Glacier Bay- Scenic cruising

[liannelr]

Hi all,

 

I am cruising on the Golden Princess on 6th September Seattle round trip. Does anyone have any tips or advice as to good viewing areas on the ship on the day we cruise glacier bay or any other bits of information that would be useful to me on this day. All advice welcome, I'm not afraid of early mornings or bad weather :-)

Many thanks!

 

 

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[mskaufman]

I was on HAL and they opened the bow. It was a great place because we were closer to the water and could see on both sides.

[Kamloops50]

Hi all,

 

I am cruising on the Golden Princess on 6th September Seattle round trip. Does anyone have any tips or advice as to good viewing areas on the ship on the day we cruise glacier bay or any other bits of information that would be useful to me on this day. All advice welcome, I'm not afraid of early mornings or bad weather :-)

Many thanks!

 

 

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You'll find that there isn't one but many good viewing areas on board . A lot depends on the weather and the glacier calving . The ship will spend about an hour rotating in front of glacier .

[DougH]

Lots of great viewing spots, just move around for different viewpoints. I like to spend some time on the promenade deck as you sail in as its less crowded than the top decks and you can sit down. You want to be on the port side. I've found that as soon as the Capt turns around to leave the Glacier everyone heads in to the buffet and the decks become almost empty, eat early before you actually arrive at the glacier. If its raining the forward promenade is the place to be.

 

Topside aft is a great place out of the wind when you head back out.

[sherryf]

You'll find that there isn't one but many good viewing areas on board . A lot depends on the weather and the glacier calving . The ship will spend about an hour rotating in front of glacier .

 

The ship will sit with port facing the glacier for about half an hour, then rotate so that starboard is facing the glacier for about half an hour. The ship does not rotate for an hour. I stake out a spot on the port side early, then as the ship starts to rotate, I move to starboard and find a good spot before the crowds figure it out and move over.

[Glaciers]

The sun doesn’t rise until after 6am the day you enter Glacier Bay although there will still be some light prior to that. Getting out on deck an hour or so prior to your entry into Glacier Bay is an excellent area to watch for whales.

[Coral]

I also like Deck 7/promenade deck. Everyone goes to the top, I like to be lower for photos. Not crowded at all.

[Budget Queen]

What people don't realize, is there will be a posted time for Glacier Bay. This time is usually the boarding of the park rangers at Bartlett Cove. If it's 6am, you are already WAY past the prime humpback area of Point Adolphus with is the jackpot. :) I am out at least 30 minutes prior to the posted dawn time. Usually enjoying the views myself. I also prefer the open lower side decks. HAL is a winner with the ships that have open bows. Where the position is the best for wildlife spotting. The biggest opportunity for wildlife is the first 2/3's of the park. From the Park Ranger's joining the ship- it's about 3 hours to the glacier viewing. The glacier views come on the port side. You will pass by the Lamplough and Reid glaciers first, then dead end at the Margerie and Grand Pacific.

 

Just as important to me, is the repeat wildlife viewing opportunities on the way out. Very few people are out so you have plenty of space. Necessary is a good pair of wide angle binoculars.

[liannelr]

Thanks so much for the responses. The itinerary states we arrive at 6am.

 

 

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[frugaltravel]

Funny how multiple posters have talked about the bow on the HAL ships being so great, and being opened just for Glacier Bay. Princess ships have that promenade deck that is ALWAYS open and rarely crowded. The promenade deck is one reason I love Princess ships to Alaska. Some excellent outside, unobstructed forward viewing and easy to move side to side for great viewing. This is a great place to view not just in Glacier Bay. Between Skagway and Juneau for example is another excellent place to see wildlife, especially whales. Then again south of Juneau is another great area. Lots of opportunities to see wildlife from the cruise ship (usually in the distance and not for a long time) if you invest the time.

Edited April 8, 2014 by frugaltravel

[lilrod]

I will travel to Alaska on July on the Norwegian Jewel. We changed our cabin to balcony and this will help us to take some great pictures without a lot of crowd.

