Glacier Tours in Alaska

Posted by Cindy on January 25, 2010

In the early 1970s, my brother went on a trip to the Alaskan glaciers, riding in a boat from the 1950s called the Anna Jackman.  The boat held perhaps twenty people and contained no showers, because it could carry only enough water for bathing or drinking.  The ship’s hull was specially made in order to allow it to get right next to the glaciers, where my brother watched them cleaving, giant chunks of ice falling into the water.  It was an unforgettable experience for him, and while, I’d like to go myself one day, I think I’d like a few more comforts from home aboard the boat.  Fortunately, there’s a number of different types of cruises and glacier tours available in Alaska, so you can make the choice that best suits you and your family.
 
There’s a number of glacier areas, including the Glacier Bay National Park or the Kenai Fjords,  that should provide fantastic views.  There’s also Prince William Sound and glacier tours, just an hour outside Anchorage, Alaska.  These tours don’t even take up all of a day.  In just four hours, you’ll be able to go out and see a number of glaciers, while seated in the comfort of dinette-like tables.  Usually, on most boats, every seat is a good one, and the whole family will have an opportunity to have lunch (usually fish or chicken) and see tidewater glaciers.  The tours will also often slow down to take a look at native animal life, such as otters and birds and harbor seals.  On occasion, it’s possible to encounter whales as well, but that’s by no means a guarantee.
 
On the boats, you can stay inside and watch through the windows, if you like, or go outside and stand on the decks; inside, it’s comfortable enough to wear normal clothes, but be warned: outside, it’s a lot colder, even in summer.  Take a hat or sunglasses and a warm coat.  It may also be pretty windy on the deck, too.  Be sure to bring binoculars and a charged camera.  You may be surprised by the number of pictures you can take, or so I’m told.  Afterwards, it’s especially nice to return to the comfort of a warm hotel room.  All you need to do to find one of these in Alaska?  Simply, check here.