While there will be lots of touristy junk and jewelry stores in Juneau, those are absent in ISP and I like that. Secure easy and reliable transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau with the Blue Bus Glacier Express. The boat was much smaller than the typical whale watching boats (6 people!) Hire a local guide to take you whale watching, fishing, or kayaking. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. This Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search small group tour will give you a flexible, up-close experience that . Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human. 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 . Welcome to Hoonah, AK. 6: It's an adventure seeker's paradise. I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. Hearty and rich, Alaska cuisine is made to hit the spot. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. 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. 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.. Yes, there is an excellent exhibit on the fishery and canning industry. 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 one, which broadly incorporates a helicopter tour, glacier landing, and dog sledding depending on the tour operator and . Just let us know and we will make sure everyone is together. 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. Duration: 2.25 hours Price: $145 per person View Details Juneau Musher's Camp & Sled Dog Discovery 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. Or, in the unlikely event you dont sight a whale, well refund you $100. I loved this port for that very reason. Ships Deck Plans . 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! $605. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. 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. Youll be surrounded in one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska with Glacier Wind Charters small group tours. Whale watching and wildlife tours are among the most popular excursions in Icy Strait Point. Icy Strait Point: Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search - See 1,321 traveler reviews, 1,105 candid photos, and great deals for Hoonah, AK, at Tripadvisor. As a tourist, you have a lot to do at Icy Strait, thanks to Alaskas rich history, wildlife, and native, The Icy Strait Point in Alaska is a hub for tourists because of the various activities that they can be a part of during their tours. All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. At the end of the day, you can take in forest views while soaring high above the trees on the longest zip line in the world. Point Adolphus, a one-hour boat ride away from Icy Strait Point, is the prime site to catch a view of humpback whales. Our tours have been providing exceptional customer service for over a decade now. Don't miss our unique shopping center, a free museum, walking trails, etc. While in Icy Strait, we also give you the chance to enjoy some incredible and famous Icy Strait seafood. The view is pretty nice but not warrant the ticket price. Our small group experiences offer a unique and thrilling memory of the pristine natural beauty around Icy Strait, Alaska. Our fishing shore excursions are offered in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. Tlingit Canoe Tour 4. Icy Strait Point is home to an abundance of tours and excursions designed to help you experience what Alaska has to offer. I really like ISP. There is a high demand for the CareCart which often presents you with a delay to meeting at the prescribed time. We before they even had a pier and it was so different from the other ports. Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. 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. Not into drinking or eating seafood. 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. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in Icy Strait Point. As a souvenir, youll get recipe cards so you can try to prepare these meals once you return home. View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. (That means each excursion gets its own number, no ties), I gave each excursion a boost or deduction for being a good value based on the. The next 2.5 to 3 hours, she'll drive you around to several good birding spots. 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. 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. Despite it being last on the list, I personally love this excursion as it offers the opportunity to both get up in the air and burn off some of those ship calories youve been consuming (yes, they count!). Unfortunately, this excursion isnt offered by as many cruise companies as others above it on the list so it ended up falling a few spots on my list for 2023. We decided to switch from Jayleen's Alaska in Juneau to another small boat tour group that I heard good things about, Glacier Wind Charters in Icy Strait Point. At first I was tempted to just walk the nature trail in port, visit the cannery museum, get souvenirs and walk into Hoonah. 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 One of our favorite FAQs: The cruise industry wants ALL of your money so they try and scare you with that line. Our group said to each other, "we should come back in ten years and see if it looks the same". We have been operating and improving our small group tours for over a decade. All rights reserved. First and foremost, Icy Strait Point is truly surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness. We are on the same sailing and I checked the port loads for each stop. And completely reliable. They Rock! If you love the idea of stretching your legs a bit more than you can on the boat, this is a great excursion it only ranks low on the list because of few companies (okay, one) offering it in 2023. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? 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. My husband and I are booked for a cruise to Alaska with Royal Caribbean August 4th through the 12th. 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. Travel just 1.5 miles through the picturesque landscape of Hoonah, Alaska. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. If you could share your itinerary, times in port and what you are interested in for each stop that mayprompt more responses. 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! Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? The biggest halibut on record was caught inside Icy Strait! After a drive through (and out of) town, youll leave the crowds behind and head onto Alaska native-owned lands where youll disembark and start your wilderness hike. Pasted as rich text. In Icy Strait Point, this new excursion which includes both biking and hiking before beachcombing does the trick. This salmon cannery was shut down in the 1970s and now is clean and remodeled with a free museum, beautiful gift shops and a display of the salmon processing equipment. Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Yaakw Kahidi Cultural Center Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! While you are here, you can even take a tour aboard a traditional hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe! We had our two grandsons with us, ages 10 & 12. (It is semi-widely available and a good value though, as points in its favor.). Call 1-866-999-6590 today to speak to a booking agent! Upon disembarking the Gondola, look for, and follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. Be sure to take in the views of Port Frederick and Icy Strait on your way down. Is our tour still on? Icy Strait Point is owned by the Hoonah Tlingit tribe, so this is a chance to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the locals who are hosting you on their land. Typically, I recommend halibut fishing charters in Seward, but if your itinerary doesnt allow that, heres an alternative. 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. You will experience seeing and hearing these amazing animals with your own eyes and ears, and then we take you to the next level with our displays onboard. Youve finally decided: 2023 is the year to take the Alaska cruise youve been dreaming of whether its been a few years or a lifetime of waiting. Look for jewelry made from fine gold nuggets, handcrafted objects, and warm winter fashions. . Which of these Icy Strait Point excursions will you book? My wife and I used them and when we go back we'll use them again.. If youre struggling to choose between Icy Strait Point shore excursions, Im here to help. 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. Im grateful Johan allowed me to paint him in his regalia as the dance was incredibly inspiring and definitely worth the short walk through the shops. On this tour, you'll have the chance to spot humpbacks and orcas in the beautiful Alaskan waters. Your email address will not be published. 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. These cruises are selling out fast, get them while you can. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? We recommend layers of clothing, which are easy to don and easy to remove. It's a 3.5 hr whale watch tour. 25422881. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? If you want to see whales in Juneau, please check out Harv and Marvs. Hike red cedar forest trails, relax beachside, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or view the Brockton Point totem poles. Drive old logging roads to a picnic spot. Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land's glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Thanks for the info and the pics, very nice. You can potentially also see bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and otters. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. View All Results. And don't worry, a safe, brake-activated landing awaits at Icy Strait Point. 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. These ports are where you can experience the real Alaska if you know which excursions to choose, that is. While we love delivering stunning target birds like Varied Thrushes, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Bald Eagles, and Stellers Jays, we arent just about birds on this tour. Whats more, we 100% guarantee whale sightings on every whale watching tour (from May to September). This May 13 cruise has a long stay in ISP, something absent on most itineraries. Agreed! https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/cruises/. We are a quick 20 minute flight from Juneau, Alaska. 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. She'll load your group up into her van and pass out some binoculars and you'll be off. I put these Icy Strait Point cruise excursions in order based on what I know Alaska visitors will love. Our fishing tour is led by a locally raised Tlingit native. Glacier garden hours are 9:00 to 6:00 everyday our first tour is it 9:15 our last tour leaves at 4:00 p.m. Glacier Gardens rainforest adventure is a guided tour through the Tongass Forest on 18 passenger trams. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. We visited a couple of local shops and really liked the simplicity of Hoonah. Located in Alaska's largest Native Tlingit village of Hoonah (about 35 miles west of Juneau), Icy Strait Point features 20+ exciting tours, a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, restaurants, 100% Alaskan-owned retail shops, and even a beach! I try to include a food tour in every one of the posts in this series; I believe food is one of the best ways to experience the culture of a place including Alaska. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The Icy Strait Point Zipline features six 5,330-foot ziplines dropping 1330 feet. We are committed to providing guests with the best customer service in the industry! Hawaii shore excursionmight be just the ticket. 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. Our tours have been providing exceptional customer service for over a decade now. Youll be provided with binoculars and other gear you might need. Get behind the wheel of an ATV, race down a thrilling zip line, check out historical reenactments, hop on a husky-drawn sled, ride in an old-time streetcar . The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for many centuries in what is now Glacier Bay National Park. Great Value. Don't worry we will definitely be back to Alaska (just after Hawaii and Europe according to my wife LOL). Clear editor. Free shore excursions will allow you to explore the majestic natural wonders of The Icy Straight on an all-inclusive luxury cruise to Alaska. There may be 3rd party options you can explore directly. You can post now and register later. Just off the dock where our Princess ship landed, is the ski lift- type red gondola to the zipline, the free green gondola to the bar of the zipline and cannery. We choose to make the short trip over to the actual town of Hoonah and truly enjoyed watching and speaking with two local men who were carving a totem pole. Your previous content has been restored. Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. 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. . Surround yourself in the majestic wildlife of Icy Strait! No matter what kind of Alaska adventure youre craving, youll find it in Icy Strait Point. Prices start at $169.00 per person. 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. 1. Best Icy Strait Point Tours & Excursions: 1. 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. IMO your best bet is to hike the short nature trails and take the cable car up the mountain for more hiking and scenic views. I know they've built up the port area a little bit, but glad to see it still has its charm. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation requests in writing. How is the Halibut shipped home for oyu. Rides are unlimited and allow you to explore Icy Strait Point at your leisure. This is the most popular year in Alaska ever, so it doesnt surprise me that things are sold out. This whale watching tour is personalized, as it takes out a maximum of 14 guests at a time. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge.

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