Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)

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Glacier Bay National Park
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Glacier Bay National Park
Snowcapped mountains reflected in the still turquoise water of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
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Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)

Glacier Bay is a scenic cruising day on Alaska cruises, not a port of call: the ship spends most of a day sailing through Glacier Bay National Park, past steep fjords and tidewater glaciers, while passengers watch from the decks. The park covers more than 3.2 million acres of Southeast Alaska, seven of its glaciers still reach the sea, and National Park Service rangers come aboard every cruise ship to narrate the day.

Can you get off the ship in Glacier Bay? No. Cruise ships do not dock or tender anywhere in the park, and everyone stays on board for the whole visit. Rangers usually board near the park entrance early in the day and leave in the afternoon. A typical cruise ship route covers more than 120 miles inside the park and includes about an hour stopped in front of a glacier face.

The landscape is young. About 250 years ago a single glacier filled the whole bay, and since then the ice has pulled back about 60 miles, opening the long inlets ships sail today. The park is the ancestral homeland of the Huna Tlingit and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches into Canada.

The National Park Service limits how many cruise ships may enter the bay each day, so only some Alaska sailings include Glacier Bay; check the itinerary before you book. Cruises to Glacier Bay are offered mainly by Princess and Holland America, along with Norwegian and smaller ships from Lindblad, Seabourn and Viking. Glacier Bay days often start early, so read the ship's daily program the night before.

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Destinations for Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)

The following cruise destinations can be visited on a cruise that includes Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising). Select a destination to view the upcoming cruises that are available:

Alaska Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)
Alaska Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)
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Asia Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)
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Pricing listed above is per person, based on double occupancy in the least expensive accommodations available, is subject to change, and may not reflect the most recent pricing (as pricing gets updated throughout the day). Prices include Required Cruise Fees & Expenses, as well as Government Taxes & Fees. Prices may not reflect discounts and special promotions that you may qualify for. Go to the Category selection step of the online booking process to view the live pricing and latest offers.

Cruise Lines with Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)

The following cruise lines offer cruises sailing to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising). Select a cruise line to view the upcoming cruises that visit Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising):

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River Cruise Lines

Becoming more and more popular, a river cruise is an immerse and destination-focused vacation experience, on a small and luxurious vessel.

River cruises sail through the inland waterways of some of the world's most interesting vacation destinations (i.e. Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America), and provide their guests with a greater opportunity to spend time visiting more unique ports of call than a traditional cruise typically would.

Because the destination is the star of a river cruise, (typically guided) shore excursions are included at no additional charge by many River cruise lines. There are usually many interesting lectures given during the cruise, by experts on the history and culture of the region being visited.

Among the famous rivers that one may take a river cruise on are the Rhine, Mississippi, Seine, Danube, Mekong, Nile, Yangtze, Amazon and Douro.

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Specialty Cruise Lines

These cruise lines offer a truly unique vacation experience, with a wide range of possible amenities and itineraries. Some are expedition cruise lines, others have sailing yachts or are coastal ships.

On these types of cruise lines, there's usually a focus on a specific destination or theme. Itineraries are usually very destination intensive, aided by the fact that they're able to reach many ports of call that larger ships can't.

Expedition cruise lines are a great fit for adventure-seeking travelers, featuring exciting destinations like the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, and the Norwegian coast. During the cruise, there will usually be plenty of interesting lectures given by experts on the destination being visited. Often, shore excursions are included in the cost of the cruise. In fact, some of these cruise lines have all-inclusive pricing. There's a definite focus on the ship's surrounding scenery, as well as opportunities to view wildlife in their natural habitat. Small, but comfortable, ships are commonplace here, with anywhere from basic to very luxurious public spaces, cuisine, and accommodations (depending on the cruise line and ship).

Sailing Yachts, sail-assisted motor ships, offer a really unique vacation experience. Accommodations and cuisine on these intimate vessels can be anywhere from good to fantastic, depending on the cruise line. Destinations offered by these cruise lines may include the Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal, Tahiti, and Costa Rica.

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Premium Cruise Lines

These cruise lines enhance what mainstream cruise lines typically offer, by providing their guests with higher quality service and cuisine, along with more spacious public spaces and accommodations.

Depending on the cruise line, the ships in this class range in size from small to very large.

These cruise lines appeal to a more discerning traveler, and are typically more expensive than mainstream cruise lines, but more affordable than the luxury lines.

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Mainstream Cruise Lines

Value is a key feature of these popular cruise lines, as they offer lots of activities, entertainment and dining options, along with a variety of stateroom types. Some of the cruise lines in this category have ships with unique innovations like water slides, rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, surfing simulators, bowling alleys, and boardwalks.

Their ships are usually anywhere from mid-sized to very large "mega" ships, accommodating thousands of guests. These ships give the feel of being in a large resort.

Mainstream cruise lines are a great option for just about everyone (including multi-generation families, and first-time cruisers), and typically have great youth programs.

During the cruise, entertainment may include Broadway productions, Vegas-style shows, comedians, and music. Some of these lines have select formal nights during the cruise. Specialty restaurants are becoming more and more common (some which have a cover charge for this type enhanced dining experience). Buffets are usually available throughout the day, besides room service, and the main dining room(s).

