Ice Age Glaciers

Alaska’s ice-age glacial formations, thought of as static and motionless, are very much alive, active and powerful. Winding down from mountains and fjords, these massive rivers of ice are often on the move, some dropping their bounty into the sea. The process is known as "calving," and some tidewater glaciers shed enormous chunks of ice several times an hour.

In most cases, the cascading wall of ice you see is several hundred years old. While these newly formed icebergs rapidly melt in the relatively warm water, some are large enough to support seals and other wildlife looking for a free, albeit temporary, ride.

From the upper reaches of College Fjord and the splendor of Glacier Bay to the sites at Tracy Arm Fjord, leave it to Princess Cruises to offer you a front-row seat to one of the most magnificent views on Earth.

Of course, the only thing better than seeing glaciers is actually touching them. That's why we offer optional combination helicopter/hiking tours that put you square on the surface of these massive ice beds. You can also take a “flightseeing” (sightseeing by air) tour over glaciers, kayak around them, and even ride a dogsled across.

Voyage of The Glaciers

Some of the best glacier viewing can be found in Glacier Bay and College Fjord – two of the most popular destinations on our exclusive Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise.

Glacier Bay

Spanning 3.3 million acres, Glacier Bay National Park is a stunning network of inlets that channel the frozen tide toward the sea. Don't be surprised to find company along the way – humpback whales enjoy the ample supply of herring and shrimp in Alaska's Glacier Bay.

College Fjord

Up the coast in the northwest pocket of Prince William Sound you'll discover magnificent College Fjord, home to 16 tidewater glaciers. Named for the Ivy League schools that were represented by a group of scientists who explored the area in 1899, College Fjord beckons like a shimmering diamond.

Inside Passage Cruise

Alaska's coastline is filled with wonder, and our Inside Passage cruises offer the chance to journey through one of the state's most magical attractions – Tracy Arm Fjord.

Tracy Arm Fjord

Located 50 miles southeast of Juneau, the awe-inspiring Tracy Arm Fjord is sure to enhance your glacier-viewing adventure. With our Inside Passage cruise, you'll sail past snowcapped mountains, dazzling waterfalls and steep granite canyon walls that disappear into deep and narrow fjords.