Today we had the pleasure of waking up in Frederick Sound on our way to LeConte Bay. Our morning mission was to explore the vast masses of ice that have calved off the face of LeConte Glacier. Named after a California scientist Joseph LeConte, the glacier was once the fastest receding glacier in the entire world: At one point it was documented a retreat of half a mile in five months. We loaded into our Zodiacs and ventured in between the icebergs, studying the various textures and nuances of each chunk of ice. Retiring to National Geographic Quest to get warm, we docked the ship in the town that fish built: Petersburg, Alaska. The afternoon encompassed a plethora of options including bog walks, aerobic hikes, dock walks, bike riding, and exploring the town on foot. We finished the day with a large crab feast where everyone onboard could enjoy the fruit of this quaint town of Petersburg.
6/14/2025
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National Geographic Quest
Southeast Alaska
On the last full day of our voyage, we woke in Endicott Arm near the Dawes Glacier. We spent the morning enjoying Zodiac tours to the face of Dawes Glacier and watched multiple calving events. We were also able to spot several harbor seals, waterfalls, and a couple harbor porpoises on the way. After lunch we had the opportunity to participate in a polar plunge. Forty people decided to brave the frigid water for a short swim. Those of us not eager to jump into glacier water were able to watch from the bow. After the polar plunge, we warmed up on board as we started transiting towards Juneau. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall to once again admire the amazing natural beauty of Alaska. During our farewell recap, we were treated to a quick visit by a humpback whale. We ended our day with a slideshow made up of our favorite photos and memories of an amazing week on board National Geographic Quest .