Alaskan Adventure 2024 Memories
June 15-22, 2024

We had another amazing Alaskan Adventure in 2024! There’s a reason this is our most popular cruise every year and we could not have imagined a better time with perfect weather, whales putting on a show for us everywhere we went, and everyone in our group becoming fast friends. This was our largest group since before COVID because many of our clients brought their families and we felt so honored to be welcomed into everyone’s family circles to the point where we felt like one of their relatives!

We got to watch families connect with each other but also friendships be forged that we know will last forever. It was wonderful being able to explore Alaska with all our new friends and make travel dreams come true for so many people, some of whom we will be welcoming back onboard for our autumn Caribbean cruises!

We also welcomed onboard our special guest Alexander “Sandy” Halperin who you may know from his CNN profile “Sandy’s Story: Fighting Alzheimer’s” which can be found HERE , his advocacy work for individuals with Alzheimer’s, or his work on LinkedIn sharing our upcoming cruises that he will be joining us on. We are so happy to be part of helping him live life to the fullest and make travel possible for him and his wife Gail.

All our travelers lived life to the fullest on this trip though and we had so many interesting people in this group. We had people doing adventure sports like kayaking and ziplining, artists handing out drawings and bringing their guitars everywhere, trivia and history buffs sharing their knowledge with our group (did you know a whale tail is basically their finger print, we didn’t know that until this trip!), and even an amateur magician teaching us card tricks. There was never a dull moment and we loved every single second of this Alaskan Adventure.

We also loved getting our caregivers get to take a break and share their stories. While we always have some programming in conference spaces on our Holland America ships we love getting out of the room and taking caregivers to spaces where they can really let loose like the hot tub on back of the ship. When else will you get the chance to relax in a spa tub surrounded by glaciers? Only on our Alaskan Adventure!

While caregivers were getting the chance to relax our Elite staff was making sure their loved ones were well taken care of and getting to do something they enjoyed. Some of our activities on this cruise while caregivers were away were hiding ducks around the ship for other travelers to find, playing family feud, art therapy, music therapy, trying new foods at tea time, walking the promenade deck, visiting the gym, and decorating doors to celebrate our travelers’ special occasions. We actually had TWO 50th anniversary celebrations on this trip plus a few birthdays and we can’t think of a better way to party than with us on our Elite supported cruises!

Alaskan Adventure
June 15-22, 2024
Seattle to Seattle

Join us on our most popular Elite supported dementia-friendly cruise and caregiver retreat when we depart Seattle and head north to Alaska for an adventure like none other! Watch for whales right from the ship, get up close to a glacier, and enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Alaska in picturesque port towns. Marvel at some of the most beautiful scenery the northwest has to offer and recharge your spirit on this once in a lifetime caregiver respite, Elite-supported cruise.

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Where We’re Taking You

Day 1: Welcome aboard the MS Eurodam! On day 1 of our voyage we’ll get to know each other over lunch onboard before going up on deck to wave goodbye to Seattle. After getting settled in our cabins it’s time for a night out with a nice dinner and then exploring the entertainment venues such as the casino or BB King Lounge.

Day 2: This day at sea features workshops and conferences with our rotation of speakers and workshops throughout the day with a two hour caregiver respite session in the afternoon. After group dinner it’s time for another night on the town at one of the ships many venues.

Day 3: We’ll spend the morning on the observation deck as we cruise through scenic Stephen’s Passage, enjoying coffee and tea while watching the absolutely stunning scenery. After lunch we’ll arrive in Juneau whe

Day 4: Enjoy the wild beauty of Glacier Bay from the bow of the ship and get ready for a morning of breathtaking scenery. We also recommend a soak in the hot tub where you’ll keep nice and warm as you watch as we pass by mountains and glaciers. In the evening we’ll arrive at Icy Straight Point and guests can have a leisurely dinner along the water, enjoy an excursion, or visit their museum.

Day 5: We’re spending the day in Sitka! We’ll tour the town, watch for whales, and even try some reindeer hot dogs. We may even see some totem poles! In the evening we’ll meet up again for a specialty dining experience onboard the ship.

Day 6: This morning will be spent in charming Ketchikan where we’ll see a lumberjack show, take a trolly tour, and do some souvenir shopping. When back onboard in the afternoon it’s caregiver respite time before we all come together again in the evening for dinner.

Day 7: This day at sea will be spent enjoying more conferences and workshops with our guest speakers before arriving in the evening in Victoria, BC. After dinner onboard we will take a tour of the town before heading to bed so we can wake up refreshed in Seattle.

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We offer the following on every Elite Cruise so you and your loved ones can enjoy life to the fullest:

• Group accompanied by medical professionals, including RN support 24/7, as well as trained support staff. Staff to client ratio is 1:4.
• Meet and greet at airport
• Accompanied excursions
• Group dinner seating
• Exclusive group events such as music therapy, interactive educational and support seminars for caregivers, and Memory Café sessions that ensure all caregivers have time to themselves each day

Clients with neurological diagnoses, post CVA, slow walkers, diabetes, heart disease, and families that feel more comfortable with RN clinical support are appropriate to travel with us.

Wheelchair accessible and mobility accessible staterooms are available on a first come first serve basis. All cabins on the ship can be retrofitted to be accessible with elevated toilet seats, shower chairs, and detachable shower heads at no additional cost. Arrangements can be made to rent assistive devices such as scooters, power wheelchairs, etc.

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Caregiver Conferences & Support

Connect with other caregivers on our cruises and find the support you need with caregiver circles and educational seminars on caregiving managing, self care, diagnosis/prognosis, and neuroplasticity concepts and activities. These sessions are exclusively for our group and feature new guest speakers on each voyage as well as our team of professionals including Kathy, a geriatric neurology nurse with adaptive technology certification. Additionally get the time to regroup, relax, and recharge with daily two hour respite sessions where our team will take over your caregiving duties and you have the break you deserve.

NEW FOR CAREGIVERS: We now feature caregiver breakfasts! Join other caregivers for a breakfast with your new friends while the Elite staff takes over and makes sure your loved ones enjoy their favorite morning foods. You deserve a relaxing start to your day and a chance to enjoy breakfast at your own pace!

M.S. Zaandam offers vacation experiences for all ages!

Create lifelong memories with all generations of your family on this impressive vessel. Younger family members will enjoy dedicated activities and entertainment at Club HAL while adults unwind at Greenhouse Spa or keep things lively at B.B. King’s Blues Club. All generations can come together for some fun at the spacious Sea View Pool or at one of the many music venues on board.

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