Icy Strait Point is a fairly new cruise port in Alaska. New compared to Ketchikan and Juneau where the ships have been calling continuously since the 1970’s. Holland America started to call at Icy Strait Point about seven years ago and anchored on the North side of Icy Strait and then used tenders to bring the guests to the other side. The anchorage was just east of the entrance to Glacier Bay. Main points of attraction were the small Indian village of Hoonah and the old cannery which was preserved by the local tribe and turned into a museum, visitor center and general tourist attraction. The feedback from our guests was positive and thus we kept calling. And what one company does, the other does as well and so more cruise companies send ships here.
The ms Amsterdam at the new cruise dock. Note the long covered walkway from the ship to the shore (and beyond)
That made it possible to build a dock for one cruise ship and leaving the option for another one to go at anchor. Today we were the only ship around and thus we went alongside. This is the first time I have seen the dock and it is very nice. Good bollards to make the deck officers happy for the ropes and a long wide and covered catwalk for the guests to walk from the ship to the Visitors center and the cannery museum behind it. The town of Hoonah is 1.5. miles from the dock area but if you do not want to make that journey, the area around the dock is more than enough to spend some quality time.
Part of the Cannery Museum. To the right the open door of the pasteurization process for the filled cans.
Apart from the cannery museum, which is somewhat morphed in the shops system in the big factory shed, there is a visitor center, various eateries and the largest Zip Rider with a 1330 ft. drop. It was in full operation and quite busy. It is not a Zip Line system, but a Zip Ride system the difference is that you do not hang on a pole and Zip down but you sit on a chair while coming down to the Drop Zone which is the end of the ride.
The whole complex of Icy Strait Point.
Hoonah has been an Indian Settlement for a long long time, as far as recollection goes there always has been some sort of settlement just outside Glacier Bay and when the Glaciers started to retreat the territory was simply expanded into the Bay. Now Glacier Bay is a National Park and as a Reserve restricted in its access, but the Indian Tribe still has fishing right there and not too long ago I came across a fishing boat fishing in the lower bay.
The visitors center has free WIFI so the crew were out in force during their break times.
The ship stayed here from 07.00 hrs. to 14.00 hrs. The early afternoon departure has to do with the fact that it is a high speed run of 18 knots to Anchorage. The ship will have to sail a little faster than 18 knots as we are expecting not so nice weather while en route. The summer season is ending and thus the period of the autumn storms are approaching. We are just on the edge of that period and thus it is not un-expected that the “wobbly-ness” of the Pacific is increasing.
So late this afternoon, when we left the Inside Passage near Cape Spencer we were greeted by a lot of wind, force 7 on occasion 8 and the always present North Pacific Ocean swell. The wind will abate during the coming night but it will have whipped up the waves enough by that time that we will have a lively ride until we are in the shelter of the land again. That means for most of the next 36 hours the ship will feel like a real ship and not like a floating hotel. Unfortunately a lot of our guests were not ready for this part of their cruise adventure and many cabins had the privacy sign in the key hole this afternoon, no doubt waiting for better times to come.
We will sail in the North Pacific Ocean until late tomorrow evening. We first have to pass Resurrection Bay, the entrance to Seward, then go around the Kenai Peninsula before we can sail into the Fjord at which end Anchorage is located. Weather for tomorrow, overcast, diminishing winds but still with waves present which can reach 15 feet and that will make the ship move around at bit.
For those who find the distance too long too walk, there is a little trolley system which runs to and from the ship.
September 17, 2017 at 11:03 pm
I am enjoying reading your blog. I was on the previous trip on the Amsterdam and I am reliving my two weeks through your blog. We also experienced, what you termed, “a lively ride” on our journey between Icy Strait Point and Anchorage. I am looking forward to hearing about it and maybe some comparisons between your journey and the one two weeks earlier.
September 17, 2017 at 11:31 pm
When we visited Icy Strait a few years ago on the Amsterdam, we opted for a shore ex that started with a whale watch, then went inland to look for Alaska brown bears. We did see one, which for many of us was a first time thrill. The Hoonah guides talked about their history, culture and current successes, a high point of the day.
September 18, 2017 at 5:11 pm
Hi Captain Albert, and a belated welcome back. Always reading your blogs and I get depressed when you’re gone too long from the blog circuit.
I love a quote from your Alaska cruise blog today: “…….That means for most of the next 36 hours the ship will feel like a real ship and not like a floating hotel………”.
Man, do I agree with that. To me, a ship/cruise ship should labor against the elements and the resulting bruising collisions is what makes it a worthwhile cruise/ocean crossing. Not too many HAL passengers would agree with me. That’s one of the reasons I don’t do Alaska Cruises any more because most of them are in calm inland passages .(exceptions noted).
I’ve been reading your blogs now for more than 13 years !! Love them !! …..Ruud
September 20, 2017 at 2:19 am
I also enjoy reading your blog. I was at Icy Strait Point in 2007 and took a scary ride on the Zip Line. It had been open for a week. I am one of those people who like the feel of waves beneath the ship. That is why I liked crossing the Atlantic in the 50′ and 60’s on the small Swedish American ships as well as the Norwegian American Ships. As for the more modern cruise ships I love HAL.
September 25, 2017 at 10:08 pm
No excuses for being late again. This time to welcome you back on the screen. But, not for long. Hope to see you in person tomorrow morning early …
I haven’t been to Hawaii since 2014 (o/b ms Zaandam). But, Hawaii came to me … It was a wonderful visit of a friend who flew away from the Hawaiian islands for the first time in 47 years. Talking about a comfort zone. But, she felt “stoked” about this BC West Coast revelation of another world!
No need to say that I ran short of time again between the last month of HAL ships coming to Vancouver for the year, and the first visit (perhaps the last possible as well looking at the many developments globally) of a Hawaiian friend from Kauai.
Tot ziens morgenochtend !!!
September 25, 2017 at 10:13 pm
I am sure the internetting crew really appreciate you taking a picture of them. They might guess they are in your blog being followed by readers from all over the world.
You made friends for life, Captain 🙂