Port Guide: Icy Strait Point, Alaska - What We Think You Should Know Before You Go! - ParoDeeJay

[@oshingi]

Just wanted to thank you guys for pushing Glacier Winds Charter. We went with them because of you guys a few year back and had the best time!! Turns out Shawn and Teresa were old neighbors with one of our good friends back in Colorado when they all lived in North Pole Alaska. What a small world!!

[@dylanseaman5163]

Was a bus driver at ISP for a bit. if you want really good food, goto Fishermans Daughter. She is a chef who came back and has some of the best food in town. Always full of locals.

[@mrsm5283]

Thanks for the tip!👍🏻👍🏻

[@IGotBank]

Great information. I wish I had seen this video before our Alaska cruise. A great overview of Icy Strait. Hoonah is so peaceful.

[@parodeejay]

We looooove Hoonah! Any time we're researching an Alaska cruise, we try to find one that's going there!! :D

[@kyraneizmen3848]

I LOVE that u include maps & videos of each destination

[@karendallavalle1669]

I am loving your overviews of the Alaskan ports. We have been to Alaska numerous times and your port overviews are wonderful and contain a lot of insight. A lot of bloggers don't go into the depth that you have and I appreciate the work you have put into this on behalf of your viewers. Love that you showcased Glacier Wind Charters --- they are the absolute best! Well run company and it is true that Shawn and Teresa make you feel like family. We will be seeing them in July and can't wait for our visit. I did see where you showed footage of a Hoonah restaurant called "The Fisherman's Daughter." If you have never tried it, you should --- great food.

[@jeanettestolle6706]

I ❤ your Port Guides😊

[@hollyrauscher6434]

Glacier wind charters should give you a kickback! With RCL adding this ISP and dropping skagway several of us watched this video and booked that excursion. They added another excursion on that day! I'm looking forward to the whale watching with them. The small boat experience looks like it will be awesome. Thank you!

[@idahoadventures5936]

Shout out to Glacier wind. When the rockslide occurred in Skagway, we were diverted to ISP. Used the wi-if and reached out to Glacier Wind . They were not doing a charter that day, but they helped us out. Amazing time, and the nicest people.

[@MirandaColeman-ci2hy]

thank you guys for all your advice for Alaska!!

[@travlndiva7809]

Hoonah Whale Tours is another good option for whale watching. They have a 6 person boat (when we went) and it’s run by a small, local family. I’ve used both this company and Glacier Wind Charters. I enjoy both equally and book whomever has availability. This family was recommended to me by the former F.I.S.H.E.S whale watching company that we went with on our first Icy Straight trip (they are now retired, which is why they gave me this recommendation). Absolutely love these port guides for my favorite cruise destination!

[@jbarnes1110]

We are finishing up our last day in Alaska for our two week trip. We booked a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Vancouver to Seward and then did a self planned week on land. Your videos about the ship we were on, Radiance of the Seas, the different shore excursions and port info were a GREAT help! We did the ParoDeeJay food tour of donuts in Icy Strait Point, Klondike Doughboy in Skagway and we even went back out of our way to get some spinach bread in Talkeetna. We had stopped there one day on the way to Denali NP from Anchorage but they had closed before we go to the spinach bread trailer. We took the 30 mile round trip out of the way from Denali to Palmer just to get the spinach bread. It was worth the extra miles and effort. We also booked the Glacier Bay whale watching because of your recommendation. Captain Casey was great as were their entire crew. Great info all the way around for our northbound 7-day itinerary from Vancouver. BTW - if you have a chance to eat at the Snow City Cafe in Anchorage it’s HIGHLY recommended. Great breakfast food. Hint - join the waitlist online before going there will save you some wait time. 😀 Your videos made finding things to do in the port towns and shore excursions so much easier. I just wanted to send some words of thanks for your efforts and for you to know it helped tremendously.

[@halfirish8056]

Currently in Jumeau and arriving there tomorrow. Thanks for all your videos and send good thoughts for less rain, please 😂😂😂

[@kimsalemi7159]

Me and my best friend absolutely love love love Icy Straight Pointe! We had planned to do the river raft but it got cancelled so we did the whale watch. AMAZING!! Saw beautiful orcas and humpback as well as sea lions! Spent hours walking around the port and rode the gondola twice! Shopping was a blast and we saw gorgeous Eagles while we walked around the water front. Can't wait to go back!

[@sabrinalavdisarnold825]

Thanks again for these port guides! Such good information. I thought Icy Straight Point maybe wasn't a good stop but you've changed my mind!🐳

[@travelingtrishthiel]

Thank you for this. We have a casino cruise going in September. I booked Glacier Wind. I hope it isn't too late in the year though, September 16th.

[@karenbryant3923]

Dee & Jay, this was a very informative and useful vlog for me as I have never been to ICy Strait Point (have been to AK 3 times) and it is in my bucket list!

