At a glance
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Start/End:
- Roundtrip Juneau
- From:
- $4,300
- Time of Year:
- May - September
On this 8-day Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise aboard the 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer, spend two days in Glacier Bay National Park, getting an up-close look at glaciers, old-growth forests, and sea life. Hike remote coastlines and take in diverse birding at South Marble Island.
Highlights
- TWO full days in Glacier Bay National Park
- Tidewater glaciers: Margerie, Grand Pacific, and the twin Sawyer Glaciers
- Explore the shores and fjords of Tongass National Forest and Tracy Arm
- Bushwhack and hike in old-growth forest and glacial outwash fields
- Whale watching in Frederick Sound, Stephens Passage & Icy Straits
- Search for wildlife—bears, sea lions, seals, porpoises, eagles
- Birding at South Marble Island—puffins, oystercatchers, cormorants, and kittiwakes
- Natural history narration from expert onboard guides
- More exploring at Hobart Bay
This Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise offers an immersive and intimate exploration of one of Alaska’s most iconic and pristine wilderness areas. Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of towering glaciers calving into the sea, creating dramatic ice formations and thunderous splashes. Cruise through icy waters surrounded by majestic tidewater glaciers, such as the Margerie Glacier and the Grand Pacific Glacier. Encounter a diverse array of wildlife, including humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, harbor seals, porpoises, and bald eagles. Glacier Bay National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, both on land and in the surrounding waters. Marvel at the breathtaking landscapes of Glacier Bay, with its rugged mountains, pristine fjords, lush rainforests, and turquoise-blue waters. Cruise past picturesque waterfalls, verdant forests, and towering peaks shrouded in mist.
Active adventures abound in Glacier Bay National Park. Explore remote coves and sheltered bays in a sea kayak, paddling among icebergs and getting up close to glaciers. Guided kayak excursions offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and scenic photography. Embark on guided hikes through the rainforest and alpine meadows, following trails that lead to panoramic viewpoints and hidden waterfalls. Learn about the natural and cultural history of the region from knowledgeable expedition guides. Board inflatable Zodiac boats for intimate wildlife encounters and close-up views of glaciers. Navigate through ice-filled waters and explore hidden coves and tidal estuaries inaccessible to larger vessels.
Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise Details
Day 1: Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation
Arriving in Juneau, you will be transferred from the airport to our hospitality area. Upon boarding, your crew greets you with champagne and smiles. Set sail for a week of scenic channels and secluded wilderness. (D)
Day 2: Icy Strait & Neka Bay
Kick start the morning with on-deck yoga stretches and a strong cup of coffee. Energized and snug in your kayak, glide around in remote bays off of Icy Strait through giant bullwhip kelp that can grow to over 100 feet long. Join the gang in a skiff to a rocky outcropping to watch sea lions play. Or, step into mud boots for a forest hike with your top-notch, naturalist guides who have plenty to share about everything Alaska—marine biology, plants, and even geology. On board, soak it all in as you soak in the hot tub. (BLD)
Day 3: Glacier Bay National Park
This crown jewel of America’s national parks covers 3.3 million acres (that’s a tad smaller than the state of Connecticut). Let that sink in. Most visitors see the same sliver of the park as everyone else. Not you. You’re going the furthest and exploring parts that 99% of visitors never go to. And you have two days to do it. Get started! Taylor Bay sea stacks and rocky shores make for good adventure. Or hike the outwash field of glaciers winding down the Fairweather Mountain Range. The cool breeze off the nearby snow and icefields is energizing. If you motor over to Dundas Bay, keep your eye out for bears, humpbacks, and if you’re lucky, a wolf sighting. Kayak the bay. Bushwhack into the forest. Discover Glacier Bay. (BLD)
Day 4: Glacier Bay National Park Continued
Your camera’s memory card needs plenty of room. South Marble Island is abuzz with activity. Rare sea birds, black oystercatchers, and orange-beaked tufted puffins can’t be missed. A colony of raucous sea lions adds to the hubbub. They add a distinct aroma to the air, too. Tucking into silent Tidal Inlet—the stomping grounds for bears, wolves, mountain goats, eagles—the backdrop is spectacular. At the end of the western-most arm of the bay sits Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. And possible views of glacial calving. Take it all in on deck. (BLD)
Day 5: Chichagof Island
Enjoy the top deck for a sunrise or morning stretch. Meander through glacier-carved fjords along the Chichagof coast. Then anchor. It’s a prime time to lower the kayaks and skiffs. Camera in hand, set off on land and sea explorations. Closer inspection by skiff, moss-dripping trees run right down to the water. Any bears in there? With one of the world’s largest populations of bears, it’s possible. Go searching for giant trees and tidal pools. Hiking in the Tongass, it won’t take long to find them. Your eagle-eyed guides lead the pack—and pull up the rear. (BLD)
