Currently booked for shore excursions, I have Yukon Adventure & White Pass . Posted November 23, 2021. I try to include a food tour in every one of the posts in this series; I believe food is one of the best ways to experience the culture of a place including Alaska. The Crab House, The Cookhouse, and Duck Point Smokehouse are excellent dining options. Beautiful overview with a 1- mile hiking trail loop at the top that required groups of at least 10 and a guide with a gun die to bear activity. I get a lot of questions about fishing in Alaska. Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with . 335 Harbor Dr Hoonah Ovation of the Seas in Alaska. Hopefullythis level of detail helps others make suggestions. Description (Courtesy of IMDb ): "After surviving the destruction of Isla Nubla, Owen Grady and Claire Dearing took in young Maisie Lockwood. more, Cultural Tours 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Historical & Heritage Tours Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. In Icy Strait Point, this new excursion which includes both biking and hiking before beachcombing does the trick. Take a journey into this serene kayak adventure on Icy Strait for an unforgettable experience! Alaska-Sized Adventure With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! We chose to book Whales, Wildlife, and Brown Bear Search when it was on sale last weekend! Your Kayak experience will take you into the peaceful waters of Port Frederick. Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. For each excursion, I list which cruise companies offer that one so you can see whether your cruise is on the list. While we love delivering stunning target birds like Varied Thrushes, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Bald Eagles, and Stellers Jays, we arent just about birds on this tour. On August 28, on its 80th visit to Icy Strait, . 2. hrs Estimate Duration. Perfect for small groups. No matter what kind of Alaska adventure youre craving, youll find it in Icy Strait Point. While you are here, you can even take a tour aboard a traditional hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe! All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. Point Adolphus, a one-hour boat ride away from Icy Strait Point, is the prime site to catch a view of humpback whales. We aren't super adrenaline junkies but can handle some adventure. Seeing the humpback whales on our whale-watching tours or spying on the native bears of Chichagof Island will take your breath away. This Icy Strait Point excursion is a good value and widely offered, which is why it ranks so highly on my list for 2023 Alaska cruises. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. Relax and spend a few hours away from the crowds while on this fishing expedition. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. All rights reserved. 25422881. Purchase your fishing license, put your line in, and hope for good fishermens luck! Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour, 212 Admiral Way Ste. This is the real Alaska! If you are longing to see bears while you are here, then we've got you covered. Icy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330 ziplines dropping 1330. Enhance your Quantum of the Seas cruise with a unique shore excursion from ShoreTrips. This area is known as 'Bear Island' because it has the highest concentration of brown bears per square mile in the world. Eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen from the shore. Instead of taking a long and expensive flight to Anchorage or Fairbanks, you can choose a cruise that sails round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver. In this post, I promote travel to a national park that is the Lingt Aan (traditional lands) of the Huna (Hoonah) Tlingit people. Yaakw Kahidi Cultural Center Check out our list of the the best things to do in Icy Strait Point for more ideas! tips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions, The Best Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursions, 2. Along the rugged coastline, you can spot humpback whales, brown bears, otters, seals, eagles. About Prof. Cruise. Be sure to take in the views of Port Frederick and Icy Strait on your way down. Hearty and rich, Alaska cuisine is made to hit the spot. Our tours have been providing exceptional customer service for over a decade now. Wow, we will be cruising with a celebrity. Departs From For a real Alaska speciality, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chilli or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. Image Courtesy: Cunard Line. I'm coming down with FOMO though because this is a big trip to only have 4 days on land and I want to do it justice. Head out to Icy Strait Point, to explore the beach, shop, or hike the beautiful trails. Here's our itinerary: Vancouver, British Columbia| Sail Away 5 PM, Icy Strait Point, Alaska Arrive 9 AM | Depart 8 PM, Sitka, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 6 PM, Juneau, Alaska Arrive 7 AM | Depart 9 PM, Skagway, Alaska Arrive7 AM | Depart 8:30 PM. The trail is a moderate 2-mile hike that includes panoramic views of Chichagof Island and the surrounding waterways. There is a high demand for the CareCart which often presents you with a delay to meeting at the prescribed time. This gondola was build alongside a second cruise ship pier as part of a major expansion to Icy Strait Point. I am going on Quantum of the Seas out of Seattle in May 2022 to Alaska and BC. We do NOT have space to store wheelchairs or walkers on then van/bus or aboard the boat during your tour, even if they are the folding type. Alaska Shore Excursions, Cruises & Tours Wildlife & Outdoor Tours: Alaska Whale Watching Tours Was thinking the adventure park and zipline would be fun but cant find it. You will be led by an expert birder and naturalist who will set the stage by sharing the human and geological history of the area. