What did you do in Icy Strait Point?

[cruisehopeful]

I've been on a couple Alaskan cruises before. I have one next year that has a stop at Icy Strait Point (never been there before). Most reviews make it sound like a tourist trap stop. I don't have any issues with booking activities from vendors other than DCL. We're adults and most interested in wildlife. If you've been to this port, what did you do?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Whale watching is very popular -- Icy Strait Point is supposed to have lotsa whales. We saw a few, but when we got back to the ship there was a whale swimming right next to the ship -- up close and personal. Wonder what DCL paid to have the whale perform like that for us. We also went on a bear watching excursion. IIRC the two excursions were combined into one. To get to the bear-watching area we had to take a tour bus through town -- very poverty-stricken area which made it quite obvious why the locals were allowing the influx of tourists -- they badly needed the $$$$$. Some of the locals were rather hostile toward the tourists, but it's better than starving, I suppose.

 

[bcwife76]

We were there in 2019 on the Wonder and went whale watching. It was phenomenal! One of our best excursions to date.

 

[5Texans]

We went on a bear watching excursion. We didnt see any bears, but it was a lovely, easy walk. We had a lovely time walking along the shore looking at all the beautiful starfish. There is some shopping and a little museum there. It is touristy, but very picturesque.