Glacier Bay Questions

[ron1946]

This will be our second trip to Alaska -- The first went to Tracy Arm Fjord. This one is the Carnival Miracle going to Glacier Bay in Mid May 2014. Would appreciate any information as to what to expect/seeing from folks that have been there. Is there any excursion similiar to Tracy Arm where you can board a catamaran directly from the ship and see the Glaciers up close? Any information greatly appreciated as we really don't know what to expect! Thanks!

[JimmyVWine]

You won't need any sortof catamaran or tender to get up close to the glaciers. The ship will take you right where you need to be. Especially Margerie Glacier. Here are some photos, all of which were taken from my port side balcony stateroom (on Sapphire Princess).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Budget Queen]

There are no add on tours.

 

With Glacier Bay, it can "start" early. :)

 

IF you want the "most" out of your day, I am up at least a half hour prior to dawn, this would be with a 6am Glacier Bay day. The waterway you transit is Icy Strait which is a prime humpback feeding grounds, and loaded with marine wildlife. At Bartlett Cove you will pick up National Park Rangers, who will escort the ship in. Some people enjoy see them coming/going. :) From that point, it is about 3 hours until you get to the glaciers. This is a wildlife rich area, binoculars are necessary, and I suggest you consider your lowest deck viewing area, and be willing to move around.

 

Your first glacier sightings will be the Reid and Lamplugh glaciers, both on the port side. Depending on the cpt, you may get a look at the John Hopkins glacier. The most time is spent in front of the Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, with the ship "turning". I suggest you move with the ship. :)

 

Same on the way out, wildlife is plentiful. IF you are headed to Skagway/Juneau, then stay out past Bartlett Cove. The next hour or two, is going to put you in prime humpback feeding areas. I saw at least 20 this year, with me, being out with only one other person. :) Depends on you.

[ron1946]

You won't need any sortof catamaran or tender to get up close to the glaciers. The ship will take you right where you need to be. Especially Margerie Glacier. Here are some photos, all of which were taken from my port side balcony stateroom (on Sapphire Princess).

 

 

WOW! Beautiful pictures, thanks so much!

[kjeanne2001]

You won't need any sortof catamaran or tender to get up close to the glaciers. The ship will take you right where you need to be. Especially Margerie Glacier. Here are some photos, all of which were taken from my port side balcony stateroom (on Sapphire Princess).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful pictures! What type camera/lens did you use?

[Shmoo here]

 

 

 

Love this picture!

[JimmyVWine]

Beautiful pictures! What type camera/lens did you use?

 

Thanks. I used a Canon T3i and a combination of the standard 18-55 "consumer" lens and a 100-400 "L" series lens that I rented for the trip.

[JimmyVWine]

Love this picture!

 

We had an incredible day at Margerie Glacier that resulted in dozens of calving photos. For more photos, see my review on the Princess board or linked here on the Alaska board in the thread that consolidates all the reviews.