[Budget Queen]

Funny how multiple posters have talked about the bow on the HAL ships being so great, and being opened just for Glacier Bay. Princess ships have that promenade deck that is ALWAYS open and rarely crowded. The promenade deck is one reason I love Princess ships to Alaska. Some excellent outside, unobstructed forward viewing and easy to move side to side for great viewing. This is a great place to view not just in Glacier Bay. Between Skagway and Juneau for example is another excellent place to see wildlife, especially whales. Then again south of Juneau is another great area. Lots of opportunities to see wildlife from the cruise ship (usually in the distance and not for a long time) if you invest the time.

 

I agree these lower open decks are great for a lot of space and easy to get to the rail. I do spend a lot of time forward when it's empty and on the right ships. I really hate those forward viewing areas with plexiglass. :(

 

Outside of glacier viewing, I'm spotting wildlife. Forward viewing is superior and scanning side to side with a good pair of wide angle binoculars. I am not as happy with a side view and missing 50% of the possibilities. Especially with an early morning Glacier Bay visit.

[theloo]

Our cruise doesn't list a time for Glacier Bay. Will that information be in the newsletter once we board, or will we have to ask?

[Glaciers]

Our cruise doesn't list a time for Glacier Bay. Will that information be in the newsletter once we board, or will we have to ask?

 

It will be in the daily that you receive the night prior although you should be able to ask a time once you board. Most ships arrive early, about 6am, at Bartlett Cove to pick up the ranger.

 

The park service has a nice page for Glacier Bay.

http://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/cruise.htm

 

Map and typical cruise route through Glacier Bay.

http://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/upload/cruise%20ship%20routes%20in%20Glacier%20Bay.pdf

[theloo]

It will be in the daily that you receive the night prior although you should be able to ask a time once you board. Most ships arrive early, about 6am, at Bartlett Cove to pick up the ranger.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll go with that until I hear otherwise. I had planned to be looking for wildlife around Pt. Adolphus, so will go out at maybe 5 or 5:30. Sunrise is at 3:xx, but I'm not getting up that early.

Edited April 8, 2014 by theloo

[liannelr]

What people don't realize, is there will be a posted time for Glacier Bay. This time is usually the boarding of the park rangers at Bartlett Cove. If it's 6am, you are already WAY past the prime humpback area of Point Adolphus with is the jackpot. :) I am out at least 30 minutes prior to the posted dawn time. Usually enjoying the views myself. I also prefer the open lower side decks. HAL is a winner with the ships that have open bows. Where the position is the best for wildlife spotting. The biggest opportunity for wildlife is the first 2/3's of the park. From the Park Ranger's joining the ship- it's about 3 hours to the glacier viewing. The glacier views come on the port side. You will pass by the Lamplough and Reid glaciers first, then dead end at the Margerie and Grand Pacific.

 

 

 

Just as important to me, is the repeat wildlife viewing opportunities on the way out. Very few people are out so you have plenty of space. Necessary is a good pair of wide angle binoculars.

 

 

Thank you very much, fantastic advice and exactly what I was looking for.

 

 

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[karatemom2]

On of our favorite spots for viewing on the Golden is the covered bow area adjacent to the Promenade Deck. It's actually a deck up from the Promenade deck - you take stairs up from Deck 7 that leads to the enclosed bow area. It is rarely crowded and somewhat protected because it is covered and you can see a wide scope in front of you. You will usually find the professional photographers and serious bird watchers up there.

 

Another area we like is the deck surrounding the small aft pool just outside of the back of the Horizon Court. Lots of room and very comfortable for aft viewing with a bar and the buffet in easy proximity for snacks and drinks.

[Budget Queen]

Thanks for the info. I'll go with that until I hear otherwise. I had planned to be looking for wildlife around Pt. Adolphus, so will go out at maybe 5 or 5:30. Sunrise is at 3:xx, but I'm not getting up that early.

 

You will have a 6am entry if you are at Juneau, Hubbard or Skagway the day prior. 5/5:30 is too late, you will be way past Point Adolphus. This is assuming you are coming from Juneau or Skagway. IF you are going there, you will pass Point Adolphus AFTER you leave Glacier Bay, usually only hard core people out, as it's usually around dinner time you sail by.

[theloo]

You will have a 6am entry if you are at Juneau, Hubbard or Skagway the day . 5/5:30 is too late, you will be way past Point Adolphus. This is assuming you are coming from Juneau or Skagway. IF you are going there, you will pass Point Adolphus AFTER you leave Glacier Bay, usually only hard core people out, as it's usually around dinner time you sail by.

 

We'll be at Skagway the day before. I guess we'll miss Pt Adolphus then :( as I'm not quite that hardcore to wake up before 5 a.m. on vacation. But I'm curious, Pt. Adolphus doesn't seem that far from where the rangers board, so I thought we'd pass by shortly before 6 a.m. Do the ships pass Pt Adolphus really early and the just hang out at the entrance to Glacier Bay?

[karatemom2]

We are not early risers but we have always had good luck with whale sightings on the way out of Glacier Bay. I don't really care if it conflicts with dinner - we can always eat later. If you don't want to get up at the crack of dawn, just plan to be out on deck as you pass Point Adolphus in the evening.

[Budget Queen]

We'll be at Skagway the day before. I guess we'll miss Pt Adolphus then :( as I'm not quite that hardcore to wake up before 5 a.m. on vacation. But I'm curious, Pt. Adolphus doesn't seem that far from where the rangers board, so I thought we'd pass by shortly before 6 a.m. Do the ships pass Pt Adolphus really early and the just hang out at the entrance to Glacier Bay?

 

The cruise ships stall right outside Bartlett Cove for at least an hour, they aren't "sailing slow" all the time.

 

It's pure chance where they "stall", If you see a "T" , three ways of water, you are too late. If the ship is moving, and only one water way, keep looking both sides from the front.

[theloo]

The cruise ships stall right outside Bartlett Cove for at least an hour, they aren't "sailing slow" all the time.

 

It's pure chance where they "stall", If you see a "T" , three ways of water, you are too late. If the ship is moving, and only one water way, keep looking both sides from the front.

 

I see. What about KarateMom's suggestion that we look on the way out? In your experience, do ships pass by on the way out? Based on the map, I would think the ships would be going the other direction, at least on a northbound gulf itinerary, which is what I will be on.

[Budget Queen]

I see. What about KarateMom's suggestion that we look on the way out? In your experience, do ships pass by on the way out? Based on the map, I would think the ships would be going the other direction, at least on a northbound gulf itinerary, which is what I will be on.

 

Sorry no, I have not been on any ships that made this detour in years. When you leave you will be turning right heading to Seward/Whittier. You do pass by some sea lion haul outs and have good chances of seeing sea otters (which most people miss) you do need to look for the flippers, needing a good pair of wide angle binoculars. Sea Otters, are very skittish and dive when the ship get near. So you do need forward and low viewing.

[KNITWITS]

Funny how multiple posters have talked about the bow on the HAL ships being so great, and being opened just for Glacier Bay. Princess ships have that promenade deck that is ALWAYS open and rarely crowded. The promenade deck is one reason I love Princess ships to Alaska. Some excellent outside, unobstructed forward viewing and easy to move side to side for great viewing. This is a great place to view not just in Glacier Bay. Between Skagway and Juneau for example is another excellent place to see wildlife, especially whales. Then again south of Juneau is another great area. Lots of opportunities to see wildlife from the cruise ship (usually in the distance and not for a long time) if you invest the time.

Since you've been on Princess to Alaska, could you tell me if they have the park ranger come aboard and narrate as I hear they do on HAL? Also where do you need to be to hear the narrative for example would it be audible on the promenade deck as well?

[Budget Queen]

Since you've been on Princess to Alaska, could you tell me if they have the park ranger come aboard and narrate as I hear they do on HAL? Also where do you need to be to hear the narrative for example would it be audible on the promenade deck as well?

 

ALL ships entering Glacier Bay will have 3-4 park rangers escort the ship into Glacier Bay. They also offer a program, and set up a table with information and are very open to answering any questions. There will be commentary part of the trip.

 

Commentary is heard on the outside decks.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Budget Queen