Be sure to take in the views of Port Frederick and Icy Strait on your way down. For critter enthusiasts, there is really no need to book a whale watching tour as youll be able to spot humpbacks, orcas, and harbor seals directly from your cruise ship, especially in the wee hours. Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. Longest Zip Line, Icy Strait Point, Alaska. Hoonay is the first stop of our cruise. more, Cultural Tours 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Historical & Heritage Tours Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. Combo assemblies on tower 5. Be ready to paddle about 7 miles total. Visit the Tlingit carvers and walk about to appreciate the totem poles in town. Yes, there is an excellent exhibit on the fishery and canning industry. Perfect for small groups. Newbie Needs Your Help - Icy Strait Point Whales, Wildlife & Brown Bear Long time listener and I know this has been covered a million times, just not so much recently. Youll be provided with binoculars and other gear you might need. Top Things to Do in Icy Strait Point Meet a Local Favorite, Freddy, the Humpback Whale Sharing the types of adventures along with the budget you seek will help anyone who might respond with ideas. Royal Caribbean International ; RCL excursions in Icy Strait Point Alaska RCL excursions in Icy Strait Point Alaska. We visited a couple of local shops and really liked the simplicity of Hoonah. Icy Strait Birding Tours - Tripadvisor However having a tough time booking things. Alaska Shore Tours Top-Rated Shore Excursions Icy Strait Point was a nice place to spend a few hours. Wind along back roads in search of wildlife, including bald eagles, brown bears, and Sitka black-tailed deer, and enjoy spectacular views of the natural beauty that surrounds you along the way. Just don't forget to bring your cameras, binoculars, and waterproof apparel! Im grateful Johan allowed me to paint him in his regalia as the dance was incredibly inspiring and definitely worth the short walk through the shops. Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay vs. Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier In Juneau I know of asled dog excursionincluded as part of a helicopter to a glacier type activity which makes it expensive but very good. Imagine eating delectable halibut harvested directly from the waters of Icy Strait. The next 2.5 to 3 hours, she'll drive you around to several good birding spots. {{card.portName}}, Onboard After you successfully conquer that, youll hook into the first of six zip lines. We too the free shuttle back into the port area and walked through the old cannery, the museum and gift shops, which were all cool. 2. We meet guests at the Icy Strait Point Excursions Hub. Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska. 5 Juneau, Alaska 99801. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. The Chichagof Island wilderness hike excursion is a good opportunity. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? If your ship doesnt make it to port for any reason, we will refund you in full without incurring any administration fees or penalties. tips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions, The Best Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursions, 2. This is the most popular year in Alaska ever, so it doesnt surprise me that things are sold out. Cruising in Alaska Should Be On Everyone's Bucket List, Alaska is a paradise for animal lovers. . This whale watching tour is personalized, as it takes out a maximum of 14 guests at a time. In that sense it's easy to get to because it's only a few miles from the ship. I get a lot of questions about fishing in Alaska. On this excursion, youll sample some of the food Alaskans love to enjoy, learn from a local chef about how to filet and prepare fresh Alaskan seafood, and then try your hand at preparing some for yourself. Norwegian Communications Center. We keep our groups small, so we can take you off the beaten path, where the locals go. This gondola was build alongside a second cruise ship pier as part of a major expansion to Icy Strait Point. My wife does want to do an excursion with sled dogs but we don't know if we should do that in Juneau or Skagway. Bear sightings are also more frequent during the summer, so plan your trip accordingly. FAQ - Icy Strait Point For guests with mobility concerns, the following information will help you decide if you will be able to join our tours. Caribbean Europe Getaways (3-6 Days) Hawaii Japan Mexico Panama Canal South America & Antarctica Tahiti & South Pacific World Cruises . This Alaska cruise excursion might not be for everyone, but if you love wildlife (and especially birding) this widely-offered excursion might be the one for you in Icy Strait Point. Quantum of the Seas Cruise Excursions | ShoreTrips Icy Strait Point Stream Fishing | Alaska Shore Excursions Another popular shore excursion in Icy Strait Point is to search for brown bears on Spasski River. We choose to make the short trip over to the actual town of Hoonah and truly enjoyed watching and speaking with two local men who were carving a totem pole. In