Glacier Viewing: Updated for the 2021 cruise season
Alaska cruises sail deep into the Inside Passage to get you to a glacier. And Glacier Bay National Park is our favorite place to see one.
You’ll glide across smooth water through fjords and inlets. You’re surrounded by scenic beauty for hours until you reach a towering, mile-wide glacier. It is our favorite way to spend a sea day.
To help you prepare for your own glacier visit, I highlight which cruiselines are visiting Glacier Bay National Park in 2021, what to pack, and which wildlife to look for.
Benefits of cruising Glacier Bay National Park
Alaska cruise itineraries include either Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, or Tracy Arm fjord. (And some unique itineraries will get you to two glaciers in one week!)
We haven’t seen the Hubbard Glacier yet but hope to do so on a future cruise.
Of our past three cruises to Alaska, two included Glacier Bay National Park and one included Tracy Arm fjord. Both are scenic and photogenic, but if you have to choose one, I recommend Glacier Bay National Park.
Steely water, floating icebergs, misty skies, and rising mountains highlight your views as you sail through Glacier Bay National Park towards the glacier.
Unlike alternate glacier visits, when you visit Glacier Bay National Park, national park rangers board the ship. This is a value-added feature that enhances your voyage. A ranger provides broadcasted commentary and is available out on desk to point out highlights.
When you sail through Glacier Bay National Park with Holland America, cups of steaming pea soup and glasses of wine enhance your time on deck.
The park rangers also set up an information table on ship to enable you to ask questions, purchase books and maps from Alaska Geographic, and learn more about Glacier Bay.
Glacier Bay is a natural treasure and World Heritage Site, and the National Park Rangers do a great job of imparting why.
Mishap at the Information Table
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Also, the rangers bring an ink stamp for your national park passport book. The book is called Passport to Your National Parks and is a fun way to track your visits to American national parks.
Most importantly, this small, navy spiral-bound passport is not to be confused with the small, navy official passport provided by the US government.
But that confusion reigned with at least one fellow passenger who I encountered. As I approached the information table with Passport to Your National Parks in hand, a fellow passenger was getting ready to stamp her real passport. I tried to politely explain the difference. She (stubbornly? stupidly?) assured me it would be fine.
Sputtering, I muttered, “You might not want to mess with an official document issued by the federal government…” I trailed off as she gave her official passport a hearty stamp. Thwump!
Sigh.
What happened at the information table didn’t stay at the information table!
Use Passport to Your National Parks to track which National Parks you’ve visited when. (The ink stamps are conveniently dated). And leave your real passport out of it!
Which Cruise Lines sail to Glacier Bay National Park
The National Park Service offers contracts that permit selected cruise lines to sail into Glacier Bay. Traffic is limited to two cruise ships per day and with a limited number of sailings for the cruise season. In doing so, the NPS endeavors to minimize air and water pollution and ships’ impact on marine mammals in Glacier Bay.
The day’s second cruise ship in Glacier Bay National Park can be seen in the distance.
For the 2021 Alaska cruise season, these are the cruise lines sailing into Glacier Bay:
- Holland America
- Princess
- Norwegian
- Seabourn
- Viking
The five lines above plus Cunard and Royal Caribbean have contracts with the federal government that permit them to sail in GBNP during 2019-2029. As of September 2020, Cunard and Royal Caribbean aren’t listed on the 2021 GBNP cruise schedule but may sail there in the future.
Tour boats of day-trippers are dwarfed by the large cruise ships and soaring scenery.
The blues and grays of the water and ice meet at Glacier Bay National Park.
What you’ll see as you cruise Glacier Bay National Park
As this map from the National Park Service shows, you sail for hours to reach the glacier. Source: www.nps.gov/glba
Sometimes the Crack! and Splash! of a calving glacier will ring across the serene silence of Glacier Bay.
Your cruise ship will park in front of the glacier so you can be on the lookout for calving ice.
Otherwise, it is a very quiet and peaceful bay, home to otters, harbor seals, humpback whales, and bald eagles.
Your binoculars come in handy when you see animals, such as this bald eagle, resting on icebergs.
I delighted in watching the otters swimming by far below us.
Look for bears at the water’s edge or along the mountainside.
We spotted these brown bears in the distance while cruising near Glacier Bay National Park.
What to pack for your sea day in Glacier Bay National Park
Bundle up! Most of the prime viewing will be from your balcony or out on deck.
I hate being cold, so it’s a surprise that I even enjoy this sea day at all.
But to endure it, I really layer up when I’m visiting Glacier Bay! I wear silk thermal underwear (aka longjohns) , SmartWool knee socks, corduroys, merino wool base layer, fleece jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf. Some years I’ve topped it with a wind-breaker. But on our most recent voyage, I was glad I’d packed my winter coat. It’s a big, full-length puffy deal, and it’s not unlike wearing a cozy sleeping bag.
On your getaway to the glaciers, you’ll be glad you packed a camera and lots of layers.
To get a better view of distant wildlife, you’ll also want to pack binoculars.
Naturally, bring a camera or use the one on your cellphone. It’s a long sea day, so make sure your battery is fully charged. You can double-check your supplies with this list of must-have camera accessories.
And pack sunglasses for any sun glare off of the ice.
You will sail through glacial water past silent forests and snow-capped mountains.
A Sea Day to Remember Fondly
Above all, your glacier day is one of serenity and beautiful scenery. The inlets protect you from strong winds, and the calm, fresh air enhances your visit. Nestled amongst such massive displays of nature, the silence in Glacier Bay is a welcome retreat from our busy daily lives.
Let’s make the most of our vacation days!
Have you been to one of the glaciers in Alaska?
Let me know about your experience in the comments!
Karlie says:
This is on my bucket list and your post made the desire so much stronger! This looks incredible. If I make this destination a reality, I’ll keep you in mind to reach out to. Great post! ❤
November 11, 2018 — 1:58 pm
Dana says:
Thanks for your kind words! I hope you are able to cruise to Alaska someday!
November 12, 2018 — 9:08 am
Mexi Alexa says:
It is an exceptionally calm and tranquil straight, home to otters, harbor seals, humpback whales, and bald eagles.
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