One of Alaska's most spectacular scenic cruising days — your ship glides past calving tidewater glaciers while NPS rangers narrate the show and humpback whales breach off the bow.
Large cruise ship passengers do not go ashore at Glacier Bay — this is a full-day scenic cruise through the national park.
💡 Pro move: A park map and program guide are typically delivered to staterooms the evening before arrival.
There are no cruise piers in Glacier Bay — large ships cruise through without stopping at a dock.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Large cruise lines (Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, etc.) | Scenic cruising only — no pier📍 | Scenic cruising |
| Small expedition ships (UnCruise, Sea Wolf Adventures, etc.) | Bartlett Cove public dock — shore access possible📍 | Docked |
For large-ship passengers the entire experience happens from the deck; small-ship and independent visitors can kayak, hike, and take the full-day tour boat from Bartlett Cove.
The ship stops in front of Margerie Glacier — a 21-mile-long tidewater glacier that regularly calves massive chunks of ice into the bay with a thunderous crack. Grand Pacific Glacier is nearby. Rangers announce the approach so you have time to get outside.
Explore Glacier Bay cruises →Glacier Bay is one of the richest marine wildlife corridors in Alaska. Humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, mountain goats, and brown bears are all regularly spotted. South Marble Island is a major seabird colony — watch for tufted puffins and Steller sea lions haul-outs.
Book an Alaska wildlife cruise →Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks operates half-day and full-day guided paddles from Bartlett Cove, the only developed area of the park. Paddle through calm inlets with views of forested shores and distant peaks. Experienced paddlers can arrange drop-offs deeper into the park for multi-day wilderness trips.
Find kayak tours at Glacier Bay →The daily catamaran from Glacier Bay Lodge dock at Bartlett Cove travels 130 miles round-trip through the bay to the upper glaciers — narrated by an NPS ranger, with lunch included. This is how land-based visitors and small-ship passengers see the upper bay glaciers up close.
Book the Glacier Bay tour boat →At Bartlett Cove, the Huna Tlingit Tribal House (Xunaa Shuká Hít) celebrates the cultural heritage of the Huna Tlingit people who have lived in Glacier Bay for thousands of years. Cultural programs and carving demonstrations run in summer. Accessible only for small-ship passengers or land-based visitors.
Learn about Huna Tlingit culture →Shore walks are available only for small-ship or independent visitors at Bartlett Cove — large-ship passengers remain aboard for the day.
A flat loop through old-growth temperate rainforest down to the beach, with a viewing platform over Blackwater Pond. Bald eagles, harbor seals, and shorebirds are frequently seen. Ranger-guided versions run in summer. Small-ship/independent visitors only.
📍 Open in MapsFollows the shoreline and forest edge to the Bartlett River estuary — a prime spot for brown bear and moose sightings, especially at dawn and dusk. Bring bear spray. Small-ship/independent visitors only.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Glacier Bay, Alaska, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36°F / 2°C | 29°F / -2°C | 20 | 8:39 AM | 3:47 PM |
| Feb | 34°F / 1°C | 26°F / -3°C | 15 | 7:35 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Mar | 38°F / 3°C | 30°F / -1°C | 17 | 7:18 AM | 7:07 PM |
| Apr | 45°F / 7°C | 35°F / 2°C | 18 | 5:50 AM | 8:17 PM |
| May | 53°F / 12°C | 42°F / 6°C | 14 | 4:35 AM | 9:25 PM |
| Jun | 58°F / 14°C | 48°F / 9°C | 15 | 3:56 AM | 10:12 PM |
| Jul | 62°F / 17°C | 52°F / 11°C | 16 | 4:22 AM | 9:55 PM |
| Aug | 61°F / 16°C | 53°F / 12°C | 19 | 5:26 AM | 8:47 PM |
| Sep | 56°F / 13°C | 48°F / 9°C | 20 | 6:34 AM | 7:21 PM |
| Oct | 47°F / 8°C | 40°F / 4°C | 21 | 7:41 AM | 5:56 PM |
| Nov | 39°F / 4°C | 33°F / 1°C | 20 | 7:54 AM | 3:41 PM |
| Dec | 36°F / 2°C | 30°F / -1°C | 22 | 8:48 AM | 3:09 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Glacier Bay is a scenic cruising day — your ship is the viewing platform. Ships do not dock; all wildlife and glacier viewing is from the deck.
Some cruise lines offer guided sea kayak excursions launched from the ship near Bartlett Cove. Book through your cruise line before sailing — pricing depends on the operator.
A National Park Service ranger typically boards the ship at Bartlett Cove and provides narration and wildlife talks throughout the day — no extra cost.
Flightseeing tours over Glacier Bay depart from Juneau or Gustavus and can be booked as a pre- or post-cruise excursion, not during the cruise day itself.
Upcoming cruises that call at Glacier Bay, Alaska, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.