glacier bay vs hubbard glacier

Mendenhall is the best of Alaska's ecosystems. It is the only active glacier in that area so basically you are going there to see this one glacier. Ice chunks that fall off from the glacier can interfere with ships courses and prevent them from going near the glaciers thus preventing ships from sailing close to the glaciers face. Russ. Choosing an Alaska cruise itinerary doesnt boil down to just cruise ports. This snow slowly accumulates and are packed into ice, forming glaciers on Hubbard Glacier. Home United States of America Hubbard Glacier V.S. Alaska Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, or Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier: Which One Is Best? Youll see Harvard and Yale glaciers, as well as others named for east coast schools during the 1899 Harriman Expedition. Chances of you witnessing calving is pretty low. Lemony Snicket. We were fortunate to have great viewing conditions both days. Located near the entrance to Johns Hopkins, the Lamplugh Glacier flows from Brady Icefield. Hubbard Glacier Con: There is only one active glacier in this location. The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier measures 76 miles long from the top of the icefield and plunges 1,200 feet into the bay. There is also an abundance of wildlife in the area, both on land and in the sea. Call me biased, but I have this infinity with glaciers. Once at the glaciers, cruise ships spend around four to five hours exploring the scenery before turning around and making the two hour journey back into the open ocean. I appreciated and thank you for your article. It is so large it stretches from Wrangell St-Elias National Park in Alaska to Kluane National Park in Canada. It takes about 400 years for ice to traverse the length of the glacier, meaning that the ice at the foot of the glacier is about 400 years old. Ships typically enter the bay in the early morning, cruising slowly for two hours before reaching the glaciers. In the summer of 2016, a huge landslide dumped millions of tons of debris onto the glacier. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. Re: Hubbard glacier (or) Glacier bay national park 12 years ago Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Low down to the water, you can hear the pops as the ice bubbles escaped from the melting ice. While there arent too many cruise ships that visit College Fjord, this is an itinerary not to be missed. In some areas, only half a mile wide. Hundreds of icebergs dot the jade-colored waters, creating a picture-perfect scenery right out of a National Geographic magazine. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. As cruise ships spend more time in Glacier Bay than at Hubbard Glacier, you have more time (and chances) to spot wildlife. Last updated: October 8th, 2021 The opportunity to witness towering glaciers up close is one of the main reasons travelers choose to book a cruise to Alaska. I am planning an Alaska cruise north from Vancouver, B.C., to Seward, Alaska. Lamplugh has been receding rapidly, mostly from the center of the terminus. Alaska glacier cruise visits to Glacier Bay are limited due to conservation reasons and to prevent overcrowding. In spring 2002, the glacier again approached Bert Point. Smaller fjords are a breeding ground for harbor seals. We are big fans of Hubbard but were disappointed this time around because we didn't get the opportunity to visit Hubbard due to fog --- this hasn't been the case for us in quite a few trips. We just returned from 3 cruises that each visited Glacier Bay; one of them was also supposed to visit Hubbard Glacier. The majority of your time will be spent at Margerie and Grand Pacific when you visit Glacier Bay, which are right by each other. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. The dramatic movement and thick ice of Hubbard Glacier require ships to keep their distance, but you'll be close enough to seeand hearthe thundering impact of this ancient giant. [5], The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry MV Hubbard is named after Hubbard Glacier. Also, it is the most photogenic glacier, and its easy to see why. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. But I believe you don't need to choose either/or. 7-10 days is the most common. The glacial ice is mesmerizing with its varied tones of aqua and blue. Glacier Bay, when you visit during the cruise season, can have very cold and wet weather conditions. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. You can witness dramatic calving: the chunks of ice breaking off. And the height of the ice sheet is 120m! Hubbard Glacier was named in 1890 for Gardiner G. Hubbard, who was the founder of the National Geographic Society. While most glaciers are located far into the mountains, cruise itineraries can visit up to 6 glaciers in one day in the park. While the cruise line was offered an agreement with the park to offer Glacier Bay itineraries from 2019 - 2029, Royal Caribbean did not sign the agreement. Since seals do not have articulated flippers, they cannot climb up on the buoys or piers. Asthe precipitation cools, it forms snow. