What is a Glacier Cruise Day in Alaska?

If you’ve booked your first Alaska cruise, you may have one (or more) days listed on your itinerary as ‘cruising’ with a glacier, park, or other location listed. While this is not a typical port stop to plan for, you are in for a treat. So what exactly, is a glacier cruise day in Alaska, and how can you make the most of it? 

Following is a rundown of what a glacier cruising day consists of, where these opportunities are offered, and advice on how to make the most of this truly unique Alaska cruise experience. 

What is a Glacier Cruise Day?

A glacier cruise day on an Alaska itinerary typically involves the ship navigating through the icy waters of the region, where passengers can witness the majestic glaciers up close. During a glacier cruise day, you will have the opportunity to see stunning natural scenery, like towering fjords, rugged coastlines, and, of course, massive glaciers. 

It is, quite literally, exactly what the title says - a cruise by one or more glaciers, where your ship will get up close to this natural wonder. If you are incredibly lucky, you might witness large sections of ice break off and fall into the sea, a phenomenon known as calving. 

Tip: Listen for a cracking or bullet sound, this is an indicator that calving is about to happen!

Many times, glacier cruising is listed as a full day on the itinerary for the voyage. Do be aware, that this is not an actual port stop where you will dock, get off the ship, and be able to walk around. Your ship will sail around the parks or areas where the fjords and glaciers are located for passengers to see the sites from the comfort of the ship. Most ships will operate the same as they would on an at-sea day with the onboard amenities open. 

Depending on your cruise line or the size of your vessel, excursions may be offered (usually at extra cost) to board a smaller expedition boat to view the sites even more up close. 

What Glacier Days to Expect in Alaska

Cruise Glacier Bay - This National Park is among one of the most common glacier cruise regions on Alaska itineraries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Glacier Bay is home to numerous tidewater glaciers, including the impressive Margerie Glacier. Fun fact, Glacier Bay (and its surrounding area the Inside Passage) made the Honorable Mention listing of our 2024 Member Choice Awards for the Best Cruise Port! There are a limited number of permits for cruise ships to enter this pristine ecological area. 

Cruise Endicott Arm Fjord and the Dawes Glacier are other options you may see on your cruise itinerary. Endicott Arm is a 30-mile stretch of granite cliffs, valleys, and several waterfalls. At the end is the Dawes Glacier, a 600-foot-tall and mile-wide active glacier. 

Found on many Inside Passage Alaska itineraries is the Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier. The Tracy Arm fjords area is narrower than Glacier Bay, meaning that it can only accommodate ships up to a certain size. Here you will see waterfalls, wildlife, and at the end of the cruise reach the impressive Sawyer Glacier.   

Cruises visiting Seward or Whittier sometimes include visits to Hubbard Glacier, one of the largest and most active glaciers in all of Alaska.

Prince William Sound is commonly listed on cruises departing from Whittier. This region provides views of glaciers like the Columbia Glacier and Meares Glacier.

No matter which glacier cruising area is included on your cruise, be prepared to be awe-struck at the massive ice fields. Seeing pictures or videos of these beautiful glaciers is one thing, but seeing them in person is beyond impressive and one that will leave you with an unforgettable experience and new appreciation for nature.

What Happens During Glacier Cruising?

The number one thing most cruisers do during glacier cruise days is to enjoy the stunning natural scenery, which is unlike anything else in the world. Depending on the itinerary and the time of year, you may also have the chance to spot wildlife such as whales, seals, sea lions, otters, and various seabirds. 

Many cruises offer narration that will sound all over the ship from knowledgeable park rangers or guides who provide information about the local geography, wildlife, and glaciology. They will explain the actual sites the ship is passing by so you know exactly what you are looking at. 

Additionally, the ship may offer special treats like hot chocolate, coffee, soup, or other regionally-inspired delicacies to be enjoyed and help you warm up in the colder weather. For example, Holland America Line recently announced it will offer special Glacier Days programming for its 2024 Alaska cruises that will include scenic commentary, informational viewing stations, talks, and themed culinary experiences. 

If you are lucky enough to score a balcony cabin for your cruise, you can catch the scenery from the comfort of your own stateroom. Trust us, drinking coffee and sitting in your PJs while staring at a glacier is truly a remarkably unique experience! If your side of the ship is not directly in front of the glacier at first view, just be patient and it will be in time. The Captain will rotate the ship so that every angle of the ship has a nice view of the glacier. 

Read Related: Top 5 Reasons to Book a Balcony Cabin in Alaska

Which Cruise Lines Offer Glacier Cruise Days?

You will find glacier cruise days offered on the itineraries of mainstream, premium, luxury, and expedition cruise lines. 

Mainstream and premium cruise lines Holland America, Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise Line all sail in Alaska and include a glacier cruise day. We recommend checking out these lines if you are looking for a big ship experience with spas, casinos, and activities galore, all paired with the highlights of Alaska. Explore Mainstream and Premium cruise line sailings in Alaska 

 A number of luxury lines such as Silversea, Seabourn, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Cunard, and Windstar all offer cruises in the region, most with multiple scenic cruise days on the itinerary. See All Luxury Cruises to Alaska

Several cruise lines offer Expedition sailings in Alaska, such as Lindblad Expeditions, Un-Cruise Adventures, and Alaskan Dream Cruises. These brands feature small ships that can navigate rugged terrain, allowing guests to get closer to the glaciers and other natural phenomena. Expect to spend more time up close to nature as these expedition lines are known for a more in-depth ecological experience. 

Ship size is a big factor when it comes to glacier cruising and what you can expect to see from your sailing. The smaller the vessel, the closer it will be allowed to navigate and get up close to the actual glacier and surrounding areas. Larger vessels are not able to get as close or sail in certain fjords/areas due to their size, but. No matter which cruise line and ship you choose be prepared for spectacular views and a day spent enjoying nature's beauty.

Quick Tips for Glacier Cruise Days

Following are some recommendations to make sure you make the most of the unique experience that is a glacier cruise day:

• Bring a pair of binoculars so you can see the scenery up close. You never know when you might spot a whale, bear, or calving iceberg nearby. It is great to have a tool to see the action from the ship. Check with your cruise lines to see if they offer binoculars to use in the stateroom.
• Find out when your ship arrives at the fjord or glacier park area, and be ready on deck or an indoor public area with large picture windows for the best viewing. The sites and memories are worth the early wake-up call. 
• Have your camera ready! Make sure your phone or camera is properly charged before arrival. You will want to snap photos to remember the experience, not reminisce about a dead cell phone battery.  
• Layer up. Dress warm and dry, it is likely to be cooler and possibly rainy. 
• Pick a viewing location before the glacier cruise day. We recommend scoping out where you will want to be on the ship for the viewing. That way you are not wandering from deck to deck, searching for a suitable spot. 
• Listen to the audio presentations from onboard park rangers. You will learn a lot about the science and history of the region, and why it is significant. 
• Live in the moment. Take some time to just observe and take in the experience. Put down your camera for a few minutes to be fully present in natures beauty. The experience of being surrounded by towering glaciers and pristine wilderness is truly awe-inspiring! 

What questions do you have about glacier cruising days? Comment below or post in our Alaska forum. 

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