10 Best Glacier Bay Small Ship Cruises & Tours for 2023-2024

Alaska travel and dall sheep grazing on Alaska hillside

Embark on the Safari Explorer for an 8-day cruise to Glacier Bay National Park, Chichagof Island, and Peril Strait as you cruise from Juneau to Sitka, Alaska. Explore this majestic region and its wildlife by skiff, kayak, and paddle board. Hike in Glacier Bay National Park and Chichagof Island’s waterfall coast.

Calm waters disturbed only by the flick of a whale's tail

Inside Passage & Glacier Bay Wilderness Cruise

Seattle to Juneau
13 Days from $6,400

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.

Last Frontier Adventure

Sitka to Juneau
8 Days from $3,895

This Last Frontier Adventure aboard Admiralty Dream is an 8-day small-ship cruise that offers more time in wilderness areas and a higher level of activity as you explore Alaska from Sitka to Juneau. The dynamic itinerary features hiking rainforest trails, kayaking in a glacial fjord, and scouting marine animals in Frederick Sound.

Last Frontier Adventure

Sitka to Juneau
8 Days from $4,095

Chichagof Dream's 8-day Last Frontier Adventure offers more time in the woods and a higher level of adventure. On this journey, visit Baranof Island, Endicott Arm Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park.

Glacier Bay National Park Adventure

Juneau to Juneau
8 Days from $3,600

Join the Wilderness Discoverer on this exceptional 8-day Alaskan Cruise where you'll discover Glacier Bay National Park, a 3,223,384 acre park located in Alaska's panhandle, Spend your days viewing wildlife like black and brown bears, eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, sea birds and more as you sail from Sitka to Juneau.

Inside Passage & Glacier Bay Wilderness Cruise

Seattle to Juneau
13 Days from $7,900

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.

Northern Passages & Glacier Bay

8 Days from $5,500

Set sail aboard the SafarI Endeavour from Juneau to Sitka, Alaska, on an 8-day voyage to the Glacier Bay National Park, Chichagof Island, and Peril Strait. By boat, kayak, and paddleboard, you may explore this breathtaking area and its animals. Also, hike Chichagof Island's waterfall coast and Glacier Bay National Park.

View of Mendenhall glacier on an Alaska cruise

Glacier Bay National Park Adventure

Juneau to Juneau
8 Days from $3,600

Make the most out of this 8-day cruise aboard Wilderness Adventurer as you explore the wilderness and encounter marine animals by kayaking, paddle boarding and taking a skiff into remote inlets. Never miss the beautiful Blue glaciers that can capture your heart while looking at it.

Alaska's Inside Passage Sojourn

Sitka to Ketchikan
9 Days from $5,395

Sail through Alaska's Inside Passage on this 9-day Alaskan cruise on the Baranof Dream. Visit the ports of Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, and visit Glacier Bay National Park, Tracy Arm Fjord, Thorne Bay, and the Misty Fjords. Search for wildlife such as humpback whales, porpoises, and sea lions as you sail along the coastline.

Kayaking Tracy Arm Fjord in Tongass National Forest.

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness

8 Days from $7,560

Explore massive glaciers, kayak scenic coastlines, encounter incredible and varied wildlife, and see the hidden wonders of Alaska. This exclusive 8-day sailing adventure aboard the National Geographic Quest is crafted to offer you the most in-depth experience of Alaska possible.

10 Best Luxury Glacier Bay Small Ship Cruises & Tours for 2023-2024

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Northern Passages & Glacier Bay	$7900	8	May 27, 2023	Embark on the Safari Explorer for an 8-day cruise to Glacier Bay National Park, Chichagof Island, and Peril Strait as you cruise from Juneau to … 0
Inside Passage & Glacier Bay Wilderness Cruise	$6400	13	Apr 24, 2023	On this 13-day small ship tour onboard Safari Endeavour, explore the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. Whales and wildlife, kayaking, and hiking are … 0
Last Frontier Adventure	$3895	8	May 13, 2023	This Last Frontier Adventure aboard Admiralty Dream is an 8-day small-ship cruise that offers more time in wilderness areas and a higher level of … 0
Last Frontier Adventure	$4095	8	May 26, 2023	Chichagof Dream's 8-day Last Frontier Adventure offers more time in the woods and a higher level of adventure. On this journey, visit Baranof Island, … 0
Glacier Bay National Park Adventure	$3600	8	Apr 16, 2023	Join the Wilderness Discoverer on this exceptional 8-day Alaskan Cruise where you'll discover Glacier Bay National Park, a 3,223,384 acre park … 0
Inside Passage & Glacier Bay Wilderness Cruise	$7900	13	Sep 9, 2023	Thirteen days take you through the Inside Passages and Glacier Bay National Park, encountering remote wilderness, Native culture, and history. Set … 0
Northern Passages & Glacier Bay	$5500	8	May 13, 2023	Set sail aboard the SafarI Endeavour from Juneau to Sitka, Alaska, on an 8-day voyage to the Glacier Bay National Park, Chichagof Island, and Peril … 0
Glacier Bay National Park Adventure	$3600	8	Apr 7, 2023	Make the most out of this 8-day cruise aboard Wilderness Adventurer as you explore the wilderness and encounter marine animals by kayaking, paddle … 0
Alaska's Inside Passage Sojourn	$5395	9	May 13, 2023	Sail through Alaska's Inside Passage on this 9-day Alaskan cruise on the Baranof Dream. Visit the ports of Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, and visit Glacier … 0
Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness	$7560	8	May 21, 2023	Explore massive glaciers, kayak scenic coastlines, encounter incredible and varied wildlife, and see the hidden wonders of Alaska. This exclusive … 0

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Glacier Bay National Park Travel Guide

Alaska wildlife tours and brown bear fishing for salmon

Alaska Cruise: When to Go?

Is it best to go on an Alaskan cruise in the highest season, warmest months of July and August? Or do the shoulder months of June and September have advantages? The time that you choose to travel depends on your personal interests & desires. Our Alaska cruise experts reveal their recommendations.

Alaskan Wildlife Guide

Alaska's animals will be the stars of the show during your visit! Several species of bears and moose dominate the landscape, while seals and seabirds inhabit the coastlines. Whale watching is a major attraction, and you may even get a lucky glimpse of playful sea otters. Prepare yourself for a WILD experience!

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 2023-2024

UnCruise - Alaska is the company's birthplace and boasts the most itinerary options, whether for 7, 12, or 14 nights. Almost 25 years later, innovation continues to be the core of its motto. The upscale 84-passenger small expedition ship Safari Endeavour leads the Glacier Bay National Park cruises. The Safari Explorer, Safari Quest, Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Adventurer, and Wilderness Legacy are other fleets plying this route.
Lindblad Expeditions - has small, swift expedition ships that can explore fast-moving channels where wildlife gathers. Holds National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service special permits to access Glacier Bay, National Park. Custom built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in the USA, the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture are ideal for expedition travel.
Alaskan Dream Cruises - has all-inclusive, small vessel expedition itineraries that offer a mix of excursions in intriguing towns, native villages, and adventures in Glacier bays and remote wilderness, immersing you in True Alaska. A former Bering Sea crab harvesting boat, Kruzof Explorer, leads the Glacier Bay National Park itineraries. Other ships include Chichagof Dream, Admiralty Dream, Alaskan Dream, and Baranof Dream.