The view is pretty nice but not warrant the ticket price. 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. And don't forget the fishing. Do you have any experience with either excursion? Icy Strait Point, Alaska While Celebrity Cruises doesn't sail directly to Glacier Bay, there are flightseeing excursions available from Icy Strait Point . Our group said to each other, "we should come back in ten years and see if it looks the same". 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. This Alaskan cruise port town has so much to offer. Tlingit Canoe Tour 4. That said, its the one I would do in Icy Strait Point, so take that as an extra point in its favor. Guests must be able to walk over paved, gravel, and packed dirt surfaces, with inclines. Icy Strait Point website. Find a Cruisetour Any Destination Any Month Any Departure Port Any Ship Any Ship Feature See if you qualify for exclusive rates Advanced Search Call Our Brand Specialists Now Learn More About Icy Strait Point, Alaska This gondola was build alongside a second cruise ship pier as part of a major expansion to Icy Strait Point. Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. If wild and cruise line food is not your thing, there are delicious restaurants in the area. Thanks for the info and the pics, very nice. Finally, I added up the metrics to come up with a final score. Stream Fishing 6. If you have questions or comments, let me know below or join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community! The majority of us, when we think of Alaska, probably picture a big area covered in ice, frozen land, and maybe even caribou running free across the tundra. Outdoor Adventures Elevate your adventure on the SkyGlider Mountaintop Gondola's high-speed, eight-person cars which whisk passengers to the top of Hoonah Mountain for Glacier Bay views and a host of nature activities. If youre struggling to choose between Icy Strait Point shore excursions, Im here to help. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. #1. If you are interested in a less tourist like experience, you might like this. We love the article! If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. Pine trees as tall as skyscrapers, humpback whales, eagles, wild salmon, black bears and more, form the harmonious . - More time on the water! Point Adolphus, a one-hour boat ride away from Icy Strait Point, is the prime site to catch a view of humpback whales. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see. This excursion starts with a boat transfer from Sitka to the nearby Siginaka Islands; this cluster of islands is located north of town so you'll enjoy views of Sitka's waterfront and coast along the way. He know how to find the whales! 1-888-751-7804 . Lower lift line. Im glad youre happy with it! You might even catch them bubble net feeding! 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'] ? " His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! Step into an Alaska experience as you navigate your Jeep or ATV through the unspoiled wilderness of Chichagof Island's back roads. Caribbean Europe Getaways (3-6 Days) Hawaii Japan Mexico Panama Canal South America & Antarctica Tahiti & South Pacific World Cruises . My wife does want to do an excursion with sled dogs but we don't know if we should do that in Juneau or Skagway. Given how many cruise companies offer a number of interesting and unique shore excursions in Icy Strait Point, it was hard to choose which ones to recommend. 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. Visiting in September of 2023. This is not a mass-market big bus tour. 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! Enjoy a hot beverage before returning to your ship or exploring the cannery and nature trail at Icy Strait Point. Is there a whale and bear watching tour combo? Currently booked for shore excursions, I have Yukon Adventure & White Pass . 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 We are committed to keeping Alaska wild! What tour co offers the cooking tour you mentioned. In Icy Strait Point, this new excursion which includes both biking and hiking before beachcombing does the trick. 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. (This Icy Strait Point excursion is not for those who are faint of heart or afraid of heights!). Enhance your Quantum of the Seas cruise with a unique shore excursion from ShoreTrips. It's operated by a native corporation but the charter of ISP dictates only one ship at a time. Another major cost factor is the type of stateroom you prefer. We rarely cancel on our guests as the weather is typically pretty stable. Which of these Icy Strait Point excursions will you book? See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. When you arrive at the port, just check in with a Hoonah Travel Adventures representative at the Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub. View All Alaska Cruise Lines; . Not only that, our sturdy fleet of boats in conjunction with our experienced captains at the helm, and guides at the wheel of the vans, are more than capable of coping with the conditions. Breathe in the 1,000-acre greenspace of Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America. Board the Gondola for a 4 minute ride through the forest toward the Adventure Center. Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! Professionally guided stream fishing excursions on the hidden edge waters of Chichagof, Island. Overview. With a concentration in cruising. 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. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. I really enjoyed reading about all the fun stuff to do on our crusie through alaska. Fly down the world's largest ZipRider, whale-watch in the nutrient-rich waters of Port Frederick and Point Adolphus, search for the coastal brown bears that inhabit the area, and soar high above in a helicopter. This cruise ship stop is not like all the others with hoards of jewelry stores. Norwegian Communications Center. Visiting from {country-flag} {country-name}? Imagine eating delectable halibut harvested directly from the waters of Icy Strait. 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 . Visit the Tlingit carvers and walk about to appreciate the totem poles in town. 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! Hike red cedar forest trails, relax beachside, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or view the Brockton Point totem poles. These gentle giants of the sea spend their summers right here in the nutrient-rich waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. I'm stuck right now on the Whale and Marine Mammal Cruise for $189 and the Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search for $255. 