hubbard glacier alaska tours

Hubbard Glacier Tour

The Hubbard Glacier, Disenchantment Bay, and Russell Fjord are as wonderful natural treasures as any. Guided tours are available with Yakutat Charter Boat Company’s experienced skippers.

Traversing the iceberg-riddled waters en route to the glacier, is only the beginning. Standing safely onboard our heated vessels as the Hubbard calves off apartment-building-size pieces of ice is one of this world’s most awesome experiences.

Along the way, bear, moose, deer, sea otters, killer whales and many nesting seabirds are often seen. Huge fault lines along the West Coast are seen, and a little about the natural history of this dynamic region is explained.

These tours are a great way to spend time while waiting for one of Yakutat’s twice daily jets. Tours are 4-5 hours long, and starting and ending times can be tailored to your schedule.

Rates for Hubbard Glacier tour

$240 per person, plus applicable taxes (four-person minimum).

Note: Fishing Charter / Glacier Tour full-day combination packages are available on a custom request basis for $560/person plus tax (minimum of 4 guests required).

* Other charter transportation services to the glacier including filming crew, science / research needs, etc. are available. Please call for more details and to discuss your special needs.

Yakutat Bay Adventures

Hubbard Glacier Tour

Yakutat, Alaska is home to one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world – the Hubbard Glacier. The Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America, stretching over 76 miles in length and towering over 300 feet above the waterline. Yakutat Bay Adventure’s Hubbard Glacier tour in Yakutat is an experience that will leave you in awe of the sheer magnitude and beauty of this natural wonder.

Discover the Beauty of Alaska’s Crown Jewel: Experience the Hubbard Glacier in All Its Glory!

The tour of the Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat is done aboard our charter vessel the Sea Hunter. Our tour starts from Yakutat Bay and takes you through the icy waters of Disenchantment Bay, where you’ll get your first glimpse of the glacier. As you approach the glacier, you’ll witness the immense size and beauty of the towering walls of ice, which can reach up to 400 feet in height.

During the tour, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos and witness the spectacular calving of the glacier. Calving is when chunks of ice break off from the glacier, creating a thunderous sound and sending waves crashing through the bay. It’s a breathtaking experience that will leave you in awe of the power of nature.

Behold the Majesty of Hubbard Glacier: A Natural Wonder That Will Take Your Breath Away!

The best time to take a tour of the Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat is during the summer months, from May to September. During this time, the weather is mild, and the glacier is more active, making for an exciting and unforgettable experience.

When planning a tour of the Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat, it’s essential to dress warmly, as the temperature can drop significantly near the glacier. You should also bring a camera and binoculars to capture the stunning views and wildlife that you may encounter during the tour, such as seals, whales, and bald eagles.

Journey into the Heart of Alaska: Hubbard Glacier Tour in Yakutat for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience!

A tour of the Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat, Alaska, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed. Witnessing the sheer magnitude and beauty of the glacier is an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of the power of nature. If you’re planning a trip to Yakutat, make sure to add a tour of the Hubbard Glacier to your itinerary, and prepare to be amazed.

Halibut –

Two fish daily bag limit: Charter vessel anglers may catch and retain two halibut per day. Only ONE may be over 28″

Halibut retention is CLOSED All Wednesdays & nine Tuesdays in 2023: June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1, August 8, August 15

Lingcod –

No size limit. 1 per day.  Non resident annual limit of 2 fish.

Palegic rock fish –

5 per day no annual limit

King Salmon –

• The resident bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• From  January 1 through June 30 , the nonresident annual harvest limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• From  July 1 through July 15 , the nonresident annual harvest limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length; any king salmon harvested from January 1 through June 30 will apply towards the two fish annual harvest limit;
• From  July 16 through December 31 , the nonresident annual harvest limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length; any king salmon harvested from January 1 through July 15 will apply towards the one fish annual harvest limit.

Coho Salmon –

• 16 inches or longer: 6 per day

Yes, you must purchase your fishing license online prior to arriving to Yakutat. Make sure to select your dates you will be fishing. Buy your license here.

YOUR LICENSE MUST BE PRESENT ON YOU WHEN YOU SHOW UP TO THE DOCK ON YOUR FISHING DAY!

Yakutat Bay Adventures does not process your fish. Please make arrangements with your captain to have your catch dropped off at one of our processors.

We do not offer lodging, but we do work closely with others in Yakutat that have rentals and rooms available. We recommend booking with the Situk Inn, you can contact Rube or Mary at 907-784-3934 [email protected]

Yakutat Bay Adventures reserves the right to add anglers to your group to max the boat out at 6 anglers unless your group pays for a full 6 anglers.

Yes, please inform your captain of what you would like to do. He will try to accommodate based on tides and ocean conditions.

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Hubbard Glacier in Alaska: Your Ultimate Adventure Guide

In this blog post, we’ll take you on a journey to the Hubbard Glacier, exploring its fascinating history, the best ways to experience it through tours, and the average prices you can expect for these memorable adventures.

Wes Roberts

Alaska is a land of awe-inspiring natural wonders, and one of its most magnificent attractions is the Hubbard Glacier. This colossal river of ice, located in the remote wilderness of Yakutat Bay, is a testament to the raw power and beauty of the natural world. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a journey to the Hubbard Glacier, exploring its fascinating history, the best ways to experience it through tours, and the average prices you can expect for these memorable adventures.

Part 1: The Hubbard Glacier – A Natural Marvel

Hubbard Glacier Overview

The Hubbard Glacier is one of the most massive tidewater glaciers in North America. Stretching over 76 miles from its source in the St. Elias Mountains to the sea, it measures approximately 6 miles wide at its terminal face. Towering at a height of 350 feet, the glacier is a dynamic, ever-changing landscape of ice, with calving events that create thunderous splashes as massive ice chunks crash into the bay.

Geological Significance

The glacier was named after Gardiner Hubbard, the founder of the National Geographic Society, and it’s an integral part of the Disenchantment Bay ecosystem. Its immense size and rapid movement make it a unique geological phenomenon, captivating both scientists and nature enthusiasts.

Wildlife Abundance

Hubbard Glacier and its surrounding waters are home to a rich variety of wildlife. Visitors can spot harbor seals, sea otters, humpback whales, and a wide array of seabirds, making this area a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.

Part 2: Touring the Hubbard Glacier

Experiencing the Hubbard Glacier is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and there are several ways to do it. Here are some of the most popular tour options:

1. Cruise Ship Tours

Cruising is one of the most popular ways to witness the grandeur of the Hubbard Glacier. Many major cruise lines offer itineraries that include a stop at the glacier. These tours typically provide passengers with ample viewing decks, binoculars, and narration from onboard naturalists.

Average Price : Cruise prices can vary widely depending on the cruise line, the length of the journey, and the time of year. Expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $5,000 or more per person for a Hubbard Glacier cruise. However the reason the cost may seem so high is the majority of these cruise liners leave cities like Vancouver or Anchorage and take you on a multi-day adventure to see other glaciers as well!

2. Day Tours from Anchorage

For those who prefer a shorter excursion, there are day tours available from Anchorage to Hubbard Glacier. These tours often include a scenic flightseeing tour to the glacier, allowing you to witness its magnificence from the air.

Average Price : Day tours from Anchorage typically range from $300 to $600 per person, depending on the tour operator and the package inclusions.

3. Kayaking Adventures

For a more immersive experience, consider a kayaking adventure to get up close and personal with the glacier. Guided kayak tours are available and offer the opportunity to paddle in the calm waters of Disenchantment Bay while admiring the glacier’s icy facade.

Average Price : Guided kayak tours can range from $150 to $350 per person. Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the duration of the tour and the services included.

Part 3: Planning Your Hubbard Glacier Adventure

Best Time to Visit

The Hubbard Glacier is accessible during the summer months, typically from May to September. June and July are particularly popular because the warmer weather increases the likelihood of witnessing spectacular calving events.