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. This Alaska cruise excursion might not be for everyone, but if you love wildlife (and especially birding) this widely-offered excursion might be the one for you in Icy Strait Point. Dive into Native Alaska culture at a tribal dance show or pay a visit to Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. Does this also mean that THE Twangsterwill be on the May 13, 2019 sailing? . They Rock! We are located 7 miles from downtown Juneau independent travelers either come by taxi Uber or the city bus. Thank you for sharing this. . Will definitely take rain gear. Icy Strait Small Group Shore Excursion: We're going on a bear hunt! You'll enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise through the waters of Icy Strait, where you are guaranteed to spot at least one whale. We have been operating and improving our small group tours for over a decade. Our group said to each other, "we should come back in ten years and see if it looks the same". We booked the gondola and tram ride. The area near Icy Strait Point, with its proximity to Point Adolphus and Glacier Bay, is home to one of the largest summer populations of humpback whales found in Alaska and the whale watching is second to none. The longest ZipRider in the United States, treetop obstacle courses, kayaking, and ATV tours are among some of the activities to help you feel truly alive while you cause heart palpitations in your . What really makes this tour unique is the Drone imagery. Icy Strait Point was our first stop on our June 2022 Alaskan cruise. Our guide, a college student from DC, pandered so to the Tlingit culture it was embarrassing. The ticket agent for the sky glider was the one that advised us about the hike. Upload or insert images from URL. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, it's easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. Discover Alaska's Wildest Kitchen, a hands-on tasting session like no other and hosted by an Alaskan master wilderness chef. For the best wildlife viewing, check out our small group Icy Strait Point shore excursions. Drive old logging roads to a picnic spot. However, for those of you who are thinking about taking a vacation, The Icy Strait Point is the divider between mainland Alaska in the north and the Chichagof Island in the south. Sitting 1330' above Icy Strait Point, you will descend just over a mile and travel at speeds in excess of 60 mph while soaring 300' above the tree-tops below. Gratuities/Tips are never expected, but our crew work hard to make sure you have a great experience and a Thank you tip is always appreciated! If you have questions or comments, let me know below or join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community! For a real Alaska specialty, head to the Cookhouse Restaurant and try the reindeer chili or the Alaska Blue Burger, made with reindeer meat, blue cheese and merlot steak sauce. Start here. We've analyzed this ship's atmosphere, facilities, activities, cabins, cuisine and service, based on ratings from U.S. News & World Report and other expert sources. On May 18th we came into port at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska. Norwegian Communications Center. Our most popular tour is the Icy Strait Point Premier Whale Watching Tour. In years past, I used to call out Icy Strait Point as the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park; this year, my research showed that the major cruise companies seem to be visiting Glacier Bay as part of their itineraries and there are no excursions that take you into the park anymore. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, it's easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! Icy Strait is home to a wide array of wildlife, including orcas, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, porpoise, and the majestic humpback whale. U.S. Honduras A 27-year-old woman has accused Royal Caribbean Cruises of being responsible for the death of her husband who was killed in a zip-lining accident on the Honduran island of Roatn.. It can get chilly and rainy in our temperate rain forest, although summertime often sees our coastal city enjoy mild temperatures. As one of the best places in the world to see whales, and a darn good spot to view bears, Icy Strait/Hoonah is among Alaska's most beloved destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. Longest Zip Line, Icy Strait Point, Alaska. Our small group experiences offer a unique and thrilling memory of the pristine natural beauty around Icy Strait, Alaska. Until then Alaska excursions do tend to run more pricey compared to Caribbean cruises. Located in southeast Alaska and along the coast, Icy Strait Point gives you a peek inside the beautiful and diverse Alaskan wildlife. Don't Lose Your Reservation! We visited a couple of local shops and really liked the simplicity of Hoonah. Watch members of the Huna Tlingit Dancers troupe tell the story of their tribal heritage through song and dance at the Native Heritage Center Theater. Sorry to hear that, John. We offer the lowest rates in Hoonah! He will take you to his favorite fishing areas for the best halibut and salmon fishing around. Just let us know and we will make sure everyone is together. Im grateful Johan allowed me to paint him in his regalia as the dance was incredibly inspiring and definitely worth the short walk through the shops. Your email address will not be published. 2022, Action/Adventure, Rated PG-13. Unfortunately, only one cruise company offers it which handicapped it in the rankings for 2023. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. But young toddlers have to just walk and look around. You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason. Good Value. While biking and hiking in Alaskas temperate rainforest is certainly cool, hands down the best part is exploring the beach in this trio of experiences; keep your eyes peeled for sea urchin shells and animal prints, which are commonly found on the beaches of Southeast Alaska. This is your chance to set sail and travel the scenic shorelines of Icy Strait Point keeping watch for bears, deer, blue herons, puffins and more. We promise to have you back to your ship on time. Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land's glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Duration: 1.5 hours Price: $280 per person View Details Companies that book through the ships have to pay the ships very high fees to do that. Favorites. I am concerned if I have saeveral days between catching fish and returning to my home, the fish may not be so goog. Yes! Is there any activities for a 3 yo and 4 yo at Icy Point? Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in Icy Strait Point. We currently offer excursions for saltwater fishing, whale watching and marine nature tours in the waters of Icy Strait, long renowned for it's abundance of marine wildlife and excellent . At first I was tempted to just walk the nature trail in port, visit the cannery museum, get souvenirs and walk into Hoonah. Can you purchase a whale tour when you arrive? This allows for a great crew to guest ratio, ensuring your experience is personal. Clear editor. Prices start at $169.00 per person. Brave the ZipRider, the worlds longest zip line, and enjoy amazing views of the forest as you race from a mountain peak at 60 miles per hour. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? View All Cruises, We're having trouble retrieving these cruises. Glacier garden hours are 9:00 to 6:00 everyday our first tour is it 9:15 our last tour leaves at 4:00 p.m. Glacier Gardens rainforest adventure is a guided tour through the Tongass Forest on 18 passenger trams. Least Favorite Port but Still Pretty Cool, Rainy and cold the day we visited, which changed our excursion plans from kayaking to walking from port to town. Moreover, our small group tours are purposely smaller than those offered by the cruise ship, giving you a more intimate experience, at a better rate, while visiting Hoonah near Icy Strait Point. View Details. For guests with mobility concerns, the following information will help you decide if you will be able to join our tours. We care about our beautiful state and want to show it off in a genuine way while protecting and preserving the land and sea at the same time. Free shore excursions will allow you to explore the majestic natural wonders of The Icy Straight on an all-inclusive luxury cruise to Alaska. Its always an honor to share the backyard beauty in our mist-shrouded rainforest and our coastal city, steeped in history and Native Southeast Alaska culture alike. Can you help. At the end of the day, you can take in forest views while soaring high above the trees on the longest zip line in the world. Here is my my last stop in ISP, September 2018: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9160-not-so-live-blog-radiance-of-the-seas-alaska-southbound-83118/&do=findComment&comment=83835. Our team personally tests every tour in a destination to select only the best shore excursions for your Quantum of the Seas cruise . Once outside of Door #2, follow the signs to the Excursions Hub where you meet your Hoonah Travel Adventures Representative. They've been living under the radar to protect Maisie, but she feels like a prisoner. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? Icy Strait Point is home to an abundance of tours and excursions designed to help you experience what Alaska has to offer. We bought the "unlimited ride" for $50 per person, to find out there was nothing to do at the top unless you are taking the zip line down. If you do have the fortune to hook a halibut, the boat company will ship it home to you. Advancing glaciers forced them to relocate to modern-day Hoonah in 1754. Please Note: A one-day fishing license is required for everyone 16 years and older ($25). If our guests missed their ships we would not be in business. Icy Strait Point: Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search - See 1,321 traveler reviews, 1,105 candid photos, and great deals for Hoonah, AK, at Tripadvisor. This is your chance to see brown bears, Sitka black tail deer and other wildlife up close in the natural scenic beauty of the last frontier. If youre struggling to choose between Icy Strait Point shore excursions, Im here to help. Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour, Local Alaska Whale Watching with Bonus Drone Footage of Whales, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching Charters through Icy Strat Alaska. We shape and time all of our tours and excursions around the cruise ships schedules relieving you of any stress before you dock into port. March 6, 2019 in Shore Excursions. After you successfully conquer that, youll hook into the first of six zip lines. It's operated by a native corporation but the charter of ISP dictates only one ship at a time. Learn about the area's other wildlife from your informative guide and about the native Tlingit population. His knowledge of area waters is unsurpassed and his desire to share it with you is second to none! Brave the ZipRider, the worlds longest zip line, and enjoy amazing views of the forest as you race from a mountain peak at 60 miles per hour. Our fishing shore excursions are offered in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. Opened a decade ago by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans, its easily one of the best spots in the region for fishing and whale watching. {{card.shipName}} of the Seas, We've circled the globe and couldn't find any sailings that match your search. Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. We are on the same sailing and I checked the port loads for each stop. Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska; we offer over 20 different shore excursions including ATVs, biking, kayaking, nature tours, the best whale watching in Alaska and the world's largest and highest zipline ride. Icy Strait Point is located in the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. A bunch of towers on this lift feature combination assemblies on . As tours can be enhanced or spoiled by the guide, we were unlucky. We are so excited about it and are beginni. That said, its the one I would do in Icy Strait Point, so take that as an extra point in its favor. 2. Icy Strait Point website. 1. Valerie! Our Icy Strait Point shore excursions are run by local guides who are eager to show you the real Alaskan Wilderness. If you walk the 1.5 mile route to Hoonah on the paved sidewalk honoring veterans, you can see the petroglyph, walk along the water, and explore an old cemetery en route. The gondola and zip line are just outside this building. As an established, local company with a Certificate of Excellence, we love nothing more than to enrich your experience while visiting the area of Icy Strait Point. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. See our Icy Strait Point shore excursions on CelebrityCruises.com . Approaching the lattice tower. Yes is does have substantial tourist oriented shopping, and the main attraction the Ziprider. Expand Your Vacation. Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. And best of all: the proceeds of this excursion support the Juneau Audubon Society, so your excursion costs are funneled back into supporting the bird populations you get to enjoy. We had our two grandsons with us, ages 10 & 12. For all other questions, please email [emailprotected] or call 1-888-586-8489, In order to check the status of your reservation request, please use the following link: alaskashoreexcursions.com/order-status. It was one of the stops that sold me on this May 13 cruise since it's absent on Royal's Seattle based cruises. Any Royal Caribbean excursions (as opposed to private) you could highly recommend would be greatly appreciated. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. Once inside the Adventure Center, walk through the building and exit through door number 2 this is clearly marked. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Sharing the types of adventures along with the budget you seek will help anyone who might respond with ideas. From their connection to nature to their tribal dance, the spirit of their people is something to behold. Take a Whale Watching Cruise. I agree that the activities are for older children. Our fishing tour is led by a locally raised Tlingit native. See the amazing humpback whales that call the waters of Icy Strait Point their home. Your experienced guide will take you on an adventure to discover the secrets of Icy Strait and the vast history of the Tlingit Native population. - Ovation only at Icy Straight Point and Sitka, - Juneau has 5 ships, port load - 11970 guests, - Skagway has 3 ships, port load - 6830 guests. With a concentration in cruising. The best tours in Icy Strait Point are: Nestled among those trinket shops you will find authentic local art, jewelry, and even hand-carved headdresses such as the one Johan is wearing here. We disembarked from Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas a little after 1:00 pm on a go. Owned by Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point is located 35 miles west of Juneau in Hoonah, Alaska on the Chichagof Island. In the unlikely event we do cancel the tour, we will provide you with a full refund. Whats more, we 100% guarantee whale sightings on every whale watching tour (from May to September). Get ready for your fill of bears, deer, bald eagles, and more on this exciting wildlife search! Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near Dei L'e.aan (lisa's Art Store), Hotels near Alaska Luxury Tours - Icy Strait Point / Hoonah, Hotels near Excursion Inlet Seaplane Base Airport (EXI), Motels near Excursion Inlet Seaplane Base Airport (EXI), Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Hoonah, Icy Strait Point - Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise, Tribal Dance & Cultural Legends at Icy Strait Point, Mount Sinai Climb and St Catherine Tour from Sharm El Sheikh, Fire in the Valley- Carnegie Steel and the Town That Built America, Bohol Taug Whale Shark Watching and Snorkeling, Private Two Hour Yacht Charter in Tampa Bay, Half Day Blue Cave and Snorkeling Tour from Dubrovnik Old Town, Hvar (Hvar island) & Bol (Bra island) - Day Trip from Makarska - Every Tuesday. Every summer, humpback whales come to Hoonah in huge numbers to feed on the nutrient-rich waters before migrating south again in the winter. The Coastal Exploration by Zodiac excursion has you cruising along the coastlines of Port Frederick and Icy Strait, where you can search for humpback whales, sea lions, seals, eagles, and brown bears. " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. Is it safe to book with a local company that does not work with the cruise ships? Enjoy the serenity that can only be had while quietly gliding across the waters near Icy Strait Point enjoying the beautiful Alaskan scenery. My ship gets in at __:__. In May I spent an amazing week with Princess Cruise Lines aboard the Island Princess. Response from Host, Sep 2022. Drones are able to see below the water surface and broadcast live video back to the boat. Visit the Tlingit carvers and walk about to appreciate the totem poles in town. (Look for them holding a Hoonah Travel Adventures sign.) If you are interested in a less tourist like experience, you might like this. To see a bear up close and in the wild, no better then that.