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Although it's a gateway to the glacier- and wildlife-filled Prince William Sound, most people have had no reason to go there. Except -- and this is a big except -- Whittier has experienced a boon as an alternative embarkation and disembarkation port to ship-crowded Seward. Princess Cruises primarily homeports ships here for the entire Alaska cruise season.
Cruise Check-in Process and Security Procedures
Avis has a location in Whittier about a seven-minute walk from the cruise terminal, near the Small Boat Harbor. If you do the 26 glacier tour, they will store your luggage during the tour. You can have one final fun Alaska experience after your cruise! Whittier Mayor Dave Dickason said local residents have concerns about the project, especially later phases that would add tourist amenities in town. The idea is to bring more tourists to both Alaska — and the small Prince William Sound community — something Dunleavy said he supports.
Alaska Cruise Transfers to Whittier and Seward
Stretch your legs with a bike ride or walk along one of Anchorage’s accessible paved trails. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail follows the shores of Cook Inlet for 11 miles, and offers amazing views from almost every point along the way. It also ties into an extensive network of paths and trails; bike rentals are available downtown if you are ready for a longer ride.
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HAL-Holland America opens bookings for 2025 Alaskan cruises
With a population of approximately 200, Whittier is situated overlooking Prince William Sound, and has an industrial and military feel, due ... Whittier cruise port is located at Passage Canal's entrance in Prince William Sound. The port is approx 100 km (60 mi) southeast from Anchorage AK. While joining a trailhead directly from Anchorage is possible, Chugach State Park offers different starting points, so you can see Alaska’s lush forests, towering peaks, and famed wildlife exactly how you would like to.
Big Swig Tours
49th State Brewing is an excellent option for trying local beer and picking up a souvenir. Unsurprisingly, winter in Whittier and the surrounding area is cold. Temperatures tend to range between 5° and 25° F, so make sure you pack warm clothing if you plan on spending time outdoors. You should also anticipate snow and ice, so winter-appropriate footwear and outerwear is a must. We’re going to take an in-depth look at the popular Alaskan port.
Spend the day at the Chugach National Forest or view bears, moose and bison roaming in vast natural habitats at the Wildlife Conservation Center. If you intend to visit Anchorage, check the tunnel schedule and give yourself extra time for summer traffic. On March 31, 2022, was announced that Huna Totem Corporation has signed an MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) with NCLH-Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings for building a new cruise dock/second berthing facility in Whittier. The project's construction works started with the groundbreaking ceremony held on October 10, 2022. The new Whittier cruise ship dock and terminal project is a joint venture between NCL-Norwegian, Whittier City and Huna Totem Development Corporation.
With a population of approximately 200, Whittier is situated overlooking Prince William Sound, and has an industrial and military feel, due to it playing a key role in Alaska’s defense strategy during World War II. In fact, the majority of the town citizens live in what was army barracks – the 14-storey Begich Towers. After arriving by plane in Anchorage, Alaska, depart from the picturesque port of Whittier, and immerse yourself in the stunning Alaskan wilderness. Embark on exciting outdoor adventures and encounter incredible wildlife, before setting sail to explore the wonders of Alaska.
Otherwise, there will be a luggage drop-off point in the parking lot. There are no restaurants or shops inside the Whittier cruise ship terminal. If you want to grab a quick bite or buy last-minute essentials, there is a small assortment of cafes and shops around the Small Boat Harbor. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is the closest airport to Whittier, AK. You can book your Princess cruise transfer before the cruise. You’ll log into your account and there’s a section where you can book a post-cruise transfer.
Read more information about our EXC City Stays & Overland Tours. I like to search for flights on kayak.com to see which airline offers the most favorable flight (taking into consideration cost, transfers, and departure/arrival time), and then book directly with the airline. So if you want to take the train, you’ll need something to do before then, and the 26 glacier tour can be perfect. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find independent luggage storage options, so that really limits what you can do after your cruise if you want to stick around until evening. Whittier has more use as a staging ground for getting out on Prince William Sound.
See the current recommendation for flights after a Princess cruise. The Alaska Railroad train from Whittier to Anchorage is an evening departure. It’s not cheap, but one of the Anchorage hotels that’s commonly recommended in cruise facebook groups is the Hotel Captain Cook. “It’s that feeling of living in a college dorm, but you’re an adult and you don’t have a resident advisor,” says Jamie Loan, the city’s planning and zoning commissioner. Travel Turnagain Arm to find scenic vistas, historic sites, and trailheads with direct access to the mountains of Chugach State Park.
The port has a small boat harbor but it is popular as homeport (cruise departure port) due to the wide range of shore excursions and tours starting from here. Most itineraries are 7-day one-ways between Whittier and Vancouver (BC Canada). Whittier Tunnel runs through Maynard Mountain linking Whittier with Anchorage (via Seward Highway). This combined railway-highway tunnel is the only access to Whittier by land.
Most of Whittier’s 280 residents live in the 14-story Begich Towers Incorporated, or “the BTI” to locals, because the Alaska Railroad owns most of the land around the city. Army barracks, the peach-colored condo building has its own post office, library, grocery store, and an underground tunnel that leads to the school. Despite the sound views, quaint it's not -- the feel is very industrial and military. It began as a frontier trading post, and today it’s the starting point for Denali climbing expeditions. The mountain looms large in Talkeetna, even for non-climbers.
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If you are interested in an Anchorage excursion or visiting the city independently, you have a few options. By car, it takes about 90 minutes to travel between the port and Anchorage. A taxi ride to the Whittier cruise ship terminal is not recommended if you're coming from Anchorage. A one-way ride from Anchorage to Whittier can set you back a couple hundred dollars.
If you are arriving by car and you're not dropping it at a rental facility, you can park at a supervised lot along Whittier Street, a short walk south of the Small Boat Harbor and cruise dock. Cash, checks and Visa, Discover and Mastercard are accepted (but not American Express). Kenai Fjords National Park is a popular tourist destination because of its glaciers, scenery, and sealife.
You must arrange transportation in order to get from Whittier cruise port to Anchorage after your cruise. Howard, who grew up in Juneau, saw firsthand what happens when out-of-town conglomerates take over locally owned businesses to serve massive numbers of cruise ship passengers. But Dickason said he personally believes having a second dock for cruise ships in the community will be a good thing.
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