‘I travelled 12,000 kilometres for a once-in-a-lifetime glacier experience’
Glaciers and icebergs are something I’ve long heard about, and of course, seen in films, but never thought I’d ever get to see in real life.
I was lucky enough to set sail on a Virgin Voyages cruise to Alaska and Canada earlier this year, and there was one special experience that was unforgettable.
The Brilliant Lady sailing through Alaska. Supplied/Virgin Voyages
After hopping on board the new Brilliant Lady ship, my mum and I (my plus one) soon booked the Fjord & Glacier Boat Tour (thankfully nabbing spots, as this tour often sells out fast).
This took us for an up close and personal tour of the picturesque Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
Now this ‘Shore Thing’ excursion was pricey, but it truly is once in a lifetime.
I’m not sure exactly when I’m going to get to Alaska again. Dawes Glacier is rather remote and approximately 12,000 kilometres away from Sydney, where I’m based.
So having travelled that far, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to book something so special to do together.
The day started early, and we boarded a small boat to make the journey closer to the glacier, which is hundreds of metres tall, almost two kilometres wide and named after a senator named Henry Laurens Dawes.
Of course, you see a great view of the glacier from the Brilliant Lady, but the experience takes you that little bit closer.
We booked the Fjord & Glacier Boat Tour, which allowed us to see Dawes Glacier (pictured) up close. Supplied/Chloe Longhetti
The scenery you see from the boat and as you sail up Endicott Arm is truly spectacular.
The trip up Endicott Arm lasted around 40 minutes and so you see a lot.
From waterfalls, cliffs, icebergs, stunning blue-green water and the chance to spot wildlife in one of the most remote locations in the world.
Seen is one of the bright blue icebergs we passed on the way to the glacier. Supplied/Chloe Longhetti
I travelled thousands of kilometres for a once-in-a-lifetime glacier experience in Alaska at Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm. Supplied/Chloe Longhetti
At one point, staff on the boat tour pulled on board part of an iceberg that we got to pose with and get photos with. I couldn’t believe how blue the iceberg was.
They also are experts are manoeuvring past icebergs and even circle some, so you can see them right up close. But don’t worry, safety comes first.
In an interesting moment, when we were watching the glacier, we saw two sheets of ice fall into the water, which is a process called calving.
There are two scheduled times that you can take this tour from the Virgin Voyages cruise, and I would recommend you rug up for the trip.
It must have been a trip that was at least 40 minutes up Endicott Arm, so you see a lot. Supplied/Chloe Longhetti
It was ‘summer’ in Alaska, but it was cold near the glacier, even while wearing a puffer jacket and a warm scarf.
And make sure your phone is fully charged, and you have your cameras ready, as this experience will truly create memories you’ll want to remember forever.
The writer was a guest of Virgin Voyages.
