Alaska does have plenty of other glaciers to see, so if you're more of an active sort, you may want to choose something like a hike to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau instead. Can you cruise to Alaska and not see glaciers? ere are some comparisons between visiting Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay. Is dawes glacier like tracy arm where you can have trouble getting in if you go early? One has a day at Glacier Bay and a day at Juneau, the other a stop at Dawes Glacier for a couple hours then on to Juneau later that same day. Fortunately, some Alaska itineraries include both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay, making the stressful choice between the two nonexistent. We found itineraries that started as early as 6 a.m. and one on Holland America that arrived at 8:30 a.m. (it stays until 6:30 p.m.). Alaska Guide Co is based in Valdez, Alaska. Known as Alaska's crown jewel, Glacier Bay National Park is otherworldly in its beauty and breadth. Some have reported seeing this happen three to four times in an hour. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. cruise through Glacier Bay, exploring its inlets and saili, ng past various glaciers. SailingthroughEndicott Arm Fjordto Dawes Glacieris a somewhat similar experience to navigating up Tracy Arm Fjord. When this air is cool, it is called a drainage wind, mountain breeze or glacier wind. Sorted by Most Common to Least Common Viewings, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser, Canada Goose, Red-necked Phalarope, Northern Pintail, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Tree Swallow, Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Kittlitz's Murrelet, Black-legged Kittiwake, American Crow, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Marbled Murrelet, Herring Gull, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Bufflehead, Vaux's Swift, Spotted Sandpiper, Pigeon Guillemot, Arctic Tern, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Hermit Thrush, Rufous Hummingbird, Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Yellow-billed Loon, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Barn Swallow, Pacific Wren. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Watch: Experience Alaska on a Luxury Cruise. . Dawes Glacier is a tidewater glacier with a face hundreds of feet tall. Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its magnificent glaciers and incredible wilderness scenery. Tracy Arm branches to the north from Holkham Bay; Endicott Arm is the more southerly branch. However, Glacier Bay is fantastic, and the glaciers themselves are more impressive. Some ships have naturalists on board to help with (and announce) sightings of wildlife during the ship's visit to the bay. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Wet glaciers, on the other hand, are blanketed in powdery snow and can be harder to navigate, since the snow can conceal changes in terrain. Pictures of, from, or near Dawes Glacier. ROFR Thread July to Sept 2023 *PLEASE SEE FIRST POST FOR INSTRUCTIONS & FORMATTING TOOL*. To sum up, here are some ofthe many advantages of sailing throughGlacier Bay on your Alaska cruise: READ MORE: Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: What You Need to Know. Have not been to Endicott or Dawes but with the opportunity to do Glacier Bay itwould be my first choice. Ships stop in front of one of the tidewater glaciers for about an hour, rotating 360 degrees to give everyone on board a view. results in plenty of calving. Tracy ArmFjordvs. Glacier Bay Advantages: Tracy ArmFjordvs. Glacier Bay Disadvantages: READ MORE: When is the Best Time To Cruise Alaska? Youll want to look into your ships schedule for your day in Glacier Bay and check out the best spots for unobstructed glacier views. As the largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier. Johns Hopkins Glacier is currently the only advancing tidewater glacier on the eastern side of the Fairweather Range, while the LaPerouse Glacier draining from the western side of the Fairweather Range continues to have a relatively stable tidewater margin, being the only glacier in North America that calves periodically directly into the Pacific Ocean. Click here for more information about the. The snowline is again exceptionally high at 1400-1450 m. Whichever way you decide, you'll love it. These often include, Its common for ships to spend an hour or so in front of one of the glaciers so guests can. The glacierwas originally called the Young Glacier by John Muir for Reverend S. Hall Young, who was a traveling companion in 1880. Have been there two times and would not hesitate to go again. Some have reported seeing this happen three to four times in an hour. On our Alaska cruise, our best views were from on deck, even though we had a verandah. Disney River Viking Norwegian Caribbean Carnival Hawaii News Which Cruise Lines Go To Glacier Bay By Mary H January 4, 2022 0 198 Don't Miss How To Get From Rome Airport To Cruise Port November 4, 2021 What Cruises Sail Out Of Galveston November 2, 2021 Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Bergen Norway February 2, 2022 Why Are Viking Cruises So Expensive These, include other active adventures such as kayaking, canoeing, and glacier hikes. The cruise lines use the Alaskan Inside passage as a marketing concept to promote an itinerary and make it sound exotic but don't be fooled into thinking other itineraries don't also sail in . Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve Visits to Sawyer Glacier are memorable in their own right, however. Explore more of Dawes Glacierhere: This warming stripe graphic is a visual representation of the change in global temperature from 1850 (top) to 2021 (bottom). Check here before booking an award fare. Ships typically get within a quarter- to a half-mile of the face of the glacier, but the amount of ice in the water can force ships to halt farther out in the fjord in some cases. Princess does offer a small boat excursion in Endicott Arm that will get you much closer to the glaciers. https://www.melindabrasher.com/2011/11/tracy-arm-alaska.html, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. sometimes included on northbound Alaska cruise itineraries. For cost of the cruise: Both glacier stops are likely to require a one-way itinerary, which can add to your airfare costs, but Glacier Bay edges out Hubbard on this one. Reviewed August 23, 2014 . Hubbard Glacier is renowned for its strong blue color on clear days as well. Legal Information | Privacy Policy. During a guided tour, learn all about the plant life that has taken over the terrain after the glaciers ice melted away. You are using an out of date browser. All Rights Reserved. While we did get closer to the glacier We had a fairly good view from the ship and likely missed some time preparing to go to the small boat. Amazing places deserve to be shared with others - why not Write a Review! Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its magnificent glaciers and incredible wilderness scenery. With a terminal face thats about seven miles wide, Hubbard Glacier has been nicknamed the Galloping Glacier. This area is also rife with wildlife similar to that found in Glacier Bay. Exit Glacier is the only glacier accessible via car at the park. Following- Trying to book a 2021 Cruise from Seattle and curious to know which is better. Disenchantment Bay, inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. If scenic cruising near a glacier is a priority for you, there are three things you can do to improve your chances. . The first two went to Tracy Arm. Luckily, Celebrity Cruises offers travelers the chance to visit three different iconic glacier destinations during a cruise through Alaska: Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, and Glacier Bay. Hubbard Glacier is renowned for its strong blue color on clear days as well. Tracy Arm is often missed and Endicott Arm is what ships would often do if they couldn't get into Tracy Arm. Which one should we pick? The Fairweather. Too much ice breaking off the glacier. We were told if we have opportunity to go to Tracy's arm to go again as Endicott is no comparison. Discover why. The glacier was originally called the Young Glacier by John Muir for Reverend S. Hall Young, who was a traveling companion in 1880. Copyright 2018-2023. What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise: The Complete Guide, Celebrity Eclipses Alaska Cruise Itineraries, Shopping in St. Maarten: Where to Go & What to Buy, 2022 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Ships Registry: Malta and Ecuador. S, ought-after views of Alaskas icy blue glaciers are always some of, Since a number of Alaska cruise destinations i, nclude the word glacier their description, If youre trying to decide which cruise itinerary is the best Alaska glacier cruise for your trip. 200 AUL Feb 2024 UY or 100 AUL June 2024 UY at $20 / pt. As the largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glaciers toweringheight andmammothoverallsize is much more impressivethan Sawyer Glacier. glaciers enveloping close to a third of its land. College Fjord is a more northerly option, near Whittier, so you'll typically find it on itineraries that sail to or from Whittier or Seward. What is a better option - a ship that cruises Glacier Bay or a ship that goes to Tracy Arm Fjord and Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier? Other cruise lines such asAlaskan Dream Cruises,American Cruise Lines, CunardLine,Norwegian Cruise Line, andUnCruiseAdventures offercruises that visit Glacier Bay as well. The Alaska community board shares more about incredible Alaskan adventures. Youll want to look into your ships schedule for your day in Glacier Bay and check out the best spots for unobstructed glacier views. Boundary Peak 74, Boundary Peak 75, Hump Knoll. Catch a glimpse of imposing Dawes Glacier: It's actually formed by two glaciers meeting, one of which features an impressive icefall, a crevasse that looks like a frozen waterfall, into the fjord below. Unlike many other glaciers, Hubbard Glacier continues to thicken. Can you use Disney Redemption Card to Pay for DVC? JavaScript is disabled. However, since more than 60 miles of ice have already melted in Glacier Bay, most of the glaciers there are considered hanging glaciers, which means they have receded back into the mountains and there is now a much smaller chance of them calving. While Hubbard Glacier is magnificent, there can be some downsides withchoosingthis itinerary. I've been two both of these locations multiple times and this review may help you decide which glacier itinerary to book for your next Alaska cruise. Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay: Which Is Best on a Cruise in Alaska? We are planning a family cruise to Alaska next year and made a deposit on DCL because we thought our daughter would like that experience best. When it comes time to book your cruise, which of the top glacier cruising experiences should you pick? The list includes small- and medium-ship cruise lines like Windstar and Lindblad. You will view more than one glacier. My glacierless cruise was not a surprise. The amount of wildlife is staggering, and the views were nonstop for the full day of cruising. The park encompasses the largest glacial system in the U.S., with 35% of the park covered by glaciers. Finding a cruise itinerary that visits both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier would be the best of both worlds, but typically Alaska cruisers have to choose between the two. Cruise guests have the opportunity to see multiple glaciers as they sail through Glacier Bay National Park. Visitors cruising through Disenchantment Bay can also view nine of the sixteen tallest mountain peaks in North America on their way to Hubbard Glacier if the weather is favorable. Learn about new cruise ship launches, itineraries, policies, and trends shaping the world of cruising. McBride Glacier is about mile wide and 14 miles long. Watching ice melt has truly never been so exciting. If thats not the case and you have to choose between Hubbard Glacier or Sawyer Glacier, here are some pros and cons. Glacier Bay cruises are often viewed as the best Alaska glacier itineraries because they offer views of multiple glaciers, spectacular mountain vistas, and frequentwildlife sightings. National Geographic Venture cruised into Glacier Bay National Park early this morning, eventually docking at Bartlett Cove. If your Hubbard Glacier Alaska cruise itinerary includes a full port day in Juneau, itmay be possible to visit Tracy Arm Fjord and SawyerGlacier on a small boat excursion. I'm hoping for some honest opinions, and experiences. Shore excursions from your cruise will make bear sightings possible. The glacieris located north of GlacierBay National Park at the tip of Disenchantment Bay, inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. glacier seekers may have the option of visiting this stunning area in addition to Hubbard Glacier or Glacier National Park. It was an early season, short cruise that only visited Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. . Many sailingsspend timevisitingmile-wideMargerieGlacier, anadvancing tidewater glacier that tends to calve frequently. Flightseeing trips and glacier dogsledding tours are, Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: What You Need to Know, What To Pack For An Alaska Cruise: Top 12 Things Youll Need, Cruise News Today June 29, 2023 [VIDEO], Celebrity Cruises Will Call to Perfect Day at CocoCay in 2024, Port Demands Investigation After Cruise Ship Pays Unscheduled Visit. Ice chunks the size of three-story buildings often fall into the water, creating a thunderous roar and waves that pound nearby shorelines. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Glacier Bay vs Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Q&A: Cruise Insurance with Steve Dasseos of the TripInsuranceStore.com - Summer Session '23, ANNOUNCEMENT: Regent Seven Seas Cruises 2025-2026 Voyage Collection Debut. You can visit the best glaciers in Alaska on our luxury cruises and cruisetours. While this natural phenomenon no longer takes place, you can still enjoy the large Alaskan lake that lives on at the face of Knik Glacier. The glacier you'll see at Endicott Arm is Dawes Glacier. Located in the northern area Prince William Sound, College Fjord contains five tidewater glaciers, five valley glaciers, and a number of smaller glaciers. There are luxury Glacier Bay cruises available along with other options, so be sure to conduct your research carefully to find what works best for you. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Tracy Arm Fjord is less than a half-mile wide and waterfalls often cascade down the fjords craggy cliffs. The contents of this website, including but not limited to images and text, are intended for educational and informational purposes only. The trip into Glacier Bay takes all day, so if you're not into scenic cruising or the National Park narration, you might get a bit bored after a few hours. Glacier Bay National Park or Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier? For wildlife viewing: Both scenic glacier cruises put you in ideal spots to see Alaskan wildlife and sea life throughout the visit; however, Glacier Bay is the winner because ships stay in the bay longer. I was not in any way disappointed. I think the glacier bay one not because of glacier bay necessarily but because then you have a full day in Juneau which is one of the best locations for so many activities, Just wanted to say thank you for asking this! Hubbard Glacier also has the distinction of being one of the most active glaciers in Alaska. Cruise Radio provides the latest cruise line news and updates from the cruise industry. Since HubbardGlacier is advancing quickly, its movementresults in plenty of calving. They'll have maps, charts and all the information you could want about the glaciers and the wildlife in the park. Unlike many other glaciers, Hubbard Glacier continues to thicken. Although the retreatmay be triggered by climate, these calving retreats become independent of climate as part of a tidewater glacier cycle. Hubbard gets a nod for its sheer size, while the Glacier Bay option is prized for how many glaciers you can see in one day. But, different itineraries have different featured glaciers; you will usually have the option to see Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay (or Dawes Glacier) but not both. If you're someone who is susceptible to FOMO, you're going to want to do Glacier Bay, end of story. About 50 medial moraines develop from the joining of these tributary glaciers. This is not a port or tender activity. Credit: Professor Ed Hawkins (University of Reading). A Guide To The Best Glaciers In Alaska | Celebrity Cruises Destinations Alaska A Guide to the Best Glaciers in Alaska Last updated: May 17th, 2022 Mother Nature truly outdid herself in Alaska, where glaciers tower over the surrounding seas, making their steep incline seem insurmountable. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. seals hauled out on ice floes, depending upon time of year, Can sometimes get closer to Sawyer Glacier if on a smaller excursion boat, than Glacier Bay, with only one fjord to explore, experience while Tracy Arm is generally 4-5 hours, Weather in Glacier Bay is often more favorable than Tracy Arm Fjord. We were on Legend (larger ship) and booked small boat for Tracy's arm but ship went into Endicott. Related: Best Alaska cruise tips to help you make the most of your time aboard and ashore. Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier Tracy Arm branches to the north from Holkham Bay; Endicott Arm is the more southerly branch. The glacier was originally called "Young Glacier" in 1880 by John Muir for Reverend S. Hall Young, his companion (Young, 1915, p. 147). The kind of stateroom you have is less important than that. During the journey to the glacier, keep your eyes open for animals in Alaska like sea lions, porpoises, and sea otters. Ships may offer boat excursions to see these glaciers close-up, both on the day of scenic cruising and in Juneau. Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many glaciers to see; the scenery includes tidewater glaciers, glassy water, mountains and wildlife such as whales, harbor seals, otters and brown bears. In general, tidewater and terrestrial glaciers in the Park have been thinning and slowly receding over the last several decades. 15 mi (24.14 km) Elevation 2808 ft (855.88 m) Free USGS topo maps! As the largest active glacier in North Americaits over 76 miles long and 600 feet tallHubbard Glacier offers an unforgettable chance to witness this icy natural phenomenon in action. Located, is part of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness area. Cruise guests have the opportunity to see multiple glaciers as they sail through Glacier Bay National Park. My glacierless cruise was not a surprise. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. I love credit cards so much! Dawes Glacier opens into one of Alaskas lesser-known gems, Endicott Arm Fjord. Please tell us all about it when you return. Tip: If your cruise is offering a glacier viewing excursion on the day the ship is scheduled for scenic cruising near a glacier, take it. The real bonus, though, is that the fjord is home to five tidewater glaciers. Alaska is beautiful, so you can have a wonderful cruise no matter where it goes, but Glacier Bay was the highlight of our trip. Ask manyAlaska cruise aficionados how to select the best Alaska glacier cruise and theyll tell you to pickan Alaska voyagethat includesGlacier Bay National Park. In 1892,. Additional glaciers arealsolocated nearby. Hubbard Glacier is located in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Known as the Galloping Glacier, Hubbard is quickly advancing towards the Gulf of Alaska at a rate of about 80 feet per year. Cruise ships spend much of their time sailing past several of the parksactivetidewater glaciers the kind of glacierthatbreaks off massive icebergs whichplunge into the sea. That movement causes ice to break off and fall into the sea in a process known as calving, which is not related as much to temperature as it is to the physics of the glaciers thickness and the steepness of the land mass it crosses. Here are some comparisons between visiting Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay. NPS Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Its fast movement leads to large sections of ice breaking off and falling into the sea (a phenomenon known as calving) occurring about every fifteen minutes or so. Alaska cruise aficionados how to select the best Alaska glacier cruis, Since access to Glacier Bay is tightly controlled, only a limited number of cruise ships. Add Cruise Critic's Community Forums to your iPhone's Home Screen! It would take severe weather, dense fog or a ship emergency to keep you from seeing at least one glacier with this park on your itinerary. Thesetoursare highly recommended, as the smaller excursion boatscanget much closer at Sawyer Glacier and calving can be more easily seen. If youre feeling adventurous, choose one of the several hiking trails available at the park that provide stunning views of the glacier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V97glTdEx4YNorwegian Encore Full Ship Tour right here! Book your Alaska cruise on our website or call one of our vacation specialists at 1-800-852-8086. NW of Sitka, Coast Mts. The glacier was named in 1891 by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey for Henry Laurens Dawes, a lawyer and statesman in Massachusetts from 1857-1875. For most cruisers, it comes down to Hubbard Glacier versus Glacier Bay National Park. Interpretive parkrangers come onboard each cruise ship while vesselsare in Glacier BayNational Park, andthey often point out wildlife and other interesting sights during their talks. Though its not Alaskas biggest glacier, Holgate offers dramatic views as it calves almost a river of ice. Choose the ship that works best for your traveling companions, as well as your interests. Visit Cruise Critic's Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay community boards to hear more from other cruisers. Because Endicott Arm is a bit straighter than Tracy Arm, larger ships (such as Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas) will schedule visits here.