The crew does an incredible job of making the day comfortable and interesting, and the glaciers do their part by being beautiful, easy to see, and active. Resident species like orcas can be seen in Alaska year-round. Considered an "ice flow", it floats through valleys under its own weight. ALASKA GLACIERS CRUISES BOOK NOW Keep it cool with the best Alaska Glaciers vacation. . If youre trying to decide whether to book the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise, read on. to Anchorage (Whittier), stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. If you are visiting Whittier only for the cruise, there is not much point in staying overnight. 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award. We have the perfect adventure for you! If you are looking for an adventure, the 26 Glacier Cruise is a must-do! Anchorage, AK 99503 Accessed from Whittier, Alaska, 60 miles south of Anchorage, Prince William Sound is shielded from the Gulf of Alaska and has generally calmer waters. Theres plenty of wildlife to spot on a 26 Glacier Cruise, even if thats not your primary objective. Watch for adorable sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, Dalls porpoise, whales, mountain goats, black bears and migratory birds. Now, all you have to do is wait for your tour to start! From Anchorage or Girdwood, you can drive, add our daily coach service, or the Alaska Railroad to your journey. Many cruises visit at least one glacier along the route, while some glacier-focused cruises view dozens of glaciers on a half-day tour. Alaska Cruises 2023-2024 - Cruise to Alaska - Princess Cruises Alaskas glaciers have shaped the surrounding landscapes for millions of years. Many cruises visit at least one glacier along the route, while some glacier-focused cruises view dozens of glaciers on a half-day tour. Valdez | Best Activities & Attractions | ALASKA.ORG Reserved seating in heated cabin. Anchorage, Alaska 99501. . 13 years ago. Paddle a kayak through glacial lakes and navigate the tiny bergs that dot the surface. (This is especially nice as Prince William Sound can definitely get hairy during bad weather! Best glacier day cruise - Alaska Forum - Tripadvisor Spending a day in Glacier Bay is a must for an Alaska cruise, whether it's your first time visiting Alaska or your tenth voyage there. Despite being much smaller and offering fewer amenities in town, plus being a little more complicated to reach, the 26 Glacier Cruise is worth the effort. Your email address will not be published. 1 day tour 2:57 pm. Alaskas glaciers are another highlight of day cruises in the state. We strive to respond within 24 hours. How about we go up to the 14th and BAM! I've never heard of a finback whale before but it was pretty wild to see an 80ft animal swimming through the water. Look for whales, porpoises, and seals along the way. - Offered in: English Explore our promoted experiences Seward, Alaska If you include all of our islands, Alaska has almost 46,600 miles of shoreline far more than any other state making cruises an ideal way to explore Alaskas vast coastal and marine habitats. GoNorth Travel Center - GoNorth Alaska It's home to wildlife, and its rivers are brimming with salmon and trout. The experience was truly unique and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Alaska. In any lifetime, there are a handful of experiences that come to define what is considered exceptional. #travelreels #travelnurselife #alaskaadventure #alaskaliving #girdwoodalaska #helicoptertour #glacierviews #alaskaisdream, The City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska, encompasses 4,710 square miles, making it the largest city in the United States. It's really just a day cruise away so you can surely find orcas, humpbacks, grays or beluga whales. Sitting at the top of the list of travel trends here. All the boxes were ticked. 2023 Alaska Tours. Located an hour from Anchorage Glaciers and wildlife, its what visiting Alaska is all about! Required fields are marked *. Traveling brings people together with enriching, shared experiences and the best travel memories are made when surrounded by friends and family. Nature & Wildlife. Looking for an incredible day where glaciers are abundant, wildlife flourishes and Alaskas spectacular scenery provides endless panoramic views? Glaciers are our specialty. Glacier & Wildlife Cruises | Visit Anchorage I dont often take a really firm stand when there are so many great companies offering cruises that I want to support, but Ill be the one to say it: Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise has the best Alaskan day cruise lunch of any Ive tried. In addition to day cruises, cruising to and around Alaska on a multi-day cruise itinerary is one of the most popular ways to explore the state. If you love animals, you will definitely enjoy this aspect of the tour. The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau's most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). Striking black-and-white markings. Wait breathlessly for ice to thunder into the sea. Also, you should know it can get VERY cold and windy on the boat, so make sure to dress warmly and in layers. Valdez offers day cruises to see glaciers and wildlife, kayakin g, great fishing, wildlife viewing, and tons of hiking trails. The rugged Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is the location of the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. THE TOP 10 Alaska Day Cruises (w/Prices) - Viator Lastly, theres a gift shop/supplies area if you need anything else, ranging from souvenirs to seasickness meds and extra hats, gloves, and hand warmers. Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Portage Lake are three popular day cruise options out of Anchorage. These "Cruise Tours" let you observe the inner cities and National Parks of Alaska allowing you to visit such places as Mt. 99 Tours & Activities Why you are seeing these recommendations Reserve Now & Pay Later Valley of Glaciers Experience with Portage Glacier Cruise and Wildlife Tour 58 Reviews Badge of Excellence Anchorage, United States Save to Wishlist From $215.00 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Ride the Alaska Railroads Glacier Discovery train from Anchorage or Girdwood to Whittier, Alaska. Tracy Arm is one of Alaskas best-kept secrets, rivaling other, better-known Alaska attractions. Each Glacier Discovery itinerary showcases two pristine wilderness areas, home to some of the best glaciers in Alaska. Book now seats are selling fast this summer! See it all in one day! Alaska cruises. Your questions answered | Royal Caribbean Blog The boat's crewmembers double as naturalist guides, pointing out the best sights and helping you spot wildlife. Visiting from {country-flag} {country-name}? I recommend booking your tour in advance, especially if you are visiting during peak season (May-September). Late September and early October often mark the time when many of Alaskas humpback whales journey south to Hawaii and Mexico for the winter to breed and give birth. Also, definitely wear a windproof jacket. Lets start at the beginning: booking, checking in, and getting onto the ship. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers millions of acres and contains seven tidewater glaciers as well as mountains and deep fjords. Our award-winning glacier cruises depart from Whittier, Alaska the Gateway to Prince William Sound. Keep reading for all the details! In fact, Im pretty sure we saw more than 26 of them! Tours Cruises of Kenai Fjords National Park - Alaska Collection Phillips Cruises & Tours, LLC provides glacier cruises from Whittier, Alaska. Some even stay in Alaska all winter, preserving the calories they would have spent traveling back and forth thousands of miles. The experienced captains will navigate the boats to the end of glacially-carved fjords and bays to view the towering walls of ice. 907-777-2800 . I would also recommend bringing binoculars if you have them. Photo credit: Maridav / Alamy Stock Photo, Culture Rich: An Invitation to Share Our Way of Life, The Best Ways to Experience Alaska's Glaciers, Whale watching in Alaska sure is fun and exciting, not to mention accessible too. Our environmentally controlled jet boats are designed to safely navigate Alaskan rivers Leave the crowds behind, small group adventure is what we do. 509 West 4th Ave. Anchorage, AK 99501. 3) We rented a boat for several days, which gave us access to locations and experiences we would have otherwise been hard pressed to duplicate. Come spring, gray whales migrate through Alaska's waterways on their way to their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas in the Arctic Ocean. Cross glaciers off that bucket list. Day 6 - Exit Glacier 5:36 pm. Mountains, valleys and fjords all come from the slow march these monuments make every day. Planning a Multigenerational Vacation To Alaska, Tips for Visiting Alaska's National Parks, 26 Glacier Cruise/Phillips Cruises And Tours, LLC. Alaska solo cruise - late September - Alaska Forum - Tripadvisor From Anchorage or Girdwood: $339. Were approaching the face of a huge tidewater glacier, looking in awe at the stunning blues, towering ice formations, and dramatic crevasses that are visible from our small, low perspective on the waters of Prince William Sound. DAY 5 - Tuesday , Jul 04. Sailing down it gives you a view into some of the most dramatic vistas in the north. You'll also get a new perspective on Alaska's magnificent seabird colonies, which make their homes on sheer cliffs. Each Glacier Discovery itinerary showcases two pristine wilderness areas, home to some of the best glaciers in Alaska. This fully narrated cruise tour is available from June until August. Deeply connect to this otherworldly place, its snow-covered peaks, "living" ice and fascinating wildlife. 