Table Of Content
Many of the activities onboard will be suspended to ensure you get the most from this special experience. Our "insider's guide" for cruise ship passengers will help you get the most out of your Glacier Bay day. Knowing that the Observation Lounge was a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the sailing through Glacier Bay National Park, we woke up early to find our place. Sailing through this enchanted bay was a definitive highlight of my Alaska cruise vacation and I'm happy to share it with our blog readers. This summer I did just that — along with my husband and three of our friends, we sailed Norwegian Encore on a 7-day Alaska sailing from Seattle.
Juneau - Disembarkation
Don’t hesitate to ask your cabin attendant for an extra blanket at the beginning of your Alaska cruise. It’s the perfect addition for those chill moments spent admiring Glacier Bay from the comfort of your balcony. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip.
DAY 2 Icy Strait & Neka Bay
Back on the boat, there's a treat in store—the Farewell Dinner and some special memories from your crew. From kelp-lined channels to hemlock and spruce forests, every inch of this far northwest corner is worth exploring. And today’s adventures promise to be as big as the water is deep! Seals and sea lions haul out on rocky outcroppings, resting before they disappear in the water to search for food. If the tides are right, head out in the skiff with one of the guides for a closer exploration of the rugged shore, or perhaps, make it all the way to George Island. Whatever you do—wilderness trekking, skiffing, or paddling—your expedition team guides the way.
Things Not to Miss on Your Next Alaska Cruise Vacation
Accessible mainly by water, cruising is the preferred way to explore, with major lines offering itineraries that include a day in the park. Not only does Glacier Bay provide cruisers with a look at some of the most amazing scenery in the world, but it also offers a diverse array of activities for anyone to enjoy. Explore the remote forests or marvel at the snow-capped mountaintops. Boat into the inlets and hidden coves and discover some of the most amazing Alaskan marine life, including sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters. You might even have the unforgettable experience of seeing a humpback whale. Glacier Bay is home to diverse wildlife, including humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, brown bears, moose, and more.
Day Alaska Round-Trip Seattle: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau
As a longtime travel writer specializing in cruising, I've been to Glacier Bay many times, and it's one of my favorite places in Alaska. But it also offers spectacular mountain scenery, wildlife and — for those who make an effort to come for a multinight stay — wonderful hiking, kayaking and other outdoorsy pursuits. The views, the atmosphere, and the little luxuries all add to a special experience you don’t want to miss.
Holland America to Debut New ‘Glacier Day’ in 2024 - Cruise Industry News
Holland America to Debut New ‘Glacier Day’ in 2024.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:09:43 GMT [source]
Meet Local Alaskans
With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive. From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise. On our Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty.
Glacier & Wildlife Viewing
Even kids and teens can experience all that this national treasure has to offer through the Junior Ranger program. As Glacier Bay National Park Rangers come on board, they can help kids of all ages discover stories of these captivating lands through interactive games, activity books and engaging presentations. By the end of the program, each child receives their very own ranger badge and certificate to symbolize their journey through these unique terrains. You may be booking your Alaskan cruise for the natural beauty of Glacier Bay National Park, but this scenic destination is also the perfect place for viewing animals straight from the ship. The land and waters of Glacier Bay National Park have been a destination for viewing whales, bald eagles, and so much more.
Established as a national monument in 1925 and elevated to national park status in 1980, Glacier Bay covers more than 5,200 square miles — an area about the size of Connecticut. That makes it nearly as big as Yellowstone and Yosemite combined — though much of this area is relatively inaccessible. There’s something about the calm of Glacier Bay at dawn, a serene silence shared with other like-minded adventurers from the solitude of your balcony. My husband, up before me with morning coffee, was captivated by the scenery and insisted that I come out to experience it. Preparations for Glacier Bay start when you decide to cruise to Alaska by finding an itinerary that has secured this route since they are limited in permits. We dive into the following tips on how to maximize this special day.
At nearly 3.3 million acres you’ll be surrounded by a dynamically rugged and wild landscape, where glaciers wind out of high mountain valleys to meet the sea, and Alaska’s most iconic wildlife thrive. Every day there’s a chance to encounter wildlife such as humpback whales, killer whales, black bears and brown bears, sea otter and sea lions, tufted puffins, red-throated loons, and bald eagles. Each day ends in a new anchorage where you can absorb all the wild beauty that Glacier Bay National Park has to offer. A destination eons in the making, Glacier Bay’s pristine landscape makes it one of the top spots on an Alaska traveler’s must-see list.
Your eyes will be glued to the scenery, looking for any signs of movement as Glacier Bay is teeming with life. To help preserve the wonder of Glacier Bay National Park, the National Park Service only permits admission to certain cruise lines. Princess Alaska cruises offer a close-up view to suspended cascades and adored wildlife. As you cruise through the park, feel the wave of tranquility wash over you as you take in the glory of breathtaking glaciers completely undisturbed.
If you're staying in the Gustavus area, you'll probably be eating at the lodge or inn where you're staying or at another one of the lodging properties in town. The town is so small that its dining establishments generally are tied to its lodging outlets. No matter when you go, there's no fee to enter Glacier Bay, which is unusual for national parks. So you can leave your national park annual pass at home.
You’re going the furthest and exploring parts that 99% of visitors never go to. Taylor Bay sea stacks and rocky shores make for good adventure. Or hike the outwash field of glaciers winding down the Fairweather Mountain Range. The cool breeze off the nearby snow and icefields is energizing. If you motor over to Dundas Bay, keep your eye out for bears, humpbacks, and if you’re lucky, a wolf sighting.
Cast your rod into a sea of opportunity on a cruise to Alaska. Enjoy around 8-hours in Glacier Bay National Park cruising by spectacular scenery with one hour spent at the face of Margerie Glacier. Park rangers will provide commentary from the bridge, hold presentations in the Princess theater and wander the open decks so you may ask them questions.
Keep your eyes peeled for porpoises, whales, and sea otters along the way. The National Park Service limits access to the park from May through September and during certain hours of the day. As authorized vessels, Princess ships can spend the day sailing through the park amidst glaciers and wildlife. While it may be summer, Glacier Bay National Park exhibits Mother Nature’s wondrous portraits all year long. The best way to see Glacier Bay National Park on an Alaska cruise is on an unrivaled adventure with Princess. Our unique itineraries take you past a mountainous landscape and across sweeping waters that are difficult to explore by foot.
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