Alaska Cruise News: Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier Alaska glacier experiences abound in 2011 Feature Article by Raye & Marty Trencher Editors and Publishers Cruise Traveler Magazine For more than 60 years Holland America has enabled guests to get up close and personal with Alaska's trademark wilderness icons. Of course, high on everyone's list of these must-see highlights are the magnificent glaciers that abound in the Great Land. There are over 100,000 of them in Alaska, remnants from the last great ice age that have been preserved due to Alaska's unique climate and topography. Glaciers only cover about 5% of Alaska's land area, but visitors who know where to look are rewarded with the rare opportunity to see, hear, and even feel the power of these beautiful rivers of ice as they relentlessly carve the landscape. So here is a guide to help  glacier-minded cruise travelers as you plan your Alaska vacation. First off, it helps to know where they are – while there are glaciers all around the state, the largest and most accessible ones are concentrated in South Central and South East Alaska. While it's possible to visit some of these by a variety of different means, cruising is by far the best choice for experiencing the undisputed crown jewels of Alaska's glaciers: Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. The first choice for those seeking the ultimate glacier experience is which of these to visit, so let's start there Glacier Bay of course has the name recognition from being its own national park, whereas lesser known Hubbard Glacier resides nearby in America's largest national park – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Holland America is proud to offer the interpretive services of a park ranger and the popular Junior Ranger program on board our ships at both destinations. But for having as much as they do in common, they are strikingly different in terms of the visitor experience. Read more about it below...   ADVERTISEMENT Looking to Book a Cruise Online? Travelocity has all the tools, competitive pricing, special promotions, and customer care you'll ever need when shopping for a cruise.  Just a few of the reasons to book with one of the largest, most trusted sellers of travel. < Click on the pic. today! Family cruise deals? Past passenger rates? Check. Senior fares? Yep. Resident specials? They've got those, too. And because they are one of the largest sellers of travel, their exclusive partnerships enable them to negotiate some of the best available rates and deals on cruises, shore excursions and trip protection. There's no need to go direct to the cruise lines, or to anyone else--you'll find everything you need on Travelocity.  Cruises are your best travel value! Save $1,000 or more compared to a land vacation!   Story continues.... Glacier Bay boasts eight tidewater glaciers within the bay that are each about 10-20 miles long, a half mile to a mile wide, and up to about 250 feet tall at their face. Holland America cruises the bay for a full eight hours, during which time you can hear collective gasps from the deck as yet another spectacular glacier comes into view or when an iceberg calves into the sea from the glacier's face. By contrast, Hubbard is one enormous river of ice – the largest and longest tidewater glacier in North America, flowing more than 76 miles through a UNESCO World Heritage Site to the sea, and nearly seven miles wide and 400 feet tall at its face! It also has the unique distinction of being one of the very few glaciers in North America that has been consistently advancing over the past century. In addition to its sheer size and a very actively calving face, a visit to Hubbard also has the feeling of being much more remote since it doesn't get nearly the number of visitors that Glacier Bay does. So the question of whether to choose Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier is best really a matter of personal preference – hopefully the above comparison will help you in making the decision that's right for you. Either way, you can't go wrong – these are two of the world's top glacier destinations and neither of them will disappoint! In 2011, Holland America offers Glacier Bay on our Friday and Sunday 7-Day Explorer sailings from Seattle and on all of our 7-Day Inside Passage and 7-Day Glacier Discovery sailings from Vancouver and Seward. Hubbard Glacier is available on our Saturday 7-Day Explorer as well as our Friday 14-Day Explorer sailings, both from Seattle. Depending on the itinerary, guests may also be treated to another glacier cruising highlight: the 26 glaciers of College Fjord in Prince William Sound or the twin Sawyer glaciers of Tracy Arm near Juneau – either of which offer an unforgettable complement to Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. The other means by which cruise guests are able to have very personal glacier experiences is on a shore excursion in Juneau, Skagway, or Haines. The glacier adventure possibilities in these ports are almost limitless, and range from a motorcoach sightseeing tour to the Mendenhall Glacier to a heli-dogsledding adventure high on the Juneau Icefield. Other options include glacier flightseeing, glacier heli-trekking or climbing, glacier canoeing or kayaking, and much more. It's safe to say that there is no place in the world that offers so many ways to experience so many glaciers as Alaska does – nor can any other cruise destination boast of anything that compares to Alaska's Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. Holland America invites you to discover Alaska's many splendors as they relax and enjoy our elegant mid-size ships, legendary onboard service, and award winning cuisine. From the moment they step aboard, our Signature of Excellence will be evident in every detail. For more Information call us at 800.365.1445

Top 10 Reasons to take a Cruise

1. Choose to cruise for VALUE. One price buys your cabin, dining, entertainment and more.

2. Choose to cruise for ROMANCE. Secluded beaches, en suite dining on a balcony overlooking the ocean and spa services for two are just some of the romantic pursuits available.

3. Choose to cruise for CUISINE. Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet fare that showcases exotic ingredients, old standbys like pizza and ice cream or spa cuisine for a healthy alternative. Depending on your mood, dine in a traditional ballroom setting, a small bistro or a casual eatery.

4. Choose to cruise for VARIETY. With over 200 distinctive ships, 3000 ports-of-call and an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do, there is a perfect cruise for you. For even more choice, consider a pre- or post-land tour.

5. Choose to cruise for ACTIVITIES. Fill your days with sightseeing, sports activities, cultural lectures, educational tours led by naturalists and historians or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming or a quiet evening gazing at the stars.

6. Choose to cruise for SIMPLICITY. Don't come back from your vacation needing a vacation. Planning a cruise is simple; your CLIA-affiliated travel agency can handle all of the details. Once you're on board, nearly all expenses are pre-paid... talk about hassle-free.

7. Choose to cruise for NEW HORIZONS. Fall asleep in one destination and awake to a new horizon... and you only have to pack and unpack once!

8. Choose to cruise for FAMILY. Families love cruising. Children's programs, kid-friendly menus and tours of the ship will keep your children happy, while affording you some time alone.

9. Choose to cruise for PAMPERING. Regardless of your budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock.

10. Choose to cruise for SATISFACTION. It's a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience.