand dipped chocolates and classic music
• Tune in to great music in the Piano Bar
• Go to one of RSVP Vacations famous theme parties
Events & Parties
We know how to keep you entertained, and have been doing it strong for 20 years. Here are some of the events and parties we're planning for you.
RSVP "Costume" Contest
RSVP's most famous event, and our guest's all-time favorite. The most creative costume (finalists judged by the passengers) is awarded a Cash Grand Prize. Let your imagination go… no holds barred!
Dining
One thing you will never be on this cruise is hungry. From a quick bite poolside to a formal five-course affair (yes, we are still talking about food here), our chefs know how to orchestrate a truly memorable dining experience. Whether you're in the mood for a filet mignon in the intimate Pinnacle Grill, a burger and fries by the pool, or a low carb, kosher, vegan meal on your verandah, the choice is always yours.
Elegant dining options include:
• The Pinnacle Grill: an intimate, reservations-only restaurant featuring Sterling Silver premium beef, seafood dishes inspired by the Mediterranean and many select wines rated "Excellent" by Wine Spectator, not to mention, distinctive Bvlgari china, Riedel stemware and Frette linens.
• The Main Dining Room: five-course menus, from continental cuisine to vegetarian and low-carb, plus, an extensive wine list, all beautifully served in this elegant panoramic dining room.
Relaxed dining options include:
• Lido Restaurant: dine indoors or out—for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This restaurant with a totally relaxed ambiance, features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties.
• Terrace Grill: wear your swimsuit and dine right on deck while you feast on delicious freshly prepared foods.
Additional options include:
• Explorations Café featuring pastries and espresso drinks
• Daily afternoon tea service, elevated to Royal Dutch High Tea once per cruise
• Ice cream bar featuring complimentary treats
• Complimentary hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour
• Hand-dipped chocolates in the Explorer's Lounge after dinner
• Late-night buffet and chocolate extravaganza in the Lido Restaurant—just in case you didn't get enough to eat already!
• Complimentary 24-hour room service.
The Main Dining Room
If you're in the mood to dine in style, make a b-line to the Main Dining Room. Each evening your server will present menus of sumptuous five-course selections, from appetizers and drinks to entrées and dessert, while a quartet plays soft dinner music. Savor seared sea scallops, filet mignon topped with crab and Hollandaise, and wines rated "excellent" by The Wine Spectator. Fresh herbs and imaginative combinations make lighter fare an equally tempting choice. We gladly offer a kosher menu and can easily meet special dietary needs upon request.
• Elegant five-course meals featuring signature dishes
• Menu design under the direction of Master Chef Rudi Sodamin
• Executive chefs who have been inducted into the prestigious Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international food and wine society
• Fine Rosenthal China and sparkling stemware on crisp white table linens
• Two expert servers per table, selected for their proven abilities to remember guest preferences
• Knowledgeable wine stewards adept at pairing wine with food
• Surrounding panoramic ocean views, as well as fine art and antiques
• A choice of four dinner seatings—eat early or late or something in between
The Pinnacle Grill The Pinnacle Grill offers a level of elegant sophistication unmatched anywhere on the seven seas. Guests who dine at the intimate, reservations-only Pinnacle Grill will enjoy candlelight and fine décor, creating a romantic ambiance that sets the stage for fresh dishes and select wines. Creative and innovative menus, drawing from regional ingredients of the highest quality, will delight the palate and ignite the senses.
• Aged Sterling Silver beef, known for its superior marbling, taste and tenderness
• Fresh seafood dishes such as Cedar-planked Halibut with Alaskan King Crab Hollandaise or Dungeness Crab Cakes
• An extensive wine list featuring many selections rated "Excellent" by Wine Spectator
• Luxurious appointments including Bvlgari® china, Riedel® stemware and Frette® linens
• Intimate, reservations-only dining
The Lido Restaurant The Lido Restaurant—with its pool and terrace on one side and the ocean all around—is the hallmark of the ms Westerdam. It features an extensive menu, such as carved meats, fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, pastas, and salads. And as always, impeccable service provided by our attentive, yet unobtrusive staff, is never far away.
• Bountiful breakfasts, featuring fresh-squeezed orange juice, cooked-to-order omelets, pancakes, fresh fruits, natural cereals, and yogurts
• Lunch cuisine from around the world, including Asian stir-fry, traditional Mexican dishes, Sushi, pizza, pasta, gourmet sandwiches, and an extensive salad bar
• Made-to-order dinner entrées and tableside waiter service
• Dine indoors in the air-conditioned comfort or enjoy the fresh air on deck
The Terrace Grill
Whether indoors or out, you can, enjoy a relaxed delicious meal at the Terrace Grill.
• Got an appetite for American cuisine? Get grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings
• Assemble your own creation at the Festive Taco Bar
• Beverages available from the Terrace Bar
*Itinerary subject to change. RSVP recommends that flights depart after 11am on disembarkation day.
Seattle, Washington
The Emerald City of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is known for its stunning waterfront and gay-friendly atmosphere. Seattle has long been made fun of for its months of dreary weather, but when the sun comes out, this city shines. "Catch" a salmon at Pike Place Market (yes, they throw real fish), take a ride to the top of the Space Needle, sample a local microbrew in funky Fremont, or down a cup of java in the coffee capital of the world. Gay Seattle is primarily centered around Capitol Hill, a quaint, friendly neighborhood.
Glacier Bay, Alaska
As a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay National Park protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in concert with an ever-changing glacial landscape. Our ship gently cruises into this pristine oasis, suddenly you hear the sound of thunder as a monumental chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The impact shoots water hundreds of feet into the air. Cameras spring into action, and you hold your breath as you catch the moment on film. Then you wait for it all to happen again. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world.
