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If you're arriving at Glacier Bay on a cruise, you don't have to worry about a place to stay. The bottom line is that, even at midsummer, you should be prepared for any sort of weather. Pack good rain gear, waterproof boots, wool or fleece layers and a warm hat and gloves.
New to cruising
Elias and Kenai Fjords, a world of natural wonders awaits on an Alaska cruise or cruisetour. Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from our smaller vessels to large ships. From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your Voyage of the Glaciers cruise. On our Glacier Bay cruises and Alaska Land+Sea Journey cruise tours, local experts come aboard for an experience that is both filled with natural wonder and enriching.
Preparing for Your Day in Glacier Bay
Holland America Line Set to Debut New 'Glacier Day' and Enhanced Alaska-Focused Experiences on Every Alaska ... - StreetInsider.com
Holland America Line Set to Debut New 'Glacier Day' and Enhanced Alaska-Focused Experiences on Every Alaska ....
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:16:59 GMT [source]
This cruise includes both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier on the itinerary. After spending a day exploring Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, you'll sail on to Hubbard Glacier for a chance to see the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Hubbard Glacier is one of the most active glaciers in Alaska. Watch huge chunks of ice crash into the bay with a deafening and awe-inspiring sound.
What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
While navigating through the park, keep your camera handy at all times. Glacier Bay is a popular hangout for humpback whales; grizzly, brown and black bears; sea otters; bald eagles; and more -- and there's a good chance you'll spot at least one of them. Canada's third largest city feels like a North American metropolis mixed with a small European town.
Or visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and see brown bears, moose and bison living in a protected habitat that perfectly emulates the wild. With the serene majesty of snow-flecked and forested mountains defining its shores, Glacier Bay National Park offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Keep your binoculars and camera on hand as you cruise Glacier Bay to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier, where you may have a chance to witness ice calving. Wildlife abounds in Glacier Bay, so stay ready—you never know when you will see the fluke of a humpback rise out of the water or spot a lone brown bear wandering a wind-swept beach. With temperatures fluctuating between degrees Fahrenheit, dress in layers to make sure you’re comfortable all day.
Tucking into silent Tidal Inlet—the stomping grounds for bears, wolves, mountain goats, eagles—the backdrop is spectacular. At the end of the western-most arm of the bay sits Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. Humpbacks beeline it here each season to feed on krill, zooplankton, and herring.
As noted above, most of Glacier Bay's visitors arrive by cruise ship. The visit to Glacier Bay fills just one day of the seven-night trip. June to August are the best time to visit Glacier Bay as it is warmer and has the longest summer days.
As the name suggests, Glacier Bay is a park all about glaciers. It's home to more than 1,000 of them, and seeing a glacier up close is the big draw for most visitors. While Glacier Bay is open year-round, visitor services are extremely limited outside of the summer season, and nearly everybody who visits comes between May and September. Unlike Yellowstone or Yosemite, you can't visit Glacier Bay on a road trip. There are no roads leading into the park, and the only way to reach it is by small plane, boat or ship. It offers an unparalleled closeness to nature’s untouched beauty.
Juneau - Disembarkation
But for those who want to explore deeper in the park, there are ways to do that, too. From its deepest glacial fjord to its highest peak, Glacier Bay encompasses some of our continent's most amazing scenery and wilderness. On your journey, come face-to-face with massive glaciers and witness seals, whales, eagles, bears, and more.
Park rangers are available much of the day to answer questions, and films on the park are available for watching in the visitor center's auditorium. A ranger program is presented in the auditorium each evening. Birdwatching also is a popular activity in Glacier Bay. There also are island and cliff seabird colonies of gulls, guillemots, puffins and cormorants. The reduction in the number of tidewater glaciers at the park is an ongoing trend.
This commentary, covering the bay’s history, geology, and ecology, adds depth to the visuals, enriching your experience. Staying indoors, playing the TV or music loudly in your cabin (don’t do this), means missing out on the breathtaking auditory experience of Glacier Bay. The awe-inspiring roar can suddenly break the silence of the pristine environment of a glacier calving. Hearing this powerful natural phenomenon is a unique experience that deepens your appreciation for being in such a majestic place. Don’t forget a quality camera for your Glacier Bay visit!
Summer is the most pleasant time to be in Glacier Bay, temperature-wise. But even at the height of summer, it can be chilly, with temperatures topping out between 50 and 60 degrees during daylight hours. Rain is also common, with the area around Gustavus getting around 70 inches a year. My mission is to inspire and help you plan your future Tasty Itinerary with our cruise and travel tips and guides. With 20+ years of coordinating logistics and travel planning, I've taken that expertise to plan our cruise, food, and travel experiences.
Holland America Line to Introduce Glacier Day in 2024 Alaska Cruises - Porthole Cruise and Travel
Holland America Line to Introduce Glacier Day in 2024 Alaska Cruises.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:07:37 GMT [source]
Be sure to bring a pair of binoculars and ask the on-board rangers what to look out for in order to get a closer glimpse at Alaska's most treasured wildlife. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is best explored on an Alaska Cruise or an Alaska Land+ Sea Journey cruise tour. Our ships are perfectly sized for the optimal experience. Prepare for inclement weather, even in summer and dress for rain. Pack a hat, gloves, wool or fleece layers, a warm coat and waterproof gear to comfortably admire the landscape from the open deck of your ship.
During the summer tourist season, Alaska Airlines offers daily service to Gustavus Airport (GST) from Juneau International Airport (JNU), 48 miles to the southeast. An air taxi company, Alaska Seaplanes, offers small-plane flights to Gustavus from Juneau year-round. Ferry service to Gustavus is through the Alaska Marine Highway System, which sends a ferry to the town regularly from Juneau. Only by arriving by cruise vessel (or another boat, including the park tour boat) can you fully experience the park by traveling up the 65-mile-long waterway to a glacier and back.
Cruising to Alaska provides great viewing opportunities no matter where you are on the ship. Learn about Glacier Bay National Park from the people who know it best. While sailing through the park’s deep fjords, park rangers join you on board to share history and facts of the region and its wildlife. As a part of the Junior Ranger program, even kids can participate and earn their own junior ranger badge.
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