Dress Appropriately

No matter how you choose to explore the glacier, be prepared for varying weather conditions. Layered clothing, waterproof gear, and comfortable hiking or walking shoes are essential if your tour allows you to stop on the glacier. Don’t forget to bring binoculars and a camera (or just your good ole iPhone!) to capture the stunning scenery.

Safety Precautions

Safety should always be a priority when visiting the glacier. Follow the guidance of your tour operator and be cautious when viewing the glacier from close quarters, especially during calving events. Remember that the glacier is an ever-changing environment, and its behavior can be unpredictable.

Responsible Tourism

When visiting the Hubbard Glacier, it’s crucial to be a responsible and eco-conscious traveler. Follow Leave No Trace principles, respect wildlife, and minimize your impact on the fragile ecosystem. Leave the glacier as pristine as you found it for future generations to enjoy.

Part 4: Conclusion

Visiting the Hubbard Glacier in Alaska is an adventure that will leave you in awe of the natural world’s grandeur. Whether you choose to explore it by cruise ship, embark on a kayaking expedition, or opt for a day tour from Anchorage, the experience is bound to be unforgettable. While prices for these tours can vary, the opportunity to witness the Hubbard Glacier’s majesty is well worth the investment. So, plan your trip, pack your camera, and prepare to be mesmerized by one of Alaska’s most extraordinary natural wonders.

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Hubbard Glacier

Nature’s drama experienced daily.

Among the many scenic gems on Alaska’s southeast coastline, Hubbard Glacier is the most dramatic. Comprised of the longest river of ice in North America, beginning in Canada and flowing 76 miles to Russell Fjord, the glacier itself originates at Mount Logan, North America’s second-tallest mountain. And, while 95% of the world’s glaciers are retreating, Hubbard Glacier is still advancing.

As the largest advancing tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier’s terminal face is the dramatic end of a process that began 450 years ago as snowfall on the slopes of Mount Logan. The blue wall of ice rises 350 feet above the waterline and extends 250 feet below the sea. Movement of up to 36 feet every day results in daily calving—breathtaking moments where ice cleaves off the wall, and can be the size of ten story buildings.

With calving occurring on a daily basis, Hubbard Glacier offers the best opportunity to observe glacial processes as they unfold—a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Your captain will slowly turn your ship into Yakutat Bay, navigating the awe-inspiring wall of ice. Enjoy incredible picture-perfect views from just about anywhere on the ship as our dedicated onboard Naturalist narrates the experience and keeps an eye out for the whales, harbor seals, and otters that hunt in the bay’s waters. With its dramatic and massive 7-mile-wide face, and ever-changing wall of ice, Hubbard Glacier lives long in the memory of any visit to Alaska

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Hubbard Glacier

Top choice in Southeast Alaska

Just 30 miles north of Yakutat is Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America . The 8-mile-wide frozen behemoth is easily Alaska’s most active. The riptides and currents that flow between Gilbert Point and the face of the glacier, a mere 1000ft away, are so strong that they cause Hubbard to calve almost continuously at peak tides. The entire area, part of the 545-sq-mile Russell Fjord Wilderness, is one of the most interesting places in Alaska and usually visited through flightseeing or boat tours .

Is the Hubbard Glacier still advancing?

The 76-mile-long glacier captured national attention by galloping across Russell Fiord in the mid-1980s, turning the long inlet into a lake. Eventually Hubbard receded, reopening the fjord, but in 2002 it again surged across Russell Fjord, and it came close to doing it a third time in 2011.

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Witnessing Hubbard's Icy Majesty

Hubbard glacier excursions.

This excursion offers a rare opportunity to explore one of the most impressive natural wonders of the North. From the awe-inspiring ice formations of the glacier to the pristine landscapes and abundant wildlife surrounding it, the experience will engage and inspire both young explorers and experienced travelers.

The Hubbard Glacier Wilderness Explorer: A Journey of Discovery

The "Hubbard Glacier Wilderness Explorer" is more than just an excursion - it's a deep dive into the wonders of Alaska's stunning wilderness. Step aboard a custom-built Alaskan boat, carefully crafted to offer both comfort and unrivaled views of the dazzling landscape. Peek through the large picture windows of the cozy indoor cabin or, for a more immersive experience, venture out onto the expansive outdoor deck and revel in the untouched beauty of your surroundings.

• Embrace an exhilarating voyage through Disenchantment Bay, run by seasoned seafarers and insightful guides.
• Lean into the details about local wildlife and eco-system spun by these experienced wanderers.
• Drink in the abundant natural beauty of Yakutat Bay, an outdoor canvas dotted with evergreens and crowned with snowy peaks.
• Fill your explorer's checklist spotting whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals, sea otters, moose and if you're lucky, the elusive glacier bear.
• Witness the breathtaking grandeur of North America’s largest tidewater glacier. Stretching a whopping 76 miles, diving 1,200 feet deep, the Hubbard Glacier doubles as the "Galloping Glacier."
• Experience the electrifying spectacle of calving: Chunks of ice plunging into the sea in show-stopping displays of nature's remarkable force.

Experience Hubbard Glacier Excursions with these sailings

Complete your adventure with these shore excursions

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Excursions by Catamaran: Hubbard Glacier & Enchanting Disenchantment Bay

Cruising Hubbard Glacier

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Wheelchair Accessible

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Meals Included

Meals not included

Board an Alaskan-built expedition vessel for stunning, unmatched perspective of Hubbard Glacier -- one of Alaska's most famous landmarks.

From the mouth of Disenchantment Bay , you will cruise in comfort amid shimmering icebergs and dramatic wilderness.

You will board a day-boat directly from the ship. Relax in the warm, comfortable cabin, surrounded by large windows, as the naturalist and crew orient you to the stunning scenery and prolific wildlife. You'll cruise near the rocky shoreline and weave through a maze of icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glacier -- the perspective from the smaller vessel is astounding.

Ice conditions permitting, the captain will navigate the narrow cut between Haenke Island and the mainland en route to Hubbard Glacier. Offering a variety of viewing angles for photos and video, this "river of ice" is often very active, calving icebergs with an almighty crash. Unlike many other glaciers, Hubbard Glacier is advancing. At times, this advance has been up to 7 feet a day, earning it the nickname, 'the Galloping Glacier.'

Along the glacially-carved coastlines, an endless expanse of spruce and hemlock trees, snowcapped mountains, and glaciers are the subject of the naturalist's compelling narration. On a clear day, you may see Mount St Elias -- the second tallest peak in the United States.

Hot beverages are included; a selection of food is available for purchase (at your own expense).

This tour departs directly from the cruise ship in a remote wilderness area. Little walking is required; however, participants must be able to walk across a narrow, moderately-steep gangway to (dis)embark the vessel with only minor assistance. Wheelchairs, walkers and strollers are not allowed to be used on gangway. Weather, sea and ice conditions may alter both the duration and route of the journey, including shipside (dis)embarkation areas. The cruise ship also stops within view of Hubbard Glacier and will be in sight from the excursion boat during the excursion. Binoculars are available for use on board. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. USD cash and credit cards accepted for onboard purchases.

Hubbard Glacier

Trip advisors reviews puts it at # 4 in the STATE for things to do… 655 Reviews- 5 stars #4 of 874 things to do in Alaska Sights & Landmarks, Nature & Parks Yakutat Bay, AK

The Hubbard is a remarkable natural wonder located in the back protected waters of Yakutat Bay. We often take visitors to marvel at is display of power, immense release of energy/power as it tosses building size chunks hundreds of feet from the face while creating your OWN PRIVATE WAVE set. Really some of the best times in ALL my trips are spent up at the Hubbard… to simply to gaze at the spectacle that it truly is. Located about 30 miles from yakutat our trips average around 5hrs up and back. We like to spend a few hours basking and waiting for the ‘Next Big One’ calving to occur. Known as the galloping glacier it is always on the move and always putting on a show rivaling any natural wonder in the world.

