The day I was most looking forward to on our Alaskan cruise was our glacier viewing day. Regardless of if your particular ship cruises in Glacier Bay National Park, or you have a scenic cruising day seeing one of the other impressive glaciers, most Alaskan cruises do have a glacier viewing day on the itinerary. Today I’m sharing some tips for making the most of your day and knowing what to expect.
glacier viewing day tips for your Alaskan cruise
1. know your glacier and the schedule
As I mentioned, not all Alaska cruise glacier viewing days are the same. If you know which glacier you’ll be visiting ahead of time, then you can prepare to have the best day. Will you want binoculars? Where should you scope out a spot? Will rangers be narrating what you’re seeing? If so, where is the best place to listen to that?
Along those lines, check your cruising day schedule the day before so you know what timeframe you’ll be arriving at the glacier. This is not the day to sleep in! Keep in mind though, Mother Nature always calls the shots and sometimes things (and planned itineraries) have to change.
Pro cruiser tip: Look at your cruise itinerary ahead of time so you know what to expect and can research the particular glacier you’ll be visiting. Make sure all members of your party know what time to get up and where to meet for your glacier cruising day!
2. balcony or bow?
Because we have such young kids we opted for an outside view cabin rather than a balcony—and I don’t regret that decision! A balcony can be wonderful but it isn’t necessarily the best place to watch a glacier.
If you do have a balcony that’s a great place to set up your homebase for the day, but be prepared to move around the ship. Your ship will typically rotate 360° once it gets to the glacier so there will be several great spot to view from. Don’t assume you have to rush to the bow of the ship!
Pro cruiser tip: Many ships will allow you access to the bow for glacier viewing. However, this might not be the best spot to get a good picture because everyone else has the same idea! We actually got a better, much less-crowded, view from our ship’s jogging track than out on the bow.
3. explore the ship before glacier viewing day
As you walk around the ship the first few days exploring, start scoping out where you want to set up your spot for glacier viewing day. Consider indoor spots you can stay warm while playing games together and listening to commentary, as well as great outdoor spots for a family photo!
Our family chose to hang out in the Observation Lounge onboard the Norwegian Joy. This space is very crowded but puts you close to the pop-up park store, as well as within listening distance to speakers so you can hear the ranger’s commentary.
Here are some areas to check out and consider (remember, your ship will rotate):
- Promenade decks
- Upper observation decks
- Forward-facing viewing areas
- Aft decks
- Indoor observation lounges
- Dining areas with windows
| Read: How to Choose the Right Alaskan Cruise for your Family |
4. be prepared for anything
Our Alaskan cruise glacier viewing day started out sunny and halfway through turned overcast and drizzly. You just never know what you’re going to get! Plus, if you constantly moving from indoors and outdoors you want to be prepared.
Dress in layers (a beanie helps control your hair from wind outside!) and bring a blanket from your room to stay cozy wherever your homebase for the day is. Make sure your shoes are appropriate for wet decks also. I have never had issues with slipping on a ship deck until our Alaskan cruise.
5. other items to have
On your glacier viewing day you’ll likely see lots of other things too—and your ship captain or ranger might share what they’re seeing over the speakers. Here are some other things to consider having with you wherever your homebase for the day is:
- Binoculars: a decent set of binoculars will help you see features of the glaciers up close, as well as wildlife on the shore or in the sea
- Activities: coloring and activity books for younger kids will help them stay occupied while you’re trying to keep your eyes on the horizon
- Games/puzzles: bringing a family-friendly card game or picking up a new puzzle in a port stop is a great activity to do together on your glacier cruising day
- Cozy items: Little kids especially might want a blanket or stuffed animal to snuggle with while they’re hanging out with the family
Pro puzzler tip: Aim for a puzzle in the 350-550 piece range. Anything more will be difficult to complete in one sitting.
One last little bonus tip—consider getting Meta glasses. Prior to our cruise I treated myself to a pair of Meta glasses. I wanted to make sure I was present in the moment, but still easily able to capture everything I wanted to. And honestly? They’re one of the best purchases I’ve ever made as a mom. I’ve worn them to graduations, soccer games, and at cross country meets. If you’ve been on the fence I highly recommend them! I bought a pair of Wayfarer glasses with transition lenses directly through the Ray-Ban website when they were on sale, but you can also purchase them through my Amazon affiliate link here.
Glacier viewing day might have had some hiccups for us, but it really was an incredible experience. Like all travel with kids, just remembering to stay positive and have realistic expectations goes a long way!
Follow along with our family’s adventures on Instagram!
