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. From land to sea to sky, envelop yourself in the natural beauty of Alaska, and get close (but not too close) and personal with the wildlife, and the locals! Your email address will not be published. Dining on sale - Exclusive Dining Offer. Head out to Icy Strait Point, to explore the beach, shop, or hike the beautiful trails. Hire a local guide to take you whale watching, fishing, or kayaking. Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. Is there any activities for a 3 yo and 4 yo at Icy Point? No matter what kind of Alaska adventure youre craving, youll find it in Icy Strait Point. In both Juneau and Skagway there are excursions that go to a sled dog facility. 2. We also invite you to learn about one of Icy Strait's native peoples, the Huna Tlingit, and the town of Hoonah. One of our favorite FAQs: The cruise industry wants ALL of your money so they try and scare you with that line. Pasted as rich text. The next 2.5 to 3 hours, she'll drive you around to several good birding spots. {{card.portName}}, Onboard Along the rugged coastline, you can spot humpback whales, brown bears, otters, seals, eagles. Whats more, we 100% guarantee whale sightings on every whale watching tour (from May to September). 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. We are on the same sailing and I checked the port loads for each stop. Is our tour still on? Which of these Icy Strait Point excursions will you book? Typically a short-sleeve and long-sleeve mid layer and a waterproof jacket, long pants and sturdy shoes you dont mind getting wet. 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. Longest Zip Line, Icy Strait Point, Alaska. Hoonay is the first stop of our cruise. Youll find plenty of authentic Alaska gifts just a quick stroll from the dock at the historic Cannery Shops. Only Holland America offers this one. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, its easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. Advancing glaciers forced them to relocate to modern-day Hoonah in 1754. I've already enjoyed reading the boards and have already learned so much that is very helpful. Required fields are marked *. From their connection to nature to their tribal dance, the spirit of their people is something to behold. 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! Many outdoor enthusiasts come to Alaska for fishing, and Hoonah won't disappoint. This is your chance to set sail and travel the scenic shorelines of Icy Strait Point keeping watch for bears, deer, blue herons, puffins and more. This is the real Alaska! The bicycle is designed specifically for rugged terrain, so you can maximize the experience with the least amount of effort. If you have further questions please email [emailprotected] or if it is an urgent matter you can call 1-888-586-8489. They've been living under the radar to protect Maisie, but she feels like a prisoner. Hoonay tram ride - an expensive waste of time! Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? We aren't super adrenaline junkies but can handle some adventure. Icy Strait Point, Alaska While Celebrity Cruises doesn't sail directly to Glacier Bay, there are flightseeing excursions available from Icy Strait Point . 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. If you want to see whales in Juneau, please check out Harv and Marvs. This May 13 cruise has a long stay in ISP, something absent on most itineraries. I loved this port for that very reason. , To see a bear up close and in the wild, no better then that. Sorry to hear that, John. Is it safe to book with a local company that does not work with the cruise ships? In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. Find Shore Tours to Book Select your cruise ship and we'll display only the tours that work with your schedule in each port. Icy Strait Point is a new cruise port option with new dock, new facilities, and great signage for the limited options here in the land of the Hoonah Tlingit people. Heres how I calculated the scores: Based on all that, heres my list of the best Icy Strait Point excursions: While not everyone will agree with this list and it wasnt the original list I wrote back for the 2020 season (ha!). I am going on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle in May 2022 to Alaska and BC. Our experiences focus on the heart of Alaska. Love your blog. Watch the eagles in the nest right across from the school. Here's our itinerary: 11 NIGHT ALASKA GLACIERS CRUISE Vancouver , British Columbia | Sail Away 5 PM Sea Day Sea Day Icy Strait Point , Alaska Arrive 9 AM | Depart 8 PM Sitka , Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 6 PM Cruising Hubbard Glacier , Alaska Juneau , Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 9 PM Skagway , Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 8:30 PM Humpback whales visit Icy Strait Point every summer, beginning in May, and they stay around until September. And best of all: the proceeds of this excursion support the Juneau Audubon Society, so your excursion costs are funneled back into supporting the bird populations you get to enjoy. Skip the hassle of a rental car and admire views during the bus journey to the glacier. This is truly an experience for the books, and cameras. Instead of taking