You're in for an adrenaline rush of a lifetime as you fly above the treetops at speeds of up to 60 mph. Tlingit Canoe Tour 4. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/07/17/excursion-focus-alaska-sled-dogs-mushers-camp-juneau-alaska. Notes: Guests must be able to walk without assistance. 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. This one, which broadly incorporates a helicopter tour, glacier landing, and dog sledding depending on the tour operator and . From land to sea to sky, envelop yourself in the natural beauty of Alaska, and get close (but not too close) and personal with the wildlife, and the locals! 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. We are committed to keeping Alaska wild! Its always an honor to share the backyard beauty in our mist-shrouded rainforest and our coastal city, steeped in history and Native Southeast Alaska culture alike. Visiting in September of 2023. However each port offers adventures that are not typically found in the Caribbean. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect . Another major cost factor is the type of stateroom you prefer. 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. Journey from Icy Strait Point into the wilds of Chichagof Island as you explore the Spasski River Valley in search of local wildlife. Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with . On this tour, you'll have the chance to spot humpbacks and orcas in the beautiful Alaskan waters. What really makes this tour unique is the Drone imagery. Good to know. You will have to walk up and/or down a potentially steep ramp depending on the tide to access the floats where the boat will be. Even waking up to warm, sunny skies can turn cool and rainy. While you are here, you can even take a tour aboard a traditional hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe! Yes, there is an excellent exhibit on the fishery and canning industry. 1-888-751-7804 . Ocean Stateroom. 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. Is our tour still on? 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'] ? " 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. We bought the "unlimited ride" for $50 per person, to find out there was nothing to do at the top unless you are taking the zip line down. Yaakw Kahidi Cultural Center Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! 2022, Action/Adventure, Rated PG-13. Find 9 other excursion options on my guide to the best Skagway cruise excursions. We are a quick 20 minute flight from Juneau, Alaska. The Tlingit community has invested a great deal of money, time, and energy to convert this historic fishing village into a respite for cruisers who wish to learn more about the Indigenous people, their land, and their fascinating culture. What if the weather is bad? The Icy Strait Point Zipline features six 5,330-foot ziplines dropping 1330 feet. 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. Availability: This tour is only available August-September. Find a Cruisetour Any Destination Any Month Any Departure Port Any Ship Any Ship Feature See if you qualify for exclusive rates Advanced Search Call Our Brand Specialists Now Learn More About Icy Strait Point, Alaska If youre struggling to choose between Icy Strait Point shore excursions, Im here to help. Josh has captained in this area for many years and knows the area well! Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. In the unlikely event we do cancel the tour, we will provide you with a full refund. Best of all, were able to offer more competitive rates than the cruise ships because you are booking locally. The Cruise ship is telling us if we dont book with them we might get left behind. Our most popular tour is the Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour. Unfortunately, this excursion isnt offered by as many cruise companies as others above it on the list so it ended up falling a few spots on my list for 2023. For a real Alaska speciality, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chilli or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. Balcony Stateroom. For example, you can enjoy humpback whale watching, bear searching, exploring the village of. Cunard rolled out the winter 2025 cruise schedules for its three ships, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2, plus the new-build Queen Anne, set to debut . Typically a short-sleeve and long-sleeve mid layer and a waterproof jacket, long pants and sturdy shoes you dont mind getting wet. Purchase your fishing license, put your line in, and hope for good fishermens luck! . This Alaskan cruise port town has so much to offer. Wildlife is one of the main draws for visitors who want to cruise in Alaska. Not a hard slog by any means, but the dampness and persistent rain made it less enjoyable than hoped. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation and change requests in writing. Multiple families may join the same tour as long as adequate space is available and the maximum is not exceeded. Go to site . Nicolas LaBarre And don't forget the fishing. The bicycle is designed specifically for rugged terrain, so you can maximize the experience with the least amount of effort. The bottom part of the profile is nearly flat. The zipline is safe, and very fast and exhilarating! On our cruise day, May 31, they have a 6 passenger boat at 8:00a followed by a 13 passenger boat at 8:45a. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I try to include a food tour in every one of the posts in this series; I believe food is one of the best ways to experience the culture of a place including Alaska. 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). We promise to have you back to your ship on time. Every trip is an adventure in this lush rainforest where Brown Bears outnumber humans. We chose to book Whales, Wildlife, and Brown Bear Search when it was on sale last weekend! Sorry to hear that, John. Embrace the rich culture of the Tlingit while on one of their canoe tours. Enjoy a hot beverage before returning to your ship or exploring the cannery and nature trail at Icy Strait Point. 