Glacier Bay Catamaran Glacier Tour — Get Closer to the Ice

What to Expect

While every passenger on your ship gets to see Glacier Bay from the upper decks, the catamaran excursion puts you on a smaller vessel that can navigate closer to the glaciers, weave between icebergs, and approach wildlife at distances a 100,000-ton cruise ship simply cannot reach.

The excursion begins while your ship is anchored or slowly cruising within Glacier Bay. You will report to a designated meeting area on board, then tender down to the catamaran via a small boat or the ship’s tender platform. The catamaran itself is a purpose-built touring vessel, typically carrying 30 to 50 passengers — a fraction of the thousands on your cruise ship. It features heated indoor seating, open-air viewing decks, and large windows.

Once aboard, the catamaran heads toward the tidewater glaciers at the head of the bay. The route and specific glacier visited depend on ice conditions and National Park Service regulations, but the destination is almost always Margerie Glacier or the area immediately surrounding it.

Getting Closer to the Ice

The defining feature of this excursion is proximity. Your cruise ship maintains a cautious distance from the glacier face — a necessary precaution given that calving events can send massive waves across the water. The catamaran, with its shallow draft and superior maneuverability, can safely approach much closer.

At this range, the glacier transforms from a distant white wall into a towering, deeply textured cliff of compressed blue ice. You can see individual crevasses, hear the deep cracking sounds that precede calving, and watch chunks of ice ranging from refrigerator-sized blocks to multi-story slabs crash into the water. When a large calving event happens at this distance, you feel the concussion of the impact and watch the resulting wave roll past the catamaran. It is visceral in a way that viewing from the ship’s deck is not.

The captain will position the catamaran and hold station near the glacier face for an extended period, rotating the vessel so all passengers get clear sightlines. A naturalist guide narrates throughout, explaining the geology, the glacier’s rate of retreat, and the ecosystem that forms in the nutrient-rich waters near the ice.

Wildlife at Water Level

The wildlife viewing on the catamaran is significantly better than from the cruise ship, for one simple reason — you are at water level. Harbor seals are commonly spotted resting on icebergs that have calved from the glacier, and the catamaran can drift quietly close to these icebergs without disturbing the animals. Sea otters float in the kelp and debris fields. Puffins, kittiwakes, and other seabirds dive around the boat. Humpback whales are frequently spotted in the lower bay during transit to and from the glacier.

Because the catamaran carries far fewer passengers, you are not fighting for rail space with hundreds of other people. You can move freely between the bow, stern, and side decks to follow wildlife as it appears. The guides often spot animals before passengers do and direct everyone to the best viewing position.

Which Cruise Lines Offer It

This excursion is not universally available. Holland America Line is the most consistent provider, listing it as part of their shore excursion program for Glacier Bay sailings. Princess Cruises also offers a similar catamaran option on select itineraries. Both cruise lines have long-standing relationships with the National Park Service and local tour operators in Glacier Bay.

If you are sailing with Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or other mainstream cruise lines, this specific catamaran excursion is generally not available. Those cruise lines provide the standard ship-based Glacier Bay transit with ranger narration, which is still an outstanding experience.

Because availability varies by sailing date, ship, and ice conditions, check your cruise line’s excursion portal as soon as it opens for booking. This is one of the most popular excursions in Glacier Bay and sells out quickly.

Is It Worth the Price

This is one of the more expensive excursions on an Alaska cruise, and the honest answer is that it depends on your priorities. The free, ship-based Glacier Bay experience is already extraordinary — you spend an entire day cruising past tidewater glaciers with NPS rangers narrating the whole thing. Many passengers are completely satisfied with the view from the ship’s deck.

The catamaran adds three things the ship cannot provide: closer proximity to the glacier face, a water-level perspective for wildlife viewing, and a smaller group with room to move. If those matter to you — and especially if you are a photographer — the catamaran is one of the best excursion investments on the entire Alaska itinerary. If you are content watching from the ship and would rather spend the money on a helicopter excursion in Juneau or a bear viewing trip in Icy Strait Point, the ship-based experience will not leave you feeling shortchanged.

What to Bring

The catamaran has heated indoor space, but you will want to spend as much time as possible on the open decks.

• Heavy Layers: Glacier Bay is colder than other ports due to the ice. Bring a warm insulating layer and a windproof, waterproof outer shell.
• Warm Accessories: Gloves and a warm hat are essential. Your hands will get cold quickly on the open deck, especially while holding a camera or binoculars.
• Binoculars: Useful for spotting wildlife on distant icebergs and on the shoreline.
• Camera with Zoom: A zoom lens makes a major difference for capturing glacier detail and wildlife. The catamaran’s stability makes it a good platform for longer focal lengths.
• Sunglasses: Glare off the ice and water can be intense even on overcast days.