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For an adventure, ride one of the two zip lines speeding down 4,600 feet on the side of a mountain. The South Sawyer Glacier is difficult to access as it is at the very end of Tracy Arm Fjord, so the North Sawyer Glacier is much more commonly visited. Its face is a half mile wide, giving excellent viewing opportunities from your ship.
Chichagof Island
As soon as you step off your ship at the Old Sitka Dock, you can’t miss it. A lot of cruisers will stop here for a late lunch after a shore excursion. Unfortunately, if you only have one day in Sitka, it’s really important to know your choices ahead of time.
Where to Get Coffee in Sitka
The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and rain, and the price. Cruises at the beginning (April and May) and end (September and October) of Alaska's cruise season are generally a bit cheaper than those in June, July and August. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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Princess Cruises and Holland America Line will have the most options when it comes to sailing Alaska. However, some other major cruise lines also have multiple ships sailing in the region, including Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. On a clear day, passengers can see eight glaciers in a stunning array of blues and greens at the former stop. Parked in the bay beside Hubbard, your cruise ship will be dwarfed by the immensity of “the largest tidewater glacier” on the continent. With a seven-mile-wide blue face, this “quickly” advancing field of ice calves more frequently than those in Glacier Bay. On the way to our next port, many cruise ship lines stop along the way.
Try local flavors at a variety of eateries, from fine dining to food trucks, and experience what “real” fresh seafood tastes like. Halibut, salmon, scallops, oysters, and more are on the menu, along with fresh-baked goods. Sip local mead, wine and beer, and take a tour of breweries and wineries. Stop at the Cannery Museum to see the importance of salmon and fishing along the waterfront communities.
Cruise Hubbard Glacier
The town of Skagway was once the gateway to the Klondike in Canada’s Yukon territory (the site of the famous gold fields). Alaska offers opportunities for active travelers, history buffs, shopping, wildlife encounters, and sightseeing. The cruises are very different than a traditional cruise to Alaska, with a greater focus on education, enrichment, nature, and the environment. Expedition-style cruises often bring scientists and naturalists to provide lectures and act as tour guides. The activities are often included in the tour price, though you may need to pay extra for some excursions. The cruise tours visit places like Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, the city of Fairbanks, and the Kenai Peninsula.
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Ships first sail into Yakutat Bay and continue to Disenchantment Bay en route to the glacier. In Hoonah you’ll find a totem pole carving workshop, a handful of restaurants, and a few shops. The size of Hoonah makes Juneau feel like a metropolis, but that’s part of what makes the town so charming. Ketchikan is where folks go to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, with athletes wielding axes and saws in traditional lumbering activities.
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Some even include glacier landings, allowing passengers to walk on ancient ice. Passengers can view tidewater glaciers, stunning fjords, and a plethora of marine wildlife, including whales, seals, puffins, and sea lions. The dramatic coastline and ice-carved valleys make this a memorable experience. Beyond the free self-guided walking tour and trails mentioned above, these guided tours take visitors into the dense Alaskan forests and coastal areas. There's a chance to see bears, deer, and eagles in their natural habitat. Trained and knowledgeable guides and naturalists provide in-depth information about the natural sights.
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With record-breaking catches, Icy Strait Point is also a fish-tasting mecca. Nibble on the delicate meat of Dungeness crab or savor in the flakiness of fresh-caught salmon. Home to one of the largest concentrations of brown bears in the world, this unique destination hosts an abundance of wildlife in its forest-lined terrains. Shore excursions provide the best chance to explore the beauty of Alaska or enrich yourself with the area’s deep history and culture.
As you cruise towards Hubbard Glacier, you'll pass through pristine waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dense forests. The scenery changes gradually, offering an ever-changing backdrop of landscapes. Perhaps the most overwhelming feeling when cruising through Tracy Arm is one of insignificance in the face of nature's grandeur.
Because luggage space is at a premium when you’re cruising, I recommend packing a collapsible, leak proof water bottle. You’ll also want to bring some packaged protein bars or other snacks (you’re not allowed to carry non-packaged food on or off the ship). Depending on when you travel, you might experience the phenomenon of the "midnight sun," where the sky remains light very late into the night.
In addition to seeing the legislator chamber, it’s got an amazing collection of Alaskan art. For experienced hikers looking for a more challenging trail with sweeping mountain, water, and town vistas, I recommend the Mount Verstovia Trail. The elevation gain in the beginning and steep steps had me thinking of which desserts I planned to reward myself with once I got back on the ship. But I’ve since found two great trails, the Rainbird Trail and the Deer Mountain Trail. Many cruises offer excursions that focus specifically on wildlife watching, ensuring you get the best chances of sightings. As the ship approaches the glacier, the temperature tends to drop noticeably, and fog can sometimes roll in, adding an ethereal quality to the experience.
Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. When choosing the right Alaska cruise line for you, consider your budget, preferences, and desired level of luxury. Whether you opt for a mainstream or luxury experience, you’re sure to have a memorable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska’s cruise ports.
Seward, Whittier, and Vancouver are the beginning and ending ports for most Glacier Route Alaska cruises. The town of Seward sits on the southern side of the Kenai Peninsula near beautiful Kenai Fjords National Park. It's nestled between bay waters and mountainsides, an environment that's rich in wildlife and best enjoyed by day cruise or kayak. Located along the 1,100-mile Aleutian Islands chain is a unique addition to our list of best Alaska cruise ports.
The most popular time to cruise is June – August, and cruises typically run May – September. Luxury cruise lines often visit less-traveled cruise ports, including Wrangell, Alaska, and Klemtu, British Columbia. In the past, cruise lines sent their older and smaller cruise ships for Alaskan itineraries.
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