a long and expensive flight to Anchorage or Fairbanks, you can choose a cruise that sails round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver. But the kayaking was well worth. We currently offer excursions for saltwater fishing, whale watching and marine nature tours in the waters of Icy Strait, long renowned for it's abundance of marine wildlife and excellent . Icy Strait Point is home to the world's largest zipline, the ZipRider. The old cannery is now home to a museum, restaurants, and locally owned arts and crafts shops. @alaskatravel, Small cruise ship stop with good scenery but limited and expensive activities. An Alaska cruise isn't complete without exhilarating shore excursions. By Join us for the best show in town, a 3-hour whale watching excursion (includes transportation time and approx 2.5 hours on the water) which begins when you board the bus that departs from the Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub, just a short 5-minute walk from your cruise ship. A CareCart is available to people who cannot make the 300 yard walk from the cruise ship dock to the excursions hub where we meet you. We shape and time all of our tours and excursions around the cruise ships schedules relieving you of any stress before you dock into port. Here is my my last stop in ISP, September 2018: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9160-not-so-live-blog-radiance-of-the-seas-alaska-southbound-83118/&do=findComment&comment=83835. On arrival at the Hoonah Harbor, it's All aboard! and youre off for the waters of Icy Straits and the ultimate whale watching experience. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see. Its always an honor to share the backyard beauty in our mist-shrouded rainforest and our coastal city, steeped in history and Native Southeast Alaska culture alike. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. Things To Do In Hoonah / Icy Strait. Enjoy a hot beverage before returning to your ship or exploring the cannery and nature trail at Icy Strait Point. It is totally safe! Read more in my Privacy Policy. We didn't do the whale watch so can't help sorry, Icy Strait Point, Hoonah: Hours, Address, Icy Strait Point Reviews: 4/5, Icy Strait Point is one of the most authentic and unspoiled ports in an Alaska cruise itinerary. There is also a Zip line, a ropes course, and gondolas to take you up the mountain for spectacular views of Icy Strait. Overview. The home of Icy Strait Point Excursions. Tlingit Canoe Tour 4. Sitting 1330' above Icy Strait Point, you will descend just over a mile and travel at speeds in excess of 60 mph while soaring 300' above the tree-tops below. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This area is known as 'Bear Island' because it has the highest concentration of brown bears per square mile in the world. Don't miss our unique shopping center, a free museum, walking trails, etc. I recommend getting in touch with your cruise company to see how they can help. See our Icy Strait Point shore excursions on CelebrityCruises.com . This is not a mass-market big bus tour. You soon will be where you can sight humpbacks, Orcas, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises and seals, all attracted to the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay. Whale watching and wildlife tours are among the most popular excursions in Icy Strait Point. The ticket agent for the sky glider was the one that advised us about the hike. Start here. In 1912, the Hoonah Packing Company built the first cannery in the area, and it has become quite a tourist attraction since then. You will then get to see how the birds, fish, mammals, plants, forests, rivers, and climate all weave together to create this lush, vibrant ecosystem! Norwegian Communications Center. And completely reliable. Ships Deck Plans . Don't worry we will definitely be back to Alaska (just after Hawaii and Europe according to my wife LOL). This is the most popular year in Alaska ever, so it doesnt surprise me that things are sold out. Eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen from the shore. Climb onboard a wheeled training cart and relax as your team of Alaskan huskies take you on a 1.5-mile journey through the rainforest! Clear editor. We are a family-run company based right here in Hoonah. 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. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. Get ready for fjords, majestic mountains, vast forests, potential animal sightings, and an experience you will never forget! There are even resident bald eagles that perch on the ships to fish. As you pedal along, the views will be spectacular . Chichagoff Island is home to more brown bears than humans, its a place where eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen just offshore. This post was originally published in March 2020, and was updated most recently in November 2022 for the coming season. The Chichagof Island wilderness hike excursion is a good opportunity. Can you help. During season 2016, the port handled 78 ship calls and ~160,000 cruise tourists. I'm stuck right now on the Whale and Marine Mammal Cruise for $189 and the Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search for $255. Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with . Image Courtesy: Cunard Line. Gratuities/Tips are never expected, but our crew work hard to make sure you have a great experience and a Thank you tip is always appreciated! We keep our groups small, so we can take you off the beaten path, where the locals go. 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. Reserve your dining now. This one, which broadly incorporates a helicopter tour, glacier landing, and dog sledding depending on the tour operator and . Let us show you an untouched Alaskan wilderness. Another major cost factor is the type of stateroom you prefer. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. Want to know more? 25422881. Any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Consequently, we will automatically adjust your schedule and factor in any delays against the timing of your tour. Home port: Seattle. I know they've built up the port area a little bit, but glad to see it still has its charm. All rights reserved. Watch members of the Huna Tlingit Dancers troupe tell the story of their tribal heritage through song and dance at the Native Heritage Center Theater. Expect guaranteed whale sightings in these nutrient-rich waters during the summer. . Instead, use your day in port at Ice Strait Point or Hoonah to experience the unique slice of Alaskan life you can only find in this native-owned and operated purpose-built cruise port. Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. Will definitely take rain gear. Here's our itinerary: Vancouver, British Columbia| Sail Away 5 PM, Icy Strait Point, Alaska Arrive 9 AM | Depart 8 PM, Sitka, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 6 PM, Juneau, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 9 PM, Skagway, Alaska Arrive7 AM | Depart 8:30 PM. The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for many centuries in what is now Glacier Bay National Park. Beautiful overview with a 1- mile hiking trail loop at the top that required groups of at least 10 and a guide with a gun die to bear activity. This Alaska cruise excursion might not be for everyone, but if you love wildlife (and especially birding) this widely-offered excursion might be the one for you in Icy Strait Point. tips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions, The Best Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursions, 2. We booked the gondola and tram ride. Has anyone booked the whale watching excursion in Icy Strait Point through the ship (Radiance of the Sea)? Disney, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. 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. Great Value. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. First and foremost, Icy Strait Point is truly surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness. Wow, we will be cruising with a celebrity. My husband and I are booked for a cruise to Alaska with Royal Caribbean August 4th through the 12th. 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. This whale watching tour is personalized, as it takes out a maximum of 14 guests at a time. Any Royal Caribbean excursions (as opposed to private) you could highly recommend would be greatly appreciated. The zipline is safe, and very fast and exhilarating! Posted December 26, 2021. family just booked Alaskan cruise Quantum May 30, 2022 going to Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Juneau, Victoria BC. In addition to your wildlife search, depart directly from Icy Strait Point on your safe, stable, covered, and comfortable whale-watching vessel and travel through the bountiful waters of Icy Strait to the renowned Point Adolphus area, home to Alaska's largest summer population of humpback whales. Can multiple families book a tour and be together? Enhance your Quantum of the Seas cruise with a unique shore excursion from ShoreTrips. Imagine eating delectable halibut harvested directly from the waters of Icy Strait. Visiting in September of 2023. 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! Valerie! - Ovation only at Icy Straight Point and Sitka, - Juneau has 5 ships, port load - 11970 guests, - Skagway has 3 ships, port load - 6830 guests. 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. Very small place with lovely scenery but limited activities. Our dedicated staff (85% of which call Hoonah home) is committed to providing a one-of-a-kind experience for every guest that is infused with our local Native culture and hospitality. Established in the early 1960s, Tok River Outfitters, now a second generation Alaskan business, is still owned and operated by the original founder's family. I wasn't in charge of the booking, so I can't recommend a specific company to use but a quick search on TripAdvisor will give you lots of options. 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. Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! You're in for an adrenaline rush of a lifetime as you fly above the treetops at speeds of up to 60 mph. Icy Strait Point was a nice place to spend a few hours. Icy Strait Point is the port for adventure. A convenient meeting time and place. Yes! On August 28, on its 80th visit to Icy Strait, . I really like ISP. Step into an Alaska experience as you navigate your Jeep or ATV through the unspoiled wilderness of Chichagof Island's back roads.
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