Juneau, Alaska
Size is everything in Alaska. And the massive Mendenhall Glacier lives up to the challenge. Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, the town of Juneau has the ice fields at its back door. Juneau is the place to let your imagination run wild. You can explore the lush Tongass National Forest. Visit the rustic shops in town, or get out and kayak, dogsled, raft, hike, whale watch, "flightsee" or just cruise for lumberjacks. Climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a great spot to hike and shoot a souvenir photo. There's no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours.
Sitka, Alaska
The onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral are your first clue that Sitka was once a Russian settlement - the colonial headquarters of Count Baranof, no less. You will be greeted by native Tlingit people, then stand on the spot where the US took possession of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million, less than two cents per acre. The dramatic setting in the shadow of Mt. Edgecumbe is one of the loveliest in the Great Land. Stroll through old growth forest in Sitka National Historical Park, shop the downtown district, and poke around the Sheldon Jackson Museum for a close-up look at some of the city's most prized arts, crafts and Russian relics.
Ketchikan, Alaska
Built out over the water and climbing weathered stairways, Ketchikan clings to the shores of Tongass Narrows and drapes the mountains with a cheerful air. Besides the main attractions - Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village, try a flightseeing trip to breathtaking Misty Fjords National Monument - a transformational adventure not to be missed. These deep water fjords left by retreating glaciers left granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls cascading into placid waters. The souvenir photos you'll take from the pontoons of the plane are worth the trip alone.
Victoria, Canada
A touch of England awaits: afternoon tea, double-decker buses, the famed Butchart Gardens - a brilliant tapestry of color spread across fifty blooming acres.
The staterooms on the ms Westerdam are, in a word, blissful. Luxury is found in every detail, from the oh-so soft and supple bathrobe to the dark and dreamy chocolates on your pillow at night. And, as if that weren't enough, 85 percent of all staterooms have ocean views and 67 percent have verandahs, which means you have a 152 percent chance of never wanting to leave your stateroom once you enter.
Signature Touches In Every Stateroom
• Luxurious Euro-Top™ beds and premium linens
• Daily housekeeping to tidy belongings and keep staterooms immaculate
• Large, extra-fluffy Egyptian cotton towels
• Lighted magnifying mirrors; massage showerheads; salon-quality hair dryers
• Luxurious terry cloth bathrobes
• Televisions with DVD or VCR players
• Generous storage space
• Complimentary fresh fruit
• Complimentary 24-hour in-room dining
• Nightly turndown service
• Complimentary shoeshine service
• Complimentary ice service
The Suite Life
For guests choosing suite accommodations, ms Westerdam offers a host of extra complimentary services that will forever spoil you for any other stateroom class.
Verandah Suites and Superior Verandah Suites
• Personalized cruise stationery
• Elegant bathrobe for use on your cruise
• Fresh flowers and fruit assortment
• Oversized bath towels
• Feather pillows on request
• Luxurious beds featuring Sealy® Premium Euro-Top mattresses and finely woven cotton linens
• A no-host mini-bar for easy entertaining in your suite
• DVD or VCR player and the use of an extensive DVD or VHS tape library
Facilities
The ms Westerdam features 11 decks offering an incredible variety of options to please even the pickiest passenger. And in addition to all the standard ship choices there are all of the RSVP Vacations signature events, parties and activities.
Sports
• Fully-equipped state of the art fitness center
• Classes in low-impact aerobics, yoga and Pilates
• Basketball, ping pong, tennis, volleyball, swimming and jogging
Spa
The Greenhouse Spa & Salon, the world's largest and most luxurious floating spa, featuring:
• Thermal suites
• A hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy pool
• Heated ceramic lounges, and more
Shops
Duty-free shopping featuring international luxury brands such as Lladro®, Swarovski®, Waterford®, Gucci®, Givenchy®
Bars
• The Crow's Nest, where sweeping views make this observation lounge a top choice for relaxing during the day. In the evening, the Crow's Nest transforms into a hot nightclub featuring RSVP Vacation's corps of hot global DJs and live acts.
• The Ocean Bar for cocktails and dancing
• The Explorer's Lounge for an intimate after-dinner coffee, hand-dipped chocolates and soft music.
• The Piano Bar for a night of singing and/or vamping
Entertainment
• The Vista Show Lounge features Las Vegas-style productions, talented vocalists, illusionists, comedians, and variety acts.
• Northern Lights Disco, the swankiest night spot on board
• Casino action featuring blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, slots, and more
• Movies with all the new releases as well as delicious hot buttered popcorn at the door
Culture
• The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food and Wine Magazine, is the setting for gourmet cooking demonstrations and interactive classes.
• Self-guided iPod® art tours of the ships' multi-million dollar art and antiques collections
Holland America's Westerdam
We help you select the best cabin according to your requirements
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Special Airfares
Port Fees $195
Gratuities are paid onboard at a rate of $11/day per person. - are additional
Rates: Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Prices do not include airfare, optional port excursions, bar charges, or spa services. All prices are subject to change.
Single Supplement - A single traveler pays the full rate of a cabin based on double occupancy.
If the category you'd like to book is waitlist only, you have two options:
(1) Confirm another category and waitlist for the category you desire. If that category doesn't come available you will be responsible for the category you confirmed.
(2) Put in a waitlist-only request. Simply complete the RSVP Reservation Request form, which can be downloaded from our website. Fill in all the information including the payment section. Submit this to your travel agent.
All reservations are subject of RSVP Terms & Conditions please read them before booking request!