I have have had “rock star” fishing trips with groups over 4 days and sent home Pallets of fish with groups and they will all say ” Scott that was a amazing fishing trip and wonderful experience fishing in Yakutat, But the HUBBARD is STILL the best part” and the book a viewing every year at the start or end of the the trips. MANY groups do this…Many~! Truly worth the time and hardly ever fails to impress….Even the guy that said “you seen one piece of ice you’ve seen the all” “lets go fishing instead”was put back and ate his words when we visited the Hubbard…”I had no idea! The scale! The grandeur, and how it moved me, to see it that close and personnel, WOW!”

These trips are often done on there own as a whole boat trip for up to 6 ppl. The cost is $950 and the timing can work around your other scheduled events while in Yakutat. Sometimes we can incorporate a visit to the Hubbard along with your fishing trip the same day. Non- halibut days are ideal dates and activity fillers and can be done with Fishing for LINGS, KINGS, Silvers and Rock fishing on the same day for modified pricing. However for full halibut fishing days we suggest you do not try to squeeze in too much in one day, give it a full event booking for viewing so as to not impose a hurried Fishing time:

Here are some other interesting fact about the best Natural attraction on the coast….

*Is the Hubbard Glacier shrinking?

Despite the worldwide trend of shrinking glaciers since the 1940s, Hubbard Glacier has actually been thickening as it continues its advancement into Disenchantment Bay and beyond. Hubbard Glacier is nicknamed the “galloping glacier” because of its fairly rapid (for a glacier) descent toward Disenchantment Bay.

*How big is the Hubbard Glacier? The Hubbard Glacier is North America’s largest tidewater glacier. Here are some facts about it! It is 76 miles long,7 miles wide, and 600 feet tall at its terminal face (350 feet exposed above the waterline and 250 feet below the waterline

*Is the Hubbard Glacier growing?

Hubbard Glacier is defying the global paradigm of valley or mountain glacier shrinkage and retreat in response to global climate warming. Hubbard Glacier is the largest of eight calving glaciers in Alaska that are currently increasing in total mass and advancing.

This would be a good Click on link to MORE info. or leave the whole page…i dont know….?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbard_Glacier

Hubbard Glacier in Alaska

When you think of Alaska , what images come to mind? For us, it’s icy glaciers, humpback whales and vast rugged wilderness. So, when planning our Alaska cruise , we decided to visit the mighty Hubbard Glacier in Alaska’s picturesque Disenchantment Bay.

The Hubbard Glacier is famous for being North America’s largest tidewater glacier . It’s over 120 kilometres long (75 miles), 11 km wide (7 miles) and flows directly into Disenchantment Bay, which feeds into the North Pacific Ocean. 

The Hubbard Glacier height is said to be 600 feet at its terminal face (350 feet exposed above the waterline and 250 feet below the waterline – source ). For perspective, this is the same height as the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington. It’s HUGE!

Related: Watch our video tour of the Celebrity Eclipse Cruise ship

Where is Hubbard Glacier located? 

The Hubbard Glacier location is at the tip of Disenchantment Bay. It connects to Yakutat Bay in the Gulf of Alaska. The actual location of the Hubbard Glacier is inside Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, which is north of Glacier Bay National Park. Here’s a Hubbard Glacier map .

You cannot reach the Hubbard Glacier by car. Unless you have a private boat, you will need to join an Alaska cruise to see the Hubbard Glacier. Or, you can take a scenic flight-seeing tour and witness the ancient glacier from the air.

The glacier is very impressive and definitely worth visiting.

Further perspective.  The huge cruise ship is dwarfed by the impressive Hubbard Glacier. 

The camera sensor had a hard time focusing on the glacier. Many of my photos captured the glacier as a turquoise blue. However, to the naked eye, the glacier appears more white than the photos illustrate.

View from our stateroom on the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship

This stateroom is considered an obstructed view because of the orange life boat, however, as you can see, the ocean views are minimally impacted. It’s pretty incredible to witness a massive calving glacier from the private deck of your stateroom. 

The Alaska cruise departs from Vancouver and takes 4 days to reach the Hubbard Glacier in Alaska . 

The Celebrity Eclipse floats gently beside the glacier. It rotates 360 degrees so guests on either side of the ship can see the Hubbard Glacier. The cruise ship does not get too close to the calving glacier out of an abundance of caution. Waves and icebergs from glacier calving is dangerous. So is the depth and width of the glacier that is underwater.

The cruise ship spent about an hour inside Disenchantment Bay bay before returning south from the Hubbard Glacier to Juneau, Alaska. The ship sailed overnight from Juneau to Hubbard Glacier. We arrived at the glacier around 11:00 AM. 

Related –  Everything you need to know about an Alaska cruise

The obligatory family photo on the observation deck of the cruise ship.

Hubbard Glacier fun facts

• The ice you see at the terminal face originally fell as snow, as much as 500 years ago. [ source ]
• The glacier is over 2,000 feet thick at some locations.
• Hubbard Glacier starts at Mount Logan (2nd tallest mountain in North America at 19,850 feet) in the Yukon Territory in Canada.
• It ends at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska, over 120 kilometres later. 

Panoramic views of the Hubbard Glacier

We experienced heavy clouds and overcast skies during our visit to the Hubbard Glacier. Although we were a little bummed that we didn’t get the full mountain and glacier panorama – like this photo – we were told that it’s quite common for this type of weather.

A few hours before reaching Yakutat Bay , we overheard crew members say that our Alaskan cruise ship might not be able to make it inside the bay. Hubbard Glacier weather in August is unpredictable. Fortunately, the weather cooperated that morning. The ship was able to get up close to the glacier.

Guests marvel at the glacier from the viewing deck on the cruise ship.

Streams of glacial ice float past the ship in Disenchantment Bay. The colour of the water is an amazing turquoise blue. It’s hard to see in these photos, because of the overcast skies. The water looks similar to the glacier fed lakes in the Canadian Rockies (like Moraine Lake in Alberta ). 

Connor is mesmerized by the floating chunks of ice that pass the cruise ship. 

Views of the glaciers and mountains from the observation deck. A highlight from our Alaska cruise.

You can see the tip of the Hubbard Glacier far off in the distance. The surrounding mountain landscapes are quite remarkable. Alaska is nature at its finest!

Have you visited Alaska? 

If not, is an Alaska cruise on your travel wish list?

Read next – Our experience on the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship

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07/09/2023 at 10:12 am

Visited a week ago WOW its fantastic the size, the calving it was awesome

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Cruise remarkably close to Hubbard Glacier for the ultimate look at this huge river of ice that has the distinction of being North America’s largest tidewater glacier. After boarding the boat directly from the cruise ship in the mouth of Disenchantment Bay, you will settle into the heated cabin with large windows that provide excellent viewing. The vessel also features a shallow draft, allowing it to easily cruise around the icebergs near the face of the glacier, which is hundreds of feet high above the waterline. Hubbard Glacier is nicknamed the Galloping Glacier because at times it advances several feet a day. Few natural sights are quite so spectacular as when large chunks of ice calve – or break off – from the glacier with a thundering roar. The naturalist guide will describe the glacier’s characteristics in fascinating detail.

• See Hubbard Glacier up close from the comfort of a heated, expedition-style boat. • Behold the sheer face of the glacier, which soars hundreds of feet above the waterline. • Hear compelling commentary about Hubbard Glacier from the naturalist guide. • Look for harbor seals, orcas and humpback whales, which inhabit the surrounding waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

• Adult from: € 369,79 EUR
• Child from: € 277,11 EUR

*Prices vary by ship and sail date. See Terms & Conditions

NCL makes arrangements for Guests for shore excursions solely for the convenience of the Guest; NCL does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such excursions, and the same are provided by independent contractors. NCL assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such excursion provider, and Guests acknowledge that NCL shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such provider.

Participation in activities and excursions may involve physical exertion, and may be potentially hazardous or dangerous. It is the responsibility of each individual to determine whether you are capable of engaging in any activity. Participation in any activity or excursion is at your own risk.

Photographs are for illustration purposes only used to represent the excursion experience and may not accurately depict the excursion, location, or activity indicated.