2) I still cant believe we camped right next to this amazing little stream, complete with numerous (rapidly deteriorating) ice caves. Spot some belugas outside Anchorage in the Turnagain Arm, and humpbacks are easy to see outside of Juneau. gtag('event','view_item',{"items":[{"id":"143-ADULT","name":"26 GLACIER CRUISE ADULT","category":"Cruise","quantity":1,"price":'179.00'}]}); Travel through North Americas longest shared rail/vehicle tunnel to reach Whittier. 800-208-0200 or 907-245-0200. A small population usually does stick around but the chances are pretty slim. - Season: May - Sept $330+ per person Full Day Alaska Saltwater's small-group whale watching, wildlife, and glacier tours offer daily excursions into the pristine Kenai Fjord National Park. In particular, our route took us up College Fjord, which is so named for the nearly two dozen glaciers that line both sides of the waterway; on the left are some of the famous mens Ivy League colleges, while the womens colleges line the right. Experience coastal Alaskas stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. Listen to Margerie Glacier's signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Glacier Bay (Cruising), Alaska. We are the original Kenai Fjords wildlife and glacier cruise operator, since 1974. See the orca whales of Resurrection Bay on this early season Seward cruise. Some of the glaciers we saw in College Fjord included: Yale Glacier, Harvard Glacier, Columbia Glacier, and Seward Glacier. During these visits, your cruise ship will sail into a fjord and stop within sight of one of Alaska's magnificent glaciers, such as Hubbard Glacier or Dawes Glacier. Account. Phillips Cruises Glacier Tour Whittier Alaska Prince William Sound. Explore Prince William Sound from Valdez with the Local Experts! Self-Drive & Cruise May 6 Oct 1, 2023 9:15 AM 8:30 PM, Coach & Cruise Package May 6 Oct 1, 2023 9:15 AM 8:30 PM, Rail & Cruise Package May 13, 20, 21. This Alaska Cruise Packing List Is Expert-approved - Travel Alaska Day Cruises | Alaska Land Tours | Cruise Excursions Cruise in comfort on high-speed catamarans to see dynamic glaciers and wildlife up close in College Fjord and Blackstone Bay. (On my cruise through Prince William Sound with John Halls Alaska we also saw a bear, puffins, and whales. As I said earlier: if your goal is to see glaciers in Alaska, the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise is an ideal way to do so. The town of Whittier, Alaska is located just south of Anchorage. If you have the time to spare and would like some sense of adventure, then a cruise is well worth it. From October to April, our office is open Monday Friday. Cruise to Glacier Bay National Park and let the landscapes and wildlife show you what makes it so worthy of the utmost protection. Popular destinations for river cruises include the Susitna River in Talkeetna, the Chena River in Fairbanks, the Copper River in Cordova, the Knik River in Palmer, and the Stikine River in Wrangell. After decades of operating in these waters, they know exactly what to offer to keep everyone happy on board. You can spend 6 - 30 days depending on what you want to do and see, how much time you have and how much money you want to spend. Blackstone Bay reveals a natural amphitheater carved by mighty glaciers and shimmering waterfalls cascading against the dark rock to the sea. ), Speaking of weather and the motion of the ocean, thanks to the catamaran style of Phillips Cruises and Tours ships, youre going to feel a lot less wave action than on other types of ships. Family pods moving in unison. Many day cruises offer lunch or dinner options onboard, and a few also offer short side excursions like hiking or kayaking. Seeing glaciers is one of the top things to do in Alaska, and draws many visitors there each year. I hope this 26 Glacier Cruise in Whittier, Alaska review was helpful! Day Cruises in Prince William Sound. The, Alaskas national parks are nothing short of awe-inspiring and breathtaking. #alaska #visitalaska #thelastfrontier #travelalaska #vacationplanning #traveldestination #whalewatching #alaskawhalewatching #alaskanmarinelife, Juneau, Alaska Monthly travel tips, highlights, and savings! We work with agents and advisors to provide the best Alaska experience for your clients. Click that link to get started, or let me know any questions you have about the experience in the comments below! Outfitted with museum-quality art, from 19th-century oils to photographs. The one thing I wanted to do in Alaska was see whales. Spend seven days traveling from Vancouver, B.C. Coach and cruise packages from Anchorage and Girdwood make travel easy to Whittier, Alaska. For a full-day glacier and wildlife experience, try the Northwestern Fjord Cruise. I have booked 26 Glaciers cruise. Harbor seals haul out on icebergs with their pups, and Dalls porpoises surf along the boats wake with amazing speed. From rugged cliff habitats for dozens of seabird species to tiny plankton