Wow, what a day. We got up early in anticipation and were not disappointed. We stood watching
the approaching glacier from 8am and stood in the freezing cold, heated periodically by some hot
chocolate, until 1pm. The sight was magnificent. As we initially approached the glacier the Captain announced that due to compacted ice we might not be able to get too close. We then saw a cruise ship in front of us turn around without getting very close. Well from then on the boat proceeded very slowly through all the floating ice field, making it to within touching distance of the glacier. We saw several crew members come down from the bridge to get photos taken as this was the closest they had ever been able to get to it. All this in glorious sunshine, completely atypical for Alaska.
The Hubbard Glacier is the longest river of ice in North America and one of the most active glaciers in the world. We got about 120 photographs as we approached. One of the most spectacular sights we didn't get on film was the glacier calving. Large, very large, chunks of ice falling off the glacier into the water, with the sound of an explosion. We even saw one massive piece of ice just appear shooting out of the water without warning. The ship gives a great view from the 11-13th floors!
The ice looked very blue and dwarfed the ship as we got up close to it. It was truly an awe-inspiring sight, which made us completely forget the bitterly cold wind being supercooled as it travels over the glacier. After a while we heading back through the ice to see some another cruise ship that had not braved the ice-pack and was watching from a distance. I bet the passengers felt a little cheated!
After a filling lunch we were just relaxing watching the ocean when we saw more dolphins swimming right next to the ship. Coming in groups of five we just kept seeing them for about an hour. We also saw lots of pairs of whales, with the tell-tale plumes of water shooting up, and the occasional large body and huge tail splashing out of the water. Although we have seen them in aquariums it is not the same as just spotting one in the ocean swimming by.
The day finished with another lovely meal sat by the window watching a beautiful sunset over the mountains and glaciers across the sea. The cruise is exceeding all expectations in terms of the views, the facilities, the friendliness of the staff and the quality of everything!
the approaching glacier from 8am and stood in the freezing cold, heated periodically by some hot
chocolate, until 1pm. The sight was magnificent. As we initially approached the glacier the Captain announced that due to compacted ice we might not be able to get too close. We then saw a cruise ship in front of us turn around without getting very close. Well from then on the boat proceeded very slowly through all the floating ice field, making it to within touching distance of the glacier. We saw several crew members come down from the bridge to get photos taken as this was the closest they had ever been able to get to it. All this in glorious sunshine, completely atypical for Alaska.
The Hubbard Glacier is the longest river of ice in North America and one of the most active glaciers in the world. We got about 120 photographs as we approached. One of the most spectacular sights we didn't get on film was the glacier calving. Large, very large, chunks of ice falling off the glacier into the water, with the sound of an explosion. We even saw one massive piece of ice just appear shooting out of the water without warning. The ship gives a great view from the 11-13th floors!
The ice looked very blue and dwarfed the ship as we got up close to it. It was truly an awe-inspiring sight, which made us completely forget the bitterly cold wind being supercooled as it travels over the glacier. After a while we heading back through the ice to see some another cruise ship that had not braved the ice-pack and was watching from a distance. I bet the passengers felt a little cheated!
After a filling lunch we were just relaxing watching the ocean when we saw more dolphins swimming right next to the ship. Coming in groups of five we just kept seeing them for about an hour. We also saw lots of pairs of whales, with the tell-tale plumes of water shooting up, and the occasional large body and huge tail splashing out of the water. Although we have seen them in aquariums it is not the same as just spotting one in the ocean swimming by.
The day finished with another lovely meal sat by the window watching a beautiful sunset over the mountains and glaciers across the sea. The cruise is exceeding all expectations in terms of the views, the facilities, the friendliness of the staff and the quality of everything!
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