FAQ What are the best tours in Icy Strait Point? During season 2016, the port handled 78 ship calls and ~160,000 cruise tourists. (It is semi-widely available and a good value though, as points in its favor.). Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tours; Cruise Lines. Reserve your dining now. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect . Head out to Icy Strait Point, to explore the beach, shop, or hike the beautiful trails. CHECK SHORE EXCURSIONS IN Icy Strait Point, Alaska, *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Alaska Icy Strait Point Tribe Local Performance, Cuisine Dungeness Crab, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, One of the Many Historic Cannery Buildings, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, View All{{ cards[0] && cards[0]['totalGroups'] ? " I'm coming down with FOMO though because this is a big trip to only have 4 days on land and I want to do it justice. Any Royal Caribbean excursions (as opposed to private) you could highly recommend would be greatly appreciated. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Even waking up to warm, sunny skies can turn cool and rainy. Yes is does have substantial tourist oriented shopping, and the main attraction the Ziprider. Depending on the season, catch the bears coming out of hibernation and looking for food; or later on in the season when the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats. Long time listener and I know this has been covered a million times, just not so much recently. Explore our Alaska cruises today! I'm stuck right now on the Whale and Marine Mammal Cruise for $189 and the Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search for $255. If our guests missed their ships we would not be in business. To increase your chances, you need to get off the big boat, get on two feet, and get out in the Alaska wild. To break ties, I used top Uniqueness score, since I want to encourage you to try new things in Alaska. About Prof. Cruise. We rarely cancel on our guests as the weather is typically pretty stable. Website Season:$180 per person3.5 hrs. Wildlife is one of the main draws for visitors who want to cruise in Alaska. While this cruise excursion isnt totally unique you can see bears elsewhere in Alaska its a good chance to guarantee that experience at a good value. Stream Fishing 6. Have you seen my other Alaska cruise resources? {{card.portName}}, Onboard The full cancellation policy can be found here. Things To Do In Hoonah / Icy Strait. Expand Your Vacation. Wind along back roads in search of wildlife, including bald eagles, brown bears, and Sitka black-tailed deer, and enjoy spectacular views of the natural beauty that surrounds you along the way. Brave the ZipRider, the worlds longest zip line, and enjoy amazing views of the forest as you race from a mountain peak at 60 miles per hour. We only have 4 port days! Our experiences focus on the heart of Alaska. The nature trailis pretty short. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. We did an independent whale watching tour in ISP and it was amazing. Alaska Shore Excursions, Cruises & Tours Wildlife & Outdoor Tours: Alaska Whale Watching Tours This 2.5-hour outdoor adventure is listed as moderate in terms of activity level. Hopefullythis level of detail helps others make suggestions. Generally speaking, Carnival will be the least expensive and Disney will be the most expensive, with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian at the lower end and Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, and Cunard at the upper end. Yaakw Kahidi Cultural Center Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! Every summer, humpback whales come to Hoonah in huge numbers to feed on the nutrient-rich waters before migrating south again in the winter. Don't miss our unique shopping center, a free museum, walking trails, etc. Our most popular tour is the Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour. Bear sightings are also more frequent during the summer, so plan your trip accordingly. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Dry too. If youve read any of my other lists of cruise excursions, you know that getting active is one of my personal travel priorities. Some excursions include puppies that you get to hold. You will have to walk up and/or down a potentially steep ramp depending on the tide to access the floats where the boat will be. After you successfully conquer that, youll hook into the first of six zip lines. His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! tips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions, The Best Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursions, 2. The buildings that once was a cannery provided a very nice historical perspective of how it really use to be. As a souvenir, youll get recipe cards so you can try to prepare these meals once you return home. Beyond the cannery is the pick up for tours and the ( today free) shuttle to the local village of Hoonah. Was thinking the adventure park and zipline would be fun but cant find it. Read more in my Privacy Policy. I am going on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle in May 2022 to Alaska and BC. Caribbean Europe Getaways (3-6 Days) Hawaii