Die Teilnahme an Aktivitäten und Exkursionen kann körperlich anstrengend sein und unter Umständen Risiken und Gefahren beinhalten. Jeder einzelne Gast trägt die Verantwortung dafür, einzuschätzen, ob er/sie in der Lage ist, an entsprechenden Aktivitäten teilzunehmen. Die Teilnahme an Aktivitäten und Exkursionen erfolgt auf eigene Gefahr.

Die Fotos dienen ausschließlich zur Veranschaulichung der Exkursionserfahrung und bilden möglicherweise die entsprechende Exkursion, den Ort oder die Aktivität nicht akkurat ab.

A participação em atividades e excursões pode envolver esforço físico e pode ser perigosa. É sua responsabilidade determinar se você é capaz de participar das atividades. A participação em qualquer atividade ou excursão é por sua conta e risco.

As fotos são apenas para fins ilustrativos, usadas para representar a experiência da excursão e podem não retratar com precisão a localização ou atividade indicada.

アクティビティや寄港地観光ツアーには激しい活動を行うものもあり、危険が伴う場合もあります。 内容がご自身に適したものかは各自でご判断ください。 アクティビティや寄港地観光ツアーへは、あくまでもご自身の責任でご参加いただきますようお願いいたします。

写真は寄港地観光ツアーの体験を表現するためのもので、実際のツアーや場所、アクティビティとは異なる場合があります。

La partecipazione ad attività ed escursioni potrebbe prevedere sforzi fisici e potrebbe essere potenzialmente rischiosa o pericolosa. È responsabilità di ciascun individuo stabilire se si è in grado di partecipare a qualsiasi attività. La partecipazione a qualunque attività o escursione è a proprio rischio e pericolo.

Le fotografie utilizzate per raffigurare l'escursione sono unicamente a fini illustrativi e potrebbero non rappresentare accuratamente l'escursione, il luogo o l'attività indicata.

La participation aux activités et excursions peut demander un effort physique et peut parfois être potentiellement dangereuse. Il revient à toute personne de déterminer si elle est capable de participer à une activité ou non. La participation à toute activité ou excursion se fait à vos propres risques.

Les photos sont affichées à titre d'illustration uniquement et de représentation de l'expérience et peuvent ne pas représenter l'excursion, le lieu ou l'activité indiqués avec précision.

השתתפות בפעילויות ובסיורים עשויה לכלול מאמץ פיזי, ועלולה להיות מסוכנת. זוהי אחריותו של כל אדם לקבוע האם הוא מסוגל להשתתף בכל פעילות. השתתפות בכל פעילות או סיור היא על אחריותכם בלבד.

תמונות מוצגות לצורך הדגמה בלבד, הן משמשות כדי לייצג את חוויית הסיור ועלולות שלא לתאר במדויק את הסיור, המיקום או הפעילות.

Las fotografías son solo para fines ilustrativos y se utilizan para representar la experiencia de la excursión y es posible que no reflejen con precisión la excursión, el lugar o la actividad indicada.

Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay: Which is the better scenic cruising spot in Alaska?

Editor's Note

Glacier viewing, salmon fishing, whale watching, dog sledding — Alaska cruise bucket lists tend to be long.

Luckily, cruise lines devote time to cruising near some of Alaska's most scenic and famous rivers of ice, so passengers can have prime glacier viewing options. When it comes time to book your cruise, which of the top glacier cruising experiences should you pick? For most cruisers, it comes down to Hubbard Glacier versus Glacier Bay National Park .

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. For me, the best glacier cruise would include both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay, but if forced to choose, it would be Glacier Bay. Before we dive into the reasons, let's cover the basics of what you can expect when it comes to glacier viewing in Alaska.

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Tips to ensure you see a glacier on your cruise

Can you cruise to Alaska and not see glaciers? More importantly, would you still have fun? Sure. I did it recently and had a marvelous time.

My glacierless cruise was not a surprise. It was an early season, short cruise that only visited Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. You should know, though, that almost any Alaska cruise can leave you without a glimpse of a glacier. Weather, ice in the water and onboard emergencies are the usual reasons ships must skip scheduled glacier visits.

If scenic cruising near a glacier is a priority for you, there are three things you can do to improve your chances.

First, book a midseason cruise because early and late cruises face more ice in the water and more challenging weather conditions. Second, book a cruise with more than one glacier cruising day to double your odds. Finally, add a glacier cruising excursion; these are often possible from the ports before or after the day your ship plans to do its scenic cruising near a glacier.

Tip: If your cruise offers a glacier viewing excursion on the day the ship is scheduled for scenic cruising near a glacier, take it. It indicates that the ship won't get as close as you might want.

Related: Best time to cruise Alaska

Hubbard Glacier

Details: It's the longest tidewater glacier in North America; the face is more than 400 feet high and almost 7 miles wide.

Cruise lines that visit Hubbard Glacier: Most cruise lines that visit Alaska include Hubbard Glacier on at least one itinerary — often on one-way sailings or longer round-trip cruises. The list includes small- and medium-ship cruise lines like Crystal and Silversea .

What makes Hubbard Glacier special: Hubbard Glacier's enormous face is its biggest draw. Its massive size means you can see it even on visits when the ship cannot get as close as you'd like. 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 sometimes force ships to halt farther out in the fjord.

Hubbard is sometimes called "The Galloping Glacier" because it has been advancing into Disenchantment Bay for more than 100 years — sometimes in surges that cut off nearby Russell Fjord. It is currently considered stable in terms of overall size, but it's steadily moving forward into the bay.

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 glacier's thickness and the steepness of the land mass it crosses. Ice chunks the size of three-story buildings often fall into the water, creating a thunderous roar and waves that pound nearby shorelines.

The glacier is part of the 13.2 million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park encompasses the largest glacial system in the U.S., with 35% of the park covered by glaciers.

During the cruise into Yakutat Bay, which narrows into Disenchantment Bay, you may see humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, seals, sea lions and even bears on shore. Some ships have naturalists on board to help with (and announce) wildlife sightings during the ship's visit to the bay.

Related: The 6 best Alaska cruise shore excursions — from heli-hiking to whale watching

Glacier Bay

Details: It's part of a national park and preserve covering over 3 million acres and encompassing more than 1,000 glaciers — seven of which are tidewater glaciers you can see from the ship.

Cruise lines that visit Glacier Bay : Cunard , Holland America , Norwegian , Princess , Seabourn , Viking , American Cruise Lines , Lindblad, UnCruise and Alaskan Dream Cruises.

What makes Glacier Bay special: The obvious wow is that you can see seven glaciers in one day here. Also cool is that the bay is part of a national park, and rangers will board the ship to answer your questions. They'll have maps, charts and all the information you could want about the park's glaciers and wildlife. Yes, you can get your national park passport stamped.

The ship will visit the park for nine to 10 hours, traveling more than 120 miles. We found itineraries that started as early as 6 a.m. and one on Holland America that arrived at 8:30 a.m. (It stayed until 6:30 p.m.) Ships stop in front of one of the tidewater glaciers for about an hour, rotating 360 degrees to give everyone on board a view.

Only two large cruise ships are allowed per day; luckily, the park classifies smaller lines — including UnCruise, Lindblad and American Cruise Lines — as tour vessels rather than cruise ships, so the big-ship limits don't apply.

Throughout the day of cruising, you can expect to see harbor seals, Steller sea lions, sea otters and bald eagles. You may also see brown bears (coastal grizzlies), black bears, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, mountain goats, orcas and puffins.

Related: Best Alaska cruise tips to help you make the most of your time aboard and ashore

Which is better: Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay?

For length of time spent scenic cruising : Glacier Bay wins this one. The limited number of ships allowed each day means it is an all-day event for the lucky few who cruise these waters. Cruises to Hubbard Glacier typically spend a few hours near the glacier.

For dramatic presentation: Hubbard Glacier is the drama queen of all Alaskan glaciers. Between its brilliant blue colors, thunderous calving and monumental size, Hubbard puts on quite a show. The glaciers in Glacier Bay are quieter, far less flashy and less likely to exhibit calving of large ice chunks.

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. It's like having an extended wildlife viewing excursion — except you never have to leave the ship.