5 Juneau, Alaska 99801. Eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen from the shore. The best tours in Icy Strait Point are: Get ready for your fill of bears, deer, bald eagles, and more on this exciting wildlife search! The Cruise ship is telling us if we dont book with them we might get left behind. March 6, 2019 in Shore Excursions. U.S. Honduras A 27-year-old woman has accused Royal Caribbean Cruises of being responsible for the death of her husband who was killed in a zip-lining accident on the Honduran island of Roatn.. tips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions, The Best Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursions, 2. Watch the eagles in the nest right across from the school. This is truly an experience for the books, and cameras. 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. 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! They've been living under the radar to protect Maisie, but she feels like a prisoner. 6: It's an adventure seeker's paradise. However each port offers adventures that are not typically found in the Caribbean. Icy Strait Point is located in the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. 1. Whale Watching 2. We aren't super adrenaline junkies but can handle some adventure. Make a payment and confirm your reservation. Sharing the types of adventures along with the budget you seek will help anyone who might respond with ideas. The Icy Strait Point Zipline features six 5,330-foot ziplines dropping 1330 feet. Typically, I recommend halibut fishing charters in Seward, but if your itinerary doesnt allow that, heres an alternative. Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska; we offer over 20 different shore excursions including ATVs, biking, kayaking, nature tours, the best whale watching in Alaska and the world's largest and highest zipline ride. Please Note: A one-day fishing license is required for everyone 16 years and older ($25). View All Results. Love your blog. Welcome to Hoonah, AK. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. Clear editor. We recommend layers of clothing, which are easy to don and easy to remove. I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. Departs From Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska. Icy Strait Point, sometimes called Hoonah after the native people who live in this area and run the cruise port, is one popular stop on Alaska cruises but it can be hard to decipher the marketing language to know which excursions will be worth your time and money. All reservations must be made through the website as our customer service representatives cannot take credit card information over the phone. On this 2- to 3-hour excursion, youll board a helicopter, cruise up to the top of the mountain, unload your bikes, and ride back down. By Advancing glaciers forced them to relocate to modern-day Hoonah in 1754. Icy Strait Point Excursions and Tours Located in southeast Alaska and along the coast, Icy Strait Point gives you a peek inside the beautiful and diverse Alaskan wildlife. This one, which broadly incorporates a helicopter tour, glacier landing, and dog sledding depending on the tour operator and . I have heard that whale watching excursions book on the ship are on very big boats that hold a lot of people. Once outside of Door #2, follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. We want your port call in Hoonah, and our Icy Strait Point excursions, to be the highlight of your Alaskan cruise. See the "real" Alaska on this nature tour that takes you up close to bears, eagles and other fascinating wildlife. During season 2016, the port handled 78 ship calls and ~160,000 cruise tourists. However having a tough time booking things. 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. They offer innovative dishes and use nothing but the freshest local ingredients. Alaska is full of epic hikes, and you might want to experience some of that for yourself on your Alaska cruise. We have been operating and improving our small group tours for over a decade. She'll load your group up into her van and pass out some binoculars and you'll be off. It was one of the stops that sold me on this May 13 cruise since it's absent on Royal's Seattle based cruises. Royal Caribbean Group. Whether you are looking for a scenic kayaking, adventurous or eating and drinking shore excursion, there's no better site to book your shore tour with than Shore Excursions Group. I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. Itll be hard to keep your eyes on the trail with all the epic scenery around you! If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Companies that book through the ships have to pay the ships very high fees to do that. Any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated. There is also a Zip line, a ropes course, and gondolas to take you up the mountain for spectacular views of Icy Strait. . All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. Guests must be able to climb in and out of a 15 passenger van. Embrace the rich culture of the Tlingit while on one of their canoe tours. Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour, Local Alaska Whale Watching with Bonus Drone Footage of Whales, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching Charters through Icy Strat Alaska. Our team personally tests every tour in a destination to select only the best shore excursions for your Quantum of the Seas cruise . We are on the same sailing and I checked the port loads for each stop. My wife and I have booked an August 2012 southbound cruise from Seward to Vancouver on the RC Radiance of the Seas. Even waking up to warm, sunny skies can turn cool and rainy. Not into drinking or eating seafood. Description (Courtesy of IMDb ): "After surviving the destruction of Isla Nubla, Owen Grady and Claire Dearing took in young Maisie Lockwood. Theres no guarantee, of course, but thats part of what makes the excursion an adventure! On this visitI did a whale watching excursion. View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. We receive a constant stream of updates on the cruise ships timetables. Shore Excursions Departure Ports & Hotels Free Brochures Ships & Experience. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. If you are longing to see bears while you are here, then we've got you covered. Be ready to paddle about 7 miles total. Is our tour still on? Older males fight each other for dominance and mating rights with the females, who at times are not receptive and force the male to give chase. View All Results. Icy Strait Point. If you want to venture over to the wild side, go on a guided nature hike through nearby rainforests or hop into an ATV and explore the backroads of Chichagof Island. I really like ISP. Wow, we will be cruising with a celebrity. To break ties, I used top Uniqueness score, since I want to encourage you to try new things in Alaska. At first I was tempted to just walk the nature trail in port, visit the cannery museum, get souvenirs and walk into Hoonah. Wow, we will be cruising with a celebrity. Alaska's not the only ultimate destination on the eastern Pacific.