Dawes Glacier vs. Hubbard glacier plus icy strait question

[latebuyer]

How does dawes glacier compare to hubbard glacier? Is dawes glacier like tracy arm where you can have trouble getting in if you go early? (I would go in may). Also are their small boat excursions to dawes glacier?

 

I’m also wondering if there is much worthwhile to see at icy strait point.

 

One cruise i’m looking at has hubbard glacier and tracy arm (i’d go in june) and other goes to dawes glacier and icy strait point (those are the different places)

 

one is princess and one royal caribbean but i think i’m more concerned about ports.

[latebuyer]

I should have said i’ve been to glacier bay before as i know some people will say to go there.

[Northern Aurora]

We have been to both Hubbard and Dawes.  Both are impressive tidewater glaciers with massive calving.  

 

The cruise line we used offered a small boat excursion to Dawes; we essentially tendered off the cruise ship, and took a slightly different route to and from Dawes rejoining the ship after it reached Juneau.  The small boat was able to get much closer to Dawes than the ship.

 

Our OP asked if there is much to see at ISP.  What is our OP interested in doing or seeing?  ISP offers incredible whale watching.  Beautiful scenery.  Tlingit cultural shows.  But no Diamonds International stores.

[latebuyer]

Thank you for your comments. Yes thats good to hear there is nice scenery at icy straight point. I thought i heard some people weren’t impressed with it.

[don't-use-real-name]

Icy Strait Point is not like Ketchikan or Juneau with the diamond merchants and mega-tourist

shopping marts. ISP has a small gift shop snack bar pavilion - a zip line and gondola ride to

the summit looking down on the port - no glamours tourist attractions. Not even on a half

scale of what is at Skagway. 

[Crew News]

On 11/13/2022 at 4:09 PM, latebuyer said:

I’m also wondering if there is much worthwhile to see at icy strait point.

The most active whales I have seen in many Alaska visits!!

 

 

[cw2go]

20 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Thank you for your comments. Yes thats good to hear there is nice scenery at icy straight point. I thought i heard some people weren’t impressed with it.

I actually love ISP. Its a great port for adventure and it isn't packed with trinket shops. 

[latebuyer]

Wow! Thanks for pictures and everyone for your comments. I wouldn’t really call myself an adventurer but if theres a nice walk that would be nice. If anyone has been to dawes glacier and hubbard glacier i’d appreciate a comment.

Edited November 15, 2022 by latebuyer

[Crew News]

2 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Wow! Thanks for pictures and everyone for your comments. I wouldn’t really call myself an adventurer but if theres a nice walk that would be nice. If anyone has been to dawes glacier and hubbard glacier i’d appreciate a comment.

I have been to both glaciers with HAL as part of a regular cruise itinerary, not excursions. 

 

Dawes Glacier and Endicott Arm are not as impressive as Tracy Arm in my opinion.

 

 

 

Hubbard Glacier is huge but some say the experience is not as spectacular as Glacier Bay that may have more harbor seals on the floating ice.

 

 

 

 

[latebuyer]

Thanks Crew News. Great pictures again! Are your pictures of hubbard?

[Crew News]

17 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

Thanks Crew News. Great pictures again! Are your pictures of hubbard?

Top pictures are Endicott Arm/Dawes and bottom pictures are Hubbard Glacier area.

[cw2go]

My Hubbard day, taken with a typical iPhone.  Hubbard is Magnificent! Truly Amazing! 

Edited November 15, 2022 by cw2go

[LEtue]

Love Hubbard Glacier and ISP has great whale watching trips!

[Italy52]

We are also fans of Hubbard Glacier.  In ISP, Glacier Wind Charters is a great independent whale watching company.  We have gone out with them numerous times and looking forward to seeing them again in July of 2023.

[Coral]

Dawes glacier is easily accessible via ships and is often a backup if another glacier area such as Tracy Arm is not accessible.

 

Dawes glacier is my least favorite glacier.

[latebuyer]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm thinking the next cruise I do I'll go to tracy arm and Hubbard first and then my third cruise another year to dawes glacier and icy strait point. I'm a little concerned about getting into Tracy Arm as the cruise leaves end of June.