Join us on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska. This series features our Alaska cruise showcasing the beauty, excitement, and unique experiences from each port of call. Time to explore glaciers, wildlife and pristine wilderness, and neat historical trivia about America's Last Frontier!
Day 1: Getting to Port
Our cruise was on Celebrity Summit and we opted for the southbound route/itinerary, which meant we had to head up north to begin our adventure: to Anchorage. We booked our flight to get us there just in time for our noon pick up at the airport that would take us to the town of Seward, about 125 miles south.
Lucky for us, it was a 2.5 hour scenic drive south via AK-1, Seward Highway and onto Route 9. We passed through townships and roadways named Turnagain Arm Trail, Beluga Point, Rainbow Trailhead, and Moose Pass. Along the way you will also pass the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which is a great resource and worth a visit. Our driver was a local and shared some interesting stories and history about the towns and the vast landscape before us.
Setting Sail: Embarkation was quick and easy. We settled in our stateroom and went up to Deck 10 for a quick snack and began exploring the ship. We set sail from Seward at 8pm with overcast skies yet clear visibility (sunset was at 11:19pm!). As soon as we hit open waters, it was all choppy seas overnight. The ship rocked gently back and forth, challenging us to keep our footing (and food!) in place while creating a sense of anticipation for the days ahead.
Day 2: Awe-Inspiring Hubbard Glacier
Smooth Sailing into Yakutat Bay: As dawn broke, we were still in the Gulf of Alaska but made decent progress towards our first destination. When we entered the tranquil waters of Yakutat Bay after lunch, the contrast was striking – from the restless seas to the smooth, calm waters of the bay. The stillness was a welcome respite, allowing us to fully appreciate the stunning surroundings.
Hello, Hubbard! Enchanté. By 3pm, we arrived at the highlight of our day – the magnificent Hubbard Glacier. The temperature also dropped to a crisp 42°F as we stood on the ship's helipad, mesmerized by the glacier's blueish hues (because, as we found out, ice absorbs red wavelengths of light and scatters blue wavelengths that reaches our eyes). For close to two hours, the Summit felt insignificant yet remained steady, pointing toward Hubbard. We marveled at this natural wonder, its colors, and sheer presence, capturing its beauty from various angles.
The Hubbard Glacier is famous for being North America’s largest tidewater glacier. It’s over 75 miles long, 7 miles wide, and flows directly into Disenchantment Bay, which feeds into the North Pacific Ocean. The Hubbard Glacier height is around 600 feet at its terminal face (350 feet exposed above the waterline and 250 feet below the waterline).
Magical. Breathtaking. Humbling. ❤️
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Pronti? Via!
On this visit to Alaska we did not use cruise excursions. Instead, we either went directly to excursion vendors, did stuff on our own, or used Viator. To find the activity that is best for you (or you group) visit our Viator Shop for a list of our Alaska Cruise Top Value Picks. Happy travels!
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