Better for children or those with short attention spans: Hubbard wins here because it's a shorter visit. A visit to Glacier Bay is a long, slow affair, often beginning early in the morning and requiring warm clothing and lots of patience. The one plus for kids at Glacier Bay is interaction with the park rangers on board the ship.

For choice of cruise lines : Hubbard for the win here also. I tracked down 13 different cruise lines offering Hubbard stops in their itineraries. Glacier Bay does earn bonus points, though, for having the greatest number of small-ship options. Imagine the thrill of cruising here onboard an UnCruise, Lindblad or American Cruise Lines vessel.

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. This is primarily because we did find a handful of seven-night round-trip itineraries that included stops here. Also, for the best viewing at Hubbard, you may still need a shore excursion on a smaller boat, which will add to your total costs.

Most likely to succeed: This one is also a win for Glacier Bay. With seven glaciers, the odds are stacked in your favor. 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.

Related: The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler

Other glaciers in Alaska to see by cruise ship

While Hubbard and Glacier Bay are the two most famous glacier choices on Alaska cruises, don't forget the smaller options. Here's what to look for and what to expect.

If your itinerary says you'll be cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord, you are there to see the twin Sawyer glaciers. The narrow fjord is stunning in its beauty. Plus, you'll get closer to land here than in the big open bays, offering a better view of waterfalls and wildlife. Look for bears and mountain goats.

Endicott Arm is a fjord that branches off Tracy Arm and might be used as a backup for Tracy Arm if the weather or ice prevents your ship from reaching the Sawyer glaciers. 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. The glacier you'll see at Endicott Arm is Dawes Glacier. Ships may offer boat excursions to see these glaciers close-up, both on the day of scenic cruising and in Juneau.

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. This is a bonus glacier viewing spot because most itineraries that include it also include either Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay. The real bonus, though, is that the fjord is home to five tidewater glaciers.

Disney Cruise Line often does its scenic cruising in the Stikine Icecap, the most southerly ice field in Alaska. The icy fjord is home to waterfalls, floating icebergs and wildlife such as whales, eagles, brown bears and mountain goats.

Bottom line

You can enjoy an Alaska cruise without seeing glaciers. However, if that's an important part of your dream Alaska experience, you should book a cruise with more than one opportunity to see glaciers because things can (and do) go wrong.

As for choosing Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay, our vote goes to Glacier Bay for ease of viewing, time spent in front of the glaciers and cost to visit — but you won't be disappointed with either option.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Skagway Alaska Tours

• Flight Seeing

Skagway Flight Seeing Tours

Port: Skagway, Alaska

Stand on a living glacier,  and enjoy a helicopter tour featuring dozens more.  This Skagway Tour includes a 40-minute helicopter tour where you will get up close and personal with ancient glaciers, towering waterfalls, and the bottomless depths of the deepest fjord in the world.  You will spend another 40 minutes touring a living glacier on foot with an experienced guide who will show you features such as crevasses, moulins, and crystal-blue glacial pools.  

Before your flight, you will be equipped with glacier boots and a safety vest, and then shown a short video designed to familiarize you with all necessary safety precautions.  This tour is recommended for all ages.  Persons over 250 pounds will be charged an additional $100 (+tax).  Infants up to 23 months are free.  Sunglasses, a camera, and a jacket are recommended.  

Tour Description:  Your tour starts by being picked up by a uniformed Temsco driver, next to the cruise ship dock or downtown (your ticket outlines your pickup location). When you arrive at Temsco, you will be outfitted with glacier boots and shown a brief safety video. You and your group will then be led to the helicopter landing pad and loaded into the chopper. Once you are safely buckled into your seat, you will put on a pair of high-tech headphones so you can easily communicate with your experienced pilot. You will spend 40 minutes in the air and 40 minutes on the glacier. Your flight will be customized to the day's weather and pilot preference. When you land on the glacier, you will be met by a glacier expert who will safely show you around the ancient ice, pointing out features such as crevasses, moulins, and seracs. Glaciers are literally alive and always in motion, so your experience will be unique. There will be ample time to take photos and have a few laughs with family and friends. Be sure to keep an eye out for ice worms!

Glacier Fun Facts : If you’re taking a Skagway helicopter excursion, you probably want to know a few things before you go. What exactly is a glacier? In short, it’s a massive chunk of ice formed by the accumulation of snow. As snow accumulates at higher elevations, it compresses into dense ice and begins to flow downhill. This means that glaciers only form when more snow falls than melts. In fact, it takes 100 feet of snow to create one foot of glacial ice. Wow.

During the last ice age which ended about 12,000 years ago, far more snow fell than melted every year. Glaciers became larger and larger. The glacier that covered Skagway was over a mile thick! That is a whole lot of ice. 

Today, the planet is warming at a very high rate, especially during the last 75 years. Because of this, snow is melting faster than it can accumulate, which means glaciers are receding. The heavy, dense ice still flows downhill but the overall amount of ice declines every year. Still, the glaciers are so large that it will still take a long time for many of them to melt entirely. 

There are 100,000 glaciers in Alaska. Only 10 of them are advancing. One is the Hubbard Glacier, about 90 miles west of Skagway. The Hubbard Glacier is also a tidewater glacier, which means it can be seen calving as it advances. Calving is when a tidewater glacier breaks apart and large chunks of ice fall into the water. People on Skagway excursions enjoy watching glaciers calve because it makes a loud noise and is very exciting. 

Even though the glacier that covered Skagway has been gone for nearly 12,000 years, the effects of this massive piece of ice are still being felt. The ice covering Skagway was so heavy that it compressed the ground and bedrock underneath. Because of this, Skagway is rising between one and two inches every year. This process is called isostatic rebound. 

When you consider the fact that the Klondike Gold Rush was around 124 years ago, this means that Skagway has risen about 17 feet since that time! Indeed, photos from the Gold Rush show that the high water line was near what is not the middle of town. Science sure is something!

What glacier does the Skagway helicopter excursion visit? Whenever you visit a place or geographical feature, it’s interesting to know what it’s called so you can tell people, “I took a Skagway helicopter excursion to the (name here) glacier.”

Most Skagway helicopter excursions land on the Meade Glacier, which is located only a few miles east of town. Why is it called the Meade Glacier? Nobody knows. Perhaps the person that named it after his beloved Meade Notebook from grade school. Maybe it was named after some guy named Billy Meade. Feel free to use your imagination. 

What is known is that the Meade Glacier is very pretty and one of the largest glaciers on the Juneau Ice Field. 

What is the Juneau Ice Field? It’s a field of ice, silly! But seriously, the Juneau Ice Field is a 1,500 square mile field of glacial ice from which many of the most famous glaciers extend. The Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is also a part of the Juneau Ice Field. This means that it extends all the way from Downtown Juneau to Skagway. That’s enough ice to keep a cooler full of beer cold for 100 billion years!

What makes the ice flow downhill? Even though the glacial ice is very dense and heavy, it is still water. What does water do? It flows downhill! This means that glaciers are always moving because the solid water is flowing downhill. 

Why does the ice flow downhill? Gravity. Gravity is a natural force that makes things attract other things. The planet earth is big but the glacier is small by comparison, so the glacier flows toward the mass of the earth. This means that glacial ice is constantly being replenished. So, while a glacier can be 30,000 years old, ice still only takes around 250 years to flow from top to bottom. 

Not all glaciers are from the same time period. While larger glaciers like the Meade Glacier and Hubbard Glacier are quite old, some glaciers were formed relatively recently, during an era called the Little Ice Age.

The Little Ice Age was not truly an “ice age” but it extended from around 1300 to 1850. However, experts agree that it was cold enough to make glaciers advance and for some to form. When you’re traveling through Southeast Alaska and see small glaciers at high elevations that look relatively small, it was likely formed during the Little Ice Age.

In Skagway, if you look southwest across the fjord, you will see a glacier on top of Mount Harding. This glacier is creatively named Harding Glacier. Both the mountain and the glacier are named after President Warren Harding, who knew nothing about glaciers but happened to visit Skagway. Since he is the only president to visit Skagway, he got some stuff named after him. 

