Is there a whale and bear watching tour combo? One of our favorite FAQs: The cruise industry wants ALL of your money so they try and scare you with that line. Join local maritime hero Captain Billy, a locally raised Tlingit of Hoonah, Alaska on this unforgettable fishing adventure. What really makes this tour unique is the Drone imagery. 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. 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. Often two ships split the day with one in the AM and one in the PM which works since the days are long in the summer. For all other questions, please email [emailprotected] or call 1-888-586-8489, In order to check the status of your reservation request, please use the following link: alaskashoreexcursions.com/order-status. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5211-alaska-recap-celebrity-millennium-june-2017/&do=findComment&comment=51846. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. While you are here, you can even take a tour aboard a traditional hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe! His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! Hearty and rich, Alaska cuisine is made to hit the spot. Call 1-866-999-6590 today to speak to a booking agent! But the kayaking was well worth. The nature trailis pretty short. This whale watching tour is personalized, as it takes out a maximum of 14 guests at a time. 1-888-751-7804 . Our tours have been providing exceptional customer service for over a decade now. I'm a newbie to Cruise Critic. Another popular shore excursion in Icy Strait Point is to search for brown bears on Spasski River. I mean, you can zip-line in many ports around the world, so is it any surprise that theres an epic zip-lining experience in Alaska? If wild and cruise line food is not your thing, there are delicious restaurants in the area. We meet guests at the Icy Strait Point Excursions Hub. We ensure your safety aboard our boats and tour vans. Which of these Icy Strait Point excursions will you book? As one of the best places in the world to see whales, and a darn good spot to view bears, Icy Strait/Hoonah is among Alaska's most beloved destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. Included with the all-day gondola pass is a visit to a traditional ceremonial hall to see a Tribal Dance, hosted by the family of Johan Hinchman. Ships Deck Plans . . We just rode the Dragon's Breath zipline in November so we aren't leaning towards the zipline. Posted November 23, 2021. 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. I would like to know if the zodiac boats and whale watching boats travel in the same waters? Our fishing shore excursions are offered in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. Learn about the area's other wildlife from your informative guide and about the native Tlingit population. Hoonay is the first stop of our cruise. Royal Caribbean International ; RCL excursions in Icy Strait Point Alaska RCL excursions in Icy Strait Point Alaska. Hopefullythis level of detail helps others make suggestions. Drones are able to see below the water surface and broadcast live video back to the boat. OHIO. My husband and I were excited to take the sky glider up to the top so we could do the Alice Lake trail 1.5 mile hike to hidden lake. Josh has captained in this area for many years and knows the area well! The bottom part of the profile is nearly flat. My wife and I have booked an August 2012 southbound cruise from Seward to Vancouver on the RC Radiance of the Seas. They have an indoor shopping mall, a salmon cannery museum and a restaurant all under one roof. For guests with mobility concerns, the following information will help you decide if you will be able to join our tours. This is not a mass-market big bus tour. 5 Juneau, Alaska 99801. If you have already received tickets, please call the local tour operator phone number listed on your tickets for tour-specific questions as they will be the best resource to answer unique questions. 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. This gondola was build alongside a second cruise ship pier as part of a major expansion to Icy Strait Point. While in Icy Strait, we also give you the chance to enjoy some incredible and famous Icy Strait seafood. View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. Take a 4-hour shore excursion from Hoonah to Icy Strait in search of bears. I know they've built up the port area a little bit, but glad to see it still has its charm. Watch the eagles in the nest right across from the school. There are a few great reasons! However each port offers adventures that are not typically found in the Caribbean. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. This cruise ship stop is not like all the others with hoards of jewelry stores. That being said, if you call and book you will save the 6% fee the booking platform we use charges. An Alaska cruise isn't complete without exhilarating shore excursions. 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. If our guests missed their ships we would not be in business. It is totally safe! Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. To book a tour please reach out to your cruise line for availability! Our experiences focus on the heart of Alaska. Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. If your ship is docking at the Wilderness Dock, you will disembark and walk up to the Gondola. Explore our Alaska cruises today! Home port: Seattle. I loved this port for that very reason. Foodie cruisers, this ones for you! I looked at the number of cruise companies offering that excursion in 2022. This excursion is a gentle walking tour that lasts 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the wildlife you see. Find 9 other excursion options on my guide to the best Skagway cruise excursions. As a tourist, you have a lot to do at Icy Strait, thanks to Alaskas rich history, wildlife, and native, The Icy Strait Point in Alaska is a hub for tourists because of the various activities that they can be a part of during their tours. Read on for the best Icy Strait Point excursions for your upcoming Alaska cruise. View pods of orcas effortlessly gliding under the waves, on rare occasions, see humpback calfs playing with their mothers, on rare occasions, the amazing phenomenon of "bubble-net" feeding by groups of humpbacks is seen. Board the Gondola for a 4 minute ride through the forest toward the Adventure Center. (It is semi-widely available and a good value though, as points in its favor.). The area near Icy Strait Point, with its proximity to Point Adolphus and Glacier Bay, is home to one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska and the whale watching is second to none. Very small place with lovely scenery but limited activities. However there is so much more. Is our tour still on? Another major cost factor is the type of stateroom you prefer. Youll be surrounded in one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska with Glacier Wind Charters small group tours. . I have heard that whale watching excursions book on the ship are on very big boats that hold a lot of people. Our team personally tests every tour in a destination to select only the best shore excursions for your Quantum of the Seas cruise . Not into drinking or eating seafood. This 2.5-hour outdoor adventure is listed as moderate in terms of activity level. With that in mind, prepare for the worst and hope for the best! If you do have the fortune to hook a halibut, the boat company will ship it home to you. Located in Alaska's largest Native Tlingit village of Hoonah (about 35 miles west of Juneau), Icy Strait Point features 20+ exciting tours, a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, restaurants, 100% Alaskan-owned retail shops, and even a beach! Expand Your Vacation. Just off the dock where our Princess ship landed, is the ski lift- type red gondola to the zipline, the free green gondola to the bar of the zipline and cannery. Duration: Approximately 2 hours Minimum Age: 10 years old Restrictions: Guests must not weigh more than 250 pounds. ISP is small and I would have no issues with straying from an RCL excursion at this port. No matter what kind of Alaska adventure youre craving, youll find it in Icy Strait Point. Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska. There may be 3rd party options you can explore directly. Get behind the wheel of an ATV, race down a thrilling zip line, check out historical reenactments, hop on a husky-drawn sled, ride in an old-time streetcar . View All Alaska Cruise Lines; . Drive old logging roads to a picnic spot. Icy Strait Point offers some of the best opportunities for whale watching on your Alaskan cruise, so don't miss the Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise here! Availability: This tour is only available August-September. After you successfully conquer that, youll hook into the first of six zip lines. This Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search small group tour will give you a flexible, up-close experience that . Look for jewelry made from fine gold nuggets, handcrafted objects, and warm winter fashions. Required fields are marked *. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. 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. 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. For example, you can enjoy humpback whale watching, bear searching, exploring the village of. CHECK SHORE EXCURSIONS IN Icy Strait Point, Alaska, *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Alaska Icy Strait Point Tribe Local Performance, Cuisine Dungeness Crab, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, One of the Many Historic Cannery Buildings, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, View All{{ cards[0] && cards[0]['totalGroups'] ? " This is your chance to set sail and travel the scenic shorelines of Icy Strait Point keeping watch for bears, deer, blue herons, puffins and more. They've been living under the radar to protect Maisie, but she feels like a prisoner. You're in for an adrenaline rush of a lifetime as you fly above the treetops at speeds of up to 60 mph. That said, its not exactly unique to encounter these kinds of excursions, so it doesnt rank particularly high on my personal list of the best Icy Strait Point cruise excursions. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! So, when I see a good Alaska cruise excursion for fishing, I recommend it! Upon disembarking the Gondola, look for, and follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. 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. Would have loved to have done the seated zip line but not at 170 USD for one ride! Approaching the lattice tower. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. On this cruise excursion, a local guide will take you out to spot dozens of species of perching birds, seabirds, ducks, gulls, and bald eagles. That said, its the one I would do in Icy Strait Point, so take that as an extra point in its favor. But, Ive weighed the options and consider these nine to be the best Icy Strait Point and Hoonah cruise excursions. Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. 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. If you have further questions please email [emailprotected] or if it is an urgent matter you can call 1-888-586-8489, Please email us at [emailprotected] or call 1-888-586-8489In order to check the status of your reservation request, please use the following link: alaskashoreexcursions.com/order-status. We visited a couple of local shops and really liked the simplicity of Hoonah. The full cancellation policy can be found here. For a real Alaska specialty, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chili or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. My wife and I are going on the 11 night Ovation of the Seas sailing on May 13, 2019. If you could share your itinerary, times in port and what you are interested in for each stop that mayprompt more responses. I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. Be sure to take in the views of Port Frederick and Icy Strait on your way down. 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!). I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. The Icy Strait Point Zipline features six 5,330-foot ziplines dropping 1330 feet. Best Icy Strait Point Tours & Excursions: 1. 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. I'm stuck right now on the Whale and Marine Mammal Cruise for $189 and the Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search for $255. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? We shape and time all of our tours and excursions around the cruise ships schedules relieving you of any stress before you dock into port. He know how to find the whales! Please Note: A one-day fishing license is required for everyone 16 years and older ($25). 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. Point Adolphus, a one-hour boat ride away from Icy Strait Point, is the prime site to catch a view of humpback whales. Magnificent! Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation requests in writing. Caribbean Europe Getaways (3-6 Days) Hawaii Japan Mexico Panama Canal South America & Antarctica Tahiti & South Pacific World Cruises . View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. Find Shore Tours to Book Select your cruise ship and we'll display only the tours that work with your schedule in each port. View Details. Icy Strait Point: Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search - See 1,321 traveler reviews, 1,105 candid photos, and great deals for Hoonah, AK, at Tripadvisor. This post was originally published in March 2020, and was updated most recently in November 2022 for the coming season. Purchase your fishing license, put your line in, and hope for good fishermens luck! There are even resident bald eagles that perch on the ships to fish. A bunch of towers on this lift feature combination assemblies on . On May 18th we came into port at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska. 2022, Action/Adventure, Rated PG-13. Icy Strait is home to a wide array of wildlife, including orcas, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, porpoise, and the majestic humpback whale. https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/cruises/. Least Favorite Port but Still Pretty Cool, Rainy and cold the day we visited, which changed our excursion plans from kayaking to walking from port to town. Typically a short-sleeve and long-sleeve mid layer and a waterproof jacket, long pants and sturdy shoes you dont mind getting wet. Seeing the humpback whales on our whale-watching tours or spying on the native bears of Chichagof Island will take your breath away. There is also a Zip line, a ropes course, and gondolas to take you up the mountain for spectacular views of Icy Strait. You cannot paste images directly. Sorry to hear that, John. Be ready to paddle about 7 miles total. Welcome to Hoonah, AK. View Health & Safety requirements. Your email address will not be published. Whales regularly cruise by just offshore and Chichagoff Island has the highest density of brown bears (grizzly) of anywhere in Alaska. How is the Halibut shipped home for oyu. Typically, I recommend halibut fishing charters in Seward, but if your itinerary doesnt allow that, heres an alternative. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. We recommend layers of clothing, which are easy to don and easy to remove. All rights reserved. Unless you are going to ride the Zip Line, save your money and just walk around the small tourist town. Top Things to Do in Icy Strait Point Meet a Local Favorite, Freddy, the Humpback Whale Paste as plain text instead, - Ovation only at Icy Straight Point and Sitka, - Juneau has 5 ships, port load - 11970 guests, - Skagway has 3 ships, port load - 6830 guests. Unfortunately, only one cruise company offers it which handicapped it in the rankings for 2023. My husband and I are booked for a cruise to Alaska with Royal Caribbean August 4th through the 12th. Our most popular tour is the Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour. Icy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330 ziplines dropping 1330.