Best Glaciers to See on an Alaska Cruise
From Hubbard’s dramatic calving to Mendenhall’s easy port access — here are the glaciers worth planning your itinerary around.
Hubbard Glacier
North America’s largest tidewater glacier, with a face nearly 6 miles wide. Ships spend hours cruising in front of it on scenic days, often included on Gulf of Alaska itineraries.
Glacier Bay National Park
A full-day scenic cruising stop through a UNESCO World Heritage site, with park rangers boarding the ship to narrate wildlife and glacier sightings.
Mendenhall Glacier
The most accessible glacier on any Alaska itinerary — a short drive from the Juneau cruise port, with visitor center and hiking trails.
Margerie Glacier
Located within Glacier Bay, one of the most active calving glaciers on the route, popular for photography.
Glacier-Viewing Itineraries
| Itinerary Type | Glacier Access |
|---|---|
| Inside Passage (round-trip Seattle/Vancouver) | Typically includes Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm Fjord scenic cruising |
| Gulf of Alaska (one-way Vancouver-Whittier/Seward) | Typically includes Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord |
Alaska’s Cruise Glaciers Compared
| Glacier / Area | How You See It | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|
| Glacier Bay National Park | Full scenic cruising day with park rangers onboard | Multiple tidewater glaciers including Margerie; limited ship permits each season |
| Hubbard Glacier | Scenic cruising, mostly on Gulf of Alaska routes | One of the largest tidewater glaciers in North America, known for dramatic calving |
| Tracy Arm & Sawyer Glaciers | Narrow fjord sailing from Juneau | Towering granite walls and waterfalls; larger ships may not reach the face |
| Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier | Alternative to Tracy Arm | Often used when ice blocks Tracy Arm; equally scenic |
| College Fjord | Scenic cruising near Whittier | A string of glaciers named after Ivy League colleges |
| Mendenhall Glacier | By land from Juneau | Easy to reach, with a visitor center and Nugget Falls trail |
Which Itineraries Include Which Glaciers?
Glacier Bay access is limited by National Park Service permits, so only certain sailings visit. Princess holds many of these permits, and some Norwegian, Celebrity and Carnival-family sailings also include it. Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord are common on one-way Gulf of Alaska routes. Round-trip Seattle sailings often feature Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm or Dawes Glacier. Always check the specific itinerary.
Tips for Glacier Day
- Dress in warm layers, a hat and gloves; it is much colder near the ice.
- A balcony on the right side helps, but ships rotate so both sides get views.
- Bring binoculars to spot seals on ice floes and mountain goats on cliffs.
- Listen for “white thunder,” the crack of calving ice, before you see it.
- For a closer look, consider a small-boat excursion from Juneau into Tracy Arm or a helicopter landing on the Juneau Icefield.