My Glacier Bay Cruise Experience
Breathtaking views sailing into and out of the bay, glaciers filmed from the outside observation deck and hot chocolate inside Norwegian Encore's Observation Lounge.
Our Glacier Bay Day in August 2026
Glacier Bay was one of the main reasons we chose our Alaska itinerary aboard Norwegian Encore. After experiencing it, I can say it was definitely worthwhile.
We moved between the outside observation deck, where we could take in the open view and film the glaciers, and the interior Observation Lounge, where we could warm up with hot chocolate without losing sight of the scenery.
Glacier Bay Is a Full Scenic-Cruising Experience
Glacier Bay is not a normal cruise port where thousands of passengers walk down a gangway and spread out through town. Cruise passengers generally experience the national park from the ship. National Park Service naturalists come aboard to provide information, answer questions and help passengers understand what they are seeing.
The glaciers are obviously the headline attraction, but focusing only on the moment the ship reaches the main glacier misses a large part of the experience. The views sailing into the bay were breathtaking, and the scenery continued long after the closest glacier viewing was over.
Watching From the Outside Observation Deck
We spent part of the day outside on the observation deck, where we could see and film the glaciers without looking through glass. It was colder than watching from inside, but the open view made it worth bundling up.
Outside is where the scale of Glacier Bay really hits you. The ship is enormous, but it feels small against the mountains, water and glaciers surrounding it.
It was also the best place for our video. Being outside meant we did not have to worry about reflections from the windows, and we could hear the natural sound around us instead of the normal noise inside the ship.
Hot Chocolate in the Observation Lounge
After spending time outside, being able to come into the Observation Lounge, sit down and drink hot chocolate while still watching Glacier Bay was pretty close to perfect.
Norwegian Encore's interior Observation Lounge has large floor-to-ceiling windows and wide forward views. It gave us a warmer, more comfortable way to continue watching without treating the scenery like something that was over as soon as we stepped inside.
I would not choose only one viewing location. Outside was better for filming and feeling surrounded by Glacier Bay. Inside was better when we wanted to warm up, sit down and keep watching with a cup of hot chocolate.
The Captain Rotated the Ship for the View
Once we reached the main glacier-viewing area, the captain slowly rotated Norwegian Encore through a full 360 degrees. That gave passengers around the ship a chance to see the glacier instead of making the experience dependent on having a cabin or viewing position on one particular side.
For a ship that large, the rotation was impressive in itself. More importantly, it meant we had time to look, take pictures and film without feeling as if the view was going to disappear in a few seconds.
I am intentionally not naming the glacier here because I did not confirm its identity at the time. Glacier access and the exact viewing plan can also change with weather, ice and operating conditions. What I can say with certainty is that the close viewing and full rotation gave us a beautiful look at it.
The Views Into and Out of the Bay
The approach was not dead time before the “real” attraction. Mountains rose on both sides of the water, the scenery kept changing and there was always a reason to look outside.
The same was true when we sailed back out. By that point we had already seen the glaciers, but Glacier Bay did not suddenly become ordinary. The departure gave us a second look at the scale of the landscape and made the day feel like a complete journey rather than one scheduled photo opportunity.
Do You Need a Balcony for Glacier Bay?
A balcony would certainly be convenient, but our experience showed that it is not required. We could watch from the outside observation deck and use Norwegian Encore's interior Observation Lounge when we wanted warmth and comfortable seating.
Public viewing areas also make it easier to change sides as the scenery changes. The captain's rotation helped distribute the glacier view around the ship, although the exact procedure can vary by sailing.
If choosing an interior cabin leaves more money for Alaska excursions, I would not assume that skipping the balcony means missing Glacier Bay. We sailed in an inside cabin and still had an excellent experience.
Was Glacier Bay Worth Choosing an Itinerary For?
Definitely
Glacier Bay was not simply a box to check on the itinerary. The views sailing in, the outdoor glacier viewing, filming from the deck, hot chocolate in the Observation Lounge, the close glacier view and the captain's 360-degree rotation made it one of the defining experiences of our Alaska cruise.
I would absolutely consider Glacier Bay access when comparing Alaska itineraries. That does not mean every cruise without Glacier Bay is a bad choice—Alaska has several impressive glacier destinations—but Glacier Bay delivered the experience we hoped it would.
What I Would Recommend for Glacier Bay Day
- Get up early enough to see the approach. Do not wait until the ship reaches the main glacier.
- Use both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Each provides a different experience.
- Dress in layers. Even if the rest of the cruise has comfortable weather, standing outside for glacier viewing can feel cold.
- Bring binoculars. They can help with distant glaciers, wildlife and details along the shoreline.
- Keep your camera ready. The scenery changes throughout the trip into and out of the bay.
- Watch with your own eyes too. It is easy to spend the entire day trying to capture the perfect video and forget to simply look around.
- Listen to the park information. Rangers and naturalists help explain the landscape, wildlife and history that are not obvious from the view alone.
- Do not assume you need a balcony. Learn what public observation areas your ship provides.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do cruise passengers get off the ship in Glacier Bay?
Most cruise passengers experience Glacier Bay from the ship rather than going ashore. National Park Service naturalists typically board visiting cruise ships to provide information and interpretation during the day.
Is Glacier Bay worth including in an Alaska cruise?
It was definitely worthwhile for us. The journey into and out of the bay, glacier viewing, park information and surrounding scenery made it one of the defining days of our cruise.
Do you need a balcony to enjoy Glacier Bay?
No. We stayed in an inside cabin and used the outside observation deck and Norwegian Encore's interior Observation Lounge. A balcony is convenient, but good public viewing areas can provide an excellent experience.
Can you watch Glacier Bay from inside Norwegian Encore?
Yes. The Observation Lounge provides wide views through floor-to-ceiling windows. We watched from inside while drinking hot chocolate and moved outside when we wanted an open view and better conditions for filming.
Does the ship turn around during glacier viewing?
During our August 2026 sailing, the captain rotated Norwegian Encore through a full 360 degrees near the main glacier-viewing area so passengers around the ship could see it. The exact procedure can vary by ship, conditions and sailing.
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