By Hayley Simpson | Published on March 31, 2021
While you'll pass by many beautiful glaciers on your cruise through Alaska, nothing compares with how they look from above. Alaska helicopter tours will take you where you've never been before, giving you an unparalleled bird's-eye view of grand glaciers, deep fjords, rugged wilderness and more.
For thrill seekers looking to maximize adventure time during a short stop at an Alaskan port, a glacier helicopter tour is the perfect quick excursion. Depending on your selected tour, your adventure could be anywhere between 30 minutes and 2.5 hours.
There's nothing quite as exhilarating or as fun as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes. In this setting, it's easier to comprehend the sheer magnitude of Alaska's amazing glaciers, and seeing a bird's-eye view of the beautiful expansive rivers of ice is guaranteed to take your breath away.
Alaska helicopter tours can be fun for the whole family since most fit a maximum of six passengers. Everyone will get an unobstructed view of these stunning glaciers as the pilot regales you with stories, history and insights behind the dramatic scenery you're flying over. Plus, helicopters are much more comfortable than airplanes! So, if you usually get motion sickness, don't worry, as motion sickness in helicopters is not common.
Before you take off, it's important to be prepared. Leave your luggage in your room, and only bring what you absolutely need, such as a pair of binoculars and warm clothes. You'll want to dress appropriately in closed-toe shoes, layered clothing and sunglasses. Typically, most tours prohibit the use of iPads, GoPro sticks and drones, so put these devices away and take it all in.
Luckily, you can depart on your helicopter tour from several Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise ports. If you're near Anchorage, check out the Knik Glacier — a 400-foot wall of ice spanning over 28 miles in the Chugach Mountains. It's known for its expansive and otherworldly bright blue lake made of melting glacial water.
Gigantic glaciers, with their crevasses, ice rivers and mind-blowing vibrant colors, are definitely not the only picturesque landscape you'll see on these Alaska helicopter tours. You can sit back and relax as you get up close to unreachable places and landscapes, such as cascading waterfalls, vibrant blue hidden mountain lakes, rugged forests, unending mountains and jagged peaks that simply cannot be accessed by land. And keep your eyes peeled, because you're bound to see plenty of Alaskan wildlife, such as moose grazing by river beds, grizzly and black bears, mountain goats and Dall sheep.
However, if you're looking for even more of a thrill, some tours offer a glacier landing, where the experienced tour crew will provide you with crampons and all necessary safety equipment to hike these ancient glaciers. Surrounded by mountains and with thick snow and ice under your feet, this may be your only chance to witness first-hand what the Ice Age was like.