Occasionally cruise ships have to change the itinerary for a variety of reasons, and I had my visit to one of the best Alaska glaciers cancelled by Royal Caribbean.
Just a month before the start of the Alaska cruise season, Royal Caribbean cancelled all of their visits to Tracy Arm fjord because of recent landslides there.
No one wants to book a cruise and then be told later the plans need to change, but safety always comes first.
The cruise line informed us we'd be headed to Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier instead to replace our cancelled plans.
While I may not have been happy with the change, our replacement visit ended up being an amazing experience.
Cruise ship glacier visits are the highlight of any Alaska cruise
No matter which glacier your ship visits, seeing one of these natural wonders is a must-do.
Most Alaskan itineraries include an early morning where the ship sails into a fjord to slowly approach the glacier.
This is one major reason why sailing to Alaska by cruise ship is such an advantage, because the bigger glaciers are difficult or impossible to reach by land.
It's one of the best viewing opportunities you'll get, and it's a captivating day.
Glacier day is an early start
I was sailing on Serenade of the Seas, and we entered Endicott Arm around 6am to begin the 30-mile journey.
A lot of cruisers armed themselves with coffee or hot chocolate, bundled up, and headed outside to see everything as we passed by.
The ship moves slowly because the waterway is narrow, and there are floating pieces of ice along the way.
There's something to look at from anywhere on the ship, including your balcony or any public area of the ship.
Both sides of the ships have views of the coast and high cliffs that make up Endicott Arm. Not only is it a magnificent sight, but there are animal viewing opportunities along the way.
We spotted seals and whales, including a mom and baby seal on a piece of ice.
Animal viewing will be sporadic, but when you see one, it's incredible.
A 600-foot tall glacier waits at the end
After about two and a half hours, we reached Dawes Glacier and got a front row seat to enjoy the view.
This is one of the best examples of a tidewater glacier, and it sits at the head of the fjord.
Our ship approached as close as was safe to do so, and then began a slow spin so everyone could get a good view.
I started off watching from my balcony room. In fact, we booked a balcony instead of an inside room specifically because we wanted to take full advantage of it on our glacier day.
The benefit of having a balcony is not only a private viewing area, but you could retreat indoors when we got too cold to warm up inside. Meanwhile, we could still watch through the glass doors.
After taking in the first sights, I wanted a better vantage point, so I walked quickly to the front of the ship.
There are multiple public decks on a Radiance Class ship like Serenade, which helps spread everyone out. I started off on the upper pool deck, moving to the front for a higher vantage point.
But I think the absolute best glacier viewing opportunity is the ship's helipad on deck 5.
You're right at the very front of the ship with nothing obstructing your view ahead. While this means it's the coldest spot to stand, I think it's worth it for what you get to see.
This is also a good reminder that while a balcony cabin is convenient, you could very easily book a less expensive stateroom and still enjoy the glacier viewing from any of the public areas.
Our ship did a full 360-degree spin so that everyone could get a view without having to run around the ship to a specific location.
We remained near Dawes Glacier for about a half hour before slowly beginning the journey back. Of course, this means another opportunity to enjoy the views around Endicott Arm once more, especially if you didn't wake up for the initial sail in.
I recommend bundling up because it's probably the coldest day of your cruise
Alaska cruises aren't as cold as you might think, but glacier day can get quite brisk. The combination of wind and nearby ice made this the coldest day of our cruise.
You will want to wear a couple of layers to keep yourself warm enough to enjoy the views. I don't think you should go to the trouble of packing a parka jacket just for one morning, but you will need more than just a sweater.
A knit hat and gloves are a must-pack item for your Alaska cruise. They don't take up much space in your luggage, and will make a major difference in being able to stay outside longer.
Instead of a giant parka, I think a combination of a warm fleece jacket and outer rain jacket should do the trick. Add a t-shirt underneath it all, and those three layers should keep you warm enough.
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You could also purchase hand warmers to bring with you, which you can stuff in your gloves, shoes, or jacket to also warm you up. A DIY approach is get a hot cup of black coffee and just hold it. That could get you lots of extra warmth for no additional cost.
What to pack for an Alaska cruise is one of the most popular questions, but I don't think you need to pack an entire outfit just for your glacier viewing. Instead, layer up and don't be afraid to take breaks inside to warm back up.
Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier was worth it, even if it wasn't our first plan
Even though I booked an Alaska cruise with a different glacier stop in mind, Royal Caribbean still delivered a viewing we won't ever forget.
I certainly don't fault them for making a change to ensure the safety of everyone involved, and I'm even happier we got a picture perfect viewing chance as a replacement.
Even my teenage kids, who are usually jaded about nature, were out on the balcony to take it all in. And to take plenty of selfies too.
Glacier day should be a top priority, regardless of which one you visit. Get up early, bundle up, grab coffee, and enjoy this amazing natural treat.
