Whittier Cruise Port: Your Gateway To Alaska’s Scenic Wonders

On a Gulf of Alaska cruise, ships dock at Seward or Whittier. Whittier Cruise Port, 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, is used by cruise lines for embarkation and disembarkation due to its quick access to Prince William Sound. We’ve used this dock with Holland America and Princess Cruises.

Its deep-water port at West Camp Road is part of the Alaska Marine Highway. While Anchorage has a port, which is mostly used for commercial vessels, Whittier’s location is often listed as the Anchorage cruise terminal.

Travelers reach the port by car, train, or shuttle through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. This guide explains how to get there, what to expect at the terminal, and what to do around Whittier.

Where Is The Whittier Cruise Port

The Whittier cruise port, situated at the entrance of the Passage Canal in Prince William Sound. The exact address of the Whittier cruise port is West Camp Road, Whittier, Alaska 99693. It provides a less crowded alternative to the Seward cruise port.

Notably, it is also closer to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (TSAIA), making it a practical choice for travelers. Here are the distances and travel times between Anchorage and Whittier, and between Anchorage and Seward, which is further away.

As cruise ship traffic to Seward increases, the port of Whittier has become increasingly popular. For those starting their cruise in Anchorage, Whittier may be the embarkation port for their Alaska itinerary. Some cruises use this port for cruise and land tours.

Whittier is a must-see destination, with its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and rich history. The area incredibly scenic, with access to nearby glaciers in College Fjord and Blackstone Bay.

When taking a back-to-back cruise, spend the day exploring the town’s fascinating military history, visiting the local museum, and taking in the stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and mountains.

The port of Whittier remains open year-round because the area remains ice-free in winter. It provides a vital thoroughfare for cargo ships to bring goods to Anchorage and other parts of Alaska from the lower 48 states.

Who Docks In Whittier, Alaska?

As a commercial port, it’s open year-round because its deepwater port doesn’t freeze. Holland America and Princess Cruises primarily use this dock for passengers on one-way itineraries or cruise-and-land tours. Here’s a table showing where major cruise lines dock their vessels.

Getting To/From Whittier Cruise Port

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (TSAIA) is the closest airport to Whittier, about 60 miles away. The most common mode of transportation between Anchorage and Whittier is by train or shuttle, both of which typically take 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on schedules and traffic.

Northbound or southbound, passengers must pass through Maynard Mountain via the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The narrow toll tunnel has one lane, used by both vehicles and trains.

Driving through at a slow speed takes a little more than five minutes, and traffic changes direction every thirty minutes. Trains have priority, followed by buses and vehicles.

By Car & Tunnel

Driving is the fastest option at about 1.5 hours, though add time for pickup and drop-off. Renting a car offers flexibility and allows stops at Portage Glacier, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and Beluga Point.

Hertz and Enterprise serve Whittier. Few choices mean higher-than-average fees. From Anchorage, multiple airport companies are available, but one-way drop-off fees are high.

The tunnel opens northbound on the hour and southbound on the half hour. Tickets for small vehicles are USD 13, and higher for commercial transport.

Airport Transfers

Private shuttles are ideal for those who want to relax and enjoy Turnagain Arm’s scenery. They offer door-to-door service between Anchorage and Whittier, so you won’t need to walk far. The trip takes two hours.

The Whittier Shuttle, ACT Big Bus, and Park Connection Motorcoach offer transfers for Princess and Holland America guests on Wednesdays and weekends. These are the only days that their ships are in port.

For travelers with a late flight, consider the full-day transfer, which includes several sightseeing stops, including the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Visitors can see brown bears, moose, and wolves up close at the Center.

Train Option

The Alaska Railroad is another popular transportation option and may offer the most scenic route. The Glacier Discovery train journey between Anchorage and Whittier takes approximately 2.5 hours because it stops in Girdwood and Portage.

While scenic, expect to pay double the cost of a shuttle bus ticket. The scenic views from the train make the extra cost worthwhile. There is also an option to take the McKinley Explorer train, owned by Holland America, between Whittier and Denali.

No matter how you access Whittier’s port, pre-booking a transfer is advisible. Trains, shuttles, and tunnel access often sell out during peak cruise season.