Day 6: Frederick Sound
Hang out and enjoy the show. You may find yourself in ‘whale soup’ surrounded by feeding humpbacks swimming these abundant glacial waters. Based on wind and weather, your expedition team has the lineup of adventures all mapped out. Cruise past Five Fingers Lighthouse, Alaska’s oldest light station and The Brothers Islands, where sea lions nap on rocky nobs. Paddle into the deeps of Port Houghton or Windham Bay or head ashore for a hike. Somewhere nearby, carrot-billed black oystercatchers are saying hello. Tonight, toast another big day in Alaska. (BLD)
Day 7: Tracy Arm & Sawyer Glaciers
Take an early peek out your window. Fjord cliffs reach skyward. Floating ice. And deep u-shaped valleys. There’s no abracadabra here. Mother Nature’s magic is real. Cruise past harbor seals and their pups lounging on chunks of ice. In classic fjord form, Tracy Arm delivers with the cotton candy blue Twin Sawyers glacier of its furthest reaches. Tides permitting, your skiff driver knows the ropes and guides you along. It’s a mashup of towering walls, temperamental currents, and the Coastal Mountains. So many waterfalls. Mountain goats show off fancy foot work on the cliffs, so keep your eyes open. Finish your week with Captain’s dinner and post-dinner cocktials watching the week’s “photo journal” by your crew. (BLD)Passport required (non USA citizens). Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur to maximize your experience.
Day 8: Juneau - Disembarkation
Linger over breakfast this morning cruising into Juneau. Wish your crew and new friends goodbye. Then it’s off to the airport or begin your UnCruise hotel stay or land tour. (B)
| Date | Ship | Navigator | Trailblazer | Pathfinder | Admiral | Commodore | Single |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 19, 2025 | Safari Endevour | $4,300 | $4,700 | $5,100 | $5,500 | $7,800 | $7,600 |
| Sunday, May 4, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $4,400 | $4,900 | $5,300 | $6,500 | N/A | $7,700 |
| Sunday, May 11, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $4,900 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $7,300 | N/A | $8,600 |
| Sunday, May 18, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $4,900 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $7,300 | N/A | $8,600 |
| Sunday, May 25, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $4,900 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $7,300 | N/A | $8,600 |
| Sunday, June 1, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $4,900 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $7,300 | N/A | $8,600 |
| Sunday, June 8, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, June 15, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, June 22, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, June 29, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, July 6, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, July 13, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, July 20, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, July 27, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, August 3, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, August 10, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, August 17, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, August 24, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $5,800 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $8,600 | N/A | $10,200 |
| Sunday, August 31, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $4,900 | $5,500 | $6,000 | $7,300 | N/A | $8,600 |
| Sunday, September 7, 2025 | Wilderness Discoverer | $4,400 | $4,900 | $5,300 | $6,500 | N/A | $7,700 |
Dates and rates are effective the date the information was updated on this site. Dates and rates may have changed by the cruise line prior to an update here. Contact Sunstone Tours & Cruises for the latest dates & rates.
Fares are per person double occupancy, in USD. Triple rates are available in designated cabins; inquire for pricing details. Port taxes/fees are in addition to your cruise fare.
Prices subject to change.
Included
- Group transfers and baggage handling between airport/vessel on embark/disembark day
- Entry fees to national parks/preserves
- From-the-vessel adventure activities and equipment
- Exclusive activities and shore visits
- All meals aboard the vessel
- Premium wine, beer and liquor (excludes super-premium wines)
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Wellness amenities
- Onboard expedition/heritage guides and guest experts
- Refer to your final guest documents for any additional inclusions specific to your itinerary and vessel
Not Included
- Airfare to and from your home city
- Discretionary gratuities to vessel’s crew
- Travel protection
- Optional excursions and land tours
- Port taxes/fees (except La Pinta)
Wilderness Discoverer
Adventure and discovery are at the heart of the 76-passenger Wilderness Discoverer. Loaded with amenities and a lounge evoking the feel of a National Park lodge or neighborhood pub, this expedition vessel, from top to bottom, exudes the spirit of exploration.
