Which cruise line is best for Glacier Bay?

The best cruise line for Glacier Bay depends on your priorities, but most experts and park rangers agree that smaller ships with National Park Service permits and longer time in the bay offer the best experience. Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska limits the number of ships allowed per day to just two cruise ships, so not all cruise lines can enter. The best cruise lines for Glacier Bay are those that have been sailing there for decades and have excellent naturalist programs. Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are often rated as the best for Glacier Bay because they have the most permits, have been sailing Alaska the longest, have strong partnerships with the National Park Service, and bring park rangers on board for narration all day in the bay. Princess typically spends 8 to 10 hours in Glacier Bay, allowing you to see multiple glaciers including Margerie and Lamplugh. Holland America also offers excellent viewing and has smaller mid-size ships that can get closer to glaciers. For luxury, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas offer smaller ships that get closer to glaciers and offer more intimate viewing. For adventure, UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions offer small expedition ships with 60 to 100 passengers that can enter areas large ships cannot. The worst choice for Glacier Bay is a cruise that only does Glacier Bay on a small-ship excursion rather than sailing the whole ship in. So Princess and Holland America are generally considered best for mainstream Glacier Bay cruises.