Skagway replaced with Icy Straight Point

[Fuzzy Slippers]

We'll be on the NCL Bliss on 9/24 to Alaska, and just received an email stating that Skagway has been replaced with Icy Straight Point. I've never been to Alaska, but it seems like ICP is a pretty big downgrade. Any of you guys a fan of ICP?

[LB_NJ]

There have been rockslides in Skagway which are disrupting cruises.  Not much to do about it.

[SightCRR]

ISP is a nice port IF and it is a big IF. If the ship goes there after Glacier Bay in the afternoon/evening it is a waste of time since the time is short and much of time it is after sunset. 

Check youtube videos for things to do there. 

TheSnowCloud Juneau area Webcams

Scroll down to the various cameras and you can see from the top of gondola and also downtown Hoonah.

sightcrr

[Northern Aurora]

Icy Strait Point is an excellent whale watching venue.  

 

For those who are not fans of Diamonds International and similar stores, ISP  is a breath of fresh air.   And Skagway is filled with not only a Diamonds International but other similar jewelry stores.

[MrsLion]

ISP we did the zip line. It was amazing with beautiful scenery all the way down. It wasn't scary, just beautiful. Also our cruise friends did the whale watching and commented there were many to see. So those are options

[ABQrobin]

We loved Icy Strait... but you need to do an excursion there.  The whale watching is phenomenal.  It is a quaint little town with residents who are Native tribal Alaskans, not Diamond International and fancy stores.  Take it for what it is.

[JT1962]

Icy Strait Point is our favorite port in Alaska. Excellent whale watching, beautiful scenery, nice hiking trails, an authentic Alaska town in Hoonah and best of all, no typical jewelry / t-shirt shops. 
 

Try Glacier Winds or Hoonah Travel Adventures for whale watching. Make sure to get some of the mini donuts at the stand near the restrooms.

[Fuzzy Slippers]

18 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

Icy Strait Point is our favorite port in Alaska. Excellent whale watching, beautiful scenery, nice hiking trails, an authentic Alaska town in Hoonah and best of all, no typical jewelry / t-shirt shops. 
 

Try Glacier Winds or Hoonah Travel Adventures for whale watching. Make sure to get some of the mini donuts at the stand near the restrooms.

That's good to hear. Unfortunately, we are already doing whale watching in Juneau. We tried move the whale watching to ICP and find something else for Juneau, but all of the good tours there are filled up. We decided to do the 2-hour kayaking excursion in ICP. Just have to figure out how to fill up the 11 hours that we have in ICP.

Edited September 8, 2022 by Fuzzy Slippers

[JT1962]

50 minutes ago, Fuzzy Slippers said:

That's good to hear. Unfortunately, we are already doing whale watching in Juneau. We tried move the whale watching to ICP and find something else for Juneau, but all of the good tours there are filled up. We decided to do the 2-hour kayaking excursion in ICP. Just have to figure out how to fill up the 11 hours that we have in ICP.

The bear watching excursions can be good, but obviously sightings are not guaranteed. The new aerial tram to the top of the mountain is a good option if it is not raining / foggy. Eleven hours is a long day in ISP.

[skrufy]

On 9/7/2022 at 2:36 PM, Fuzzy Slippers said:

We'll be on the NCL Bliss on 9/24 to Alaska, and just received an email stating that Skagway has been replaced with Icy Straight Point. I've never been to Alaska, but it seems like ICP is a pretty big downgrade. Any of you guys a fan of ICP?

Yes, Skagway has the lure of the gold rush era, and the railway, ISP is a nice change of pace from the commercialism of the other ports. ISP is a former cannery that has really nice souvenirs with an area that has old cannery machines, pictures and tools. Hoonah, is a short ride or walk. It's a native Alaskan town. It's an old town but nice to see how the local native Alaskans live.There are a couple of restaurants, hiking trails, a long zip line and great bear and whale watches. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

On 9/8/2022 at 12:19 PM, JT1962 said:

Icy Strait Point is our favorite port in Alaska. Excellent whale watching, beautiful scenery, nice hiking trails, an authentic Alaska town in Hoonah and best of all, no typical jewelry / t-shirt shops. 
 

Try Glacier Winds or Hoonah Travel Adventures for whale watching. Make sure to get some of the mini donuts at the stand near the restrooms.

 

I had a great whale watch with Hoonah Travel Adventures. Orcas came up near our boat, gave us a good show, dove, and then reappeared by another boat. Great performers!

[BigH2O4Us]

On 9/7/2022 at 2:36 PM, Fuzzy Slippers said:

We'll be on the NCL Bliss on 9/24 to Alaska, and just received an email stating that Skagway has been replaced with Icy Straight Point. I've never been to Alaska, but it seems like ICP is a pretty big downgrade. Any of you guys a fan of ICP?

We sail on the Bliss on Oct 1 and received this same notification. My biggest disappointment is losing the time in the fjords to get up to Skagway.

We were in Icy Strait in 2008 and felt it was a bit disappointing but it may have been just our opinion.
I  am wondering what level of outwear to take on the trip. It looks like most temps will be in mid-40s to mid-50s. It seems layering is the better way to go rather than a heavy jacket.

[JT1962]

20 hours ago, BigH2O4Us said:

I  am wondering what level of outwear to take on the trip. It looks like most temps will be in mid-40s to mid-50s. It seems layering is the better way to go rather than a heavy jacket.

Layering is key, with a waterproof outer layer. It is better to have a few layers you can easily add than a large jacket. A hat, gloves and face covering can be welcomed when on deck while sailing or on a boat excursion.

 

There are some good Alaska cruise packing lists online with a quick Google search. A daypack is also nice to have to store any extra layers that may or may not be needed at any point during the day.

Edited September 17, 2022 by JT1962

[Sea-level]

It's not ICP, it's ISP short for Icy Strait Point.

ISP is not a downgrade for anything. In fact, ISP has the, THE, greatest zipline in the world which pretty much rules out other Alaskan towns in this category. Not only that, your zipline experience will involve a gondola ride - a scenic ride - to the top of the mountain - and these are mountains, not hills. If the Zipline is not for you, you can return to sea level on the gondola too, it's a great ride.

ISP is different because it represents what most with an opinion call the real Alaska. You won't find jewelry stores back to back to back. I hope that never changes.

Each stop along the way you will find something interesting. Southeast Alaska is a great place, but I hope you brought a raincoat. We are now displaying our "Temperate rainforest status". Climate change is no joke. 

 

Edited September 23, 2022 by Sea-level