addition to your wildlife search, depart directly from Icy Strait Point on your safe, stable, covered, and comfortable whale-watching vessel and travel through the bountiful waters of Icy Strait to the renowned Point Adolphus area, home to Alaska's largest summer population of humpback whales. Magnificent! Theres no guarantee, of course, but thats part of what makes the excursion an adventure! While biking and hiking in Alaskas temperate rainforest is certainly cool, hands down the best part is exploring the beach in this trio of experiences; keep your eyes peeled for sea urchin shells and animal prints, which are commonly found on the beaches of Southeast Alaska. Children as young as 6 years old can ride the zipline, and guests must be between the weight of 75 pounds and 275 pounds to enjoy this adventure. Unfortunately, only one cruise company offers it which handicapped it in the rankings for 2023. For each excursion, I list which cruise companies offer that one so you can see whether your cruise is on the list. This salmon cannery was shut down in the 1970s and now is clean and remodeled with a free museum, beautiful gift shops and a display of the salmon processing equipment. Let us show you an untouched Alaskan wilderness. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port thats big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. If our guests missed their ships we would not be in business. Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search - Review of Icy Strait Point Nestled among those trinket shops you will find authentic local art, jewelry, and even hand-carved headdresses such as the one Johan is wearing here. Embrace the rich culture of the Tlingit while on one of their canoe tours. We are constantly evaluating ourselves, innovating, and improving to ensure that every customer gets an amazing experience from the first contact to the last touch. Very small place with lovely scenery but limited activities. Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! AK 99829, Guaranteed Whale Watching Tours in Icy Straits, The Best Time To Visit Alaska - Various Seasons Of The North, 7 Things You Shouldnt Miss During Your Icy Strait Point Tours, Why the Icy Strait Point Gondola is a Must-Ride for Tourists. Hoonay tram ride - an expensive waste of time! We did an independent whale watching tour in ISP and it was amazing. Wow, we will be cruising with a celebrity. Photo credits: Icy Strait Point building (L) Moira Dunworth; Glacier Bay flightseeing (R) Joseph; salmon on grill Didriks; Tlingit tribal dance James Brooks; halibut fisherman Bryan Wilkins; all via Flickr. Alaska-Sized Adventure With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! This is the real Alaska! Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. What to expect when you get there - Amy will meet up with you at your pre-arranged meeting point (we were off a cruise ship, so Icy Straight Point excursion hub for us). Learn about the area's other wildlife from your informative guide and about the native Tlingit population. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaskas largest Tlingit village. Indulge in fresh seafood and native veggies like beach asparagus and seaweed to fuel up for stops in Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Skagway, Seward, and of course the marvelous Hubbard Glacier. This is a 90-minute excursion that includes an obstacle course dubbed the Adventure Park, made up of a log bridge, climbing planks, fishermens net, and more. The restored cannery turned museum shop offers fine jewelry, warm fashions, canned sockeye salmon, and plenty more. The bicycle is designed specifically for rugged terrain, so you can maximize the experience with the least amount of effort. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Hoonah is just a stones throw from Icy Strait so no time is wasted getting to the fishing grounds and the hooks down! IMO your best bet is to hike the short nature trails and take the cable car up the mountain for more hiking and scenic views. Display as a link instead, Here's our itinerary: Vancouver, British Columbia| Sail Away 5 PM, Icy Strait Point, Alaska Arrive 9 AM | Depart 8 PM, Sitka, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 6 PM, Juneau, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 9 PM, Skagway, Alaska Arrive7 AM | Depart 8:30 PM. Icy Strait Point is home to a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum. Hike red cedar forest trails, relax beachside, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or view the Brockton Point totem poles. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, its easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. Will I make the __:__ tour? Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go To learn more about the people who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. And best of all: the proceeds of this excursion support the Juneau Audubon Society, so your excursion costs are funneled back into supporting the bird populations you get to enjoy. Icy Strait Shore Excursions & Port Tours | ShoreTrips There will be no shortage of fish in the cool, clear streams we'll take you on this trip. The Crab House, The Cookhouse, and Duck Point Smokehouse are excellent dining options. Your personal view of the whales is not repaced with drones; just supplemented! Point Adolphus, in particular, is world-famous for its concentration of humpback whales and is located about 5 miles from the southern side of Icy Strait. You cannot paste images directly. I am going on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle in May 2022 to Alaska and BC. To break ties, I used top Uniqueness score, since I want to encourage you to try new things in Alaska. If you are longing to see bears while you are here, then we've got you covered. If you walk the 1.5 mile route to Hoonah on the paved sidewalk honoring veterans, you can see the petroglyph, walk along the water, and explore an old cemetery en route. Carnival Dive-In Movies March 2023 Prof. Cruise Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska; we offer over 20 different shore excursions including ATVs, biking, kayaking, nature tours, the best whale watching in Alaska and the world's largest and highest zipline ride. The majority of us, when we think of Alaska, probably picture a big area covered in ice, frozen land, and maybe even caribou running free across the tundra. Watch the eagles in the nest right across from the school. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9160-not-so-live-blog-radiance-of-the-seas-alaska-southbound-83118/&do=findComment&comment=8383. . Only Holland America offers this one. Icy Strait Point is located in the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. Royal Caribbean International; Celebrity Cruises; Silversea; CAPTAIN'S CLUB. Despite it being last on the list, I personally love this excursion as it offers the opportunity to both get up in the air and burn off some of those ship calories youve been consuming (yes, they count!). They've been living under the radar to protect Maisie, but she feels like a prisoner. We can guarantee you will be back to board your ship in plenty of time. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. All rights reserved. Beautiful overview with a 1- mile hiking trail loop at the top that required groups of at least 10 and a guide with a gun die to bear activity. Our wilderness tour will take you to Chichagof Island, where the population of brown bears per square mile is the highest of any place on Earth. Is there a whale and bear watching tour combo? As an established, local company with a Certificate of Excellence, we love nothing more than to enrich your experience while visiting the area of Icy Strait Point. Generally speaking, Carnival will be the least expensive and Disney will be the most expensive, with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian at the lower end and Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, and Cunard at the upper end. Yes is does have substantial tourist oriented shopping, and the main attraction the Ziprider. So I decided to use that knowledge to come up with a list of the best Icy Strait Point excursions. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, it's easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. We know where all the wilderness hotspots are. Finally, I added up the metrics to come up with a final score. This Icy Strait Point excursion is a good value and widely offered, which is why it ranks so highly on my list for 2023 Alaska cruises. We want to share the breathtaking sights, the wildlife, and the amazing people of Hoonah Alaska with you. While we love delivering stunning target birds like Varied Thrushes, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Bald Eagles, and Stellers Jays, we arent just about birds on this tour. Does this also mean that THE Twangsterwill be on the May 13, 2019 sailing? In Icy Strait Point, this new excursion which includes both biking and hiking before beachcombing does the trick. My wife and I are going on the 11 night Ovation of the Seas sailing on May 13, 2019. This is a small group tour that provides you the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature! Icy Strait Point 108 Cannery Rd, Hoonah, AK 99829, USA Open in Google Maps Confirmation will be received at time of booking Tour Time is Departure time. Stream Fishing 6. Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska; we offer over 20 different shore excursions including ATVs, biking, kayaking, nature tours, the best whale watching in Alaska and the world's largest and highest zipline ride. Travel just 1.5 miles through the picturesque landscape of Hoonah, Alaska. Any Royal Caribbean excursions (as opposed to private) you could highly recommend would be greatly appreciated. Agreed! Enjoy a fun small-group experience on this Icy Strait whale watching tour, limited to 18 passengers per tour. the Excursions Hub is a short 5 minute walk from where the ships dock or tender in to. He know how to find the whales! Join us for the best show in town, a 3-hour whale watching excursion (includes transportation time and approx 2.5 hours on the water) which begins when you board the bus that departs from the Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub, just a short 5-minute walk from your cruise ship. As a company that has been in the business of offering small group shore excursions in the Icy Strait Point area for over a decade, our tour schedules are mindfully constructed around the cruise ships arrivals and departures! We decided to switch from Jayleen's Alaska in Juneau to another small boat tour group that I heard good things about, Glacier Wind Charters in Icy Strait Point. Make a payment and confirm your reservation. Our most popular tour is the Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour. Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. The Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2023 (One in Each Port!) I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. Icy Strait Point, sometimes called Hoonah after the native people who live in this area and run the cruise port, is one popular stop on Alaska cruises but it can be hard to decipher the marketing language to know which excursions will be worth your time and money. Whale Watching 2. If you could share your itinerary, times in port and what you are interested in for each stop that mayprompt more responses. $605. Depending on the season, catch the bears coming out of hibernation and looking for food; or later on in the season when the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats. Alaska Cruises 2023-2024 - Cruise to Alaska - Princess The biggest halibut on record was caught inside Icy Strait! I put these Icy Strait Point cruise excursions in order based on what I know Alaska visitors will love. Copyright 2023 Icy Strait Point Excursions. If you want to see whales in Juneau, please check out Harv and Marvs. Our Icy Strait shore tours give you the chance to get up close and personal with incredible wildlife. That being said, if you call and book you will save the 6% fee the booking platform we use charges. While this cruise excursion isnt totally unique you can see bears elsewhere in Alaska its a good chance to guarantee that experience at a good value. On this 2- to 3-hour excursion, youll board a helicopter, cruise up to the top of the mountain, unload your bikes, and ride back down. I force-ranked the excursions by uniqueness. Take a Whale Watching Cruise. After a short bus ride to the Spasski River Valley, youll take a guided tour along a boardwalk and gravel path into a habitat that Alaskan brown bears are known to frequent. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5211-alaska-recap-celebrity-millennium-june-2017/&do=findComment&comment=51846. Response from Host, Sep 2022. Zip-lining is so in right now! You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason. Overview. T4. Fly down the world's largest ZipRider, whale-watch in the nutrient-rich waters of Port Frederick and Point Adolphus, search for the coastal brown bears that inhabit the area, and soar high above in a helicopter. We recommend layers of clothing, which are easy to don and easy to remove. We are so excited about it and are beginni. We are committed to providing guests with the best customer service in the industry! In years past, I used to call out Icy Strait Point as the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park; this year, my research showed that the major cruise companies seem to be visiting Glacier Bay as part of their itineraries and there are no excursions that take you into the park anymore. Glacier garden hours are 9:00 to 6:00 everyday our first tour is it 9:15 our last tour leaves at 4:00 p.m. Glacier Gardens rainforest adventure is a guided tour through the Tongass Forest on 18 passenger trams. 7 Night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier | Royal Caribbean Cruises There is also a Zip line, a ropes course, and gondolas to take you up the mountain for spectacular views of Icy Strait. Seeing whales on your tour is guaranteed. Every trip is an adventure in this lush rainforest where Brown Bears outnumber humans. Among the huge number of excursions you can book in Juneau - and even on this list of nine - it's hard to choose the best one. We are on the same sailing and I checked the port loads for each stop. Wildlife & Bear Search | Icy Strait Point - Icy Strait Point Search For Bears In Icy Strait Point On Your Alaskan Cruise If you love the idea of stretching your legs a bit more than you can on the boat, this is a great excursion it only ranks low on the list because of few companies (okay, one) offering it in 2023. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? TO BOOK A TOUR AT ICY STRAIT POINT PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR CRUISE LINE. OHIO. While there will be lots of touristy junk and jewelry stores in Juneau, those are absent in ISP and I like that. The only thing you can count on in Hoonah, and the area near Icy Strait Point is that you cant count on the weather. Discover the frontier town of Icy Strait surrounded by nature in its unspoiled glory. Wildlife is one of the main draws for visitors who want to cruise in Alaska. Unfortunately, the biggest ships have a tendency to scare off a lot of the wildlife you hope to see.