Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier: Alaska's scenic cruising days
The days with no port are often the highlight of an Alaska cruise. Here's how to make the most of them.
On many Alaska itineraries, the most memorable days have no port at all. Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier are scenic cruising days: the ship slows, naturalists and park rangers narrate, and the deck itself becomes the destination.
These are not ports
It helps to reset your expectations, because there is nothing to book ashore.
- No gangway, no pier and no excursion to buy.
- The ship sails in, holds position for a while and sails back out.
- The whole day is built around the glacier and the landscape.
- On Glacier Bay days, park rangers often board and give talks over the ship's speakers.
Glacier Bay: rangers and tidewater glaciers
Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason: a deep fjord lined with tidewater glaciers, where the ice descends straight into the sea. Only a limited number of ships are allowed in each day, which keeps the experience surprisingly calm.
Highlights usually include Margerie Glacier, a dramatic wall of ice, plus a stop near Lamplugh Glacier. Rangers point out wildlife — sea otters, seals, mountain goats and sometimes bears on the shoreline.
Calving ice sounds like thunder. When a chunk breaks off, everyone on deck goes quiet; keep your camera ready but watch it with your eyes first.
Hubbard Glacier: the biggest
Hubbard Glacier is one of the largest tidewater glaciers in North America, and unlike Glacier Bay it sits in open water rather than a sheltered fjord. The captain approaches as close as the ice allows, and on a good day the scale is hard to believe. Because it is exposed, the sea state can be rougher, so this is a day to dress properly.
Where to stand for the best views
| Viewpoint | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Open forward decks | The classic head-on view | Coldest and windiest spot |
| Wraparound promenade | You can move side to side quickly | Busy at peak moments |
| Your balcony | Private, sheltered, coffee in hand | Only one side of the ship |
| Observation lounge | Warm, good for mobility needs | Glass can reflect and haze |
The ship often rotates slowly so both sides get a view, so don't panic about which side your cabin is on.
Weather, clothing and comfort
- Expect cold, wind and rain even in summer, and especially near the ice.
- Wear layers plus a waterproof and windproof shell, a hat and gloves.
- Bring binoculars; wildlife is often distant.
- Hot drinks and soups are the classic scenic-day comfort.
Planning the scenic day
- Read the daily programme for the ranger talk and the expected arrival time.
- Be on deck before the ship reaches the glacier, not after.
- Avoid booking a spa or long meal that clashes with the main event.
- Find a quiet spot on a lower outdoor deck if the main areas get crowded.
Treat a scenic day like a sea day with a headline act. That is also how our guide to sea days on a cruise frames them: slow down, look up and be there for the moment.