Glacier Bay isn’t just another scenic cruising day…
it’s the moment many people remember most from their Alaska cruise ❄️
Greetings everyone! Yesterday (9/15/22), we got to experience a truly amazing day on Norwegian (NCL) Encore. Glacier Bay National Park was on our itinerary and I was very excited! And I am happy to report, that the day actually exceeded my expectations!
To help guests prepare for Glacier Bay day, Norwegian Cruise Line delivered Glacier Bay National Park maps to each cabin the evening prior, along with the Freestyle Daily outlining what to expect throughout this unforgettable day.
My alarm ⏰ went off at 6:15 AM, and I was up and ready—excited for the day ahead!
I got ready and made my way to the Observation Lounge on Deck 15 for the first activity of the day: a morning chat with Ranger Colleen.
She shared that she and the Park Ranger team boarded the NCL Encore around 6:00 AM to join us for the day. They even brought Glacier Bay National Park souvenirs onboard for purchase—such a fun and unexpected touch!
Christopher & I grabbed a quick breakfast in the Observation Lounge when the chat was over. Ranger Colleen had mentioned that the bow of the ship would be open as a viewing area, so once we finished eating, we headed down to check it out for ourselves.
When we arrived at the bow on Deck 8, we were pleasantly surprised to find hot chocolate and a large coffee station waiting for us—such a great touch!
We noticed similar setups throughout the day on multiple open decks, including Deck 8, Deck 15, and Deck 16.
Before we entered Glacier Bay National Park, I stopped by Starbucks on Deck 6 to grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte—perfect for a cozy day of scenic cruising.
We decided to spend most of the day from our balcony cabin, and being on the port side ended up being a fantastic spot for views.
We bundled up and headed outside, where temperatures were in the low 40s.
I wore a hoodie layered under my Columbia jacket with the hood—definitely the way to go for Glacier Bay day. You’ll see more of what I wore later in the post.
👉 I can’t stress this enough: layers are a must when dressing for Alaska.
The fog was thick and the skies were overcast, but off in the distance we could see a break in the clouds with the sun shining through—and that’s exactly where we were headed.
During our time in Glacier Bay National Park, we saw three glaciers, incredible scenery, and so many otters!
The first two glaciers we saw were Reid Glacier and Lamplugh Glacier.
As we cruised through the park, Ranger Allie narrated the journey, with her commentary broadcast over the ship’s PA system and available on stateroom TVs throughout the ship.
As we entered Johns Hopkins Inlet, we were met with the breathtaking Johns Hopkins Glacier, an impressive stretch of ice spanning roughly one mile wide.
We spent about an hour at Johns Hopkins Glacier, and it was truly unforgettable.
The captain slowly rotated the ship 360 degrees, giving everyone the opportunity to take in the views from all angles.
We were even lucky enough to witness glacier calving—when large chunks of ice break off and crash into the water—accompanied by a loud, thundering sound.
It was incredible to both see and hear.
After leaving Johns Hopkins Inlet, we began making our way out of the area and passed by Lamplugh Glacier once again.
At that point, I made my way up to the pool deck, where they were serving a special treat—Alaskan fresh salmon chowder!
At 12:30 PM, we headed to the Encore Theater for a Park Ranger presentation, which was both fun and informative.
At the same time, another ranger was leading a Junior Ranger activity for kids over in Q Texas Smokehouse—such a great option for families onboard.
Ranger Allie continued to narrate our journey out of the park, pointing out Marble Island—a popular spot where Steller sea lions gather.
There were hundreds of sea lions, and we were able to view them through our binoculars.
As if the day couldn’t get any better, it ended with a beautiful rainbow 🌈—the perfect ending to an incredible Glacier Bay experience.
Norwegian Cruise Line did a fantastic job with our Glacier Bay day—this experience truly exceeded my expectations ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the Park Ranger team and onboard narration throughout the day, to the Glacier Bay maps, gift shop setup, and hot coffee and hot chocolate stations across the open decks—every detail was thoughtfully done.
They also offered engaging presentations, a Junior Ranger program for kids, and even special Alaska-inspired dining, including fresh salmon chowder for lunch and an “Alaskan Favorites” dinner menu in the buffet.
👉 It was an incredible day from start to finish
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Thank you SO much for reading! Follow for future travel vlogs & travel news.
As I’m reading this I’m thinking this all sounds so familiar. We were on this exact cruise with you
That’s awesome! We loved this cruise!
Your photos of the glaciers are so beautiful. What camera did you use on your trip?
Thank you! I just use my phone – it is a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.