Your Guide to Seeing Alaska’s Glaciers by Cruise
Not only is blue glacial ice a stunning sight, but glaciers tell us stories of the Earth’s history. Glaciers take hundreds of years to form and can show us what the atmosphere was like and what kind of mammals existed thousands of years ago. Their ability to flow makes these rivers of ice even more unique.
Ready for an unforgettable Alaska glacier viewing experience? Experience their majesty up close when you embark on the ultimate Alaska cruise with Holland America Line.
See Glaciers on Every Alaska Cruise
Set sail with confidence, knowing that you’ll experience the awe-inspiring beauty of glaciers on every Alaska cruise and cruisetour — guaranteed.
Captivating Views
Frozen Wonders
Glaciers are living rivers of ice—constantly shifting, carving valleys. Visitors come from worldwide to witness calving, centuries of frozen history, and feel the cool breath of ancient ice up close.
Wildlife Encounters
Where glaciers meet sea and tundra, wildlife thrives—whales surface in icy bays, sea otters play, and puffins dart along cliffside rookeries. On land and ice, look for mountain goats, bald eagles, and more.
Epic Vistas
Few places serve up scale like glacier country — endless icefields, knife-edged peaks, and mesmerizing fjords. Whether viewed from a boat deck, a flightseeing window, or a trail overlook, the panoramas give a sense of wonder.
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Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay mesmerizes visitors with frozen landscapes, an abundance of wildlife and the “white thunder” of glacial calving. Only accessible by plane, boat or ship, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its 1,045 Alaska glaciers, which cover roughly 27% of the area.
Park Rangers narrate your visit, providing local insight and fun details about these monumental natural formations. All while you pass by iconic glaciers, including Lamplugh, Grand Pacific, Margerie and Johns Hopkins Glacier, where harbor seals raise their pups on ice flows each spring. Your ship will pause nearby and turn so both sides of the deck can bask in their beauty.
Mendenhall Glacier
The only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road, Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most beautiful glaciers in North America. The gargantuan glacier has been retreating for 300 to 400 years and has receded 1.75 miles since 1929.
Located just 12-13 miles from Juneau, this long river of ice can be found in the temperate Tongass National Forest, which is home to black bears, eagles, and a wide variety of other animal species.
Hubbard Glacier
Off the coast of Yakutat, Hubbard Glacier is more than 6 miles wide where it meets the ocean. The longest tidewater glacier in North America, this big and otherworldly glacier has been very active in the past, with two major surges in the last 30 years.
Hubbard Glacier’s 3-story-tall icebergs calve frequently, as large chunks of ice break free and crash into the water below. On clear sunny days, the glacier often turns a stunning deep blue you won’t soon forget.
Portage Glacier
Just 48 miles south of Anchorage, Portage Glacier is an iconic sight among the many blue-white icebergs that adorn Portage Lake.
From Whittier, come aboard the MV Ptarmigan, the only boat operating on Portage Lake, and watch the alpine glacier put on a spectacular calving show.
Dawes Glacier
Journey through the scenic Endicott Arm and visit the sheer, stunning face of the mighty Dawes Glacier. Although this tidewater glacier stands at an imposing 600 feet tall and is approximately a mile wide, there is no need to be afraid to get up close!
Dawes Glacier provides the unique opportunity to witness daily calving displays, and hear "white thunder," the unforgettable sound a large ice chunk makes when it splashes into the water.
Kenai Fjords
Kenai Fjords is a dazzling glacial paradise with cliffs rising out of turquoise waters. An impressive 40 glaciers cascade from the Harding Icefield panorama, with ice almost a mile thick.
The ice-capped peaks and sparkling shoreline are just the beginning. A visit to Kenai Fjords isn’t complete without stopping at Exit Glacier, one of the few glaciers you can actually walk right up to on a guided tour.
Alaska Glacier Expeditions
Sail the Fjords
Glide through serene, iceberg-dotted waterways as towering tidewater glaciers span the horizon. From the deck, it’s easy to spot wildlife — think puffins, sea otters, and whales — while getting close enough to feel the glacier’s cold breath on the breeze.
Soar High Above
Take off over jagged peaks and shimmering icefields for a sweeping, bird’s‑eye view of the vast reach of the glacier ice. A scenic flight reveals the sheer scale and sculpted patterns of the glaciers that can’t be seen from sea level.
Sled the Tundra
Harness husky power and mush across a glittering world of snow and ice for a truly hands‑on glacier encounter. Dog sledding delivers the rhythm of runners on snow, the camaraderie of the team, and the thrill of traveling the old Alaska way.
Featured Glacier Shore Excursions
Five Glacier Seaplane Exploration
Five Glacier Seaplane Exploration
Embark on an Alaska Glacier Cruise
Alaska Glacier FAQs
Which Alaska cruise is best to see glaciers?
For standout glacier experiences, look for itineraries that include Glacier Bay National Park, where ships linger near at least one tidewater glacier with guided narration and expansive deck views that make
photography effortless. Sailings that route to Hubbard Glacier also shine, and Holland America itineraries often feature thoughtful pacing and vantage points that make these marquee moments feel unhurried.
What month is best to see glaciers in Alaska?
May through early September is prime, with June–August offering the warmest weather, lush scenery, and high wildlife activity alongside reliable glacier viewing. For crisper air and excellent visibility with fewer people, late May and early September are standout shoulder‑season picks. Read our guide on the best times to cruise Alaska.
Glacier Bay Experts
On Alaska cruises to Glacier Bay National Park, enjoy talks from rangers, and Huna Tlingit guides.
Juneau Exclusives
Learn about the role the Mendenhall Glacier had in carving Juneau’s landscape with our exclusive Mendenhall Glacier Explorer experience.
Alaska Glaciers Up Close
Deepen your connection to the landscape, wildlife and Alaskan people with this complete guide to Alaska glacier viewing and tours.