Have you ever not been able to go into Glacier Bay?

[leahthecaterer]

We're thinking about a Princess cruise the second week of May.  It goes to Glacier Bay.  Has anyone ever not been able to get in there?  It's the whole reason we picked this cruise.

Thanks

[Sea Hag]

12 minutes ago, leahthecaterer said:

We're thinking about a Princess cruise the second week of May.  It goes to Glacier Bay.  Has anyone ever not been able to get in there?  It's the whole reason we picked this cruise.

Thanks

No, we've never not been able to go there. Glacier Bay is big, so I think ships can always manage it no matter what the ice situation is in the water.

[leahthecaterer]

3 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

No, we've never not been able to go there. Glacier Bay is big, so I think ships can always manage it no matter what the ice situation is in the water.

That sounds good.  Thanks.

[beg3yrs]

How close to the glaciers you may get can vary depending on conditions. But as others have stated, you'll most likely get into the bay itself.

[Steelers0854]

I’ll also add how MUCH of the glacier you will see is also hit and miss.  We have been twice, once we could barely see the front face, the second time we had better weather had could see about half way up the glacier, but we have always been able to get there.  (We went in Sept for the first trip, June for the second).

[Rick&Jeannie]

We had an August sailing last year scheduled for Glacier Bay. Had to bypass due to fog/weather. Disappointed for our travel companions because it was their first cruise ever. Discovery Princess. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest ldtr]

Have been to Glacier Bay 7 times, would have been 8 but too much fog to pick up the Park Rangers and enter the bay on one trip.

[railman]

Have been on three Alaska cruises.  Visited Glacer Bay three times.

[Essiesmom]

Four times to Glacier Bay, twice to College Fjord, one visit and one miss at Hubbard Glacier.  Miss was in July, fog.  EM

[DRS/NC]

5 Alaska cruises (May, June, 2x August, Sept); into Glacier Bay w/no problems each time.

 

[Coral]

Glacier Bay is the glacier that is missed the least compared to other ones cruise lines go to (Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm, College Fiords, etc...)

 

Endicott Arm is rarely missed but is not as scenic as Glacier Bay. For the most part, Glacier Bay is pretty dependable at seeing. Obviously, there can be weather issues.

[roadster08]

This year we have another challenge. Congress has yet to raise the federal debt limit and the extraordinary measures that are currently being done to work around it are expected to run out in May or June. I wonder if they don't come to an agreement to raise it and go past the deadline if that will affect the park rangers, and I really don't know whether the government is involved in allowing ships into Glacier Bay either.

 

My cruise is in early June and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Edited February 21, 2023 by roadster08

[Coral]

6 minutes ago, roadster08 said:

This year we have another challenge. Congress has yet to raise the federal debt limit and the extraordinary measures that are currently being done to work around it are expected to run out in May or June. I wonder if they don't come to an agreement to raise it and go past the deadline if that will affect the park rangers, and I really don't know whether the government is involved in allowing ships into Glacier Bay either.

 

My cruise is in early June and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

If it affects Park Rangers, it will affect Glacier Bay. This has come up in previous years but it always has gotten resolved in time for Alaska season.

Edited February 21, 2023 by Coral

[HaveDogWillTravel]

I’ve been on 6 Princess cruises since May 2017 that included Glacier Bay, 5 in very early May and one in August.  In all cases we did get into the bay. The weather varied in May from t-shirts to wearing every item of clothing I brought (lol). We always saw the faces of the glaciers. I much prefer May to September.  I love the snow and ice when my warm cabin is right there. 

[DougH]

30+ cruises to Alaska and have never missed Glacier Bay. Don't seem to get as close as we did in the past but depends on the Captain. It is always impressive