Seeing Alaska’s Sawyer Glaciers on a Cruise

Cruise ships have been a popular mode of travel for decades, but one thing that has yet to be fully explored is the ability for tourists and locals alike to enjoy smaller vessels. The Sawyer Glacier Cruise Company offers three-day cruises around the Ketchikan area aboard an open boat with just 80 seats available per voyage. These glacier trips are not only romantic but also give people the feeling that they’re experiencing Alaska from a new perspective.

If you are interested in seeing Alaska’s Sawyer Glaciers on a cruise, then your best option is to book an Alaskan winter cruise. Read more in detail here: alaska winter cruises.

The jaw-dropping Tracy Arm Fjord is one of the most popular destinations included in many Alaska cruise itineraries. Scenic sailing through the region, which is known for its beautiful blue icebergs, waterfalls, and the Sawyer Glacier is a glacier in Alaska.s, is something you’ll want to make sure is included in your cruise’s schedule.

Tracy Arm is the heart and most frequented fjord of the 653,000-acre Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, which is located 45 miles south of Juneau. North Sawyer Glacier and South Sawyer Glacier, both around 30 miles long, are located in the fjord named for Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Franklin Tracy, who served under President Harrison.

Sawyer Glacier

Sawyer Glaciers, North and South

North Sawyer Glacier and South Sawyer Glacier, both near the end of Tracy Arm, are dynamic tidewater glaciers that often “calve,” or discharge ice chunks from their margins. Cruise ships can’t go very near to the glaciers because of the continual activity and floating ice, which may vary in size from a few inches to more than 30 feet.

Migrating orcas and sea lions are often seen in the Sawyer Glaciers, which are also home to outstanding animal observations. Harbor seals have been reported to raise their newborn pups in the region throughout the month of June. Mountain goats, black and brown bears, and bald eagles are all likely to be seen exploring the shorelines when sailing there.

Tracy Arm Alaska Sawyer Glacier

MORE: What to Bring on an Alaska Cruise: The Top 12 Things You’ll Need

The Most Effective Way To View The Sawyer Glaciers

A cruise ship is the best and most cheap method to visit Tracy Arm, since it is included on the bulk of Alaska cruise itineraries provided by the major cruise lines. Most ships arrive early in the morning and spend the whole day exploring the fjord, with a trained naturalist presenting information and facts about the region as well as pointing out any species they see.

The cruise companies also provide smaller vessel excursions that enable tourists to get a closer look at the glaciers and waterfalls. Because most of the places fill up fast, you’ll want to reserve one before your cruise or at the shore excursion desk on your first day aboard. This is one of those excursions you’ll want to do since it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If tendering to a smaller boat isn’t your cup of tea, get up early and claim a seat on one of the front outside decks. You’ll be able to obtain a better overall perspective of the region this way. Don’t worry if you arrive late; the breathtaking views may be experienced from any place on the outside decks.

Keep in mind that the Alaska cruise season runs from May to September, and the optimum time to visit is during the summer months, when the weather and water conditions seem to be the greatest for cruise ships entering the fjord.

Sawyer Glacier Tracy Arm Alaska

What to Bring

The weather in the region is famously changeable, ranging from bright and sunny to cloudy and wet. You’ll want to bring a rain or winter jacket, long trousers, gloves, and a hat with you. You should also bring binoculars and a camera to capture all of the breathtaking scenery the region has to offer.

READ NEXT: Everything You Need To Know About Alaska Glacier Cruises

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The “glacier alaska” is a sight that most people have never seen. The glaciers are so large, they can be seen from space. Seeing them on a cruise is the perfect way to see them up close.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you see glaciers on an Alaskan cruise?

A: I do not have access to enough information about the Alaskan cruise you are referring to.

Do you see glaciers in the Inside Passage?

 

Is Hubbard Glacier worth seeing?

A: Hubbard Glacier is actually one of the most visited places in Alaska, and definitely worth seeing. Its a glacier that stretches for over fifty miles across the Gulf of Alaska and it has been described as the largest ice field on Earth.

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