Towering walls of ancient ice, sculpted in shades of brilliant blue. The thunderous roar as massive chunks calve from the glacier face, crashing into the waters below. Seeing one of Alaska’s mighty glaciers in person is a life-altering experience that leaves you in awe of nature’s phenomenal power and beauty. It’s no wonder that glacier-viewing is a major highlight for many travelers on Alaskan cruise vacations.

Different Kinds of Glaciers

Alaska is home to thousands of glaciers, each uniquely shaped by the landscape. Some are tucked high in mountain hollows while others spill down broad valleys. The undisputed stars are the mighty tidewater glaciers, which flow like frozen rivers into the ocean. Glaciers come striped with sediment, shimmering sky-blue where the ice is most compressed, or cloaked in wind-blown debris known as glacial flour. Though peaceful from a distance, these rivers of ice are constantly inching forward, calving off house-sized icebergs at their aquatic ends.

To experience Alaska’s glaciers up close, several destinations stand out as must-visits. In the famed Glacier Bay National Park, cruise ships navigate past roughly a dozen active glaciers, with park rangers and native guides narrating the icy scenes. The twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm Fjord showcase dramatic calving displays. The enormous Hubbard Glacier is one of the only glaciers still advancing, seeming to almost block ships from passing by its 6-mile-wide face. Near Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier is the iconic “drive-up” glacier, with plenty of trails and viewing areas to admire its striking curves of ice. Travel Maestro tip: To see multiple glaciers in one journey, choose a cruise that transits Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm.

Holland America Glacier Days

For travelers seeking an unparalleled glacier experience, a Holland America Line Alaska cruise is the perfect option. Every Alaska sailing includes opportunities to view multiple glaciers in destinations like those mentioned above. To elevate that experience further, Holland America offers dedicated “Glacier Days.” These themed celebrations feature sighting windows, prime glacier viewing, and photo ops from an open bow. Glacier Bay National Park Rangers give naturalist commentary and local cultural ambassadors provide insights into the glaciers’ deep roots in indigenous traditions. Travel Maestro tip: Attend any lectures or presentations by glacial experts to learn about the glaciers’ formation, movement, wildlife, and more.

Holland America also brings the taste of Alaska to the table with authentically crafted Alaskan meals and specialty cocktails like the apt named “Midnight Sun.” It is the only cruise line serving locally sourced fresh fish and Alaska seafood certified sustainable by Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM). Indulge in Northwest-Style Clam Chowder, Dungeness Crab Clusters, Alaska Salmon, Penn Cove Clams, and Penn Cove Mussels. If seafood isn’t your kettle of fish, try Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Wild Forest Mushroom with Tarragon Crepes, or Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet.

“Holland America Line continues to focus on bringing regional and local experiences on board every cruise, with our Alaska sailings leading the way in authentic programming, localized cuisine, and now special events like Glacier Day. We continue to cultivate like-minded partnerships and fine-tune everything from cocktails to wildlife maps to ensure our guests are completely immersed in all facets of Alaska.”

Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America Chief Commercial Officer

Glacier Viewing Excursions

But the real star treatment is reserved for Holland America’s Alaska cruise shore excursions. From flightseeing tours by helicopter that sweep over crevassed icefields to hiking directly onto a glacier, these immersive experiences let you walk, kayak, mush dogs, and more – all amidst the blue-hued glacial landscape.

While you are glacier viewing from air, land, and sea, be sure to keep an eye out for Alaska’s magnificent wildlife. You might see bears, moose, caribou, and mountain goats on shore excursions through the frozen wilderness.  On boat excursions, guides find and point out whales, sea lions, and sea otters. Or for an exhilarating point of view, try spotting wildlife from the world’s tallest zip line over Icy Strait or a floatplane over Misty Fjords. Travel Maestro tip: No matter how you view them, dress warmly in layers. The glaciers create intense winds and temperatures can be 20-30 degrees colder than other areas.

Holland America Alaska Season Itineraries and Cruisetours

Through September 2024, guests can embark on Holland America Line’s Alaska cruises and Cruisetours from Vancouver and Seattle. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day cruises and a new 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice Legendary Voyage that includes 12 Alaska ports. Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include a one-, two- or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select Cruisetours also include a journey into the wilds of Canada’s Yukon. Holland America Line is the only cruise line to offer overland tours to the Yukon combined with an Alaska cruise and Denali experience.

Whether it’s your first awe-inspiring glacier viewing or you’re admiring them from a new vantage point, there’s no question that Alaska’s glaciers belong high on any traveler’s bucket list. With its team of guides and experts, Holland America ensures you’ll be utterly enchanted by Alaska’s majestic glaciers.

When the Last Frontier calls you to explore, let the vacation advisors at Covington help you choose a Holland America cruise or Cruisetour.

*Disclaimer: Holland America Line is a trusted partner of Covington Travel and a sponsor of this post. Any opinions are solely those of Travel Maestro.