day trip to Glacier Bay?

[D.P. Roberts]

The M/V Spirit of Adventure does day trips of Glacier Bay via the dock at Glacier Bay Lodge. Seeing that one would have to travel to Gustavus, take the tour, and then fly back to Gustavus, I wouldn't think any cruise ship offers this as an excursion (I haven't seen it via any cruise line yet). Has anyone done this? I know lots of the more traditional lines (HAL, Princess, etc.) cruise glacier bay, but I'm wondering specifically about this day trip - has anyone done this?

[PennyAgain]

I did this with an overnight stay at Gustavus. I flew out of Juneau and returned to Juneau on another flight.

 

I really enjoyed spending a lot of time in Glacier Bay but a big plus for me was hiking in the rain forest at Gustavus. The hotel is very nice.

 

I didn't do this as part of a cruise. I did it as an independent traveler.

[D.P. Roberts]

I did this with an overnight stay at Gustavus. I flew out of Juneau and returned to Juneau on another flight.

 

I really enjoyed spending a lot of time in Glacier Bay but a big plus for me was hiking in the rain forest at Gustavus. The hotel is very nice.

 

I didn't do this as part of a cruise. I did it as an independent traveler.

 

I'm trying to figure out whether it would be better to see Glacier Bay from a smaller boat rather than a cruise ship. I've heard that some places like Tracy Arm are much better from a smaller ship, since the smaller ship can go much farther up the fiord. Do you think that would be true of Glacier Bay as well, or would it be just as great from a big cruise ship?

[milolii]

I'm trying to figure out whether it would be better to see Glacier Bay from a smaller boat rather than a cruise ship. I've heard that some places like Tracy Arm are much better from a smaller ship, since the smaller ship can go much farther up the fiord. Do you think that would be true of Glacier Bay as well, or would it be just as great from a big cruise ship?

 

 

I have wrestled with the same thought. Maybe someone could shed some light?

[PennyAgain]

Well, I can only tell you one side of the story as my only visit to Glacier Bay was on a small ship. We made a long day of it and saw several large cruise ships come and go. We got very close to the glaciers and to the shore as the ship stopped to pick up some campers (by prearrangement) who had been dropped off on another day.

 

My ship was between the big cruise ships and the glaciers. Point made! The cruise ships seemed so far away!

 

As I was much closer to the water, I was able to really see whales and animals including otters without having to try very hard to do so.

 

Flying into Gustavus and departing again gave me remarkable views. It was a jet out of Juneau. Yes, a commercial jet. Huge runway at Gustavus left over from WW2. I have no idea what sort of air service goes there now, but both my flights were full.

 

Although I've hiked in Alaskan rain forests before, the one at Gustavus not far from the hotel is amazing. Cruise passengers never get to have that experience.

 

Were I to do this trip again, I would stay at least 2 nights at Gustavus and have 2 trips out into Glacier Bay. More chances to get different light conditions for photos.

[mii]

Hi there: I have been to Glacier Bay on a cruise ship, not on a small boat and the ship gets pretty close to some of the glaciers. Now of course they cannot get as closer a smaller boat but the cruise ship spends most of a day cruising around the bay. On this site there is someone who took pics of Glacier Bay past June 2008. The user name is Vbmom or something like that. it is on page 1. Those are great pics and are exactly what you see. Take a look at those.

 

Marilyn

[vbmom87]

Hi there: I have been to Glacier Bay on a cruise ship, not on a small boat and the ship gets pretty close to some of the glaciers. Now of course they cannot get as closer a smaller boat but the cruise ship spends most of a day cruising around the bay. On this site there is someone who took pics of Glacier Bay past June 2008. The user name is Vbmom or something like that. it is on page 1. Those are great pics and are exactly what you see. Take a look at those.

 

Marilyn

 

I am Vbmom87 and I am glad you liked the photos. As far as the debate between small boat and cruise ship viewing, I have only been on a cruise ship in Glacier Bay. However, if I had the guts to go on a small plane and had the financial wherewithall, I would go for the small boat tour in a heartbeat. We saw a lot of wildlife from our cruiseship, but we were high up and you do not see the wildlife up close and personal. I was on a smaller cruise ship (1400 passengers) and we had a great experience in Glacier Bay. It was a true highlight for us. However, I know, without a doubt, that a small boat tour of Glacier Bay would have been an even better experience. Either way, you will love Glacier Bay.

