Cruise to Japan via Alaska

As we entered Disenchantment Bay( named by a Italian explorer, Alessandro Malaspina in 1792 upon finding at this bay did not provide a hoped for passage to the Atlanticper Alaskan Guide),it was overcast and gray.

Hubbard glacier is the largest “tidewater” (meaning that the glacier ends in the sea/ocean) glacier in Alaska and one of the few glaciers that are growing every day-7 feet a day! This is also the largest glacier in Alaska- 17 miles long and 5 miles wide at the base where it calves into the ocean. Our remarkable Captain was able to bring this huge cruise ship within 2 miles of the face of the glacier and then slowly spun the Westerdam 2 complete circles to allow all the passengers to see the action from their own balconies if they preferred!
For the truly adventurous, for only $700 (for 2) a few people were able to get on a specially designed catamaran 3 decker ship that took us right up to the glacier face to watch and feel and hear every calving . From our vantage point we watched 64 separate calving episodes in the 1 1/2 hours we sat there(see videos attached).
On the way to glacier we were privileged to be brought close to a rookery of sea lions squawking to each other as they enjoyed a sunny break. The weather cooperated wonderfully throughout our stay, even though it had been iffy on our approach.

The sun glistening on the magnificent deep blue very dense ice of the glacier was incredible. As each calf or the glacier let go, if we were lucky we would see it start collapsing towards the water. Next, we would start to hear the deep rumbling of the ice shattering as it fell, collecting more and more ice as the avalanche fell. As the calf continued into the waters, very large waves were thrown up by the tons of hypercompacted ice that rocked our ship every time. It was a heck of a ride without any real danger, as the catamaran design was built specifically for this purpose. I have seen several other glaciers calving in prior trips to Alaska but never so close or with such dramatic effects!Read more