Have you really seen Alaska w/o seeing Glacier bay

jacketwatch · September 27, 2006

:cool: Well as folks who eschew seeing the same place twice (after all its a big world with lots to see) we are thinking of another Alaskan cruse to see what we missed, esp. Glacier bay. Our cruise there last yr. hit the usual ports and did go through Tracy arm but no College fiord or Glacier bay. Is it worth going again to see these sights? :cool:

schatje · September 27, 2006

Like you said there are so many places to see but I am looking forward to going back!

jbond · September 27, 2006

When we cruised Alaska, we didn't go into Glacier Bay. We cruised Disenchantment Bay and the Hubbard Glacier and got to cruise Misty Fjords. I'd go back to Alaska again, but mainly for the land experience. I was disappointed with the Inside Passage.

jacketwatch · September 28, 2006

:cool: I suppose its an individual thing really. For me seeing bergs calve would be worth a return cruise. Cheers. Larry :cool:

cruiseduo · September 30, 2006

Went to Glacier Bay, College fjord, etc. last year.

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While it was a beautiful once in a lifetime experience . . . . that's what it was . . . a ONCE in a lifetime experience. We spent a lot of money to watch ice melt and I'd have to think that there is not much difference between one glacier and another.

I'd spend my time and money seeing the sights on land tours at cruise ports.

sailingrose · October 1, 2006

We have done Alaska 3 times and may go again next year. We have seen Hubbard Glacier twice & Glacier Bay. Between the 2 I'd choose Hubbard, the calving there was spectacular, Glacier bay just didn't give us that joy and we weren't impressed. We did it because everyone said it was a must see...... Not IMHO

jbond · October 1, 2006

That's interesting. We haven't cruised Glacier Bay and almost everyone we know says you haven't seen Alaska if you haven't seen Glacier Bay.

Of course they haven't seen Hubbard Glacier. Good to hear from someone who's seen both.

jacketwatch · October 2, 2006

:cool: Hmmm. So Hubbards is better. Good info. :cool:

SueC · October 2, 2006

We went to Alaska in 2000 and cruised Glacier Bay...it was awesome. We cruised again a month ago and cruised Tracy Arm, and did a land tour that included Mendenhall Glacier....it also was awesome. The first time we did the land tour first, then the cruise. This time it was just the cruise and I honestly preferred just the cruise. (Didn't have to have seperate luggage for the overnighters in different places for one thing.) We did entirely different land tours this time, and I think we saw a lot more. I'd go back again just because, as others said, there is so much to see. No way does one or two cruises cover it.

P.S. This time we did the Yukon Jeep off roading adventure with NCL...it was absolutely worth the being bounced around in a jeep for 20 miles. The 90 miles of scenery on The Yukon Highway is breath taking!! Especially in September..the fall flowers were in bloom, and the mountains were gorgeous!

sailingrose · October 3, 2006

I'm not saying one is better than the other, we just had different experiences at each. We were not fortunate to see any calving at Glacier Bay but many at Mendenhall. I too was told it was a not to miss, even without the calving it was beautiful. With the weather changes in recent years it seems to be a guessing game these days as to which is "better for calving". I have marvelous pics from both places and would choose based on the rest of the itinerary not the glacier visit.

Only true must not miss to me, is Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Whether you take a helicopter, or the bus to see the face it is an amazing site. I've gone each time we've been there and it still amazes me with it's massive size and brilliant color.