that serve as food for giant whales, Alaska's marine environments are rich places. This one-day adventure is 9:45 AM to 9:15 PM. As you cruise through Browse tour, Travel from Seward on this day trip deep into the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park to the magnificent Northwestern Fjord on this full-day Alaska whale watching, wildlife, and glacier cruise. Steller sea lion colonies haul out on rocks and are an entertaining sight as they let bark loudly and dive into the water. Portage Glacier Cruise & Tour with Transportation - Gray Line See the Alaska glaciers of Endicott Arm, including Dawes Glacier, and revel in the walls of ice that stretch stories above the waterline. Once you arrive at your table, you can pull off a few layers and settle in for the days adventure without worrying if someone will take your spot. Glacier Bay itineraries are always one of the most popu lar . Cruise on calm waters to see wild sights on our popular 26 Glacier Cruise or Glacier Quest Cruise. If you are exploring Alaska by a rental car, take a trip to Valdez for the Columbia Glacier cruise, which travels into Prince William Sound to explore Columbia Bay and its enormous namesake tidewater glacier. Alaska Glacier Cruises: Best Alaska Glaciers Vacation | Royal Caribbean Beverages like tea, water, and coffee were also included and you could purchase alcoholic drinks for a reasonable price at the cruise`s bar. 7 Night Alaska Glacier Cruise | Royal Caribbean Cruises Explore Alaska glacier and wildlife cruise options below. Our excursions share with travelers Columbia Glacier or Meares Glacier as well Glaciers and wildlife, its what visiting Alaska is all about! Our popular 26 Glacier Cruise and Glacier Quest Cruise explore glacier carved fjords while cruising on calm waters in Prince William Sound. (Here Im not sure the exact name of the one we stayed at because they all look like one big ice field on the map!) Visit the kittiwake rookery before returning to Whittier. Retrace the 1899 Harriman Expedition route in Prince William Sound, exploring ice-filled bays, narrow passages, and deep-water fjords carved by glaciers and surrounded by the pristine wilderness of the Chugach National Forest. Mr. V and I made our way to Whittier through the famous tunnel, spent a little time exploring Whittier, and boarded our 26 Glacier Cruises boat the M/V Bravest with a goal of seeing glaciers. Migratory whale species can only be seen during certain months, with gray whales traveling along the Alaska coastline in the spring and fall on their annual migration to Arctic waters, and humpback whales taking up residence in Alaska from May through October to spend the summer feeding before returning to their winter breeding grounds in Hawaii. See the Great Lands glaciers, wildlife, and national parks. I must say that I never in my life imagined it would be possible to see so many glaciers in one day! Let Alaska's best cruise operators take the wheel on an Alaska glacier day cruise or whale-watching cruise so you can make more amazing Alaska memories in one day than most people get in a lifetime. Portage Glacier Cruise Tour | Gray Line Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our back-to-back Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise. 2023 Tour Dates: March 16 - September 25, 2023. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. Where will your Alaska adventure take you? #juneau #alaskaadventure #alaskalife #alaska #alaskadaily #travelalaska #mendenhallglacier #glacier #nature #fireweed #wildflower #thelastfrontier #naturelovers #naturephotography #alaska_untamed #alaskaserved, Join Celebrity Cruises Alaska sailing for a journey beyond your wildest dreams. Phillips Cruises Glacier Tour Whittier Alaska Prince William Sound I want to watch glacier calving- does that happen in Prince William Sound? #fuji #fujixe1 #xe1 #explore #chasinglight #peoplescreative #letsgosomewhere #neverstopexploring #vsco #justgoshoot #patricianguyenphotography #instagood #photooftheday#visualsoflife #thecreatorclass #makemoments #liveoutdoors #princesscruises #alaska #juneau #juneaualaska, View of Sitka Harbor on a beautiful day. This one-day adventure is 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Come spring, gray whales migrate through Alaska's waterways on their way to their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas in the Arctic Ocean. https://t.co/Co4lhbauXx Climb aboard a comfortable coach for a narrated journey along Turnagain Arm Drive. You'll admire the scenery and enjoy lunch before returning to Valdez Harbor on this six-hour tour. Regarding the current health situation, everyone was required to wear masks indoors while onboard at all times. Before wrapping this up, I wanted to provide a few last tips to make sure your glacier-viewing experience is perfect. Click here to accept. Learn More >, Cruise the coastline of Kenai Fjords on this six-hour wildlife and