Japan Mexico Panama Canal South America & Antarctica Tahiti & South Pacific World Cruises . It's a 3.5 hr whale watch tour. On this tour, you'll have the chance to spot humpbacks and orcas in the beautiful Alaskan waters. The area near Icy Strait Point, with its proximity to Point Adolphus and Glacier Bay, is home to one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska and the whale watching is second to none. Not into drinking or eating seafood. Your email address will not be published. Lower lift line. Visit the Tlingit carvers and walk about to appreciate the totem poles in town. Shore Excursions Group takes you on a journey in the Icy Strait to see the bears, fish, bald eagles, and whales that call Icy Strait home. Hire a local guide to take you whale watching, fishing, or kayaking. Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human. (One of my past favorites was a flightseeing tour!) Icy Strait Point is home to the world's largest zipline, the ZipRider. All rights reserved. To learn more about the people who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. In Juneau I know of asled dog excursionincluded as part of a helicopter to a glacier type activity which makes it expensive but very good. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. Add in the communication he has with other captains on the other boats, and it's a perfect whale finding system! In fact, our captains, naturalists and guides live to love whales, so it pleases them to no end to leave you wide-eyed on whales! The trail is a moderate 2-mile hike that includes panoramic views of Chichagof Island and the surrounding waterways. Norwegian Communications Center. You can post now and register later. Ships Deck Plans . While biking and hiking in Alaskas temperate rainforest is certainly cool, hands down the best part is exploring the beach in this trio of experiences; keep your eyes peeled for sea urchin shells and animal prints, which are commonly found on the beaches of Southeast Alaska. Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search, join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community, https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/cruises/, Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search, I went through all of the Icy Strait Point excursions and chose the ones I think are worth doing (the V factor ). And, we do offer discounts for groups of 4 or more on some of the tours! Best of all, were able to offer more competitive rates than the cruise ships because you are booking locally. First and foremost, Icy Strait Point is truly surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness. Drive old logging roads to a picnic spot. I put these Icy Strait Point cruise excursions in order based on what I know Alaska visitors will love. He will take you to his favorite fishing areas for the best halibut and salmon fishing around. Good Value. We want to share the breathtaking sights, the wildlife, and the amazing people of Hoonah Alaska with you. Or, in the unlikely event you dont sight a whale, well refund you $100. Youll be provided with binoculars and other gear you might need. However there is so much more. One of our favorite FAQs: The cruise industry wants ALL of your money so they try and scare you with that line. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. The areas we search near in Hoonah near Icy Strait Point and Point Adolphus are known Humpback whale feeding grounds. Don't worry we will definitely be back to Alaska (just after Hawaii and Europe according to my wife LOL). Often two ships split the day with one in the AM and one in the PM which works since the days are long in the summer. Our Local Guides Provide an Intimate and Authentic Experience. Bear Viewing on Chicagof Island 3. We want your port call in Hoonah, and our Icy Strait Point excursions, to be the highlight of your Alaskan cruise. We too the free shuttle back into the port area and walked through the old cannery, the museum and gift shops, which were all cool. . I spent three summers working for one of the major cruise companies, and during that time I had to make recommendations for excursions for thousands of Alaska cruisers. Icy Strait Point website. Ocean Stateroom. In May I spent an amazing week with Princess Cruise Lines aboard the Island Princess. Look for jewellery made from fine gold nuggets, handcrafted objects and warm winter fashions. He know how to find the whales! As a company that has been in the business of offering small group shore excursions in the Icy Strait Point area for over a decade, our tour schedules are mindfully constructed around the cruise ships arrivals and departures! Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. Guests must be able to walk over paved, gravel, and packed dirt surfaces, with inclines. I loved this port for that very reason. Find Shore Tours to Book Select your cruise ship and we'll display only the tours that work with your schedule in each port. Cunard rolled out the winter 2025 cruise schedules for its three ships, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2, plus the new-build Queen Anne, set to debut . Sorry, I dont know the specific tour company; the goal of this post is to help people book their cruise excursions through the cruise company. We offer the lowest rates in Hoonah! For the best wildlife viewing, check out our small group Icy Strait Point shore excursions. An Alaska cruise isn't complete without exhilarating shore excursions. From the top of the mountain, it's just a short walk (400 meters) through a pristine stand of old-growth rainforest to the ZipRider tower. Start here. Our team personally tests every tour in a destination to select only the best shore excursions for your Quantum of the Seas cruise . This Alaskan wilderness and bear search tour is offered on Chichagof Island, a one-of-a-kind location with the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth. Local knowledge is king, and having a fantastic team with a wealth of local expertise in our employ, gives us the confidence that well leave you happy and wanting to return! Typically a short-sleeve and long-sleeve mid layer and a waterproof jacket, long pants and sturdy shoes you dont mind getting wet. Visiting in September of 2023. Best Icy Strait Point Tours & Excursions: 1. Indulge in fresh seafood and native veggies like beach asparagus and seaweed to fuel up for stops in Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Skagway, Seward, and of course the marvelous Hubbard Glacier. Response from Host, Sep 2022. Top Things to Do in Icy Strait Point Meet a Local Favorite, Freddy, the Humpback Whale It is totally safe! Icy Strait Small Group Shore Excursion: We're going on a bear hunt! I am concerned if I have saeveral days between catching fish and returning to my home, the fish may not be so goog. Alaska-Sized Adventure Stay as long as you choose to explore trails, check out wildlife, and go inside the visitor center, and then climb aboard a return bus . Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. We booked "Glacier Winds" for the Whale watching on a small (6 person) boat in Icy Point for our 2020 trip. The best tours in Icy Strait Point are: Located about 35 miles west of Juneau, this area offers some great nature and adventure opportunities as well as rich Tlingit heritage. This post was originally published in March 2020, and was updated most recently in November 2022 for the coming season. Alaska is full of epic hikes, and you might want to experience some of that for yourself on your Alaska cruise. The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for many centuries in what is now Glacier Bay National Park. Apr 1, 2014. Hoonay tram ride - an expensive waste of time! This is your chance to see brown bears, Sitka black tail deer and other wildlife up close in the natural scenic beauty of the last frontier. But the kayaking was well worth. We are a family-run company based right here in Hoonah. Your link has been automatically embedded. Embrace the rich culture of the Tlingit while on one of their canoe tours. We before they even had a pier and it was so different from the other ports. This cruise ship stop is not like all the others with hoards of jewelry stores. Since I already pointed out that Icy Strait Point is a unique cultural destination, what better way to experience it than on a cooking class excursion? Your experienced guide will take you on an adventure to discover the secrets of Icy Strait and the vast history of the Tlingit Native population. Advancing glaciers forced them to relocate to modern-day Hoonah in 1754. Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. 1. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? Prices start at $169.00 per person. Agreed! After a short bus ride to the Spasski River Valley, youll take a guided tour along a boardwalk and gravel path into a habitat that Alaskan brown bears are known to frequent. I want to get the most out of Alaska but excursions over $400 per person are out of the picture. This Icy Strait Point excursion is a good value and widely offered, which is why it ranks so highly on my list for 2023 Alaska cruises. On this excursion, youll sample some of the food Alaskans love to enjoy, learn from a local chef about how to filet and prepare fresh Alaskan seafood, and then try your hand at preparing some for yourself. I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. My husband and I were excited to take the sky glider up to the top so we could do the Alice Lake trail 1.5 mile hike to hidden lake. $1,510. There will be no shortage of fish in the cool, clear streams we'll take you on this trip. Foodie cruisers, this ones for you! Duration: 4 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.) Is it safe to book with a local company that does not work with the cruise ships? Norwegian Communications Center. As I mentioned, Skagway is a destination for history lovers - so it's no surprise that a history tour tops the list. Companies that book through the ships have to pay the ships very high fees to do that. See the "real" Alaska on this nature tour that takes you up close to bears, eagles and other fascinating wildlife. Another major cost factor is the type of stateroom you prefer. For a real Alaska speciality, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chilli or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. We booked the gondola and tram ride. This excursion doesnt have the same wow factor as flightseeing or adrenaline-inducing zip-lining, its by far the most culturally immersive experience you can have in Icy Strait Point and possibly on your whole Alaska trip. Along the way, most guides stop to take you on short hikes for even better views. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. Guests must be able to climb in and out of a 15 passenger van. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. We'll supply everything you need, so there's nothing for you to worry about except for having fun and taking in nature at its best. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaskas largest Tlingit village. For a real Alaska specialty, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chili or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. Chichagoff Island is home to more brown bears than humans, its a place where eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen just offshore. Five stars arent enough to describe this wonderful production filled with colorful regalia, genuine ritual, deep spirituality, and a sense of humor and play (Raven was a trickster, after all). She'll load your group up into her van and pass out some binoculars and you'll be off. Most stuff is sold out on our cruise and some of the adventures you talked about are not even listed. My husband and I are booked for a cruise to Alaska with Royal Caribbean August 4th through the 12th. Icy Strait Point was a nice place to spend a few hours. Humpback whales visit Icy Strait Point every summer, beginning in May, and they stay around until September. Until then Alaska excursions do tend to run more pricey compared to Caribbean cruises. Clear editor. Drones are able to see below the water surface and broadcast live video back to the boat. - Ovation only at Icy Straight Point and Sitka, - Juneau has 5 ships, port load - 11970 guests, - Skagway has 3 ships, port load - 6830 guests. The island is roughly 25 miles from the port town of Hoonah. Display as a link instead, We did the Spasski River Wildlife and Bear tour. Take a journey into this serene kayak adventure on Icy Strait for an unforgettable experience! Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? AK 99829, Guaranteed Whale Watching Tours in Icy Straits, The Best Time To Visit Alaska - Various Seasons Of The North, 7 Things You Shouldnt Miss During Your Icy Strait Point Tours, Why the Icy Strait Point Gondola is a Must-Ride for Tourists. Has anyone booked the whale watching excursion in Icy Strait Point through the ship (Radiance of the Sea)? 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Discover Alaska's Wildest Kitchen, a hands-on tasting session like no other and hosted by an Alaskan master wilderness chef. By pem309, . And completely reliable. {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. Multiple families may join the same tour as long as adequate space is available and the maximum is not exceeded. For each excursion, I list which cruise companies offer that one so you can see whether your cruise is on the list. Alaska's not the only ultimate destination on the eastern Pacific. Travel just 1.5 miles through the picturesque landscape of Hoonah, Alaska. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. Children as young as 6 years old can ride the zipline, and guests must be between the weight of 75 pounds and 275 pounds to enjoy this adventure. All tours offered on the day you are in port work with your ship schedule. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see. After a short bus ride to the Spasski River Valley, you'll take a guided tour along a boardwalk and gravel path into a habitat that Alaskan brown bears are known to frequent. Our guide, a college student from DC, pandered so to the Tlingit culture it was embarrassing. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. Find 9 other excursion options on my guide to the best Skagway cruise excursions. Would love the wildlife search! Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? Photo credits: Icy Strait Point building (L) Moira Dunworth; Glacier Bay flightseeing (R) Joseph; salmon on grill Didriks; Tlingit tribal dance James Brooks; halibut fisherman Bryan Wilkins; all via Flickr. Another view of tower 5. You might even catch them bubble net feeding! Located in southeast Alaska and along the coast, Icy Strait Point gives you a peek inside the beautiful and diverse Alaskan wildlife. In years past, I used to call out Icy Strait Point as the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park; this year, my research showed that the major cruise companies seem to be visiting Glacier Bay as part of their itineraries and there are no excursions that take you into the park anymore. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We've analyzed this ship's atmosphere, facilities, activities, cabins, cuisine and service, based on ratings from U.S. News & World Report and other expert sources. We are located 7 miles from downtown Juneau independent travelers either come by taxi Uber or the city bus. The gondola and zip line are just outside this building. Icy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330 ziplines dropping 1330. Town is very small with nothing more than a few shore excursions to choose from.
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