Anyway, the little glacier at the top of the mountain was formed during the Little Ice Age. Harding Glacier is quickly receding and will eventually dry up entirely if the climate keeps warming. 

What kind of helicopter will I ride in? There are a lot of different kinds of helicopters. When you take a Skagway helicopter excursion, it’s normal to wonder what kind of helicopter you’re flying in. 

The helicopters used by Temsco for their Skagway helicopter tours are A-Star Helicopters, which are also known as Airbus AS350s in other parts of the world. But you’re in Alaska, so it’s called an A-Star.

These helicopters (also called “choppers” by cool people) have a single-engine and three-blade primary rotor, whatever that means. They are very maneuverable and quick. A-Stars are also easy to start up and switch off, which is nice. Because they are one of the largest non-military helicopters, they are ideal for hauling a half dozen tourists to a glacier. 

A-Star helicopters are one of the most popular commercial aircraft in the world. And you get to ride in one! They are routinely used by law enforcement, medical teams, and those nightly news traffic guys that fly around telling you about bad traffic and highway police chases. A-Stars are also very reliable at high altitudes, which is good when you’re flying over Alaska mountain ranges to land on large chunks of ice. 

If you’re undecided whether to take a Skagway helicopter tour while in port, remember the immortalized words of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 movie Predator when he said, “GET TO THE CHOPPA!”

You won’t regret it.

• Duration: 2.00 hours
• Adults: $399.00
• Children: $399.00

Port: Skagway

This is the ultimate Alaskan adventure , suitable for all ages.  This Skagway Tour includes a helicopter tour to the remote Denver Glacier, where you will be dropped off for your own dog mushing experience on real snow.  Snow pack atop the glacier allows for summer-long adventures, where you get to experience the life of an Iditarod musher.  

This tour includes approximately 25 minutes of flight time on the helicopter, and nearly an hour on the glacier at the mushing camp.  Camera, jacket and sunglasses recommended.  There will be an additional $100 (+ tax) fee for persons weighing over 250 pounds.  

Tour Description:  Your tour starts when you're picked up near your cruise ship dock (or downtown) by a friendly and uniformed Temsco employee who will drive you to their headquarters, less than a mile away. You will then be shown a safety video and outfitted with stylish safety boots and a sporty safety vest. You and your group will then be lined up on the helicopter pad and loaded into your own fancy helicopter. Once inside, you will buckle in and place state-of-the-art headphones on your ears. The headphones will allow you to hear and communicate with your skilled pilot. In total, you will spend about 25 minutes flying in the helicopter, so your flight to the dog camp may be around 15 minutes, give or take a few minutes depending on weather and a variety of other factors. Make no mistake, you will have a few laughs on the flight before you land on the glacier, where the dog camp is situated. After getting off your helicopter, you will have time to look at dogs and perhaps even see some adorable little Alaskan husky puppies. Rest assured, they are all good boys, yes they are. This is when the excitement really begins because you get on a sled and the huskies will pull you all over the snow-covered glacier. You will spend about 55 minutes on the glacier. It will be something you will never forget. When you're done with your sled ride, you will get to the choppa and fly back to the heliport. You will then have the option to be transported back to your ship or Downtown Skagway. Either way, you will undoubtedly start sharing your dog sledding on social media, making everyone you know back at home very jealous, especially if they're at work. 

• Adults: $659.00
• Children: $659.00

Marvel at Alaska's Crown Jewel, Glacier Bay , on this one-hour flight that features pristine wilderness, frequent wildlife spottings, and dozens of glaciers.  The East Arm of Glacier Bay is known for its glaciation, and your pilot Paul will provide you with closeups of both land-based and tidewater glaciers on this incredible Skagway tour.

No weight restrictions on this tour.  Infants up to two years old are free.  Sunglasses and camera recommended.  Paul can accommodate groups and families of up to eight people on one flight.  Landings are also available for an additional $75 per person, so if you are interested please inquire about this option.   

Tour Description:  You will meet your pilot, Paul, at the Skagway International Airport. Paul will assist you as you step into his custom DeHavilland Beaver for your flight over Glacier Bay. Once inside the airplane, you will buckle up and put on a pair of noise-canceling headphones so that you can hear and talk to your friendly pilot. This is a good thing because Paul will share a number of humorous stories guaranteed to provide you and your party with a few laughs. Every flight over Glacier Bay is unique as glaciers are living bodies of ice and always in constant motion. It's not uncommon to see wildlife and Paul will safely ensure you get a good look when possible. If you're lucky enough to enjoy a landing, you will have an opportunity to get out of the Beaver and explore for a while, taking pictures and enjoying the remote beauty of Alaska's pristine wilderness. When your flight is over, you will land safely back at the airport with a big smile on your face.

What exactly is flightseeing? Flightseeing is another way of saying that a person is getting on an airplane to fly over some interesting stuff so that passengers can see it. There are a number of reasons why a person might go on a flight. It might be to visit family during Christmas or for a vacation. Soldiers fly in airplanes during combat missions and businessmen fly in airplanes to make money. 

When you travel to Alaska, you should go on a flight to look at the fantastic scenery. Sure, everything is very pretty while you’re standing on the ground but when you see mountains and glaciers from an airplane it will blow your mind right out of your skull. It’s that pretty. You will also quickly learn that you are in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains, ice, and the ocean. 

What kind of airplane is used on the tour? The airplane is called a DeHavilland Beaver. The DeHavilland Beaver is the most famous bush plane in all of Alaska because it’s safe, reliable, and perfect for flightseeing. Pilot Paul’s Beaver is fully customized for flightseeing. It is very comfortable and comes equipped with headphones for every passenger. This allows Paul and his passengers to talk and tell stories and laugh at funny jokes.

Is the Glacier Bay flightseeing tour safe? Paul has been giving flightseeing tours for decades. He’s conducted thousands of flights. These facts alone show that flightseeing with Mountain Flying Service is safe. 

Consider this: Most people traveling to Alaska live in or near a metropolitan area. They drive on the Interstate and local roads for hours every day. When you consider how many people are in accidents every day, the logical conclusion would be to say it’s not safe. But everyone keeps driving anyway. 

Flying in Alaska is no different. Skagway residents often have to fly to Juneau in a tiny airplane. Some locals call these airplanes “puddle jumpers” because Skagway people have a good sense of humor. So, you see, flying in small airplanes is a part of everyday life in Alaska, just like driving in traffic is an everyday part of life in the Lower 48.

What can you tell me about Glacier Bay? Some people call Glacier Bay the Crown Jewel of Alaska. That’s because its unspoiled beauty is arguably the most striking and beautiful in the entire state of Alaska. And that’s saying something!

Glacier Bay is 3.3 million acres of rugged Alaskan beauty. As you fly over Glacier Bay, you will see endless mountains, countless glaciers, deep fjords, and pristine coastlines. Mush of Glacier Bay is a temperate rainforest filled with all sorts of animals that have thrived there for a very long time.

Glacier Bay is also part of a 25-million-acre World Heritage Site that includes Kluane Provincial Park, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Tatshenshini-Alsek. This is one of the World’s largest international protected areas and it’s larger than the state of New Jersey! It smells a lot better too.

Glacier Bay is commonly divided into two sections, the East Arm and the West Arm. When you look at these two arms, it looks like there are actually two bays. However, when Glacier Bay was named, the southern end was nothing more than a massive tidewater glacier. Then it melted into what you see today.

Some of the largest mountains in North America are found in the West Arm of Glacier Bay. On any Glacier Bay flightseeing tour, guests get to see tidewater glaciers, which are glaciers that end in the water. 

Sometimes unusual formations appear on glaciers, like glacial arches, but glaciers are always moving so these features don’t last long. You could travel to Alaska every year and actually see the glaciers change. That is simply amazing.

Do people see wildlife on the Glacier Bay flightseeing tour? Absolutely. But remember that it’s not a wildlife tour. The goal is to see the beauty and majesty of Glacier Bay, so seeing wildlife is an added bonus. What kind of animals might you see on your Glacier Bay flightseeing excursion?