[wolfie11]

I have been on both a cruise ship and the day boat out of Gustavus. The experience, except for the time at the glaciers when both boats are about the same distance, is night and day.

 

Cruise ship itinerary - enter bay, pick up rangers, proceed in straight line up middle of the bay to glaciers, stop at glaciers and turn ship around, proceed directly out of bay in straight line up middle of bay, drop off rangers, open casino and start Bingo.

 

Day cruise - leave Bartlett Cove and cruise along Lester Island and Strawberry Island looking for bears, ranger talks about history of bay, go to Boulder Island and watch otters (hundreds there), go to S. Marble Island and watch sea lions, puffins, and other sea birds, drop off kayakers and head up West Arm to Gloomy Knob to look for goats, drop off kayakers at Queen Inlet (this is where the rangers on the cruise ship start their narration), cruise close to shore and dip into Tidal Inlet to look for bears, proceed to glacier (this boat can go to Johns Hopkins glacier after July 1 - cruise ships can't go there until Sept. 1), watch glacier calving and on return cruise close to opposite shore looking for bears, stop at eagle nest, take Whidby passage back to Bartlett Cove looking for humpbacks and orcas.

[vbmom87]

I have been on both a cruise ship and the day boat out of Gustavus. The experience, except for the time at the glaciers when both boats are about the same distance, is night and day.

 

Cruise ship itinerary - enter bay, pick up rangers, proceed in straight line up middle of the bay to glaciers, stop at glaciers and turn ship around, proceed directly out of bay in straight line up middle of bay, drop off rangers, open casino and start Bingo.

 

Day cruise - leave Bartlett Cove and cruise along Lester Island and Strawberry Island looking for bears, ranger talks about history of bay, go to Boulder Island and watch otters (hundreds there), go to S. Marble Island and watch sea lions, puffins, and other sea birds, drop off kayakers and head up West Arm to Gloomy Knob to look for goats, drop off kayakers at Queen Inlet (this is where the rangers on the cruise ship start their narration), cruise close to shore and dip into Tidal Inlet to look for bears, proceed to glacier (this boat can go to Johns Hopkins glacier after July 1 - cruise ships can't go there until Sept. 1), watch glacier calving and on return cruise close to opposite shore looking for bears, stop at eagle nest, take Whidby passage back to Bartlett Cove looking for humpbacks and orcas.

 

The small boat experience sounds amazing, just like I figured. Thanks for sharing.

[PennyAgain]

I have been on both a cruise ship and the day boat out of Gustavus. The experience, except for the time at the glaciers when both boats are about the same distance, is night and day.

 

Cruise ship itinerary - enter bay, pick up rangers, proceed in straight line up middle of the bay to glaciers, stop at glaciers and turn ship around, proceed directly out of bay in straight line up middle of bay, drop off rangers, open casino and start Bingo.

 

Day cruise - leave Bartlett Cove and cruise along Lester Island and Strawberry Island looking for bears, ranger talks about history of bay, go to Boulder Island and watch otters (hundreds there), go to S. Marble Island and watch sea lions, puffins, and other sea birds, drop off kayakers and head up West Arm to Gloomy Knob to look for goats, drop off kayakers at Queen Inlet (this is where the rangers on the cruise ship start their narration), cruise close to shore and dip into Tidal Inlet to look for bears, proceed to glacier (this boat can go to Johns Hopkins glacier after July 1 - cruise ships can't go there until Sept. 1), watch glacier calving and on return cruise close to opposite shore looking for bears, stop at eagle nest, take Whidby passage back to Bartlett Cove looking for humpbacks and orcas.

 

wolfie11, thanks for your detailed report. My notes are long gone. As I said above, if I were to do the trip again I would make sure I did it at least 2 days in a row due to changes of light and opportunites to see various wildlife. I have no memories of my room at the hotel, but the food in the dining room was fabulous!

