Virgin Voyages has shared more details about its new Fjord & Glacier Boat Tour, an optional Shore Thing available during selected Brilliant Lady’s Alaska sailings.

The excursion takes place during the ship’s scenic sailing through Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, giving sailors the opportunity to leave the ship and explore the fjord aboard a much smaller vessel. At $450 per sailor, it is one of the most premium Alaska experiences currently offered by Virgin Voyages.

Unlike traditional shore excursions, there is no port stop involved. Instead, sailors board the tour boat directly from Brilliant Lady before rejoining the ship later in the fjord.

What Is the Fjord & Glacier Boat Tour?

The experience takes place aboard a 78-foot, three-deck catamaran accompanied by a naturalist. The smaller vessel travels through Endicott Arm, navigating around floating ice and beneath waterfalls while making its way toward Dawes Glacier.

Because the boat is much smaller than Brilliant Lady, it can travel significantly closer to the glacier and deeper into the fjord, offering a very different perspective of one of Alaska’s most scenic waterways.

The captain will also pause throughout the journey whenever conditions allow, giving sailors time to photograph wildlife and take in the surrounding scenery.

What You’ll Experience

Every tour is slightly different as weather, wildlife, and ice conditions change throughout the season. While no two excursions are the same, sailors may encounter:

• Dawes Glacier up close
• Floating icebergs and ice floes
• Waterfalls cascading down granite cliffs
• Harbor seals resting on the ice
• Bald eagles soaring overhead
• Humpback whales feeding in the fjord
• The sound of glacier ice calving into the water, when conditions allow

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, and the captain will determine how close the vessel can safely approach the glacier based on weather and ice conditions.

What’s Included

The Fjord & Glacier Boat Tour includes several refreshments and onboard amenities throughout the experience.

• Round-trip transfer between Brilliant Lady and the tour boat
• A naturalist providing commentary throughout the excursion
• Unlimited coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
• Two alcoholic drinks, including beer or wine
• Multiple opportunities for photography and wildlife viewing

Tour Times and Pricing

The excursion currently costs $450 per sailor. Virgin Voyages has listed two departures during the Endicott Arm sailing day.

These times are shown in the onboard Lineup and may vary slightly between sailings. Sailors will meet in Extra Virgin and be led to the boat.

How to Book

Unlike many Shore Things, this excursion cannot be reserved before your voyage begins.

Once onboard Brilliant Lady, sailors can book the experience by:

• Opening the Virgin Voyages app and selecting the Endicott Arm sailing day in the Lineup (not Shore Things)
• Visiting the Shore Things desk on Deck 7.

As capacity is limited, Virgin Voyages recommends booking as early as possible after boarding. Sailor Loot can be used for this excursion.

Things to Know Before You Go

Before booking, sailors should keep a few practical considerations in mind.

• The excursion is not ADA accessible.
• Dress in warm layers and bring a waterproof jacket, as Alaska weather can change quickly.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider taking medication before boarding, as the smaller boat moves differently from Brilliant Lady.
• Glacier access and wildlife sightings depend entirely on conditions on the day.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours of the excursion incur a 100% cancellation charge.

Is It Worth It?

Brilliant Lady already offers impressive views while sailing through Endicott Arm and toward Dawes Glacier but is limited in how far she can enter the area. However, the Fjord & Glacier Boat Tour offers a much more immersive experience by bringing sailors closer to the glacier aboard a smaller vessel.

At $450 per sailor, it is one of Virgin Voyages’ more expensive Shore Things, but for sailors hoping to experience Alaska’s glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife from the water itself, it offers a unique way to explore one of the highlights of the itinerary.