Mountain Goats - When you fly over mountains in Alaska, there’s always a chance to mountain goats. Makes sense.

Moose - As you fly over muskeg and meadows surrounded by trees, look for moose. This is the kind of terrain moose like because it’s where they eat and find mates. 

Bears - It’s possible to see a black or brown bear just about anywhere, even on a glacier. There is a variety of bear sometimes spotted in Glacier Bay called a glacier bear. These are actually black bears that have a gray or blonde color morph. They are very rare. If you see a glacier bear, you are very lucky and should tell all of your friends about it.

Where does the airplane land? Paul offers landings for an affordable additional fee. There are a number of places to land, depending on the time of year. 

During the spring, it’s often possible to land right on top of a glacier. Paul’s Beaver can be outfitted with skis, which allows him to plop that puppy down right on the snow-covered glacier. It’s like something out of an IMAX movie. 

During the summer and fall months, guests can land on the beach. This is especially exciting on flights to the Pacific Coast near Yakutat where the Glacier Bay plateau descends to the mighty ocean. 

Paul arranges custom flights to this area with fishermen who like to have the best Alaskan fishing experience possible. He lands his Beaver right next to the Alsek River so that anglers can catch king salmon in the summer and coho salmon in the fall. 

Flightseeing guests who want to experience something truly unique and off the beaten path should consider a flight over Glacier Bay that includes a landing. Everyone on the cruise ship will be jealous. 

How many glaciers are there in Glacier Bay? There are more than 1,000 glaciers in Glacier Bay. That’s a whole lot of ice. Margaritas anyone? When you take a Glacier Bay flightseeing excursion, you have a chance to see some of Glacier Bay’s more famous glaciers. Let’s talk about a few of them.

Johns Hopkins Glacier - This glacier is very big. In fact, it is about one mile wide and 200 feet deep where it meets the water. This is also the only advancing tidewater glacier in Glacier Bay. This is one of those glaciers that looks like it’s covered in something gray or black. That is debris, actually rock, carved from the mountain as the glacier flows downhill. Crazy!

Every year, this glacier flows downhill at a rate of about 3,000 feet. That’s almost 8 feet per day! 

Grand Pacific Glacier - This glacier is prominent when you fly to the Alsek River and land on the beach. The glacier is more than a mile wide at the terminus. There is a large amount of rock and debris on this glacier which makes parts of it look “dirty,” as people sometimes say.

Margerie Glacier - This is arguably the most famous glacier in Glacier Bay because cruise ships travel up the East Arm so that passengers can get a close look at it. It’s even more impressive from a Skagway flightseeing excursion. 

The Marjorie Glacier is about 200 feet high at its terminus. As big chunks of ice fall into the ocean, it makes a tremendous sound. This is called calving for some reason. The glacier is also 100 feet below the water, which makes it 300 feet total. That’s a big piece of ice for sure. 

Muir Glacier - This glacier used to be the most famous glacier in the National Park. It was a beautiful tidewater glacier named after the famous naturalist. But it is fully grounded now and no longer a tidewater glacier. The retreat of the glacier began in 1899 and the calving rates were extreme. 

If you’re ready to book a Skagway flightseeing excursion, you will learn a lot more about glaciers. Better yet, you will get to see them with your own eyes before they all recede just like the Muir Glacier.

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Hubbard Glacier and Wilderness... - Hubbard Glacier

• United States    
• Alaska (AK)    
• Alaska - Things to Do    
• Hubbard Glacier

Views are unbelievable - serene and majestic. Visited on a cruise which would not be our‘thing’ but... read more

What a sight to behold. To me it is another Wonder of the World. Quite emotional to see it all in... read more

Hubbard Glacier and Wilderness Exploration - nice side trip

This is a side trip we took off our Princess cruise ship, which went to the Hubbard Glacier. This side trip is run by a vendor called Allen Marine. They try to get you closer to the glacier than the cruise ship normally gets, using a smaller boat. In our case, the weather was great, so the cruise ship actually got as close to the glacier as the smaller boat (about 1/2 mile). But the smaller boat made a circular trip around the area, so we still got to see more. Plus we had some good narration and someone to answer our questions. The crew was super-nice. The glacier is an awesome sight to behold. Costs around $200, but worth it, especially if the cruise ship doesn't get that close. (Depends on the weather, so you won't know until the day-of.)

We took the itinerary we did because of the the stop at Hubbard Glacier. I could not be more pleased that we did. This Glacier is stunning and amazing in every way. Highly recommend making a journey here to see it in person as no photo does it justice. So peaceful and majestic, I would return in a heartbeat.

Highly recommend Hubbard Glacier on everyone's bucket list. I do not have the appropriate words to express the beauty that the glacier as well as Alaska possesses. Watching the glacier, listening to it, was the best meditation one could do. Loved it and hope to go back someday soon.

Expansive Glacier - beautiful view from cruise ship on an awesome clear day. Saw many icebergs on the way to the Glacier but no wildlife other than birds.

We cruised on the Radiance of the Seas in July 2019 and the visit to the Hubbard Glacier was one of the highlights. The captain got us incredibly close and we were able to see ice calving off! The scale was just insane.

Our cruise ship approached through the mist, and we thought it was magical seeing it as the mist lifted over the mountains beyond. Then we got closer, as pieces of ice drifted towards us, and the pieces became bigger, and I thought of Titanic, and how you only see the tip of an iceberg... We got closer stil, and it was breathtaking- the colours, the size, and the sound of thunder as it calved and fell into the water with a splash we could see. Awesome indeed!

Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

A laska might be one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it's rugged and can be tricky to get around. Explore the Last Frontier by cruise ship, and you can travel to gold rush towns, glaciers, Alaska Native heritage sites and natural areas brimming with wildlife in comfort, even luxury.

When planning an Alaska cruise, you have many things to consider: when to go for the experience you're anticipating, which cruise line is best suited to your travel style, the best Alaska cruise ports to visit and which shoreside activities you want to prioritize. It's not the kind of trip you want to throw together at the last minute — especially since the best fare deals typically go to organized travelers who book early.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north.

Why cruise Alaska?

Most people have similar reasons for cruising Alaska. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its Native cultures and gold rush history. It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states.

One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road. Plus, many of the state's famous glaciers are best viewed from the sea.

If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own.

A cruise can also make an Alaska trip more affordable. Instead of taking a long and expensive flight to Anchorage or Fairbanks, you can choose a cruise that sails round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver (note, you won't be able to tack on a post-cruise land trip to Denali if you do this). Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with sales, can be cheaper than you'd think.

Related: Best Alaska cruise tips to help you make the most of your time aboard and ashore

When do cruises go to Alaska?

Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. The season is short due to weather. Cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises.

Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s. It also rains a lot in Alaska; it's drier in the spring than in the summer.

When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and rain, and the price. Cruises at the beginning (April and May) and end (September and October) of Alaska's cruise season are generally a bit cheaper than those in June, July and August.

Related: Best time to cruise to Alaska

Best Alaska itineraries

Where do Alaska cruises even go? Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage.

Learn more about the best Alaska cruise itineraries for your next vacation.

Inside Passage

The Inside Passage is the most popular Alaska cruise route. Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau. A few lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard Line, offer 10-night Inside Passage cruises from Seattle or Vancouver.

Glacial ice carved this passageway long ago, and today, cruise ships and fishing vessels thread their way through the islets and channels to see some of the most spectacular natural sights in the world.

You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above.

Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's also history here that you shouldn't overlook. Shore excursions and onboard lectures will explain the cultures of the Indigenous peoples of Alaska, as well as more recent inhabitants from the Russian community in Sitka and the fortune-seekers who moved to Skagway during the Klondike gold rush in the late 1890s.

Popular Inside Passage ports of call include Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Haines and Skagway. Most cruises will visit three or four ports of call.

Additionally, you'll have one day spent cruising the Inside Passage and one focused on "scenic cruising," where you can enjoy the landscapes but won't go ashore. This is not nearly as boring as you might think since you'll see incredible sights like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve or Hubbard Glacier .

