Scenic cruising · United States · Alaska
Hubbard Glacier scenic cruising guide
Hubbard Glacier is a scenic-cruising stop in Disenchantment Bay, near Yakutat, where ships approach one of the largest tidewater glaciers in North America. There's no docking: you watch from the decks as the ship holds position near a glacier face roughly 6 miles (10 km) wide and up to about 400 feet (120 m) tall, listening for the boom of calving ice.
- Tidewater glaciers
- Calving ice
- Photography
- Mountain views
Photo: Rich Engelbrecht, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Alaska
- Type of stop
- Scenic cruising
- Language
- English. Any naturalist commentary during the approach is in English.
- Currency
- No local currency needed. You never leave the ship, so purchases are billed to your onboard account in U.S. dollars.
- Best time to visit
- June–August
- Average highs
- 29–61°F through the year
About Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier flows about 75 miles (120 km) from the high peaks of the St. Elias Mountains in Canada's Yukon down to the sea in Alaska. Unlike most Alaskan glaciers, it has been advancing rather than retreating over recent decades, and it twice surged far enough to temporarily dam the neighboring Russell Fjord, in 1986 and 2002.
The visit is short but intense. After cruising up Yakutat Bay into Disenchantment Bay, your ship spends a few hours near the glacier face, turning slowly so everyone gets a view, while massive blocks of blue ice crack off into the water. On clear days, the snowy summits of the St. Elias range rise behind.
Hubbard appears mainly on one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises between Vancouver or Seattle and Seward or Whittier, plus some round-trip Seattle sailings. It's a highlight for anyone fascinated by ice, but views depend on weather, and ice in the bay can keep ships well back from the face.
How the scenic cruising day works
There's no docking or tendering at Hubbard Glacier; it's a scenic-cruising stop and you stay on board. Ships sail through Yakutat Bay into Disenchantment Bay and approach as close as ice and conditions safely allow, sometimes within a mile or less of the face, sometimes several miles away. The glacier visit typically lasts one to three hours, including the approach. The captain decides how close to go based on ice floes, visibility and the glacier's activity. Watch from forward-facing outer decks, the top decks or a balcony; many ships rotate in front of the glacier so both sides get good views.
Best things to do in Hubbard Glacier on a cruise
- 1
Watching the glacier calve
scenery
Hubbard's face is very active, and huge chunks of ice regularly break away and crash into the bay, sometimes sending waves rolling outward. You'll often hear the crack and boom, called white thunder, before you see it. Patience pays off; stay on deck.
- 2
Spotting blue ice and icebergs
nature
Dense, compressed glacial ice absorbs other colors of light and glows a vivid blue. As the ship nears the glacier, the bay fills with floating ice, from small growlers to large bergs, which makes for striking photos.
- 3
Wildlife watching
wildlife
Harbor seals often rest on ice floes near the glacier, and seabirds wheel over the water. Bring binoculars for a closer look and listen for naturalist commentary if your ship offers it.
- 4
St. Elias Mountains views
scenery
On clear days, the jagged peaks of the St. Elias range, including Mount Saint Elias, one of the highest mountains in North America, tower behind the glacier, creating one of Alaska's grandest panoramas.
- 5
Onboard naturalist talks
culture
Many ships host naturalists or guest speakers who explain how glaciers form, why Hubbard is advancing and what the area means to the Tlingit people of Yakutat. Talks are often broadcast on deck during the approach.
Hubbard Glacier weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 30-1 | 29-2 | 330 | 415 | 5110 | 5814 | 6116 | 5915 | 5211 | 425 | 330 | 31-1 |
| Low °F (°C) | 22-5 | 20-6 | 22-5 | 29-1 | 405 | 5110 | 5613 | 5412 | 447 | 341 | 24-4 | 24-5 |
| Rain in (mm) | 7.0179 | 4.6116 | 5.0127 | 4.2107 | 4.3109 | 3.9100 | 4.8123 | 7.2184 | 8.1205 | 9.2233 | 7.5190 | 8.1206 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
What to eat and drink in Hubbard Glacier
As you stay aboard, food is part of the experience: many ships serve hot chocolate, coffee or soup on deck during the glacier viewing. Room service on a balcony or a window seat in the buffet are popular ways to watch in comfort. Some lines offer special menus or drinks on glacier days.
Tips for your port day
- Dress warmly in layers with a hat, gloves and a windproof jacket; the air near the glacier is cold even in summer.
- Find a spot on deck early, before the ship reaches the face, and stay for the whole visit.
- Bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens.
- Keep your expectations flexible; ice or fog can keep the ship farther away than you might hope.
- If your stateroom faces the wrong way, head to the open decks, where views are best.
Cruise lines that visit Hubbard Glacier
Often on the same itinerary
Hubbard Glacier cruise FAQs
Do you get off the ship at Hubbard Glacier?
No. Hubbard Glacier is a scenic-cruising stop, and you watch the glacier from the ship's decks or your balcony.
How close do cruise ships get to Hubbard Glacier?
It varies. In good conditions ships may approach within a mile or less, but ice floes, fog and the glacier's activity can keep them several miles away. The captain decides on the day.
How big is Hubbard Glacier?
Very big. It's about 75 miles long, and its face is roughly 6 miles wide and up to about 400 feet tall above the water.
How long do cruise ships stay at Hubbard Glacier?
Usually one to three hours, including the approach and time spent near the face.
Is Hubbard Glacier advancing or retreating?
It has been advancing over recent decades, unlike most Alaskan glaciers. It even blocked Russell Fjord temporarily in 1986 and 2002.
Which Alaska cruises visit Hubbard Glacier?
Mostly one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises between Vancouver or Seattle and Seward or Whittier, plus some round-trip Seattle itineraries. Check your specific sailing.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.