Things to do in College Fjord

Explore a glacier-filled fjord by ship

When traveling to College Fjord, the ship is not only how you get there, but also half of the experience. This quiet arm of Prince William Sound is lined with tidewater glaciers so close together that you can spot several at once, each flowing down from the mountains into the water.

Because the fjord is sheltered and relatively narrow, ships cruise slowly through the area so that you have time to take it all in. There’s no rushing from point to point or hopping into smaller boats. You can step out on deck, grab a warm drink and watch glacier after glacier come into view as the ship moves deeper into the fjord.

Witness the natural spectacle of glacier calving

Glacier calving is one of those moments you can’t plan for, which is part of what makes it special and memorable. In College Fjord, calving happens when large sections of ice break away from a glacier’s face and crash into the fjord below. Sometimes it’s a sharp crack followed by a splash. Other times, it sounds like distant thunder rolling through the mountains.

Because you’re viewing from the ship, there’s nothing to do but wait, watch and listen. When it happens and you hear that unmistakable sound, you’ll see chunks of ice bob to the surface, and the glacier face will look slightly different than it did moments before. It’s a reminder that this landscape is always changing, and it’s incredible to be a part of it on a nearby cruise deck.

Watch for wildlife along the fjord

Wildlife viewing is a natural part of scenic cruising through College Fjord, even though the glaciers tend to steal the spotlight. Harbor seals are often seen stretched out on floating ice near glacier faces, using the cold platforms to rest between swims. Look up and you’ll usually spot seabirds like black-legged kittiwakes and gulls circling above the water, drawn in by nutrients released through glacial runoff.

Whale sightings aren’t guaranteed, but they do happen from time to time as ships enter or exit the fjord. When wildlife appears, the ship’s slow pace makes it easy to linger and observe without disturbing natural behavior.

Capture Alaska’s dramatic landscapes through photography

You can’t really point your camera in the wrong direction when you’re in College Fjord — every inch of the nature around you is photograph-worthy. Steep mountain walls rise straight from the water, glaciers spill down in long ribbons of ice and the fjord’s calm surface often reflects everything back at you. 

Light changes quickly here, especially as clouds move across the peaks, so you often have different colors and textures to capture throughout the cruise. Open decks and dedicated viewing areas aboard a Princess® cruise make it easy to switch between wide-angle shots and tighter frames during your trip.

How College Fjord fits into an Alaska cruise itinerary

College Fjord isn’t a standalone stop. It’s one of the favorite scenic highlights on a broader Alaska journey. Because the fjord is accessed exclusively by ship, the ship brings the scenery to you — the views are a balcony away. 

On many itineraries, College Fjord pairs naturally with other glacier-focused experiences like Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier, along with classic coastal ports along the Alaska Inside Passage. Seeing multiple glacial regions in one sailing helps put Alaska’s scale into perspective, from wide bays to tightly packed fjords. Whatever you choose, College Fjord is one stop you will not only look forward to, but also always remember on your Alaska cruise.

Planning your visit to College Fjord on a cruise

College Fjord is typically visited during Alaska cruise season, which runs from May through September. Late spring and summer offer the best visibility, with longer daylight hours and calmer conditions that suit scenic cruising. Even in warmer months, temperatures near the glaciers stay cool, so layers make a noticeable difference when spending time on deck.

Because this is a scenic cruising experience, there’s no reservation to manage and no physical activity required. Binoculars help with wildlife spotting, while cameras with zoom lenses are useful for capturing glacier details and calving events from a comfortable distance.

Related experiences to explore

College Fjord fits naturally alongside several of Alaska’s most memorable scenic cruising experiences. Many itineraries combine glacier-rich regions and wildlife corridors, including the following:

• Glacier Bay National Park scenic cruising

• Hubbard Glacier viewing

• Alaska Inside Passage cruises

• Alaska wildlife viewing experiences

Plan your College Fjord cruise

When the ship turns into College Fjord, the day becomes about where you are, not what comes next. Ice, water and mountains take over, and the experience speaks for itself.

If that kind of moment belongs in your Alaska plans, Princess cruises to College Fjord bring you there as part of a thoughtfully paced route through the state’s most iconic scenery. Take a look at current sailings and find the one that fits how you want to see Alaska.