Port Amenities & Practical Details

Whittier has a large, cavernous cruise terminal. It has washrooms and essential services but no shops, restaurants, or cafes. There is no complimentary Wi-Fi, but cruise guests usually do not stay here long.

Cruise Port Parking

Paid long-term parking is available near the cruise terminal on Whittier Street. But spaces are limited and can fill up quickly in summer.

Top Things To Do Near Whittier Port

For those disembarking in Whittier, cruise lines offer tours with airport transfers for guests on late flights. Or, book a later transfer and spend the day enjoying Whittier’s attractions.

Here are some top recommendations for activities in the area:

26 Glacier Cruise

The 26 Glacier excursion combines glacier viewing with marine wildlife sightings. Along with over two dozen glacier, expect to see sea lions, harbor seals, whales, porpoises and sea otters.

I witnessed lots of calving at Harvard Glacier and the boat got within 1/8 mile of its face.

Operated by Phillips Cruises, this 5.25 hour cruise offers a no-seasickness guarantee. Their vessels’ boarding area is near the cruise port, making it super convenient.

The 26 Glacier Cruise takes almost six hours, with one departure at 12:30 pm. 

Glacier Quest Cruise

If the 26 Glacier Cruise doesn’t fit your schedule, try the shorter Glacier Quest Cruise. This one lasts 3.25 hours and visits Blackstone Bay, home to two tidewater glaciers, some valley glaciers, and lots of wildlife.

The highlight of Blackstone Bay is Blackstone and Beloit Glaciers. Along the way are beautiful waterfalls, wildlife, and stunning scenery. If you aren’t pressed for time, we recommend the longer 26 Glacier Cruise. We saw more wildlife near College Fjord than in Blackstone Bay.

Visit The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Located between Portage Lake and Girdwood, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center’s 200 acre sanctuary cares for injured and orphaned animals. The preserve aims to educate, conserve, and provide quality care.

Bus tours make stops throughout the sanctuary. Bears, both black and coastal brown, as well as wood bison, are among visitors’ favorite animals. The center offers complimentary naturalist talks and wildlife encounters.

During early June visits, many animals shed their winter coats. Visitors might see young moose and, with luck, a lynx up close. In early May, we saw baby wood bison, just hours old.

Go Hiking

Whittier and the surrounding Chugach National Forest beg for exploration. There are plenty of hiking trails in and around Whittier for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Portage Pass Trail is a popular option that climbs to a stunning overlook of Portage Glacier and the surrounding mountains.

Horsetail Falls Trail is another moderate route, but half the distance at 2.1 miles. July and August are the best times to hike to avoid muddy conditions and enjoy wild salmon berries.

Explore Portage Glacier

One of the most popular attractions near Whittier is Portage Glacier. Just off the highway, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center has some excellent exhibits documenting the area’s history and information on Portage Glacier.

A glacier cruise on the MV Ptarmigan allows visitors to get close to Portage Glacier. The one-hour cruise is inexpensive and a good option for travelers with limited time.

Prince William Sound Museum

The Prince William Sound Museum is ideal for history lovers. Admission supports the local nonprofit museum. Opened in 2003, exhibits cover Whittier’s WWII military role, fishing history, and the 1964 Good Friday earthquake. Personal stories add impact.

Displays also trace earlier history, from Spanish exploration in the 1700s to the S.S. Yukon sinking in 1946.

It’s an easy way to understand Whittier’s past. This museum remains a quiet, underrated stop.

Kayaking

Exploring Prince William Sound by kayak is quite thrilling for active individuals. Experienced paddlers can rent kayaks and gear and enjoy a self-guided adventure.

Alternatively, several companies offer guided trips through Prince William Sound. Choose from the three-hour option to see a Kittiwake rookery or opt for the Passage Canal Day Tour. The latter provides a chance to see glaciers, lovely cascades, and hidden coves.

Weather In Whittier

Surprisingly, Whittier doesn’t experience those frigid winter temperatures. Hence, its port remains open all year. However, it’s a wet area year-round. We spent a few days in Whittier and encountered some precipitation each day.

June, the driest month, has average daily temperatures in the low 60s and 9 inches of rain. In contrast, December averages 29.5F and has almost 20 inches of precipitation. Even in July and August, the warmest months, 11 and 16-1/2 inches of rain fall, respectively.

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