[D.P. Roberts]

wolfie11, thanks for your detailed report. My notes are long gone. As I said above, if I were to do the trip again I would make sure I did it at least 2 days in a row due to changes of light and opportunites to see various wildlife. I have no memories of my room at the hotel, but the food in the dining room was fabulous!

 

 

Wow, thanks to all for your reports. It sounds like the small-boat tour is the winner.

 

PennyAgain - I know you said you don't remember much about the hotel room, but do you remember where you stayed? I think I'd prefer the Glacier Bay Lodge itself (it's in the national park itself & near the tour dock), but I've read a lot of good things about the various B&Bs in Gustavus.

[PennyAgain]

I stayed in Glacier Bay Lodge. I booked a package tour that included my flights (jet) to and from Juneau, the hotel, the boat and transfers via a school type bus to and from the hotel/airport/boat. My room was nice. I just don't remember the details.

 

I paid for my meals, snacks and photo stuff.

 

It was cold on the boat when out on deck as we were very close to the water and all that ice. You will need proper clothing especially hat and gloves.

 

I have no idea if jet service is still available. The flights were amazing.

 

Get a window seat on the planes!

 

I could have spent an entire day in the rain forest!

[milolii]

Thank-you for your thoughts. I've got to try the two days at the lodge!

[vbmom87]

I stayed in Glacier Bay Lodge. I booked a package tour that included my flights (jet) to and from Juneau, the hotel, the boat and transfers via a school type bus to and from the hotel/airport/boat. My room was nice. I just don't remember the details.

 

I paid for my meals, snacks and photo stuff.

 

It was cold on the boat when out on deck as we were very close to the water and all that ice. You will need proper clothing especially hat and gloves.

 

I have no idea if jet service is still available. The flights were amazing.

 

Get a window seat on the planes!

 

I could have spent an entire day in the rain forest!

 

Can you get flights out of Anchorage too?

[PennyAgain]

I am so out of date on this. I have no idea about flying out of Anchorage. I flew into Juneau and spent a night and then flew into Gustavus. When my tour was over I flew back to Juneau from Gustavus and then on to Anchorage.

 

Have you tried to GOOGLE the question?

 

I would rather spend too much time at Glacier Bay than not enough!

 

They may think you are a little silly for trying to book two boat trips one day after the other, but photographers do it often.

 

How about telephoning and asking a bunch of questions?

[vbmom87]

I am so out of date on this. I have no idea about flying out of Anchorage. I flew into Juneau and spent a night and then flew into Gustavus. When my tour was over I flew back to Juneau from Gustavus and then on to Anchorage.

 

Have you tried to GOOGLE the question?

 

I would rather spend too much time at Glacier Bay than not enough!

 

They may think you are a little silly for trying to book two boat trips one day after the other, but photographers do it often.

 

How about telephoning and asking a bunch of questions?

 

I checked and Alaska Airlines does fly from Anchorage to Glacier Bay seasonally. I am not sure if we will get back or not. If we can, this is the kind of trip i would like to take. However, before I can consider this, I have to get over my fear of flying in smaller aircraft. It is hard enough for me fly on a large jet. Time will tell. If I do get brave enough, I want my next trip to include a tour out to see bears too. Lots of dreams!!!

[D.P. Roberts]

Another (and possibly cheaper) option for getting to Glacier Bay is to take the lodge's boat. They make round trips on Fridays and Sundays, at $75 per adult each way, from Auke Bay (outside Juneau) to Bartlett Cove (a.k.a. the dock in Glacier Park).

 

Here's a link:

 

http://www.visitglacierbay.com/park/directions.cfm

 

I would also like to avoid taking smaller airplanes, so this sounds like a good deal.

[milolii]

I so love this thread!

 

I am going to do this trip someday!

 

I have resaerch this trip for a while. I have air service from my home town with Alaska Air. I have actually planned a multi city trip with them (using theie web site), with stops in Ketchikan, (for fishing) Gustavus and Juneau. The airfare at this time of year is reasonable thanks to the yearly sale. This way the airfare to Glacier Bay is not so bad.

