Cruise Port Guide · Alaska
Alaska’s Glacier Days
Most Alaska cruises include at least one scenic glacier day, when the ship sails slowly into a fjord or bay to see a tidewater glacier up close. Which glacier you see depends on your itinerary, and our consultants have been to three of the most popular.
Alaska’s glaciers at a glance
Our consultants who’ve been here
Karie, Patty & Susan
“If I had to pick one highlight, this was it. Icebergs floating by!” – Karie
Our Top Alaska Glacier Days
Our recommendations on what to see and do, based on our own experience in port.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
Karie’s favourite day of her whole cruise! Endicott Arm is a long, narrow fjord south of Juneau with steep mountain walls and waterfalls tumbling down the sides. As the ship slowly makes its way in, the water turns a bright turquoise from the glacial silt, little icebergs drift right past you, and at the very end sits Dawes Glacier.
- Who went
- Karie, on Royal Caribbean®
- Where
- South of Juneau
- Highlight
- Turquoise water and icebergs
- Watch from
- The top decks or your balcony
Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier is North America’s largest tidewater glacier, and Patty says it was an amazing view. Her group saw seals and bald eagles along the way, and the mountains were full of waterfalls everywhere they looked. The best part was watching the glacier calve: it sounded like a gunshot, then the ice crashed into the ocean!
- Who went
- Patty, on Royal Caribbean®
- Famous for
- Massive calving ice
- Wildlife
- Seals and bald eagles
- Listen for
- The thunder of calving ice
Glacier Bay and Johns Hopkins Glacier
For Susan, Glacier Bay National Park was the highlight of her whole Emerald Princess cruise. Towering mountains, ice everywhere and massive glaciers flowing right down to the water. Her ship was one of only two sailings that season able to get into Johns Hopkins Glacier, where the brilliant blue ice looked almost unreal and you could hear it cracking and shifting.
- Who went
- Susan, on Princess Cruises
- Where
- Glacier Bay National Park
- Good to know
- Only some ships are allowed in each day
- Highlight
- Johns Hopkins Glacier
Cruising the Inside Passage
The Inside Passage is a protected route of channels and fjords that winds between the islands and the mainland, lined with forested mountains on both sides. It was one of Karie’s absolute favourite parts of the trip, and Patty’s group spent two relaxing scenic days here, exploring the ship and enjoying the views.
- Who went
- Karie and Patty
- What you see
- Islands, fjords and forests
- Water
- Calm and protected
- Good for
- Relaxing ship days
Tips for Your Glacier Days
Popular things to do that we book for clients.
Book a balcony cabinOn a glacier day, a balcony means front-row views without fighting for a spot at the railing. Patty’s group watched Hubbard Glacier from their balconies, and it’s perfect for warming up between photos.
Watch for icebergsAs you get closer to the glacier, small icebergs and chunks of ice drift past the ship, some of them a stunning bright blue. Karie loved watching them float by in the turquoise water of Endicott Arm. Have your camera ready!
Bring binocularsThe scenery is huge, so binoculars help you spot details like waterfalls, seals on the ice and bald eagles on the cliffs. A zoom lens is great too. Our consultants saw seals and eagles on their glacier days!
Know Before You Go in Alaska’s glaciers
- Dress warmly: even in summer, it’s cold near the ice. Bring a warm, waterproof jacket, a hat and gloves.
- Check the daily schedule: the ship’s daily planner tells you when you’ll enter the fjord or bay, and the best views start well before the glacier.
- Ask which glacier you will see: itineraries visit different glaciers, such as Dawes, Hubbard or Glacier Bay, and conditions can change the plan.
- Bring your passport: Alaska cruises visit U.S. ports. Bring a passport valid for at least six months past your return date (the safest rule of thumb).
Alaska’s glaciers FAQs
Quick answers for your day in port
What is a glacier day on an Alaska cruise?
It’s a scenic cruising day when the ship sails into a fjord or bay to see a tidewater glacier up close. There’s no port stop, so you watch from the decks or your balcony.
Which glacier is best on an Alaska cruise?
It depends on your itinerary. Our consultants loved Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm, Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park. Ask us which one your sailing includes.
Will I see a glacier calve?
Often, yes! Patty watched Hubbard Glacier calve and said it sounded like a gunshot before the ice crashed into the ocean.
Do all Alaska cruises go to Glacier Bay?
No. The park limits how many ships can enter, so only some sailings include it. We can help you find one that does.
Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise from Vancouver?
Alaska cruises visit U.S. ports, and Canadians must travel with a valid passport. We recommend it be valid for at least six months past your return date. Some destinations only require three months, but six months is the safest rule of thumb.
Does it cost more to book an Alaska cruise with a travel agent?
No, there’s no fee to book a cruise with Travitude Travel Group. You get a travel consultant who has actually been to Alaska and can help you choose the right ship, itinerary and shore excursions.
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Tell us how you like to travel, and we’ll help you find the right ship and itinerary, including the glacier you want to see.