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Luxury Cruise Lines

When the finest cruise vacation is your top priority, this is the place to start.

On a luxury cruise line, guests experience highly personalized service, a more intimate (and usually formal) onboard experience, gourmet cuisine, well-appointed accommodations, and fantastic amenities. Many of these brands have smaller ships, allowing them to reach ports of call that the larger ships can't, which results in unique itineraries.

All of these brands feature a version of all-inclusive pricing, and some of them have ships with all-suite accommodations. Although these cruise lines are usually more expensive than the rest, they also provide their guests with so much more, resulting in a fantastic value when considering all that's included.

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Deluxe Cruise Lines

These cruise lines fit (quality and, usually, price-wise) somewhere in between Premium and Luxury cruise lines.

A country club casual atmosphere can be expected on these lines, as can be elegant accommodations and gourmet cuisine. These cruise lines are a great option for adults looking for a upscale, yet laid back, vacation.

Unique itineraries are often available on these cruise lines, as their small-to-mid-sized ships can visit ports of call that large ones can't get to.

The pricing on Azamara Club Cruises includes select beverages and pre-paid gratuities, while the pricing of Viking Ocean Cruises includes shore excursions and select beverages.

American Cruise Lines
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  • River / Specialty Cruise Line
  • Ships: 29 (90 - 180 Guests)
  • Destination Immersion®
  • Gratuities Included
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American Cruise Lines American Cruise Lines to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising) Low price guarantee!
Holland America Line
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  • Premium Cruise Line
  • Ships: 11 (1,432 - 2,668 Guests)
  • Inspired Cuisine
  • World-Class Entertainment
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Holland America Line Holland America Line to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising) Special Price, Onboard Credit or Grats!
Lindblad Expeditions
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  • Specialty Cruise Line
  • Ships: 22 (16 - 154 Guests)
  • All-Inclusive
  • National Geographic Partnership
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Lindblad Expeditions Lindblad Expeditions to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising) Exclusive Onboard Credit!
Norwegian Cruise Line
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  • Mainstream Cruise Line
  • Ships: 22 (1,878 - 4,218 Guests)
  • Freestyle Cruising
  • Award-Winning Entertainment
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Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising) Special Price, Onboard Credit or Grats!
Princess Cruises
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  • Mainstream Cruise Line
  • Ships: 17 (2,000 - 4,300 Guests)
  • Great Dining & Entertainment
  • Unique Itineraries
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Princess Cruises Princess Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising) Onboard Credit, Cash Back or Grats!
Seabourn Cruise Line
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  • Luxury Cruise Line
  • Ships: 5 (264 - 600 Guests)
  • Open Bars Throughout the Ship
  • All Dining Venues are Complimentary
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Seabourn Cruise Line Seabourn Cruise Line to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising) Huge Onboard Credits!
Tauck Cruises
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  • River Cruise Line
  • Ships: 36 (40 - 2,106 Guests)
  • All inclusive pricing
  • Family owned cruise line
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Viking Ocean Cruises
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  • Deluxe Cruise Line
  • Ships: 17 (930 - 998 Guests)
  • Newest and Largest Small Ship Fleet!
  • All Veranda Staterooms!
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Viking Ocean Cruises Viking Ocean Cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising) Huge Onboard Credits!

Things to do in Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)

Everything in Glacier Bay is seen from the ship, from the first ranger talk in the morning to the last look at the ice. These are the highlights of the day:

♦ Margerie Glacier

At the head of Tarr Inlet, Margerie Glacier is one of the main stops for cruise ships. Its face is about 0.85 miles wide and rises about 200 feet above the water, and the ice begins about 21 miles away in snowfields high in the Fairweather Range. Beside it lies the wider Grand Pacific Glacier, which once joined Margerie and has since pulled back from it.

♦ Calving Ice

The chance to see a glacier calve is the reason to be on deck. With the ship stopped in front of the ice, listen for the crack and boom as a slab breaks off and falls into the inlet. In late summer, ships may also be allowed into Johns Hopkins Inlet, whose glacier is one of the few in the park still advancing.

♦ Park Rangers on Board

National Park Service rangers join every cruise ship that enters the park and stay until the afternoon. They narrate the scenery over the ship's speakers, give talks on the park's history and wildlife, staff an information desk and run Junior Ranger activities for children. Their commentary turns a day of scenery into a guided tour of the park.

♦ Wildlife Watching

Keep watch along the shoreline and on the water. Sightings commonly include humpback whales, sea otters, brown bears and seabirds, and passengers also spot bald eagles, harbor seals, mountain goats and puffins. Ask the rangers where animals have been seen that day.

♦ Viewing Tips

Pick an outside deck before the ship reaches the glaciers, bring binoculars, and dress in rain gear and warm layers. Summer temperatures in the park usually stay between about 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the weather is often wet, so a waterproof jacket earns its place in the suitcase.

Average Monthly Weather for Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Scenic Cruising)


Temperature

Average monthly high and low temperatures. Values are in Fahrenheit (switch to Celsius):

Precipitation

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The information above is provided for informational purposes only. Monthly statistics are based on the most recent instance of that month. Weather is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. The data is provided by a third-party and we accept no liability regarding its accuracy.