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-30451061', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise to Alaska included Glacier Bay. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. I went tracking along the glacier, I slept on a glacier in a tent. Many favor Glacier Bay because it offers multiple Alaska glaciers in one place. What is the best time of year to see wildlife in Alaska? I have no experience of Hubbard, but from what I have read on these forums over a few years from those who do have experience of both that and Glacier Bay NP, it is a toss of a coin either way. Car, train, or group tour. Big glacier face, big vistas and big icebergs Cons: Open, not fjord experience. Unfortunately, there is only that one active glacier where Hubbard Glacier is. There are some cruises that go to both Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm Fjord. Privacy Statement - Glacier viewing is almost always the highlight of any Alaska glacier cruise, if only because of how much more accessible it is with an Alaska cruise than other modes of transport. These tours typically depart from Icy Strait Point and fly over the park. Alaska glacier cruise visits to Glacier Bay are limited due to conservation reasons and to prevent overcrowding. There is another glacier off to the side, but it is not advancing and does not calve. It is slowly but constantly moving toward the Gulf of Alaska through Disenchantment Bay. Hubbard Glacier. Sightseeing occurs for about three hours as the ship makes a 360 turn in front of the glacier, allowing guests to view its magnificent face from anywhere onboard. Are these awesome? Hi! The city of Haines, Alaska wants to expand its relationship with Royal Caribbean in order to get more cruise ships, Going on an Alaska cruise is a bucket-list worthy vacation, but how much does it cost?, A new bill aims topermanently circumvent U.S. cabotage laws so that cruise ships can always visit Alaska without, Royal Caribbean has released its 2018-2019 North American cruise itineraries, that allow guests to choose cruises that, Alaska celebrated the return of the first big cruise ship on Friday with the arrival of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Cruises to Alaska on Royal Caribbean include dining, entertainment, activities, and transportation to some of the world. It connects to Yakutat Bay in the Gulf of Alaska. Related: What is the best time of year to see wildlife in Alaska? Logan (19,850 ft) in the Yukon Territory of Canada and ends within Wrangell-St . Also, when visiting Alaskas capital, youll have a chance to enjoyMendenhallGlacier, part of theJuneau icefield. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Posted on Published: February 1, 2023- Last updated: June 7, 2023, What Is A Closed-Loop Cruise: ID, Tips, Best Itineraries, Cruising South America: 8 Best Under 10-Day Latin Cruises. Some ships have solo cabins, so you don't need to pay the single supplement. Both seem to be very nice in picture. Princess will actually go to both. Depending on whether the trip goes northbound vs. southbound affects whether College Fjords or Hubbard Glacier are on the itinerary. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. I so enjoyed Glacier Bay that I went back 2 years later for 3 nights (to Gustavus) and took the day cruise (even better than the cruise ship day) and did some hiking and whale watching. It takes about 450 years for ice to traverse the length of this glacier so what youll see is truly history in the making! The ship was damaged but it was considered safe. But ice can keep cruise ships at a distance of several miles, particularly in August and September when warmer temperatures and rainfall can cause more calving. On June 25, 2022, the cruise ship Norwegian Sun collided into a growler (a piece of ice smaller than an iceberg) in foggy conditions as it approached the Hubbard Glacier for sightseeing. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Another ranger was in Palm Court (a forward lounge with large windows) so we could ask questions and there were ranger talks before and after visiting the bay. Harvard Glacier is the largest of the College Fjord glaciers, and it is the second-largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound. After doing some research myself, Ive broken down some of the pros and cons of each and the winner is pretty evident to me. The points made by the others above on the differences are pretty accurate. When trying to choose acruiseline for sailing Alaska, dont choose bycruiseline alone. Read on to get a better understanding of both of Alaskas famous glacier regions! Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. My main issue is finding travel companions. While only one glacier instead of multiple glaciers, Hubbard Glacier dominates the landscape more dramatically than any glacier at Glacier Bay. Royal Caribbean does not currently offer cruise itineraries to Glacier Bay National Park. 4 years ago Save We're planning an Alaskan cruise in June (one way southbound), but haven't booked the cruise line yet (we will be also tacking on front end time to visit Denali, Seward, Kenai peninsula area, etc. It would be hard for me to say which is better. Because it is a National Park, it has certain restrictions on entering the national park. Coupled with the challenge to sail to the face of these glaciers, the likelihood of you witnessing calving is pretty low. My goal has been wanting to travel all over the world. The "face" of a glacier often looks like it has been cut, leaving a straight edge at the terminus of the glacier. Cruise ships sailing from Seward often stopover at Yakutat Bay on the Alaskan panhandle. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in. For everything from Northern Lights spotting to fishing, these are the best times to visit Alaska. Of course, if your cruise allows and you dont have to choose between Hubbard Glacier versus Glacier Bay go for it as they both are very different! I have seen glaciers more than once in the Alps, in Altai, in the Himalayas, in the Andes. Park rangers will come on-board with live commentary while youre within the confines of the park. Hubbard Glacier V.S. In this couple travel blog, we cover our most exciting experiences as well as travel tips! Can you get an all-inclusive Alaska cruise. The problem with an itinerary that includes Hubbard only is that there is a greater chance of missing it entirely if visibility is poor or ice does not allow the ship to get close. I chose a Glacier Bay itinerary, because I had read that sometimes Hubbard can be iced out or fogged out. Here's a picture of the ice our ship broke through at Hubbard: https://cruisingalaskaonabudget.wordpress.com/2017/09/06/ice-breaking-for-our-friends/. There are two advancing glaciers: Margerie Glacier and John Hopkins Glaciers. First, you hear the thunder, then the cracking as a massive piece of ice slides down into the bay. Due to its rapid growth, Hubbard Glacier has been nicknamed the Galloping Glacier. Glacier Bay can have very cold and wet weather conditions during the cruise season. They are quite different experiences. But for a huge glacier and lots of icebergs, Hubbard is hard to beat. However, Margerie Glacier, as well as Johns Hopkins Glaciers, are advancing. Hubbard Glacier Cons It is the only active glacier in that area so basically you are going there to see this one glacier. Have you also taken into consideration the port times for the two options? All that summer, the new lake filled with runoff; its water level rose 25 metres (82ft), and the decrease in salinity threatened its sea life. Both Sawyer Glaciers and Dawes Glacier are in fjords offHolkham Bay. Glacier Bay has a number of large tidewater glaciers including Margerie Glacier and Johns Hopkins Glacier. I'd appreciate any feedback. Not only can you hear and see the glacial ice exploding, but theres a chance to see harbor seals and humpback whales too. The total age of the glacier is approximately 400 years. Alaskas weather is unpredictable, and its not entirely uncommon for cruise ships to cancel or modify glacier viewing times in order to keep guests, crew, and the ship safe. Hubbard Glacier was named in 1890 for Gardiner G. Hubbard, who was the founder of the National Geographic Society. Both stop in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. We break down the pros and cons of visiting each one. Yea - I have missed Hubbard multiple times, never missed Glacier Bay. Posts: n/a. Glacier Bay will have national park rangers come on board for commentary and you will see more than one glacier. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-30452948', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ships spend time at Margerie Glacier. Is June "early"? Most Alaskan cruisesinclude one or more viewings of a sizeable glacial icefield. You will pass several glaciers on your way to the one you will spend more time at. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. E.g. It calves more often than the other glaciers youll see in the region about every 15 minutes. Ymmv. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. These wilderness valleys are home to numerous sea birds, harbor seals, bears, bald eagles, and the occasional whale pods. If you prefer to watch from your balcony cabin, the captain will swing the vessel around so both sides have equal viewing time. If Tracy Arm contains too much ice or if theres too much fog, the cruising portion f this cruise will be canceled. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The most popular destinations are Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Prince William Sound, or Tracy Arm. Id had the opportunity to work in a glacier guiding company in New Zealand for 4 months, and having a job at a glacier guiding company means having to hike, chop and climb the glacier ice whenever I want. The actual location of the Hubbard Glacier is inside Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, which is north of Glacier Bay National Park. I know many who have booked this itinerary for 2011 are hoping the same will happen this year. A UNESCO World Heritage Site with several glaciers to see. The glacier flows over 75 miles to reach Disenchantment Bay in southeast Alaska. We are now working towards our goal of continuing full-time travel every day. Some cruise lines dont sail in the fjord. Hubbard Glacier is 75 miles long (125 Km) and 7 miles wide (11 Km). There are many other glaciers you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska, however, including Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, and the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Choose Glacier Bay if you want to be sure to enjoy glacier viewing. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you'll never forget. In choosing an itinerary, we have a choice between one that includes Glacier Bay. Scenic cruising in Alaska: Glacier Bay vs. Tracy Arm vs. Hubbard Glacier Scenic cruising is one of the big attractions of an Alaska cruise. While visiting either location offers the chance to see some of the most spectacular scenery in Alaska up close, they each offer different experiences, pros, and cons. Then I came across this big dilemma when it comes to travellers visiting USAs Alaska on the best place to visit to see spectacular glacier formations Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay. Some dock for a full day, while others stay for half a day. Cruise ships visiting Glacier Bay typically spend nearly a. Amazing places deserve to be shared with others - why not Write a Review! Hows that for a full-time job? Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. 15 reviews 21 helpful votes Is Hubbard Glacier or College Fjords more scenic 10 years ago Save We're planning a 7 day cruise through Alaska. This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The longest source for Hubbard Glacier originates 122 kilometres (76 mi) from its snout and is located at about , approximately 8 kilometres (5 mi) west of Mount Walsh with an elevation around 3,400 metres (11,200 A shorter tributary glacier begins at the easternmost summit on the Mount Logan ridge at about 5,600 metres (18,400 ft) at about . Glacier Bay vs Hubbard Glacier Us - cruise virgins. We took ACT bus from Seward to Anchorage airport where we picked up our rental & drove to Denali. I just assumed the "cruises" board would be the place to post. Spot wild eagles flying, seals lounging on the ice chunks and grizzly bears out on a hunt! Due to its size, guests can view from every spot on the cruise ship. The first time you see its enormous facade, it will take your breath away. Powered by Invision Community. In: Alaska 28 Nov 2022 By: Jenna DeLaurentis Choosing an Alaska cruise itinerary doesn't boil down to just cruise ports. Pros: Lush, forested mountainsides; Tight fjords and big mountains; lots of glaciersCons: Not as much wildlife as Glacier Bay, fewer cruise ships visit here. If we have to pick the best glacier for wildlife viewing, though, it would be Glacier Bay. Malaspina is a piedmont glacier, does not reach into the bay, and is difficult to see from a ship, even though it is about the size of Switzerland!. Unlike glaciers in other areas, these are positioned close together, like soldiers all in a row. Interpretive rangers board ships and narrate the trip. It would thus be difficult for ships to sail close to the glaciers face. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Of course, I not believing that the ship would come so close. It pushed a terminal moraine ahead of its face and closed the opening again in July. It is a bit tougher when you ask Glacier Bay vs. Hubbard Glacier. Additionally, the most active tidewater glaciers in the world are in Prince William Sound. John Hopkins and Margerie glaciers both had some calving. And why? The Margerie is almost all the way up the 65-mile Bay in the West Arm, and youll probably see the Lamplugh and Johns Hopkins glaciers en route. We faced a similar question, but with Princess and Celebrity. It was really nice too. While wildlife sighting is never guaranteed, you have the chance to spot wildlife while visiting either glacier. Saw calving at the Margarie and John Hopkins Glaciers and we saw something like 6 or 7 glaciers total in GB.

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