First major cruise ship in 25 years arrives in Anchorage

May 24, 2010

M.S. Amsterdam is the first cruise ship to come in to Anchorage in 25 years. (Jason Kohler/KTUU-DT)

by Jackie Bartz
Monday, May 24, 2010

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The M.S. Amsterdam sailed into town Monday, marking a milestone at the Port of Anchorage. The ship is the first major cruise ship to visit Anchorage in 25 years.

It definitely doesn't look like the usual cargo ships docked here.

The 780-foot cruise ship towers over the Port of Anchorage.

The unusual sight on the Anchorage horizon cruised into Cook Inlet shortly before sunrise.

"What a great visual you've got the beautiful ship on this side, the mountains," said Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan.

"We are very excited about the first ship," said Bill Sheffield, the Port's director.

Holland America's M.S Amsterdam is the first cruise ship of its size to dock at the Port of Anchorage.

It sailed in with 1,400 passengers eager to explore Anchorage.

"Oh it's been beautiful we've been up here we've been a lot of places but this is really beautiful," said Duane Peterson, from Minnesota.

Passengers were welcomed with the sights and sounds of the city.

"I've always wanted to come here and I came here about 10 years ago with my friend and we wanted to come back it was so nice," said Nancy Rehfeld, from California.

Taxis and tour buses lined the Port, making it easy for people to get where they needed to go.

Many booked adventures in advance, but others are just happy on their own.

"We're going to take the trolley in just a little while, take a tour of Anchorage and we're basically just kind of looking at the city," said Arkansas resident Leota Pendergraft.

As the sun goes down, the ship will head out.

The M.S. Amsterdam set sail around 11 p.m. Monday and will be back in two weeks, and again for a total of nine visits this year.

Contact Jackie Bartz at jbartz@ktuu.com.

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