Keep it cool with the best Alaska Glaciers vacation.
As you explore the best Alaska glaciers, brace yourself for stunning views and shivers of excitement. From zip-lining through the Tongass National Forest to playing with sled dog puppies in Denali National Park to witnessing the majesty of the rugged mountains surrounding Endicott Arm, adventures abound in Alaska. You can view the cascading ice levels of Mendenhall and Hubbard Glacier from a boat, kayak or flightseeing aircraft, while watching whales mingle among brilliant icebergs drifting away from a calved wall of ice. No matter what you do during your vacation, the best Alaska glaciers cruises will show you magical contrasts: A newborn seal's fur against ancient blue ice, wildflowers growing next to soaring cliffs, and dogsleds pulling mushers underneath low-flying helicopters. It's all part of the rugged beauty of the last frontier.
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Alaska Glacier Tours and Adventures
An Alaska glacier cruise is an unforgettable journey through towering fjords, shimmering turquoise waters, and some of the most dramatic natural scenery on Earth. Sail past breathtaking tidewater glaciers and spot seals lounging on icebergs as you make your way toward incredible destinations like Hubbard Glacier and Dawes Glacier. Whether you’re joining a guided Alaska glacier tour or exploring on your own, these glacier excursions bring you face-to-face with nature’s raw power and beauty.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
Endicott Arm Fjord Glacier is a secluded treasure often overlooked by visitors, making it the perfect spot to explore on an Alaska glacier cruise. This pristine fjord leads to the stunning Dawes Glacier, where two massive glaciers meet to create towering icefalls that resemble frozen waterfalls. During your Dawes Glacier excursions, keep an eye out for wildlife like seals, sea otters, and soaring bald eagles. It’s a breathtaking encounter with Alaska’s wild beauty.
Mendenhall Glacier and Lake Excursions
As glaciers carve their way through the landscape, they create fjords filled with brilliant turquoise water. Visit Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska glacier tour to see this natural wonder up close. Kayak across Mendenhall Lake, formed by the melting ice of a 3,000-year-old glacier, and marvel at the light reflecting off compressed ice walls. These glacier-fed fjords will be an unforgettable highlight of your Alaskan glacier cruise.
Alaska Wildlife
Age-old glaciers like Dawes Glacier and Mendenhall Glacier aren’t the only stars of your Alaska glacier cruise itinerary. Glide through icy fjords on a kayak or scenic boat tour, and watch for Alaska wildlife like caribou and mountain goats among the snow-dusted peaks. These glacier excursions bring travelers closer to Alaska’s wild landscapes and its most breathtaking natural wonders.
ICY EXPEDITIONS
Sometimes, you want to relax and take in the views. Other times, you might prefer to take advantage of the thrilling adventures an area has to offer. With an Alaska glaciers vacation, you can do both at the same time.
Dog Sledding on Norris Glacier
Soar by helicopter to Norris Glacier and experience the thrill of Alaska dog sledding high above the Juneau Icefield. Join professional mushers and their spirited huskies on a guided dog sled excursion that brings centuries-old traditions to life. As you glide across the snow with panoramic glacier views, you’ll see why dog sledding is one of the most unforgettable Alaska glacier cruise adventures.
Glacier Flightseeing in Alaska
Get a whole new perspective of Alaska’s glaciers with a breathtaking glacier flightseeing tour. From the air, you’ll witness the sheer scale of these icy rivers as they wind through fjords and mountains. Fly low over Misty Fjord in Ketchikan or soar near Denali National Park for panoramic glacier views unlike anything from the ground. Glacier flightseeing excursions offer an unforgettable way to experience Alaska’s dramatic landscapes.
Glacier Cave Tours
There’s nothing quite like standing inside a glacier. Venture into Mendenhall Ice Caves or Matanuska Glacier Cave on a guided glacier cave tour to see the deep blue glow of compressed ice up close. These surreal caverns create a one-of-a-kind experience, letting you explore Alaska’s glaciers from the inside. It’s an adventure that turns any glacier cruise or Alaska tour into something truly unforgettable.
Best Alaska Glacier Cruises
Check off Alaska’s must-see destinations from your adventure bucket list. From towering glaciers to thrilling wildlife encounters, the untamed beauty of the Last Frontier awaits with exciting weeklong itineraries onboard the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
KICK OFF FROM CANADA
Before you embark on an epic Alaska glacier cruise, spend some time exploring Vancouver. Go whale watching along the city’s coast, stroll through Stanley Park and go shopping for souvenirs in Vancouver’s luxe downtown shops.
SOMETHING TO DO FOR EVERY CREW
Head to the Last Frontier on Serenade of the Seas®. Begin your day by sipping mimosas at the Bottomless Galley Brunch, or slip away to an adults-only pool day at the Solarium. And if you’re craving adrenaline, scale the Rock Climbing Wall onboard.
WHAT TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU GO
Visiting Alaskan Glaciers
Hubbard Glacier — the largest tidewater glacier in North America — is 76 miles long, 7 miles wide and towers at 600 feet tall at its highest point, with icebergs that are 3 or 4 stories high.
Endicott Arm Fjord is home to impressive Dawes Glacier — as well as one of the world's largest breeding grounds for harbor seals.
Royal Caribbean cruises to Alaska's glaciers in the summer months: With long daylight hours, you'll get plenty of time each day to take in the scenery, and the temperatures will be warm enough that you'll be comfortable glacier-viewing from the deck. There is no better way to experience Alaska.
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On northbound cruises, you'll get the best views of the glaciers on the starboard side of the ship; when you're sailing southward, the port side is the way to go.
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Many of our Alaska glacier cruises depart from Vancouver or Seattle, so you can get in your dose of urban exploration before you explore the icy wilderness.
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Alaska might not seem like a sun-soaked state, but make no mistake: Sunglasses are essential for glacier-viewing, as the glare off the ice can be intense.
RELATED PORTS
Whether you're interested in hiking through a forest, trekking to the best Alaska glaciers or a shopping spree downtown, all the towns provide a variety of adventurous activities. Ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are each small cities with their own personalities. Anchorage is the state's largest city and a gateway to the rest of the state. Denali National Park takes you out of the city altogether, into a wilderness full of spruce forests and snow-capped mountain peaks.