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. 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. Older males fight each other for dominance and mating rights with the females, who at times are not receptive and force the male to give chase. The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for many centuries in what is now Glacier Bay National Park. Home port: Seattle. Icy Strait Point, Alaska While Celebrity Cruises doesn't sail directly to Glacier Bay, there are flightseeing excursions available from Icy Strait Point . Your email address will not be published. Hawaii shore excursionmight be just the ticket. (This Icy Strait Point excursion is not for those who are faint of heart or afraid of heights!). 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 . We are a family-run company based right here in Hoonah. Icy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330 ziplines dropping 1330. We didn't do the whale watch so can't help sorry, Icy Strait Point, Hoonah: Hours, Address, Icy Strait Point Reviews: 4/5, Icy Strait Point is one of the most authentic and unspoiled ports in an Alaska cruise itinerary. Whether you are looking for a scenic kayaking, adventurous or eating and drinking shore excursion, there's no better site to book your shore tour with than Shore Excursions Group. Wildlife such as; eagles, seals, sea lions, Sitka black tail deer, whales, and even a bear on the beach are possible sightings. We've analyzed this ship's atmosphere, facilities, activities, cabins, cuisine and service, based on ratings from U.S. News & World Report and other expert sources. I can't comment on that since we did not choose it for our ziplining experience. If you are longing to see bears while you are here, then we've got you covered. 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. We want your port call in Hoonah, and our Icy Strait Point excursions, to be the highlight of your Alaskan cruise. 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. 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. Icy Strait Point is owned by the Hoonah Tlingit tribe, so this is a chance to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the locals who are hosting you on their land. Youll find plenty of authentic Alaska gifts just a quick stroll from the dock at the historic Cannery Shops. We are located 7 miles from downtown Juneau independent travelers either come by taxi Uber or the city bus. (Look for them holding a Hoonah Travel Adventures sign.) Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! Royal Caribbean International ; RCL excursions in Icy Strait Point Alaska RCL excursions in Icy Strait Point Alaska. I agree that the activities are for older children. Secure easy and reliable transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau with the Blue Bus Glacier Express. T4. By , Imagine eating delectable halibut harvested directly from the waters of Icy Strait. We booked the gondola and tram ride. First and foremost, Icy Strait Point is truly surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness. I force-ranked the excursions by uniqueness. Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaskas largest Native Tlingit village. After a drive through (and out of) town, youll leave the crowds behind and head onto Alaska native-owned lands where youll disembark and start your wilderness hike. Just don't forget to bring your cameras, binoculars, and waterproof apparel! If you would like to exchange one tour for a different one, you must create a new reservation for the new tour and send us an email to cancel the other tour. Town is very small with nothing more than a few shore excursions to choose from. There are even resident bald eagles that perch on the ships to fish. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. Take a Whale Watching Cruise. I have heard that whale watching excursions book on the ship are on very big boats that hold a lot of people. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. Magnificent! Is there a whale and bear watching tour combo? 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! Once outside of Door #2, follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. Don't worry we will definitely be back to Alaska (just after Hawaii and Europe according to my wife LOL). (One of my past favorites was a flightseeing tour!) We can guarantee you will be back to board your ship in plenty of time. 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. However having a tough time booking things. Established in the early 1960s, Tok River Outfitters, now a second generation Alaskan business, is still owned and operated by the original founder's family. 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! Southeast Alaska and Icy Strait in particular, is home to some of the best halibut and salmon fishing around. Hike red cedar forest trails, relax beachside, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or view the Brockton Point totem poles. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? We before they even had a pier and it was so different from the other ports. This May 13 cruise has a long stay in ISP, something absent on most itineraries. Whale watching and wildlife tours are among the most popular excursions in Icy Strait Point. 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. 25422881. Breathe in the 1,000-acre greenspace of Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America. You will experience seeing and hearing these amazing animals with your own eyes and ears, and then we take you to the next level with our displays onboard. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. The gondola is fairly new (expensive investment) but the ride only lasted for about 5 minutes. Another popular shore excursion in Icy Strait Point is to search for brown bears on Spasski River. 