glacier tour from Seward. We never take more than six guests per tour so you always get the VIP treatment Cruise to within 300 yards of the face of Portage Glacier aboard our custom sightseeing vessel, the mv Ptarmigan. All Rights Reserved. The tour includes a U.S. Forest Service naturalist guide, reserved seating, and an onboard lunch. Where else could you spot a black bear foraging on a rocky beach, observed by a bald eagle in a tree, with a pod of whales cruising just offshore? Knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide, Four Points by Sheraton Anchorage Downtown, 6 National Parks in Florida You Have to Visit, 24 Stunning Canyons in the US to Add to Your Bucket List, When and Where to See Animals in the Wild: Guide to Wildlife Watching, 7 Best Places to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, 7 Top Nature Adventures in Santa Barbara, CA, 26 Glacier Cruise in Alaska Tour Review, Things To Do in Nantucket: Nature and Wildlife, 11 Things to Do Near Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, 50 Outstanding Safari Destinations Outside of Africa, Blue Mountains by Train: Walks, Views and Waterfalls, Australian Parrots: Guide to all 57 species of Parrots in Australia. This Alaska national park boasts abundant wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers, and breathtaking scenery. Alaska Day Cruises | Kenai Fjords, Glaciers, Wildlife | AlaskaTravel.com Orcas live in the waters surrounding coastal Alaska, including outside Seward, near Kodiak, in Whittier's Prince William Sound, in Glacier Bay, Icy Strait, and Alaska's Inside Passage. I totally get that its not the crews job to police disrespectful passengers, but I would have appreciated a few announcement reminders to help curtail the blatant disregard many people were showing. Seward Fishing Charter and Processing 3:43 pm. 1. This approx 5 hour cruise will take you to some of the most beautiful glaciers in Alaska, with ample opportunity to capture some great pictures with friends and family. Learn More >, Enjoy knowledgeable narration plus epic views on this shorter afternoon cruise through Resurrection Bay. #TravelTuesday #Travel #Cruises #Alaska https://t.co/MLCWVsSMxC, Our Glacier Cruise was amazing! Day cruises on the ocean are available in most parts of the state, but they're especially popular out of Sewardin Kenai Fjords National Park, Whittier and Valdez in Prince William Sound, and all the way up and down the Inside Passage, with popular spots including Glacier Bay National Park and Misty Fjords National Monument. 245 reviews. Get face-to-face with frozen giants. But this sunset could have had me bawling. Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers Cruise - Princess Cruises For inquiries or to book by phone: 1.888.478.3346. A few great promotions end on January 7th. Day Cruises in Alaska | Travel Alaska *Mind Blowing* Anchorage Day Cruises | Sail Out To See Glaciers And | ALASKA.ORG Learn More >, Make a lunch stop at the famed Fox Island on this popular five-hour wildlife cruise in the calm bay waters just outside of Seward. Day 4: Denali NP 9:34 pm. I'd love to help you plan your trip, so be sure to call me or send me an email when you're ready to start planning. Enjoy the intimacy of a small group on an Anchorage day tour as you travel along the Turnagain Arm along the Seward Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the country. In particular, the cruise route takes you from Passage Canal (where Whittier is located), across Port Wells and around Esther Rock, up College Fjord, and into Blackstone Bay. The final stop on the itinerary, Ketchikan, is located in the breathtaking Inside Passage. #cruising #sitkaharbor #fishingboats #fishing #boating #glacierbaynationalpark #cruiseship #sitkaalaska #alaska #sitka #eurodam #alaskacruise #tourist #adventuretravel #northtoalaska #halcruises #hollandamerica #alaskacruise #cruisealaska https://t.co/CW7uGJPI7G, Glacier Bay National Park - Alaska On board, you can view Prince Williams Sounds diverse wildlife, including sea lions, sea otters, and whales. 7 Nights Alaska Dawes Glacier from Seattle, Washington - Celebrity Cruises . Learn More >, Dorsal fins up to six feet tall. Thats super handy after standing out near the face of the glacier when your hands get chilly. Enjoy our exclusive Alaska programming, Alaska Up Close on board. Last but not least, we entered Harriman Fjord, where we saw seven glaciers, including the Coxe Glacier, Barry Glacier, Cascade Glacier, Serpentine Glacier, Baker Glacier, Surprise Glacier, Cataract Glacier, Roaring Glacier, and Harriman Glacier. Marketing by LeapUp. Find countless adventures in three charming ports. Order our Official State of Alaska Vacation Planner and plot your course. Text and images are by Cami of Travel Cami (excluding the featured image). With ice colored in vibrant blues and bright whites, Matanuska is a sight to be seen on an AlaskaCopper Rivercruisetour.