Diane's 70th birthday · Aug 27 – Sep 4, 2027

Boston to Glacier Bay

Fly to Seattle, spend a night by the water, then seven nights on Holland America's Eurodam: Juneau, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria. Here's the whole trip, day by day, for Diane, Jane, Justin and Dave.

Diane · guest of honorJaneJustinDave
9days
1night in Seattle
7nights on Eurodam
6ports & glaciers
Seattle and Mount Rainier at dusk · public domain
  1. BostonFri Aug 27
  2. SeattleAug 27–28
  3. At seaSun Aug 29
  4. JuneauMon Aug 30
  5. Glacier Bay + Icy StraitTue Aug 31
  6. SitkaWed Sep 1
  7. KetchikanThu Sep 2
  8. Victoria, BCFri Sep 3
  9. SeattleSat Sep 4
  10. BostonSat Sep 4
Flight Eurodam Glacier Bay National Park

The itinerary

Nine days, hour by hour

Seattle and Alaska are on Pacific and Alaska time, three and four hours behind Boston. All times below are local. Ship times are Holland America's published schedule. Flight and dinner times are suggestions.

Getting there & back

Flights, transfers and the hotel

Flying out

Boston Logan → Seattle-Tacoma, nonstop on Alaska Airlines, Delta or JetBlue, about 6 hours 20 minutes westbound.

  • Aim for a morning departure around 8 am, landing around 11:30 am Pacific with the afternoon free.
  • Fly the day before (Friday the 27th). Never fly in on the morning of a cruise.
  • Rough fare: ~$350–550 per person round trip in economy. Late-summer fares climb, so book in spring.

Around Seattle

Airport → downtown hotel
~30–40 min
Rideshare XL (4 + bags)
~$70–100
Link light rail
$3 pp · 40 min
Hotel → Pier 91
~15 min
Rideshare XL to the pier
~$30–45
Pier 91 → airport
~35–45 min

Holland America sails from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, Pier 91 (2001 W. Garfield St.), northwest of downtown. With four people and luggage, an XL rideshare or a pre-booked car is easier than the train. Confirm the pier on your cruise documents.

Flying home

  • Eurodam arrives at 7:00 am on Sat Sep 4, and you'll be off by about 8:00–9:30 am at your assigned time.
  • Book a flight leaving after about 12:30 pm. SEA → BOS is about 5 hours 15 minutes, landing around 9:30 pm Eastern.
  • Port Valet (free): sign up on board and your checked bags go straight from the ship to your airline. You get boarding passes before you leave the ship. It's for flights after 11 am with participating airlines.

Birthday splurge

The Edgewater

Built out over Elliott Bay at Pier 67, where the Beatles once fished from their window. Waterfront rooms look toward the Olympic Mountains, a lovely kickoff for a 70th.

~$450–700 / night · 15 min to Pier 91

Classic & convenient

Mayflower Park Hotel

A charming 1927 hotel in the heart of downtown, steps from the Westlake light rail and a short walk to Pike Place. It runs a cruise shuttle to both piers (about $15 per person in 2026).

~$250–350 / night · cruise shuttle

Closest to the pier

Lower Queen Anne / Seattle Center

Hotels like the Mediterranean Inn, near the Space Needle, are about 2 miles from Pier 91. It's a quieter evening and the shortest ride on boarding day.

~$200–300 / night · 10 min to Pier 91

The budget

What the whole trip costs

For all four travelers, with two verandah cabins. The cruise fare is Holland America's sampled price. Everything else is a realistic estimate to plan around.

Estimated total

Optional extras: Holland America's Have It All package bundles drinks, a specialty dinner, Wi-Fi and excursion credit, and is often a good deal for a celebration. Also consider travel insurance.

To-do list

Booking timeline

  1. Now · Nov 2026
    Book Eurodam: two verandah cabins side by sideAsk for adjoining or connecting cabins, and tell them about Diane's 70th. Consider adding Have It All.
  2. Winter 2026–27
    Check all four passportsVictoria is in Canada, so everyone needs a valid passport. Renewals can take weeks.
  3. Early 2027
    Reserve the Seattle hotelPick a refundable rate for Friday, Aug 27, with two rooms.
  4. Spring 2027
    Book flights, BOS ⇄ SEAOut Friday morning, home Saturday after 12:30 pm.
  5. Once open
    Book shore excursionsBook Misty Fjords, dog sledding and Point Adolphus whale watching first, since they sell out. Use Holland America's online planner.
  6. ~90 days out
    Final payment (around late May)Check the exact date on your booking.
  7. 2–4 weeks out
    Online check-in & boarding timePick an arrival window in the Navigator app and print luggage tags.
  8. On board
    Sign up for Port ValetBags go straight to the airline on the way home.

What to pack

Dressing for late-August Alaska

~75°Seattle highs
~60°Juneau & Sitka
~50°Glacier Bay on deck
Rainlikely some days

Wear in layers

  • Waterproof rain jacket with a hood
  • Fleece or puffy mid-layer
  • Warm hat & light gloves for Glacier Bay
  • Waterproof walking shoes

On board

  • Two "Dressy night" outfits
  • Swimsuit for the spa's hydro pool
  • Binoculars, ideally one pair each
  • A small daypack for port days

Documents

  • Passports (all four)
  • Cruise documents & luggage tags
  • Excursion confirmations
  • Travel insurance details

Nice to have

  • Camera with a zoom lens
  • Motion-sickness remedies
  • Reusable water bottle
  • A birthday banner for the cabin door!

August 2027

Happy 70th, Diane

Seventy years deserves glaciers, whales, a moose or two and a sunset over the Inside Passage with the people who love you. See you on the balcony.