Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay: Which Alaska Cruise Itinerary is the Best?

If you’re booking a cruise to Alaska, there are so many exciting things to consider. Among them, which ports to visit, whether to spend a week or more, and what time of year might be best to see wildlife. But in addition to all the port adventures on an Alaska cruise is the epic scenic sailing. The crown jewel of these scenic sailing days is almost always the dazzling glaciers.

Nearly every Alaska voyage includes some form of scenic sailing, usually occupying an entire day in the middle of the itinerary. Alaskan scenery includes moody mist over the tops of tall trees and mountains, little islands dotted with greenery, and of course the chance to spot bald eagles, sea lions, or whales. But it’s the monumental walls of glacial blue ice that tend to leave a lasting impact on cruise passengers in the 49^th State. 

So, what is the best glacier to see in Alaska? Two of the most common scenic sailing sites are Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay National Park. Here, we’ll break down some common questions about these popular glaciers, including which itineraries to find them on and the pros and cons of each.

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Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay: Which Alaska Cruise Itinerary is the Best?

Which cruise itineraries include Hubbard Glacier?

Most cruise lines offer Alaska itineraries that sail past magic-blue Hubbard Glacier. It’s a towering structure made of ice known as “galloping glacier” for its rare, rapid advancement and frequent calving (when pieces of the glacier break off and dramatically drop into the sea).

Select sailings — mainly one-way or longer voyages — visit Hubbard, named after Gardiner Hubbard, the founder and president of the National Geographic Society. Sample cruises include a 10-day Celebrity sailing from Vancouver to Seattle; an eight-day Royal Caribbean cruise from Vancouver to Seward; a 10-day Princess cruise roundtrip from Vancouver; and a 10-day Disney cruise from Vancouver to Sitka.

Small-ship cruise lines also visit Hubbard, such as an 11-day Sitka to Vancouver itinerary on Lindblad National Geographic. Smaller vessels are also able to visit sites in the area like Misty Fjords National Monument.

Is Hubbard Glacier the biggest glacier? 

Hubbard is the longest tidewater glacier in North America at 76 miles long and 400 feet tall, but it’s not the biggest glacier in Alaska. That title goes to the Bering Glacier, located about 6 miles from the Gulf of Alaska near Cordova, just south of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Combined with the Bagley Icefield, Bering is the largest glacier in North America spanning about 126 miles.

Is Hubbard Glacier in Glacier Bay?

No, the Hubbard Glacier is located in Disenchantment Bay within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in eastern Alaska. Parts of the glacier are also in Kluane National Park and Reserve in Canada’s Yukon territory.

Glacier Bay is the sixth-largest national park in the United States, located along the Gulf of Alaska to the south of Wrangell-St. Elias (the largest national park in the country).

Pros and cons of Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard is an impressive glacier, and it won’t take an entire day to experience it. Cruise ships will spend a few hours sailing into Yukatat Bay and then Disenchantment Bay to view the glacier from all sides.

Pro: Hubbard is an active glacier, meaning viewers are likely to see — and hear — it calve. This action makes for a thrilling afternoon and some potentially awe-worthy photos and videos.

Con: Hubbard, while 6 miles wide and certainly stunning, is just one glacier. If the weather conditions aren’t right, you might not be able to see it at all.

How many glaciers can be seen from a cruise in Glacier Bay?

Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage that spans 3.3 million acres along the Alaska’s Inside Passage (it’s roughly the size of Connecticut). Glacier Bay is a well-known destination for scenic sailing due to its staggering number of glaciers: more than 1,000.

From your cruise ship, expect to see just a handful of these glaciers during your day in the park. Common glaciers seen from ships in Glacier Bay include Margerie Glacier, Lamplugh Glacier, Joh Hopkins Glacier, and more. The longest glacier in Glacier Bay is the Grand Pacific Glacier, at 40 miles long, which can also be visited by cruise ship.

Which cruise itineraries call on Glacier Bay National Park?

Nearly every cruise line sailing Alaska will offer multiple visits to Glacier Bay during the season (typically May through September). Environmental regulations limit visits to just two large cruise ships per day. However, smaller cruise lines like Lindblad and UnCruise are considered tour operators, so their time in Glacier Bay is much more flexible.

Sample cruises to Glacier Bay include a weeklong cruise roundtrip from Seattle on Holland America; a 14-day roundtrip voyage from Vancouver on Seabourn; and an eight-day cruise roundtrip from Juneau, spending two full days in Glacier Bay aboard UnCruise.

Notably, Royal Caribbean does not currently sail in Glacier Bay.

Pros and cons of Glacier Bay

If you’re looking for quality time spent enjoying Alaska’s unmatched landscapes from your ship, a visit to Glacier Bay will provide about 10 hours, on average, of scenic sailing.

Pro: Because it is a national park, a U.S. park ranger will board your cruise ship to join you for your full day of scenic sailing. This is an amazing opportunity — especially for kids — to ask questions and interact with the rangers, who provide guided commentary.

Con: Glacier Bay is listed as a port, so many people assume they will be able to step foot there. However, no cruise ships are allowed to dock anywhere in Glacier Bay, meaning you can only view the park from your ship (so consider splurging on a balcony cabin).

If you’re looking for more Alaska planning tips and advice, we have you covered. We break down the cost of an Alaska cruise, provide plenty of helpful tips for cruising Alaska, and have a complete Alaska cruise packing list.

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