Cruising For Glaciers Is The Best Thing To Do In Alaska According To CNN Traveler
By Megan McDonald|Published March 31, 2020
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
With all of the amazing things to see in Alaska, the list is long of great things to do to have an unforgettable time. One of the most stunning ways to get up close and personal to everything that Alaska has to offer is to hop on a glacier cruise to see a side of Alaska that’s not normally seen. CNN Traveler says the best way to visit Alaska is to get on the water and sail close to these mammoth ice features!
Glaciers make up more than 10% of the Earth's surface.
These are called tidewater glaciers, and wind through the mountains before ending in the water below. In Greenland, the ice from the glaciers provides over 12,000 icebergs each year.
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There are many cruise ships that explore Alaska's tidewater glaciers.
You can find one that slowly travels up the southeastern coast of Alaska, and you will spend many nights on the water, finding some of the most beautiful glaciers on the ocean.
Some chunks of ice that break off can be larger than a Volkswagen bus, and up to 200 feet high. These chunks of ice become the icebergs you will see floating around in the ocean nearby.
Many of the cruises bring you to some of the most awe inspiring views you can find on this planet.
The ice at the end of the glaciers are frequently around 400-years-old, as it takes that long for ice to travel from the top of the glacier to the water.
There are also day cruises available, where you'll head out from a small town on Alaska's coast.
These day cruises frequently offer lunch, and they can vary in length between four hours and an all day, eight hour trip. These are great ways to see Alaska's magnificent glaciers in a more cost effective way.
Make sure to see one of these incredible glaciers next time you're out on the water.