[@angeladube-robinson510]

Thank you for recommending Glacier Wind Charters for whale watching in Alaska! It was truly the highlight of our cruise! I really appreciated the small-group size of the tour. It meant that we had plenty of room to move around and get the best views. And it also made it feel more personal and intimate. Teresa and Casey were wonderful hosts! We had an absolutely incredible experience with Glacier Wind Charters! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great whale watching tour in Alaska. Also, thank you for all your videos! They are so helpful when thinking about cruising to the same ports. I am hooked now!

[@terrimiller8760]

Thank you for sharing we will be there October the 11th is when our cruise ship takes off to Alaska

[@user-dn7gr4qu8z]

I walked around this port. Saw multiple colorful starfish on the shore and in the water's edge just down where the kayaks push off from. Took the bus to Hoonah for $5.00. Got there too late to do any tours really. But there are some tours up there. I would recommend an excursions for this port over the others.

[@Creationzonline]

Love the info. And so well presented

[@teeceestitchandcruise6861]

Thank you so much guys my first trip to Alaska is in May I’ve been waiting for you port guides.

[@Wanderlustertoo]

My family and I were PLEASANTLY surprised at this port. Each port has their own charm but Icy Straight Point was so much fun! Zip line is a MUST do!! Thanks for the vlogs!

[@pryttyfatchick]

I was going back and forth as to which port to do my whale watching excursion at and chose this one. Im doing a whale watch with a seafood feast after! I cant wait!

[@msharelick]

HI. Thanks for the recommendation for Glacial Wind Charters.

[@jennifertriesthat]

I'm going there this Summer! Thank you for this video.

[@EnchantedConnectionNakations]

Just wanted to say thank you for all you do! this will be our first trip to Alaska and when i saw the part in the video about Glacier Wind Charters, I just knew i had to try to book it...I bought the last 2 tickets and my husband and I couldn't be more excited to have this experience..

[@johnbolton5569]

Thanks for sharing this information with us and we enjoy you both ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍🏻

[@marjiemadlena5871]

Great video. We're headed to Alaska in May and Icy Straight Point is our first port. My husband and I and our friends plan on doing the zipline. So excited!

[@TropicLuv]

I loved Icy Strait! I was on Carnival Splendor and were docked closest to the cannery area, which was very nice, the newer dock. I spent most of my my time in that area and then rode the tram over to the side where to you docked. I really enjoyed the history of the cannery and being able to walk down on the beach area all around the point it was absolutely beautiful. I’m going back next May and I will definitely book one of the tours this time. I was also surprised that Carnival had no tours through the ship.

[@lambiottea1]

We booked Glacier Winds for our cruise. They were great to help with reservations.

[@barbarap5278]

I love ISP also! I've also done the whale watching here, absolutly breathtaking, same company you used, with your recommendation... loving this series...

[@lisal3466]

I cannot wait for icy strait point in May! I have Glacier Wind Charters booked. ❤

[@sscooby2u]

As always, appreciate the content! Have to say though that we have wildly different opinions of this port. Out of all the ports on a typical Alaska itinerary (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, Haines, Icy Strait Point) I'd have to classify ISP as my least favorite. It really gives me a manufactured feel - like the cruise lines just wanted to have an alternate place to stop - whether because of inability to make other port calls or just to add another port to keep the ships spread out. As you mentioned, pretty good for nature - although it's hard to miss on that count in any Alaska port - but ISP itself is very "corporate" feeling and Hoonah is just an unremarkable little town (not faulting it for that, It's definitely authentic just simply not someplace that is inherently interesting). Anywho, appreciate you spending the time to put these port guides together ... Thank You!!

[@SouthMainTravelers]

This is our favorite Alaska port. We used Hoonah Travel Adventures for our whale watching tour, and they were wonderful and very informative (we did an excursion video of that excursion). I believe there are a few activities at the top of the mountain where the zip line starts too. And, I seem to recall you can take that gondola up and back for a fee.

[@fedex1339]

Love these Port Guides, thanks.

[@tammycarpenter3770]

Thanks for the information. I have never been to Alaska but you definitely make me want to go.I never thought I would want to go to a cold area. I have only done the Caribbean.

[@rhondadrake7982]

I missed booking with Glacier Wind in 2022 because they were sold out when we tried to plan. However for our 2023 Alaska cruise I have already booked Glacier Wind. Dreaming of having a great experience like you have have shared with us.

[@hollyjohnson1966]

You can ride the gondola up and back without having to do the zip line. I will be going there on NCL in a couple months and have already booked it through the cruise line. It might be cheaper to just pay for it on shore but I have excursion credits that cover it. NCL charges $49 (2023 prices).

[@sandrapride1046]

I almost didn’t get off at this port and it ended up being my favorite!

[@stevebartley628]

Looking forward to Glacier Wnd in June !

[@anakerose]

My son and I stayed close to the ship on the day we were there. Poor Michael was in Quarantine on the ship (my son and I never got sick) so he missed this port. We rode the Gondola up the mountain a few times and went to the native show (do it next time!). Got donuts at that little food truck. We sat around the fire, watched the people come down the zipline and watched the whales out in the bay. I wish we hadn't been dealing with Covid that cruise 😭 Bought Michael a coffee cup at the gift shop, but it didn't make it home. The handle broke.

[@roselove854]

Visited this port in 2024, area has changed substantially since we were there 15 years ago.

