Icy Strait Point is a new cruise port option with new dock, new facilities, and great signage for the limited options here in the land of the Hoonah Tlingit people. Youve finally decided: 2023 is the year to take the Alaska cruise youve been dreaming of whether its been a few years or a lifetime of waiting. Norwegian Communications Center. Even waking up to warm, sunny skies can turn cool and rainy. Journey from Icy Strait Point into the wilds of Chichagof Island as you explore the Spasski River Valley in search of local wildlife. Another popular shore excursion in Icy Strait Point is to search for brown bears on Spasski River. Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Shore Excursion? Lower lift line. 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. Hi Everyone! Find 9 other excursion options on my guide to the best Skagway cruise excursions. Depending on the season, catch the bears coming out of hibernation and looking for food; or later on in the season when the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats. We are committed to keeping Alaska wild! With that in mind, prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Paste as plain text instead, We have been operating and improving our small group tours for over a decade. Zip-lining is so in right now! Enjoy the serenity that can only be had while quietly gliding across the waters near Icy Strait Point enjoying the beautiful Alaskan scenery. Combo assemblies on tower 5. One of the most exciting prospects when booking an Alaska cruise is choosing your Alaska cruise excursions in each port. Image Courtesy: Cunard Line. 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 . Whale Watching 2. This salmon cannery was shut down in the 1970s and now is clean and remodeled with a free museum, beautiful gift shops and a display of the salmon processing equipment. 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. We booked the gondola and tram ride. Date of experience: September 2017. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. 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. Take a Whale Watching Cruise. Disney, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Included with the all-day gondola pass is a visit to a traditional ceremonial hall to see a Tribal Dance, hosted by the family of Johan Hinchman. And don't forget the fishing. Icy Strait Point is one tiny port that's big on Alaskan wilderness and Native culture. Owned by Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point is located 35 miles west of Juneau in Hoonah, Alaska on the Chichagof Island. I want to get the most out of Alaska but excursions over $400 per person are out of the picture. Advancing glaciers forced them to relocate to modern-day Hoonah in 1754. The island is roughly 25 miles from the port town of Hoonah. TO BOOK A TOUR AT ICY STRAIT POINT PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR CRUISE LINE. We disembarked from Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas a little after 1:00 pm on a go. Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! We want your port call in Hoonah, and our Icy Strait Point excursions, to be the highlight of your Alaskan cruise. Enjoy a fun small-group experience on this Icy Strait whale watching tour, limited to 18 passengers per tour. 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. Since I already pointed out that Icy Strait Point is a unique cultural destination, what better way to experience it than on a cooking class excursion? We aren't super adrenaline junkies but can handle some adventure. 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. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! The bicycle is designed specifically for rugged terrain, so you can maximize the experience with the least amount of effort. While this cruise excursion isnt totally unique you can see bears elsewhere in Alaska its a good chance to guarantee that experience at a good value. You won't find a better place to experience an outdoor adventure and get a sense of what a . Our stops are Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria,BC. One of our favorite FAQs: The cruise industry wants ALL of your money so they try and scare you with that line. We visited a couple of local shops and really liked the simplicity of Hoonah. Best of all, were able to offer more competitive rates than the cruise ships because you are booking locally. , You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason. In 1912, the Hoonah Packing Company built the first cannery in the area, and it has become quite a tourist attraction since then. If you book the Icy Strait Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search Tour through Alaska Shore Excursions, you'll receive an e-mailed ticket along with detailed meeting directions as seen below: Be sure to print it out and bring it along with your other cruise documents. AK 99829, Guaranteed Whale Watching Tours in Icy Straits, The Best Time To Visit Alaska - Various Seasons Of The North, 7 Things You Shouldnt Miss During Your Icy Strait Point Tours, Why the Icy Strait Point Gondola is a Must-Ride for Tourists. The best tours in Icy Strait Point are: The full cancellation policy can be found here. Our tour times are built around your ship schedule. Fly down the world's largest ZipRider, whale-watch in the nutrient-rich waters of Port Frederick and Point Adolphus, search for the coastal brown bears that inhabit the area, and soar high above in a helicopter. The Tlingit tribe has called this area home for centuries, and they love to share their native culture. To learn more about the people who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. 