Why does Carnival only sail Glacier Bay once or twice a year?

[MileHighAko]

Does anyone know why Carnival Spirit only goes to Glacier Bay once or twice a year? We are booked for next year's Glacier Bay cruise and am curious why it is only offered once. Is there something unique about it?

[vbmom87]

You need a permit to cruise through Glacier Bay. These permits are limited in number, therefore not all ships will be granted the permits. It is a national park and this area is trying to be preserved as best as they can but still allow some traffic through there.

 

A number of years ago, some cruiseline illegally dumped in Glacier Bay and they have been banned from cruising Glacier Bay.

[born2cruize]

Does anyone know why Carnival Spirit only goes to Glacier Bay once or twice a year? We are booked for next year's Glacier Bay cruise and am curious why it is only offered once. Is there something unique about it?

 

get the majority of the permits each year. That's why if you really want to see Glacier Bay your best chance is one of these lines. A couple of years ago if memory serves Princess and HAL received in the neighborhood of 60 - 80 permits each. With the others just getting a couple. It doesn't hurt that these two lines have a very large presents in Alaska.

[chipmaster]

If Glacier is what you want go search sailings for HAL and Princess they got them locked up!

 

Does anyone know why Carnival Spirit only goes to Glacier Bay once or twice a year? We are booked for next year's Glacier Bay cruise and am curious why it is only offered once. Is there something unique about it?

[born2cruize]

Found this link to explain the Glacier Bay permit system:

 

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Alaska-s-Glacier-Bay-awards-10-year-deals-to-cruise-lines/