[@parodeejay]

The new port complex was opened about 5 years ago, and we never got to visit before that. It must have been so different just heading into Hoonah for the day!! :D

[@simoneking6724]

I absolutely loved the ziplining at ISP and doughnuts at…..? You have previously mentioned the place 🤦🏾‍♀️ Anyways, ISP was my favourite port. And Andy the cruise director (Carnival) made it even more fun with a polar plunge that many of us took part in. 😁

[@lizdyson3627]

Despite the mountains Downtown areas of Alaska seem very accessible with wide flat sidewalks.

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

I loved Icy Straight Point

[@mttames]

Any recommendations for independent bear watching excursions?

[@kathynewstead9161]

Hoonah Whale Tours is another great Whale tour company owned by a nice family. Would go out with them in again in a heartbeat. Their tour boat only accommodates 6 passengers.

[@vzkmqz]

I'm heading to Icy Straight in May and I was not very excited about this port. But now I am! Is there a whale season? I've been to Alaska 5 times and I've never seen a whale.

[@hl9345]

Thank you for the free and frugal segment. Do you find that the cruise excursions cost the same or more than if you went independently with the vendors at the dock? Please talk about that more in your videos. Thanks.

[@debo4706]

You need to try Princess cruises.

[@parodeejay]

Coming up this year!! :D

[@lisamcnamara7891]

Do the shops, restaurants stay open late..we don't dock until 2pm. Will be there til 11pm but want to take the whale watching tour @ 3pm and it's a 3hr. excursion.

[@TinnekeVDE]

Maybe to late but since it is a port created by the cruiselines I would assume so

[@sandralyden6488]

Hi! Love your videos! My husband and I are going to cruise Alaska in September and wonder if you fly to Seattle the day before boarding and if you do, can you recommend a hotel in Seattle? Thanks!

[@parodeejay]

We usually fly in the day before and stay at the Holiday Inn Express Sea-Tac. It’s not near anything you’d want to see in the city, but they have free breakfast and a pay cruise shuttle!! :D

[@sandralyden6488]

@@parodeejay thank you

[@1981cchris]

We are going so early in the season that Glacier Wind Charters was a week away from opening. We are going with another small company. I’ll let you know how it goes.

[@kimhayes7075]

I spoke to Teresa at glacier wind, we’re in ISP April 30 2024. She said that the whales aren’t always there that early, but they were opening the earliest they have ever been this year (May 3). She said to touch base with her mid May this year and she could tell me if they would be going earlier next year. She said she didn’t want to take money and no whales, can’t argue with that!

[@jbowman2602]

The Disney Wonder does not offer the treetop ropes course and the website for Icy Point states to contact your cruise line for availability? Must you go through your cruise line or can you pay at the door?

[@EMBiglin]

Does Glacier Wind operate accessible tours?

[@debbiebrotzel7994]

Did you book through Glaciers Wind Charters prior to arriving

[@parodeejay]

Yes, we always book well ahead of our sailing. They have such a limited number of spots and usually sell out.

[@sharonneat1395]

I went there years ago. Went into town by school bus for $5.00 per person. We got see whales on our way back to port.

[@CashMopar]

What month were you there?

[@parodeejay]

We’ve done May, July, and September.

[@mercyrodriguez5780]

Good morning!

[@laurafrankhouser8555]

do you know any Private tours that would take you in a five-year-old out to wear watch I know you mentioned someone in your video but they have a minimum age of 9 and my little one would love to see the whales

[@judycohentx]

The zipline at Icy Strait is amazing. Don’t think it is a young person’s ride. My friend and I are retired and absolutely loved it, even in the rain (they gave us goggles to protect our eyes). The seats when we rode it were more like sling chairs and not harnesses. Do it!!!

[@ChiZillaaa]

Do you remember the price for it?? I'm pretty interested...

[@traceychristle9948]

My brother in law lives in Hoonah

[@kacichesebro303]

What month do you prefer to travel to Alaska?

[@parodeejay]

May for pricing, August for the most wildlife.

[@taustin6524]

Visited ISP for the first time last summer and now my husband says we can’t book an Alaskan cruise if it doesn’t include this port😂😂

[@s.smiles8249]

Would love a port guide for Prince Rupert, BC.

[@parodeejay]

We’ve never been!! :D

[@paddyoreilly9134]

I like the video. I just don't understand why you say so many good things about the port but then you both barely pass it with 5.5/10. I don't get that so perhaps you can explain that to me?

[@parodeejay]

The rating at the end is not an overall port rating, but a "free and frugal" rating. That's our overall score for how much fun you can have by literally staying at the port and spending little to no money. For us, this is an excursion port for sure, and that excursion will be whale watching!! :P

[@evabalga6133]

My favorite free part is watching local master carvers working on totem pole sharing their stories, and inhaling cedar wood. You didn’t mention presentation of local show in the theater with dancing and drumming. Locals like to share their Tlingit culture with visitors, so asking them questions is another of my favorite free activity there.

[@sirsethers]

1.7 bears per square mile on that island. The brown bears outnumber the humans by far.