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!). 1. Unless you are going to ride the Zip Line, save your money and just walk around the small tourist town. A convenient meeting time and place. I looked at the number of cruise companies offering that excursion in 2022. Posted December 26, 2021. family just booked Alaskan cruise Quantum May 30, 2022 going to Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Juneau, Victoria BC. A CareCart is available to people who cannot make the 300 yard walk from the cruise ship dock to the excursions hub where we meet you. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in Icy Strait Point. Stay as long as you choose to explore trails, check out wildlife, and go inside the visitor center, and then climb aboard a return bus . It's a 3.5 hr whale watch tour. Great Value. Good Value. We receive a constant stream of updates on the cruise ships timetables. Travel just 1.5 miles through the picturesque landscape of Hoonah, Alaska. We aren't super adrenaline junkies but can handle some adventure. I am concerned if I have saeveral days between catching fish and returning to my home, the fish may not be so goog. Beyond the cannery is the pick up for tours and the ( today free) shuttle to the local village of Hoonah. (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean) A cruise can also make an Alaska trip more affordable. Hi Everyone! Our Local Guides Provide an Intimate and Authentic Experience. Typically, I recommend halibut fishing charters in Seward, but if your itinerary doesnt allow that, heres an alternative. Sharing the types of adventures along with the budget you seek will help anyone who might respond with ideas. This whale watching tour is personalized, as it takes out a maximum of 14 guests at a time. You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason. One of the most exciting prospects when booking an Alaska cruise is choosing your Alaska cruise excursions in each port. Finally, I added up the metrics to come up with a final score. If your ship is docking at the Adventure Dock, after exiting your cruise ship, disembark and proceed up the ramp to the Icy Strait Point Adventure Center. Youve finally decided: 2023 is the year to take the Alaska cruise youve been dreaming of whether its been a few years or a lifetime of waiting. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? 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. 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. After you successfully conquer that, youll hook into the first of six zip lines. Brave the ZipRider, the worlds longest zip line, and enjoy amazing views of the forest as you race from a mountain peak at 60 miles per hour. One of our favorite FAQs: The cruise industry wants ALL of your money so they try and scare you with that line. Skip the hassle of a rental car and admire views during the bus journey to the glacier. Hire a local guide to take you whale watching, fishing, or kayaking. I am going on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle in May 2022 to Alaska and BC. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. By pem309, . Not only that, our sturdy fleet of boats in conjunction with our experienced captains at the helm, and guides at the wheel of the vans, are more than capable of coping with the conditions. Hopefullythis level of detail helps others make suggestions. Local knowledge is king, and having a fantastic team with a wealth of local expertise in our employ, gives us the confidence that well leave you happy and wanting to return! Dry too. 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. Surround yourself in the majestic wildlife of Icy Strait! I'm coming down with FOMO though because this is a big trip to only have 4 days on land and I want to do it justice. 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? Required fields are marked *. In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. This is the real Alaska! Sitting 1330' above Icy Strait Point, you will descend just over a mile and travel at speeds in excess of 60 mph while soaring 300' above the tree-tops below. Have you seen my other Alaska cruise resources? View below tower 6. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 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. Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. The island is roughly 25 miles from the port town of Hoonah. The only thing you can count on in Hoonah, and the area near Icy Strait Point is that you cant count on the weather. If our guests missed their ships we would not be in business. Enjoy the serenity that can only be had while quietly gliding across the waters near Icy Strait Point enjoying the beautiful Alaskan scenery. 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. Is it safe to book with a local company that does not work with the cruise ships? Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search, join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community, https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/cruises/, Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear Search, I went through all of the Icy Strait Point excursions and chose the ones I think are worth doing (the V factor ). Head out to Icy Strait Point, to explore the beach, shop, or hike the beautiful trails. 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. At first I was tempted to just walk the nature trail in port, visit the cannery museum, get souvenirs and walk into Hoonah. If you want to venture over to the wild side, go on a guided nature hike through nearby rainforests or hop into an ATV and explore the backroads of Chichagof Island. Unfortunately, only one cruise company offers it which handicapped it in the rankings for 2023. If you want to see whales in Juneau, please check out Harv and Marvs. Youll be surrounded in one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska with Glacier Wind Charters small group tours.