Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park was something we were looking forward to seeing. When we initially booked this trip we had envisioned ourselves kayaking the frigid glacial runoffs and dodging calving glaciers. But as it turned out, the cruise line did not offer kayaking excursions in Glacier Bay. Although we would not have a chance on this trip to kayak there, we would see some of the most amazing untouched scenery in the world.
There was also another agenda for Glacier Bay; family group photos. The previous Christmas, Kerri’s parents had given everyone matching t-shirts to be worn for just this event. So that morning we all donned our matching t-shirts and covered them up with jackets to stay warm (really!), and headed up to have breakfast and look at Glacier Bay through the dining room windows. The Volendam had picked up a Glacier Bay Park Ranger to narrate while we cruised Glacier Bay. So sitting down in the “fancy” dining room with the scenery going by, we had breakfast and listened to the narration. During breakfast the Park Ranger mentioned that to the starboard side of the boat, six grizzly bears were busy eating a dead whale on the beach. That got most of the people in the dining room running to the windows on the starboard side to view the bears. Not something most people would want to see while they are eating breakfast, but not something you want to miss, either.
After breakfast we went up onto the aft deck for a better view of Glacier Bay and to meet the family for the group photos. The plan was to have photos taken of the entire group with the Grand Pacific Glacier as a backdrop. But with a group this big and a moving boat, it would be like herding cats. So as we neared the Grand Pacific Glacier the photographer showed up and chose the spot on the aft deck for the group photo. As the boat slowly rotated and the risk of losing the glacier as the background, family members arriving at the last minute, and trying to get everyone in position it seemed like it would never happen. But it all worked out and the photos were taken with no time to spare.
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What a lovely family trip.
You know, despite living in Vancouver for six years now, my husband and I had never really thought about taking an Alaskan cruise. But your posts and photos are changing our minds. Quickly, too! Glacier Bay is stunning.
We had never considered an Alaskan cruise, either. I guess living in the Pacific Northwest it just didn’t sound “exotic” enough. We usually plan our trips for sunny and warm places or something different AND sunny. But we are glad that we did do the Alaskan cruise. The towns are very touristy, yet interesting. But the glaciers…. WOW!!! Seeing the glaciers up close and the amazing blue color made the trip totally worth it… and seeing family, of course. If you do go, no need to splurge on a balcony. We did and most of the time it was too cold to open it, unlike the Caribbean where we had our balcony door propped open every night. Someday, I would like to kayak Glacier Bay.
Good tip about the balconies. Thanks, Jason.
We’re always focused on travel somewhere foreign and remote. I guess it’s time to investigate our own back yard!