Hubbard Glacier (crusing)

[ciara]

We are crusing with Mercury - leaving Vancouver on Aug 24th - it says on schedule that we will be crusing Hubbard Glacier on Aug 28th.

Does that mean we will be going north of Skagway? seems a long distance to be back in Ketchikan on 29th for 1pm.

Any advice on this and best time to be viewing the glacier - we are in a starboard balcony cabin - will we see a lot from balcony?

[Yukon]

We are crusing with Mercury - leaving Vancouver on Aug 24th - it says on schedule that we will be crusing Hubbard Glacier on Aug 28th.

Does that mean we will be going north of Skagway? seems a long distance to be back in Ketchikan on 29th for 1pm.

Any advice on this and best time to be viewing the glacier - we are in a starboard balcony cabin - will we see a lot from balcony?

 

It's a very long way from Skagway to Hubbard - 16 hours of sailing time, and then a full 24 hours south to Ketchikan. But Hubbard is worth every ton of fuel it takes to get there - the activity (calving such as http://www.youralaskacruise.com/reviews/alaskacruises2006/4089.html ) is remarkable. You need to get up on deck - staying on your balcony, you'll only see the glacier for a fraction of the 5 hours or so you're there.

 

Murray

[mii]

You will see alot more if you roam around the ship, but the last time I saw Hubbard Glacier we decided to stay in our balcony and since the ship does a 360 degree turn everyone gets to see the glacier. It is spectacular and I have seen the glacier 3 times and never tire of it.

 

Marilyn

[maureenk]

Since the ship does the 360 turn, does it matter which side of the ship your cabin is on?

[mii]

Since the ship does the 360 turn, does it matter which side of the ship your cabin is on?

 

No it does not. Frankly anywhere on a ship is a treat to me.:D

 

Marilyn

[fti]

Since the ship does the 360 turn, does it matter which side of the ship your cabin is on?

 

My experience has been that the best glacier viewing has been from the open decks on the ship. Certainly you can see stuff from your balcony but being out in front on deck gives you the opportunity to see more and to move around easily when the ship moves.

 

I wanted to see and photograph the calving in Glacier Bay for example. Being on my balcony would not have allowed me to have the best chance for that. So I stayed outside almost the entire time.

[ciara]

Thankyou for your advice - I am really looking forward to this cruise - even more so since reading all the advice on the boards - thanks again

[beckmeister]

We just returned from Alaska on board the Summit and did Hubbard Glacier. Our ship did do a 360 and we could have stayed on our balcony but opted to go up to the outside deck for better viewing and photo opportunities from every angle. Very cold, dress warm. It is a sight to behold and you will not be disappointed. We say a momma seal who just had a baby on some ice.

Enjoy your cruise!

Becky