Expert tips for your Alaska glacier cruise
An Alaska glacier cruise is an unforgettable way to experience Prince William Sound’s spectacular coastline, which encompasses an impressive 3,800 miles, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains to the north and the Kenai Peninsula to the south.
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Prince William Sound is home to over 145 glaciers, including more than 15 dramatic tidewater glaciers, which form in mountain valleys and flow all the way down to the ocean, often calving numerous icebergs. For this reason, the Sound is a remarkable destination for an Alaska glacier tour.

On your Whittier glacier tour aboard Northern Explorer, you’ll typically see 20 to 30 glaciers, including a half dozen or so tidewater glaciers. Depending on the amount of floating “brash” ice, it is possible for us to navigate very close to the tidewater glaciers. However, we keep a close eye on the floating ice, which can move very quickly in coastal tides.
Once you arrive at the glaciers during your Whittier glacier cruise, you should watch and listen. Tidewater glaciers are always actively sounding off and shifting, and it’s common to hear a loud “crack” as the glacier shifts. Soon after hearing these loud cracks, you will often get to experience the glacier calving, which is the “sluffing off” or the breaking off of large chunks of ice into the water. For this reason, we are careful to keep our distance from the glacier’s face.

Kayaking is another unique way to experience the grandeur of Alaska’s glacial beauty. On Northern Explorers’ Alaska glacier cruise, we have comfortable, stable sea kayaks available for our guests use. Our experienced guides will lead your glacier kayak adventure, always keeping a safe distance from the glacier face for your safety.

One of the features that sets Northern Explorer apart from other Alaska glacier tours is the gourmet lunch or dinner, prepared by our very own onboard culinary chef and served against the backdrop of a breathtaking glacier. Imagine sitting on deck, sipping a glass of wine or iced tea, dining on a meal made with the finest, freshest local ingredients, while gazing at the majestic, towering ice formations surrounding our 95-foot, luxury cruising yacht.

As a guest aboard our Whitter glacier cruise, you can also take advantage of our captain’s extensive knowledge of the glaciers and history of the Prince William Sound. And unlike glacier day tours, we have the ability to spend as much time as we like viewing the glaciers. So grab your binoculars, get your camera ready and come on board the Northern Explorer for an Alaska glacier cruise you’ll never forget.

​On-board gear

During your Prince William Sound cruise, we provide all the outdoor gear you need for excursions, including very stable and comfortable sea kayaks, rubber boots for nature hikes and beachcombing, rain gear for the occasional drizzly day, fishing poles and equipment, gold pans for trying your luck in the streams, and binoculars for wildlife viewing. We also have a very stable, 16-foot inflatable boat with 30hp outboard for fishing and shore excursions.

Comparing your options

When considering your Alaska private touring yacht options, be sure to compare our competitive rates, luxury accommodations, gourmet cuisine, small group size and personalized itineraries. We believe you will find Northern Explorer Adventures offers the highest standard of comfort and service at a comparable price.

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