Thank you so much for your great video. When we go in July i plan on just doing what you did walk around. The weather did seem chilly and the rain probably made it chillier but u said it was warm so🤔🤷🏻♀️
It was warm, in comparison to what we had experienced in our previous ports. The rain made it chilly, but it wasn’t freezing cold, and we were very wrapped up just in case! Also, the ship was really warm inside, so the cold was very welcome!
Thank you! We took the bus into Hoonah and walked back, twice. It was bright, cool and sunny making for a beautiful walk. We saw a whale on one trip, and many eagles. We walked to the other end of town to the Post Office to drop off postcards. A local came in while we were there, forgetting it was the Juneteenth holiday, he was surprised it was closed. We loved the town and watching the totem carvers. We got a reward of Lil' Gen's donuts on the way back to the ship. So many flavors to choose from! Thanks again!
Great port to have a free day with no excursions, lots of things to do and more amazing wildlife to spot on the walks. Love those maps they have marking the way and showing where the restrooms are, handy to know how far on the walk you are. Great video 👏
Thanks for an interesting video. Recall Icy Strait Point as a port of call in 2019 on my Alaska Trip, from Australia. Interesting place. They'd just put in the second berth for ships, and ours was the first to try it out. The gondolas weren't there then, to reach the zipline you had to go up a mountain road by bus. Also walked into Hoonah and back, the footpath has been improved since then, widened. Quite a friendly place, visited the local supermarket and had a nice coffee. Locals waved from passing vehicles. Very impressed by the bald eagles, which were perched on the mooring posts. Didn't see bears there, but saw them in the wild near Ketchikan. Would suggest that the scratches on the footpath were probably caused by cleats worn under the soles of shoes in winter, to gain traction on the path when covered in snow and/or ice.
So interesting to know what Icy Strait Point used to be like in the early days! That theory about the scratches sounds much more plausible than ours! Thanks for watching!!!
Its original name before tourism changed it was Pt Arden. A tourism twit in florida created the new name that sounded more Alaskan😡. The cruise ship industry is killing the Alaska we loved. Good for economy sometimes yet a few a week would be better than the onslaught we receive. Glad you like our home though.
We’re really glad we visited at the start of the season, when we were the only ship there. We do hope the cruise industry works with the Alaskan people and limits the number of ships visiting each summer to protect this fabulous place
@@TravellingWithTeens I taught at a school just 15 minutes outside Seattle and we had a lock down because a mama bear and cub wandered on the campus. Black bears are scared of people unless they have cubs.
Our boys went to the teen club the first couple of nights, but ended up staying with us and joining in the quizzes, shows, etc. However, the planned activities looked pretty decent and we wish they’d gone more! They’re slightly at the tail end of the age group now, where they kind of think they’re too cool for it!
The green cable car is free; however, the higher (red) one there is a charge for. We found the green one fun enough and, as we say in the title, everything we did that day didn’t cost us a penny. Thanks for watching!
We didn’t do any through NCL, but we DID book the Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan directly through their website (this video comes out next Sunday). We also hired a car in Juneau, again independently (this video is already on our channel!). Thanks for watching!
Have YOU done any of the things that were closed when we visited Icy Strait Point? (ie the second cable car, the zipwire, the dance show in the theatre)? Tell us down below!!!
Just left Icy Straight Point two days ago and did the Zip Line. Amazing excursion. I'm absolutely terrified of heights and was kind of dreading the whole experience, but after the first two or three seconds, I realized I was safe, the views were beautiful and the experience was thrilling. When I reached the bottom, I would have gone up to do it again immediately, if that was an option. Also, I guess you didn't eat at the Crab House. We did. Fabulous, fresh food and the most amazing Bloody Mary. It was piled high with crab meat and a crab leg! Crazy. I was so bummed that we weren't able to go to Skagway, but I was surprised by how much fun we had at Icy Straight Point. To be honest, if I took another cruise to Alaska and it wasn't on the itinerary, I might search for another sailing that had it as a port of call. Cheers!
@T_Jonesy So glad you enjoyed the zip line, it looked so much fun! We skipped the Crab House as it was so busy due to the weather (no one could sit outside), but these are all great reasons for us to go back! Thanks for watching!
Gondola all the way to the top is an awesome ride. Wife very nervous and caught it on video! Coming down at night was a good ride and seeing our ship, HAL Eurodam lite up was cool
Thank you so much for your great video. When we go in July i plan on just doing what you did walk around. The weather did seem chilly and the rain probably made it chillier but u said it was warm so🤔🤷🏻♀️
It was warm, in comparison to what we had experienced in our previous ports. The rain made it chilly, but it wasn’t freezing cold, and we were very wrapped up just in case! Also, the ship was really warm inside, so the cold was very welcome!
Thank you! We took the bus into Hoonah and walked back, twice. It was bright, cool and sunny making for a beautiful walk. We saw a whale on one trip, and many eagles. We walked to the other end of town to the Post Office to drop off postcards. A local came in while we were there, forgetting it was the Juneteenth holiday, he was surprised it was closed. We loved the town and watching the totem carvers. We got a reward of Lil' Gen's donuts on the way back to the ship. So many flavors to choose from! Thanks again!
Sounds like a perfect day!
I’ve been to Icy Straight twice and didn’t realize how easy it is to walk to Hoonah. Next time I’ll do it!
