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GLACIERS...GLACIERS...AND
MORE GLACIERS!
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Glaciers that flow down to the
sea are known as "tidewater glaciers," and lie at the head of a
fjord or inlet. |
When chunks
of ice separate from a tidewater glacier and fall into the sea, the
glacier is "calving." |
One of the most exciting aspects of visiting
Alaska is the unparalleled view of one of nature's most amazing
feats – the glacier. |
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Winding down
from mountains and fjords, these massive rivers of ice are often on
the move, some dropping their bounty into the sea in a most
spectacular fashion. The process is known as "calving," and some
tidewater glaciers shed enormous chunks of ice several times an
hour.
In most cases, the cascading wall of ice you see is several hundred
years old. While these newly formed icebergs rapidly melt in the
relatively warm water, some are large enough to support seals and
other wildlife looking for a free, albeit temporary, ride. |
VOYAGE OF THE GLACIERS
Some of the best glacier viewing can be found in Glacier Bay and College
Fjord – two of the most popular destinations on our exclusive Voyage of the
Glaciers cruise.
~Glacier Bay
Spanning 3.3 million acres, Glacier Bay National Park is a stunning network
of inlets that channel the frozen tide toward the sea. Don't be surprised to
find company along the way – humpback whales enjoy the ample supply of
herring and shrimp in Glacier Bay.
~College Fjord
Up the coast in the northwest pocket of Prince William Sound you'll discover
magnificent College Fjord, home to 16 tidewater glaciers. Named for the Ivy
League schools that were represented by a group of scientists who explored
the area in 1899, College Fjord beckons like a shimmering diamond.
INSIDE PASSAGE
Alaska's coastline is filled with wonder, and our Inside Passage cruises
offer the chance to journey through one of the state's most magical
attractions – Tracy Arm.
~Tracy Arm
Located 50 miles southeast of Juneau, the awe-inspiring Tracy Arm is sure to
enhance your glacier-viewing adventure. With our Inside Passage cruise,
you'll sail past snowcapped mountains, dazzling waterfalls and steep granite
canyon walls that disappear into deep and narrow fjords.
From the upper reaches of College Fjord and the splendor of Glacier Bay to
the sites at Tracy Arm, leave it to Princess to offer you a front-row seat
to one of the most magnificent views on Earth.
Of course, the only thing better than seeing glaciers is actually touching
them. That's why we offer optional combination helicopter/hiking tours that
put you square on the surface of these massive ice beds. You can also take a
flightseeing tour over glaciers, kayak around them, and even ride a dogsled
across one.
We've thought of nearly every imaginable way to see and explore these
Alaskan treasures, and only Princess has made them all available to you.
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