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. CHECK SHORE EXCURSIONS IN Icy Strait Point, Alaska, *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, Alaska Icy Strait Point Tribe Local Performance, Cuisine Dungeness Crab, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, One of the Many Historic Cannery Buildings, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, View All{{ cards[0] && cards[0]['totalGroups'] ? " Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. Royal Caribbean International; Celebrity Cruises; Silversea; CAPTAIN'S CLUB. I hope you properly set expectations very low or else you may very well be disappointed. Is it safe to book with a local company that does not work with the cruise ships? Look for jewellery made from fine gold nuggets, handcrafted objects and warm winter fashions. Southeast Alaska and Icy Strait in particular, is home to some of the best halibut and salmon fishing around. This excursion is a gentle walking tour that lasts 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the wildlife you see. While that doesnt necessarily factor into the way this list is ranked, it means I always include 1-2 Alaska cruise excursions that are more active for those who are physically able. The gondola and zip line are just outside this building. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. On this excursion, youll sample some of the food Alaskans love to enjoy, learn from a local chef about how to filet and prepare fresh Alaskan seafood, and then try your hand at preparing some for yourself. From land to sea to sky, envelop yourself in the natural beauty of Alaska, and get close (but not too close) and personal with the wildlife, and the locals! Our team personally tests every tour in a destination to select only the best shore excursions for your Quantum of the Seas cruise . Most meals spotlight local fish or caribou, and Dungeness crab when its in season. On this tour, you'll have the chance to spot humpbacks and orcas in the beautiful Alaskan waters. Favorites. 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. Very small place with lovely scenery but limited activities. Icy Strait Point is the port for adventure. Keep your eyes open for wildlife and breathtaking scenery on this adventure. Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Viking. Pasted as rich text. This is the most popular year in Alaska ever, so it doesnt surprise me that things are sold out. Bear Viewing on Chicagof Island 3. I now know August is the peak of the rainy season. Do you have any experience with either excursion? 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. Yes! This cruise ship stop is not like all the others with hoards of jewelry stores. This excursion is a gentle walking tour that lasts 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the wildlife you see. The nature trailis pretty short. There is a high demand for the CareCart which often presents you with a delay to meeting at the prescribed time. Read more in my Privacy Policy. Discover Alaska's Wildest Kitchen, a hands-on tasting session like no other and hosted by an Alaskan master wilderness chef. In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. Also what is the machine behind the Icy Strait point sign? After a short bus ride to the Spasski River Valley, you'll take a guided tour along a boardwalk and gravel path into a habitat that Alaskan brown bears are known to frequent. I am concerned if I have saeveral days between catching fish and returning to my home, the fish may not be so goog. Town is very small with nothing more than a few shore excursions to choose from. 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. This Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search small group tour will give you a flexible, up-close experience that . Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment. Until then Alaska excursions do tend to run more pricey compared to Caribbean cruises. Board the Gondola for a 4 minute ride through the forest toward the Adventure Center. At ShoreTrips we are committed to enhancing your shore excursions with small, creative and personal day tours and adventures. Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaskas largest Native Tlingit village. Surround yourself in the majestic wildlife of Icy Strait! I really like ISP. Lover of books and dessert. After a drive through (and out of) town, youll leave the crowds behind and head onto Alaska native-owned lands where youll disembark and start your wilderness hike. We love the article! My husband and I are booked for a cruise to Alaska with Royal Caribbean August 4th through the 12th. 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. No matter what kind of Alaska adventure youre craving, youll find it in Icy Strait Point. 2. hrs Estimate Duration. Copyright 2023 Icy Strait Point Excursions. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point? If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, then the ZipRider is for you. I have heard that whale watching excursions book on the ship are on very big boats that hold a lot of people. Display as a link instead, Who Offers This Icy Strait Point Cruise Excursion? " + cards[0]['totalGroups'] + " Itineraries" : "" }}. On this visitI did a whale watching excursion. Let us show you an untouched Alaskan wilderness. Does this also mean that THE Twangsterwill be on the May 13, 2019 sailing? Often two ships split the day with one in the AM and one in the PM which works since the days are long in the summer. The bottom part of the profile is nearly flat.