It’s not the shortest walk, but it’s totally doable and very interesting. This ships don’t want you to know how easy it is, we imagine!
Great port to have a free day with no excursions, lots of things to do and more amazing wildlife to spot on the walks. Love those maps they have marking the way and showing where the restrooms are, handy to know how far on the walk you are. Great video 👏
Thank you. It is definitely a great port for a relaxing day exploring.
Your Alaska videos are great! So helpful and informative.
Thank you!
We were there 2 May. All open, great weather. Yes cruise ship gouges the excursions.
What a difference a month makes! Yes, I doubt we will ever do a cruise ship excursion in our future Alaska trips. Self-booking all the way!
Norwegian Bliss April 27-May3. I walked 7 miles the day we stopped at Icy Strait!
That sounds about right! It’s a great place to just walk and take in the scenery. Hope you had a fantastic cruise, and thanks for watching!
Thanks for an interesting video. Recall Icy Strait Point as a port of call in 2019 on my Alaska Trip, from Australia. Interesting place. They'd just put in the second berth for ships, and ours was the first to try it out. The gondolas weren't there then, to reach the zipline you had to go up a mountain road by bus. Also walked into Hoonah and back, the footpath has been improved since then, widened. Quite a friendly place, visited the local supermarket and had a nice coffee. Locals waved from passing vehicles. Very impressed by the bald eagles, which were perched on the mooring posts. Didn't see bears there, but saw them in the wild near Ketchikan. Would suggest that the scratches on the footpath were probably caused by cleats worn under the soles of shoes in winter, to gain traction on the path when covered in snow and/or ice.
So interesting to know what Icy Strait Point used to be like in the early days! That theory about the scratches sounds much more plausible than ours! Thanks for watching!!!
Great video. We are going in April 19-26 2025 on the Bliss. First time going on a cruise, and I am so excited to do this.
You will have an amazing time! Thank you for watching, and feel free to check out our other videos from this same cruise!
Its original name before tourism changed it was Pt Arden. A tourism twit in florida created the new name that sounded more Alaskan😡. The cruise ship industry is killing the Alaska we loved. Good for economy sometimes yet a few a week would be better than the onslaught we receive. Glad you like our home though.
We’re really glad we visited at the start of the season, when we were the only ship there. We do hope the cruise industry works with the Alaskan people and limits the number of ships visiting each summer to protect this fabulous place
I love your videos. What month did you go to alaska?
Thank you! This was early April 2024
Where are you folks from? I love southeast Alaska because it is so much like the Seattle area except we don’t have Grizzlies. Only black bears.
We live in the UK so no bears here. (Tony is from Michigan, though, so he’s seen one on the side of the road once)
@@TravellingWithTeens I taught at a school just 15 minutes outside Seattle and we had a lock down because a mama bear and cub wandered on the campus. Black bears are scared of people unless they have cubs.
Thank you
You’re welcome!
We are going on the encore next week with our almost 16 year old daughter. Did the boys enjoy the teen club? Or any other on board activities?
Our boys went to the teen club the first couple of nights, but ended up staying with us and joining in the quizzes, shows, etc. However, the planned activities looked pretty decent and we wish they’d gone more! They’re slightly at the tail end of the age group now, where they kind of think they’re too cool for it!
Thanks so much. We're going in August/September. Random campfire - how fun.Was the cable car free?
The green cable car is free; however, the higher (red) one there is a charge for. We found the green one fun enough and, as we say in the title, everything we did that day didn’t cost us a penny. Thanks for watching!
Perfect - love free, it almost seemed too good to be true. ❤️
Free doesn’t always mean free (ie, NCL’s Free at Sea) but we meant it!
We’re going on The Bliss in July with our 9 & 13 year old grandchildren. Did you do any excursions during the cruise?
We didn’t do any through NCL, but we DID book the Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan directly through their website (this video comes out next Sunday). We also hired a car in Juneau, again independently (this video is already on our channel!). Thanks for watching!
Have YOU done any of the things that were closed when we visited Icy Strait Point? (ie the second cable car, the zipwire, the dance show in the theatre)? Tell us down below!!!
Just left Icy Straight Point two days ago and did the Zip Line. Amazing excursion. I'm absolutely terrified of heights and was kind of dreading the whole experience, but after the first two or three seconds, I realized I was safe, the views were beautiful and the experience was thrilling. When I reached the bottom, I would have gone up to do it again immediately, if that was an option. Also, I guess you didn't eat at the Crab House. We did. Fabulous, fresh food and the most amazing Bloody Mary. It was piled high with crab meat and a crab leg! Crazy. I was so bummed that we weren't able to go to Skagway, but I was surprised by how much fun we had at Icy Straight Point. To be honest, if I took another cruise to Alaska and it wasn't on the itinerary, I might search for another sailing that had it as a port of call. Cheers!
@T_Jonesy So glad you enjoyed the zip line, it looked so much fun! We skipped the Crab House as it was so busy due to the weather (no one could sit outside), but these are all great reasons for us to go back! Thanks for watching!
Gondola all the way to the top is an awesome ride. Wife very nervous and caught it on video! Coming down at night was a good ride and seeing our ship, HAL Eurodam lite up was cool
@jhollie8196 that sounds amazing!
What date were you there
We were then on 10th April - it was the first cruise of the season. I’m sure much more is open now, and the weather has improved!
But still great experience
Indeed! Thanks for watching!