Don't Do Icy Strait Point Wrong: Alaska Cruise Port Guide
Icy Strait Point PortNorwegian Cruise Line Cruise LineNorwegian Bliss Cruise ShipNorwegian Encore Cruise ShipNorwegian Jade Cruise ShipNorwegian Joy Cruise ShipNorwegian Spirit Cruise Ship
Don't pay $50 for the red Sky Peak gondola at Icy Strait Point until you hear this Free at Sea trick. I spent the day in Icy Strait Point on Norwegian Jade and this is the most relaxing DIY Alaska cruise port if you understand the Wilderness Landing vs Ocean Landing layout. In this Icy Strait Point DIY port guide I cover my exact day: NCL Whales and Marine Mammals Cruise with a juvenile brown bear and 45 minutes with a breaching humpback, the free green Transporter gondola between sides, the 1912 cannery and $30 half Dungeness crab at the Crab House, tender-to-dock timing after we tendered in the morning, and the Sky Peak Gondola vs Sky Peak Gondola Campfire and S'mores math with the $50 Free at Sea excursion credit. Whether you're sailing to Alaska on Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy or Norwegian Spirit, this applies — Icy Strait Point is privately owned, so the layout, free green gondola, and red SkyGlider pricing work the same no matter your ship. Always check your NCL app for your sailing date as excursion prices vary.Are you already booked for Alaska or still deciding? Let me know in the comments. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Don't pay $50 for the red gondola until you hear this Free at Sea S'mores trick I picked up 0:06 - Brian here with The Independent Cruiser - why Icy Strait Point is the most relaxing DIY port in Alaska 0:19 - Port layout explained: Wilderness Landing where NCL docks vs Ocean Landing by the 1912 salmon cannery, connected by the free green Transporter gondola or 15-minute forest walk 0:37 - Tender warning for your sailing: we tendered in the morning, then docked at 2pm when the other ship left and tender ops paused for two hours - watch ship time 0:50 - What I booked: 11:30am NCL Whales and Marine Mammals Cruise, cheaper in my pre-cruise research than independent, pickup right at the cruise pier 1:03 - Get there early tip: arrived 11:10 last in line, inside second-level seats taken, stayed outside the full 2.5 hours and why that was better 1:23 - Wildlife payoff: juvenile brown bear foraging for starfish and shellfish close to shore, then 45 minutes with a full-breaching humpback the crew said they hadn't seen in two weeks 1:59 - Walking to Ocean Landing: shops and restaurants in the old cannery, self-guided 1912 museum, easy trail then beautiful boardwalk along the water 2:24 - Where I ate: half Dungeness crab for $30 at the Crab House, only fresh crab they had, tasty and family approved 2:35 - Green gondola back to Wilderness Landing: not scenic through the forest but peaceful, super easy and free 2:46 - Red gondola research since we didn't ride: SkyGlider up to Sky Peak over Tongass National Forest, $49.99 adult via NCL and $49.95 at the window, good all day for unlimited 7-8 minute rides 3:09 - The S'mores hack a fellow cruiser shared: gondola-only is not eligible for the $50 Free at Sea credit, but Sky Peak Gondola Campfire and S'mores from $69.99 is, so you effectively pay ~$20 for gondola plus experience, kit feeds two so book one S'mores and gondola-only for the rest 4:01 - Prices vary by sailing so check your NCL app for your date before you decide 4:06 - My weather advice: if it's cloudy Sky Peak is a bust, hedge and buy SkyGlider tickets at the window day-of so you can pivot 4:29 - Back onboard after Wilderness Landing docked: spotted more whales right from the ship at dock 4:38 - My Icy Strait Point Playbook recap: book midday whales early and stay outside, use green gondola free, check S'mores with Free at Sea credit or window day-of, $30 crab, easy relaxing day 5:05 - Are you already booked for Alaska or still deciding, plus questions - I read and respond to everyone Disclaimer : This channel is independent and not affiliated with, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) or any of its subsidiaries. All product names, logos, brands, and screenshots featured in this video are property of their respective trademark holders. Their use does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. Content is created strictly for independent educational and informational purposes under Fair Use guidelines. This educational video represents my personal experience and opinion as a passenger. Always review your specific cruise contract and consult with the cruise line directly regarding your booking.