happygirl72 Posted November 16, 2013 #1 Share Posted November 16, 2013 We are planning to go on our first and probably only Alaskan cruise next May. We were planning on going on Celebrity which went to Tracy Arm but read here that sometimes that is not possible in May. So we are switching to a cruise that visits Glacier Bay. From what I have read, it seems like Glacier Bay is a sure thing. Is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugaltravel Posted November 16, 2013 #2 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Glacier Bay is ice-free in May, at least enough to get through the bay to a glacier for glacier viewing. Definitely well worth your time to visit Glacier Bay vs. Tracy Arm, especially in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted November 16, 2013 #3 Share Posted November 16, 2013 It is probably the best bet for May. I am guessing the worst thing would be fog or rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 16, 2013 #4 Share Posted November 16, 2013 We have sailed Glacier Bay many times and our best was actually in April. You just never know what type of weather you will have anytime you sail. But I would not hesitate to sail in May. These are some photos from April, 2012. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqQs3TEBbcw/T4hXuRKXz2I/AAAAAAAAQqA/XoAXQVQwILM/s1600/DSC_4194.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0UdF6OlPUIM/T4hXwxtIOwI/AAAAAAAAQqI/hjUyFoGaF1s/s1600/DSC_4195.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTmVft3ZsvM/T4hXzUcluzI/AAAAAAAAQqQ/8lSPPiYBb0A/s1600/DSC_4196.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlzUwFwKL8Q/T4hX1vim56I/AAAAAAAAQqY/0TZe241SSfY/s1600/DSC_4197.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znUhqiLWDwI/T4hX3dKZ_bI/AAAAAAAAQqg/rK4XrLnAYa8/s1600/DSC_4198.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ_N-HHz2dI/T4idcb-8oHI/AAAAAAAAQrU/YJ-_LyrFd2Y/s1600/DSC_4203.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwKfZ5pxEI8/T4idk07txMI/AAAAAAAAQrc/XH7ckvP-m-E/s1600/DSC_4215.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0ERXiARuIk/T4idpomyZKI/AAAAAAAAQrk/L5chY97PBtg/s1600/DSC_4216.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qxcrjPjkY8/T4idznBV57I/AAAAAAAAQr0/2FKWyQxQk0Y/s1600/DSC_4218.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWOh1N4Cm1Y/T4ieJ04HGzI/AAAAAAAAQsY/xidWX0b43Rs/s1600/DSC_4229.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbqZz8Fjmk8/T4ieOsrBwxI/AAAAAAAAQsg/Fojb9LnVLTY/s1600/DSC_4235.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SmSbcsSSBg/T4ieZN5u8HI/AAAAAAAAQsw/2Cnk9KhuC1g/s1600/DSC_4249.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wT0SyaF3u6o/T4iee1NPtwI/AAAAAAAAQs4/lvmqnlin5lQ/s1600/DSC_4250.jpg Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 16, 2013 #5 Share Posted November 16, 2013 It is probably the best bet for May. I am guessing the worst thing would be fog or rain. Actually not really the case. With glaciers, and "fog" all the cpt has to do, is get within the window of the glacier lower temps, hot air rises, full views of glaciers. :) Rain- being well prepared in the attire is definitely good advice. But all cruise ships have covered, lower, at least side open decks, that likely would offer wet free viewing. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 16, 2013 #6 Share Posted November 16, 2013 We are planning to go on our first and probably only Alaskan cruise next May. We were planning on going on Celebrity which went to Tracy Arm but read here that sometimes that is not possible in May. So we are switching to a cruise that visits Glacier Bay. From what I have read, it seems like Glacier Bay is a sure thing. Is that correct? 99.9999 likely. I haven't heard of any ship not being able to access in years. Reason for any nonaccess would be due to the particular ship, not Glacier Bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted November 16, 2013 #7 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Actually not really the case. With glaciers, and "fog" all the cpt has to do, is get within the window of the glacier lower temps, hot air rises, full views of glaciers. :) Rain- being well prepared in the attire is definitely good advice. But all cruise ships have covered, lower, at least side open decks, that likely would offer wet free viewing. :) I agree. They will make it, I have just spent some wet days there which was less than desirable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MVPinBoynton Posted November 16, 2013 #8 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Keith, Thanks for those drop dead gorgeous photos. You did have a beautiful day there; and oh how those still waters make for mirror like reflections! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 16, 2013 #9 Share Posted November 16, 2013 MVPinBoynton, you are very welcome. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2 Posted November 16, 2013 #10 Share Posted November 16, 2013 it seems like Glacier Bay is a sure thing. Is that correct? We went to Alaska May and June of this year and sailed into Glacier Bay the last week in May. Here is a short video slide show I put together of the Alaskan trip and about five minutes into the video it shows Glacier Bay. The big blue ship that is shown briefly in the background is a HAL ship that was there when we arrived. http://www.tomjed.com/index.php/alaska Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happygirl72 Posted November 16, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Wow! I love the pictures and the slideshow. I definitely think Glacier Bay is going to be the way to go in May. I would hate to get all the way to Alaska and not be able to see the glaciers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happygirl72 Posted November 16, 2013 Author #12 Share Posted November 16, 2013 We went to Alaska May and June of this year and sailed into Glacier Bay the last week in May. Here is a short video slide show I put together of the Alaskan trip and about five minutes into the video it shows Glacier Bay. The big blue ship that is shown briefly in the background is a HAL ship that was there when we arrived. http://www.tomjed.com/index.php/alaska Tom I also wanted to say your site is amazing. I would love to someday go to all of the places you have been! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MVPinBoynton Posted November 16, 2013 #13 Share Posted November 16, 2013 We went to Alaska May and June of this year and sailed into Glacier Bay the last week in May. Here is a short video slide show I put together of the Alaskan trip and about five minutes into the video it shows Glacier Bay. The big blue ship that is shown briefly in the background is a HAL ship that was there when we arrived. http://www.tomjed.com/index.php/alaska Tom That looks like a geat way to see Alaska. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peety3 Posted November 17, 2013 #14 Share Posted November 17, 2013 It is probably the best bet for May. I am guessing the worst thing would be fog or rain. We had no trouble in GB on our August '12 cruise, and got to see two glaciers. However, on our September '10 cruise, fog rolled in after our first glacier viewing, and I remember looking out from the buffet thinking I could barely see past the perimeter glass (and I really hope our radar is good...). I would say therefore fog is a small risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 17, 2013 #15 Share Posted November 17, 2013 We had no trouble in GB on our August '12 cruise, and got to see two glaciers. However, on our September '10 cruise, fog rolled in after our first glacier viewing, and I remember looking out from the buffet thinking I could barely see past the perimeter glass (and I really hope our radar is good...). I would say therefore fog is a small risk. Just an option, you mention "buffet", this likely was a higher deck? Viewing likely would have been improved lower, if you had gone to the promenade lower open deck. It depends on the cpt, how close they get, but depending on the sailing, getting inside the fog window, opens up the viewing due to the "hot air rises, which is the fog. The coldness from the glacier rises it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summerl30 Posted November 21, 2013 #16 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Those pics are amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadroy Posted December 14, 2013 #17 Share Posted December 14, 2013 Been to Alaska several times in May. Have made it into Glacier Bay on all the trips. One thing to add though, we could not get as close to glaciers as sailings later in the year due to the amount and sizes of the ice chunks. I think the calving is not as common early in the year. Too cool to have anything melt off. Still beautiful, but not a lot of "action' to be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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