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!

10 Best Glacier Bay Small Ship Cruises

Glacier Bay Cruises (24 Results)

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Kayak alongside glaciers on your Alaskan cruise

North to True Alaska Expedition

Sitka to Juneau
6 Days from $2,895

Experience Alaska’s famous wildlife, pristine wilderness bays and rainforest, kayak and skiff adventures, stunning Glacier Bay National Park, and three of the Inside Passage’s most historical and charming towns—Sitka, Skagway, and Juneau on this 6-day cruise aboard Chichagof Dream.

North to True Alaska Expedition

Sitka to Juneau
6 Days from $3,295

View the glaciers of Glacier Bay from a kayak

North to True Alaska Expedition

Sitka to Juneau
6 Days from $2,695

Alaska’s Islands, Whales, & Glaciers

Sitka to Juneau
6 Days from $3,695

The Misty Fjord’s Alaska’s Islands, Whales, and Glaciers expedition is ideal for travelers seeking a higher level of activity, with more time spent in remote areas. The exploration starts from Sitka and ends in Juneau where opportunities for high-level activities and discovery of Alaska Native and Russian history are available in between.

Alaska's Glacier Country

8 Days from $6,295

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

Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness

8 Days from $7,200

Explore Southeast Alaska aboard National Geographic Venture on its 8-day Alaska cruise from Juneau to Sitka. Hike over the spongy earth and float past massive icebergs, glaciers, and, with some luck, bears , humpback wales, wolves, moose, sea otters, orcas, sea lions, and mountain goats.

Kayaking among beautiful Alaskan mountains

Glacier Bay National Park Adventure

8 Days from $4,495

Aboard the Wilderness Explorer on an incredible 8-day expedition to Alaska. Discover the epic ice giants of the world-renowned Glacier Bay National Park. Continue your tour by exploring this wonderful destination as you make your way from Sitka to Juneau.

Alaska's Glacier Bay & Island Adventure 2021

Sitka to Juneau
8 Days from $5,195

Experience the serenity of raw wilderness in this 8-day cruise through Southeast Alaska, visiting places like Kuiu, charming Petroglyph Beach, glacial Tracy Arm Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park. Enjoy DIB (shallow water expedition craft) excursions, kayaking, and hiking and a relaxing evening at Orca Point Lodge.

Last Frontier Adventure 2021

Sitka to Juneau
8 Days from $3,995

This Last Frontier Adventure aboard Chichagof Dream is an 8-day sailing expedition that gives more time in wilderness areas and a higher level of activity.

Last Frontier Adventure 2021

Sitka to Juneau
8 Days from $3,795

This Last Frontier Adventure aboard Admiralty Dream is an 8-day small ship cruise that gives 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.

Glacier Bay National Park Travel Guide

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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.