「金公主」號游輪在夕照下,沿著Lynn Canal南行。第五天凌晨抵達被列為世界自然遺產冰河灣國家公園(Glacier Bay National Park)。位於阿拉斯加和加拿大交界處的冰河灣國家公園佔地面積達13萬平方公里,是世界上潮汐冰川(Tidewater glaciers --- 流向海洋的冰川)最集中的地方。整個冰河灣國家公園包含了16處潮汐冰川,佔世界總數的一半。偉大的自然學家、「國家公園之父」 繆爾(John Muir)稱讚這片冰凍的荒野是「一幅無法形容的純潔和壯麗的圖畫(A picture of icy wilderness unspeakably pure and sublime)」。繆爾這一貼切的描述頓使冰河灣揚名天下,吸引眾多的人們乘船前來觀賞這世界奇觀。
直到18世紀初,這片神奇的荒野還是一塊1.2公里厚、32公里寬、160公里長的單一巨大的冰川,曾被印第安Tlingit族稱為「大冰山灣」(Big Ice-Mountain Bay)。由於近幾個世紀來的氣溫變暖,四千年前上個小冰期形成的冰川開始快速退縮。1879年,繆爾來此考察時,這個冰川已向陸地縮回了77 公里!冰川繼續以地球上最快的記錄退縮,迄今留下了一個點綴著眾多潮汐冰川、105公里長、不到20公里寬的、多岔的大峽灣(fjord),成為全球最大的受保護的水域公園(protected water area park)。
There are nor roads into Glacier Bay National Park from the rest of Alaska. To get there, you must fly, or arrive by boat.
Cruise ship (means any motor vessel of at least 100 tons gross (U.S. System) or 2,000 tons gross (International Convention System) certified to carry more than 12 passengers for hire.) use in Glacier Bay proper is subject to both daily and seasonal regulatory limits. A "daily vessel quota" limits use to no more than two cruise ships per day (year around).
The alternative is the MV Wilderness. Instead of 10 stories, you get only 2, plus a large complement of kayaks are carried along. When the ship pulls into an interesting inlet, the passengers are allowed to offload into the kayaks and putter around. You still get your great meals and your soft bed. The inside cabin/reduced rate is not an option on this smaller ship, however.