 

The plane appears to go to Glacier Bay at 4:15 daily in the summer. The web page shows this plane is a 737. I have been in the Juneau airport and have indeed noticed it was a 737 departing for Glacier Bay. Can't be too sure but you may want to check it out. The boat tranportation would be another option.

 

The criuse ships are nice and inclusive, but have left me with a desire to spend more time in the ports. I also thought I could use the ferry system from Juneau to visit more towns in SE Alaska. Then return home from Juneau. In no way am I claimimg this is less expensive than the standard cruise, it is more. The trade off is more time in the ports.

[PennyAgain]

When I flew from Juneau to Gustavus it was a very full 737. Same for the return. I had time that evening to hike the rain forest near the lodge.

 

The runway at Gustavus is huge and wide, a leftover from WW2. The weird thing is the lack of buildings.

 

That is not a small plane, but a nice regular size and comfy one.

 

So do it!

[vbmom87]

When I flew from Juneau to Gustavus it was a very full 737. Same for the return. I had time that evening to hike the rain forest near the lodge.

 

The runway at Gustavus is huge and wide, a leftover from WW2. The weird thing is the lack of buildings.

 

That is not a small plane, but a nice regular size and comfy one.

 

So do it!

 

Thanks for the info. Somewhere I got the impression it was little planes. When I win the lotto I will be booking this right away. :o

[wolfie11]

This route is the shortest regularly scheduled jet service in N. America - about 16 minutes each way. There is no tower at Gustavus and they have to be able to see the runway to land, so occasionally a flight will get turned back.

[PennyAgain]

but I got the air miles!

[D.P. Roberts]

This route is the shortest regularly scheduled jet service in N. America - about 16 minutes each way. There is no tower at Gustavus and they have to be able to see the runway to land, so occasionally a flight will get turned back.

 

And yet it's still quite expensive for a flight of only 50 miles: at $201 per person round trip next summer, according to Travelocity. I can fly from Chicago to Juneau - a distance of several thousand miles - for $544 round trip.

[milolii]

And yet it's still quite expensive for a flight of only 50 miles: at $201 per person round trip next summer, according to Travelocity. I can fly from Chicago to Juneau - a distance of several thousand miles - for $544 round trip.

 

Did you try doing a multi city option and adding it to your ticket from Chicago?

 

Yes, it is a short distance, but seems like it is worth it!

[SEPyle]

Well, I can only tell you one side of the story as my only visit to Glacier Bay was on a small ship. We made a long day of it and saw several large cruise ships come and go. We got very close to the glaciers and to the shore as the ship stopped to pick up some campers (by prearrangement) who had been dropped off on another day.

 

My ship was between the big cruise ships and the glaciers. Point made! The cruise ships seemed so far away!

 

As I was much closer to the water, I was able to really see whales and animals including otters without having to try very hard to do so.

 

Flying into Gustavus and departing again gave me remarkable views. It was a jet out of Juneau. Yes, a commercial jet. Huge runway at Gustavus left over from WW2. I have no idea what sort of air service goes there now, but both my flights were full.

 

Although I've hiked in Alaskan rain forests before, the one at Gustavus not far from the hotel is amazing. Cruise passengers never get to have that experience.

 

Were I to do this trip again, I would stay at least 2 nights at Gustavus and have 2 trips out into Glacier Bay. More chances to get different light conditions for photos.

 

These boards are great. PennyAgain; you've just answered a question I had; and now I can answer one here. On our recent trip to Alaska, we flew from Charlotte to Seattle in August on US Air. We were talking to a couple in Seattle as we waited for our Alaska Air flight to Juneau - to connect with our Wings of Alaska flight to Hoonah. They were flying to Gustavus for a land based trip. I didn't ask, but I assumed they were taking a flight similiar Wings of Alaska to Gustavus. I was quite surprised when we were about to land; the announcement was made saying the passengers flying to Gustavus should stay onboard. It was a decent size Alaska Air plane, and I wondered how it was going to land in a little place like Gustavus...now I know! And you know that it's Alaska Air who now goes to Gustavus!