The long trip

Song Maimai

Title: Representative of Seattle Tourism

Cruise: Seven-day from Seattle

Ship: MS Westerdam, Holland America Line

Cost: From 4,924 yuan

Seattle is a 10-hour flight from Beijing and as such is one of closest cities in the United States to China.

As a port with a history of running cruises that spans several decades, Seattle has a developed cruise industry and offers a range of lines.

One of the ships to depart from Seattle is the massive 82,500-ton MS Westerdam, owned by Holland America Line's Vista Class.

This liner began service in 2004 and embraces the latest industry and environmental technologies, such as a diesel-electric power plant for optimal energy efficiency and an Azipod propulsion system.

She is the biggest of the three ships at 285 meters. The Westerdam does not set a record for number of passengers, with only 1,916 onboard at maximum capacity, but 85 percent of its staterooms have ocean views and 67 percent have private verandahs.

Art is an important factor on the Westerdam, with a collection that showcases Dutch heritage in the New World. Paintings of historic Dutch ships, such as Henry Hudson's Halve Maen (Half Moon) and various sculptures and statues are displayed throughout the ship. Contemporary pieces include an original Andy Warhol portrait and sculptures by Sedona artist Susanna Holt.

"It is a floating gallery," Song said. "The ship's interior is classically done and, as a result, the passengers were slightly older than on other ships."

Whales, puffins and tidewater glaciers are just some of the draws of the possible routes.

"I went face to face with a gigantic wall of ice that filled my view for miles in every direction," Song said. "It was amazing."

The liner travels through Seattle's beautiful Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, on the way to Alaska's deep green islands, ice-blue glaciers and frontier towns.