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Beautiful Glacier Bay, Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park Small Ship Cruises & Tours

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Glacier Bay National Park is the highlight of many cruises that explore the northern reaches of Alaska's Inside Passage. As its name implies, this is home to some of the world's most awe-inspiring glaciers that you can hike across with the special permit that accompanies your cruise. The highlight for many is the Margerie Glacier, known for its dramatic calving displays. Keep your eye on the frigid waters, for it's easy to miss the impressive sights of a majestic humpback whale breaching the glassy surface or the cute puffins diving gracefully through the icy tides. You also might see bears, eagles, goats, and other well-adapted animals. Below are some of our favorite cruises that visit Glacier Bay. Contact one of our Alaska cruise specialists to customize your cruise to Glacier Bay today!
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10 Best Glacier Bay Small Ship Cruises & Tours for 2026-2027

All Glacier Bay Cruises

10 Best Luxury Glacier Bay Small Ship Cruises & Tours for 2026-2027

Trip Name From Days Summary
Northern Passages with Glacier Bay & Sitka $5,800 8 Travel 8 days from Juneau to Sitka aboard Safari Endeavour. Explore Glacier Bay National Park, Tongass National Forest, and remote islands. Activities include hiking, kayaking, and skiff tours. Wildlife sightings may include whales, bears, and seabirds.
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Glacier Bay National Park with Inside Passage and San Juan Islands $9,900 13 Thirteen days take you through the Inside Passages and Glacier Bay National Park, encountering remote wilderness, Native culture, and history. Set sail onboard Safari Explorer searching for the mighty humpback whale, orcas, harbor seals, and Steller's sea lions. Celebrate with a toast to nature's handiwork.
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Glacier Bay National Park with Inside Passage and San Juan Islands $8,800 13 Cruise Alaska’s and Canada’s Inside Passages and visit Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site during this 13-day adventure aboard Safari Quest. Explore Ketchikan, Thomas Bay, and Chichagof Island.
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Glacier Bay National Park with Inside Passage and San Juan Islands $5,800 13 This 13-day small ship adventure takes you through the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay aboard Wilderness Legacy. Spot whales and wildlife while paddling or hiking through the wilderness. Over the course of thirteen days, explore Glacier Bay National Park’s inside passages, nature, local culture, and history.
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Glacier Bay National Park with Inside Passage and San Juan Islands $5,800 13 On this 13-day small ship tour onboard Safari Endeavour, explore the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. Whales and wildlife, kayaking, and hiking are just some of the activities available. Thirteen days immerse you in the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park, as well as secluded landscapes, native culture, and history.
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Alaska's Inside Passage $7,027 8 Join an 8-day National Geographic Quest from Sitka to Juneau, where you explore stunning fjords, towering glaciers, and wildlife-filled waters. With expert guides, hike through forests, kayak past icebergs, visit historic Petersburg, and see whales, sea lions, and bald eagles up close.
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Alaska's Inside Passage $6,516 8 Experience Alaska on an 8-day cruise from Sitka to Juneau aboard the National Geographic Venture, exploring fjords, glaciers, and marine wildlife. Immerse yourself in Glacier Bay National Park while learning about whale behavior from expert guides.
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Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia $11,100 14 Explore the San Juan Islands, British Columbia’s Inside Passage, and Southeast Alaska on this exciting 14-day expedition cruise aboard National Geographic Quest. Enjoy exclusive encounters with this region's iconic wildlife, including bears, whales, eagles and more, as you hike & kayak through pristine temperate landscapes.
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Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia $10,404 14 Board National Geographic Venture on this 14-day cruise to linger in the temperate rainforests and wildlife-rich channels of British Columbia, and enjoy ample time to explore the breathtaking fjords and towering glaciers of Southeast Alaska. You will explore San Juan & Gulf Islands and visit Glacier Bay National Park.
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Treasures of the Inside Passage $10,400 14 Sail on a 14-day cruise from Juneau to Seattle aboard National Geographic Quest. Cruise Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay National Park, and Misty Fjords. Kayak remote coves, hike forested islands, search for whales and bears, and visit Alert Bay and Victoria for cultural insight.
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Glacier Bay National Park Travel Guide

Glacier National Park Highlights

Here are some of the sites you shouldn't miss:

The Grand Pacific Glacier is a massive 25-mile long, 2-mile wide glacier that starts in the National Park and extends across the Canadian border into British Columbia. 

Neighboring Margerie Glacier, is known for its dramatic calving with iceburgs crashing into the sea below. 

Johns Hopkins Glacier is massive and approached frequently by sea kayak. 

Icy Strait at the entrance of Glacier Bay is excellent for Humpback whale watching. Bring your binoculars! 

Bartlett Cove is the trailhead for hikes into the forest along the Bartlett River. Wildlife here includes humpback whales and puffins.

 
What to Expect on a Cruise of Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, is surrounded by high mountain peaks, including Mount Fairweather, and 8 massive tidewater glaciers that calve ice into the bay dotted with icebergs.

As you enter Glacier Bay through Icy Strait and near the town of Gustavus, a National Park Ranger joins us to uncover coves and corners of the bay that most visitors, especially those on a large cruise ship, will miss.  

Listen as the quiet stillness is broken by the thunder of tons of ice calving into the sea. A native Tlingit interpreter joins you to share local lore and legends.

Hundreds of miles of glacially formed fjords are here for you to explore by kayak, zodiac, on foot, and by small ship cruise.

Best Glacier Bay Small Ship Cruise Lines for 2026-2027
 




 

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