Favorite Port in Alaska, Icy Strait Point

2023 Cunard Queen Elizabeth - 29-Day Transpacific Yokohama to Vancouver

June 11, 2023 (Sunday) -- Icy Strait Point

It was great that we get to visit ISP again. Can’t shake my memories of our first visit here with family members on the NCL Jewel cruise a few years back. That was the best ever yet. The second time here MOR was sick and did not get off the ship. Christian and I tried to get off on that rainy day but only ended up as far as the terminal area to use the Wifi. Then last year when MOR and I made the trip on Eurodam, we arrived here at night. Couldn’t see any thing and couldn’t go into Hoonah. We only did the gondola to the other side of the pier and visited the cannery. Let’s see how this time is going to be.

The reason I like Icy Strait Point is that it's not as commercial as the other ports and it is so much prettier as far as the scenery goes. 

We gathered in the morning as the ship moored into port. Then we walked off to the Adventure Center, went straight out to the Veteran’s Memorial Trail. 

Some excursion boats picked up passengers at the pier.

Walking into Adventure Center.

As I have mentioned it before, they do have Care Carts that assist those who can not take the long walk from ship side to the Adventure Center.

Duck Point Smoke House 

with an excellent view

Adventure Center

Orca Dream Sculpture

Million-Dollar view

Back of the cannery.

Tickets to get on the shuttles.

The walk was beautiful as the same as last time we did this. Unfortunately, there was no whales in the water but the scenery was amazing. We took it slowly because of the mobility issues that some in the group have. The 1.5-mile walk took about an hour and a half when we reached the town of Hoonah. We also found the house of the Chinese lady whom we read on the Chinese newspaper. She had put it on the market with a for sale sign posted along the highway.

At the start of the walk.

There are benches along the walk for breaks.

It's Sunday, so the town of Hoonah was very quiet. By the time we got there, it was exactly 11:00 and the church bell rang for Sunday worship. I would have loved to attend church here if not having people following us. A man came to tell us to stay on the main road because there’s bear sightings up near the hill. How exciting! 

 

Harbor of Faith Lutheran Church

City Hall

We walked down to the harbor and another gentleman told us about the eagle’s nest on that Eagle Nest Tree which we did not find the nest last time. There’s definitely something there as we looked this time with the two adult eagles standing guard at their nest.

Eagle Nest Tree

Beautiful habor.

After a brief rest at the souvenir stop, we turned around to walk back to the ship. A couple of people went back on the shuttle.

Resting outside The Shops.

The walk back was a little challenging since we were tired and it started to drizzle. Christian spotted a whale far away and later we all saw the spray and the tail. Definitely exciting after not seeing wildlife for most of our trip!

Spotted another bald eagle at the top of a tree while walking back to the ship.

We went back to the ship for a late lunch before coming back out for the gondola ride and visited the cannery museum. I accidentally found the Salvation Army mini donut shed opened and bought a dozen of mini donuts. They had many flavors to choose from and they sprinkled that whatever flavor you choose on the donuts. One can order two different flavors for the dozen and I ordered Birthday Cake and Boysenberry. They tasted just like that, like a piece of birthday cake and then the half dozen tasted Boysenberry. Not cheap, $9 a dozen which was gone in a couple of minutes but just think of it as charity and a must try when coming to ISP.

Taking the gondola to the Wilderness Landing on the other side.

A free ride.

I believe people can also walk the path underneath.

We saw a deer down there but couldn't get a picture fast enough.

Then we went to check out the cannery one more time...

...before getting back on the ship.

So peaceful and serene.

Past the the sculpture again.

For tonight’s dinner, we decided to skip MDR and went for the buffet. There’s more variety up there and we can each choose what we wanted instead of being restricted to the limited and repeated menu at the MDR. 

For video of our day in Icy Strait Point, please click here.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."   -- Mark 10:14