One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters.

Related: The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler

Gulf of Alaska

If you book a weeklong Gulf of Alaska voyage, you'll also enjoy exploring parts of the Inside Passage and its ports that could include a mix of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Haines and Icy Strait Point.

You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage. Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations might include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.

Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer.

For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. You can book the transportation on your own or through your cruise line.

Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. Be prepared if you're particularly prone to seasickness.

Related: One-way Alaska cruises vs. round-trip: Which is best?

Longer sailings from the West Coast

Finally, you'll find some round-trip San Francisco itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. These cruises are best suited to travelers who love days at sea.

On a 10-night cruise, you'll have four sea days (for example, two days from San Francisco to Juneau) plus a day of scenic cruising at a spot like Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Endicott Arm, Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go.

Ports on these longer sailings might include Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Victoria, British Columbia.

You can also find one-way repositioning cruises between Southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season.

Related: The 5 best luxury Alaska cruises you can book right now

Cruisetours

Cruise lines understand that not all of Alaska's best sights lie along the coast. Denali National Park and the city of Fairbanks are well inland. And some coastal highlights, like the Kenai Peninsula, aren't typically visited on a seven-night cruise. So the cruise lines created their own "cruisetours": vacations that combine a weeklong cruise with a two- to seven-night bus tour.

On a cruisetour, you'll sail on a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise, so your cruise starts or ends in Alaska. Depending on the tour itinerary you choose, you might visit Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks — as well as spend one to three nights in Denali National Park.

Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway.

Your tour might include a ride on the scenic Alaska Railroad . Some activities are included in the cost of the cruisetour; other outings can be booked like shore excursions, depending on your interest and budget. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, booking a cruisetour in September might be your best bet to see the aurora on a cruise vacation.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Best Alaska cruise lines

Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer. Some of the best Alaska cruise lines are Holland America and Princess Cruises because they have especially long histories in the region and offer cruises, as well as cruise and land tour combinations, on multiple ships each season.

If you want a more active trip in less touristed areas, a great choice would be a small-ship expedition line, including Alaska specialists such as Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures.

Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so don't let budget stop you from visiting. If luxury is what you're after, you can find lines that will go overboard pampering you on your journey north.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Best cruise lines for extended trips to Alaska

If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also to Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Princess even owns a handful of its own lodges.

Best Alaska cruises for families with kids

Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships that cater to all ages, from babies to teens. Little kids will adore meet-and-greets with beloved characters onboard Disney cruises, or hanging with Dr. Seuss characters when sailing with Carnival. Older kids will love the rock climbing walls, video game stations, sports courts, go-karts and laser tag on Royal Caribbean and NCL ships.

Related: 6 best Alaska cruises for families

Best cruise lines for adventure-seekers

Active travelers might prefer expedition-style voyages on smaller ships that include more time for adventurous activities, such as hiking in the Tongass National Forest, wildlife and glacier viewing from Zodiac rafts or kayaks, or even overnight camping. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists.

If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Just expect the majority of your shipmates to be older adults.

Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises.

Related: Pros and cons of small-ship cruising in Alaska

Best for multigenerational groups

Sailing with grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and kids? Try Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Princess Cruises. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises.

Kids can hang out in the youth lounges while parents hit the spa or try a wine-tasting class. Everyone can come back together for dinner and evening entertainment or onboard activities suitable for all ages.

Best for couples and big celebrations

The luxury cruise lines are your best bet if you're a couple and enjoy spacious suites, gourmet food, pampering (many luxe lines hire butlers to cater to every passenger) and the opportunity to meet other like-minded cruisers. The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages might also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement.

Look at Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises and Viking.

Related: The best Alaska cruises for couples

Things to do in Alaska

Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint.

Related: Best shore excursions on an Alaska cruise

Wildlife tours are available in every port. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them.

Book a fishing trip to try your hand at catching salmon or halibut, or go out crab fishing for a glimpse into that type of work.

Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). You can even opt for a round of golf at the course in Haines.

In Alaska, sightseeing doesn't only take place on the ground. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dog-sledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway.

Alaska cruises provide plentiful opportunities to learn about Native Alaskan culture. You can get a taste of the gold rush life by trying your hand at panning for gold, attending a salmon bake or visiting a dog-sled camp. A hike on the Chilkoot Trail or ride on the White Pass Railway lets you follow in the footsteps of the miners who came to seek their fortunes. Cap your day by trying out locally brewed craft beers.

Shopping abounds, and you can buy everything from diamond jewelry to T-shirts and other souvenirs. You'll need to look carefully for Alaskan-owned stores selling local handicrafts, but they're worth seeking out.

Related: 15 Alaska cruise mistakes you never want to make

Best Alaska cruise ports

The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. The immediate port area will be filled with tourist shops and eateries. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield.

If you want to see some of Alaska's most rustic and charming villages or stick to wild places, book a voyage with a line like Alaskan Dream Cruises or UnCruise to visit destinations like Baranof Island, Chichagof Island, Petersburg and Wrangell.

Ketchikan is known for three things: Native Alaskan (Tlingit) totem poles, Misty Fjords National Monument and the city's distinction as the Salmon Capital of the World. The town has more standing totem poles than anywhere else in the state; see them at the Saxman Native Village and the Totem Heritage Center. Access the Misty Fjords by kayak, floatplane or scenic cruise. Fishing excursions are plentiful here, too.

Ketchikan is where folks go to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, with athletes wielding axes and saws in traditional lumbering activities. It is also the jumping-off point for a Bering Sea crab fishing tour.

Alaska's capital city is interesting because no road leads from here to the rest of the state. It's located at the base of Mount Juneau, and you can only get there via boat or small plane — even residents have to bring their cars to Juneau via ferry. Home to Mendenhall Glacier, this is a popular port for hikes by, kayak tours to and helicopter landings on the glacier.

For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dog-sled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau.

If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day.

Skagway is an easy port for independent travelers who want to explore the town or go for a hike on their own. It's most famous as the terminus for the White Pass Railway into the Yukon.

Sitka is as much a working fishing town as it is a tourist destination. Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary. See St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop's House.

Before the Russians came, the Tlingit people settled here. You can learn about their history and culture at the Sitka National Historical Park and Sheldon Jackson Museum of Native Alaskan art. Wildlife enthusiasts might want to visit the Alaska Raptor Center, or go bird- and bear-watching.

The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found.

Animal lovers and kids tend to enjoy a visit to the Kroschel Center for Orphaned Animals here. For a special tour, go bear-watching at twilight.

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all Native Alaskan-owned. Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. The port is set on Chichagof Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines.

Scenic cruising

Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. You'll rarely leave the ship during these sail-bys (unless you happen to be aboard certain expedition, luxury or small ships that offer the chance to get on board a skiff to get closer ... but, even then, you're still viewing these sites from the water).

Onboard naturalists generally narrate what you're seeing, so head to the observation lounge (or tune to a broadcast on your in-room television) to learn about some of the top sights featured on scenic cruising days.

Top scenic cruising destinations in Alaska include Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve , Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Dawes Glacier at Endicott Arm and College Fjord.

Related: Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay: Which is the better scenic cruising spot in Alaska?

When to book an Alaska cruise

The best time to book an Alaska cruise is when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares.

Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early.

If you wait to book, you're not entirely out of luck. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as " wave season "). You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help.

In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and don't need to book flights. While some less preferred sail dates or cabin categories might be available a few months out, spurring cruise lines to drop rates, you might have trouble finding affordable airfare and pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations that do not consume your cruise savings.

Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?

What to bring on an Alaska cruise

When it comes to packing for an Alaska cruise, your mantra should always be: dress in layers. On the same day, you might be warm in town but chilly on your tour to a glacier. If you plan on hiking, kayaking or riding on a dog sled, you'll need the appropriate activewear.

Definitely pack for rain; consider skipping the umbrella and instead bringing a wide-brimmed waterproof hat, rain jacket, rain pants and waterproof shoes or boots.

This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars. For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list .

Bottom line

An Alaska cruise is a memorable experience. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s 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.