Icy Strait Point is the newest addition on the Alaska cruise route. Icy Strait is unique among the Alaska ports of call in that it is not a port city, but rather a cruise ship stop built, owned, and operated by Huna Totem Corp., the Native village corporation that represents the Tlingit people in Hoonah. Icy Strait Point is intended to give cruisers an “authentic wilderness experience”.
The cruise stop is currently utilized by the following cruise lines: Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Oceania Cruises and Holland America Line. It offers a large number of outdoor activities to passengers stopping at the port on either of these cruise lines.
Icy Strait receives ships from Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises and Holland America Line. The Tlingit corporation Huna Totem, which owns Icy Strait Point, has wisely limited ship calls to ensure high passenger satisfaction so you won’t find many ships here when you are in port.
There are currently 21 excursions offered at Icy Strait Point including:
ZipRider zip line attraction which is the worlds tallest zip line
Whale watching and wildlife cruises
Glacier Bay flightseeing
Bear and wildlife viewing in the Spasski River Valley
The Native Heritage Center Theater
Bike tours to the town of Hoonah
Sea kayaking tours
There are really quite a few great excursions on the island, and the cruise lines are always adding more. The area is simply gorgeous and a wonderful place to spend a relaxing day enjoying the spectacular natural surroundings. You can even see a decent amount for free, including taking in some native culture and just walking around the grounds.
Icy Strait port offers you an unprecedented access to a pristine wilderness area, in an environment that is as calm and majestic as any in Alaska.
Best shore excursion? Without a doubt, the zip line ride! Another must do is the Glacier Bay flightseeing especially if your cruise is not going to Glacier Bay.