I grew up in Alaska, and though my family has since moved away, I try to visit at least once per year (twice in 2021!). I’ve seen humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, puffins, and many, many glaciers. Embarking on a cruise ship to Whittier offers a unique perspective of Alaska’s scenic coastline. As your ship glides through the sparkling waters of the Prince William Sound, you’ll have the opportunity to witness stunning glaciers, towering fjords, and abundant wildlife from the comfort of your ship’s deck. Before your cruise from Whittier, get to know the town—it is one of the most unique in North America.
Tiny Whittier debates an Alaska Native corporation's proposal for a second cruise ship dock - Anchorage Daily News
Tiny Whittier debates an Alaska Native corporation's proposal for a second cruise ship dock.
Posted: Fri, 28 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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The 14-story Begich Towers, now a condominium that houses most of Whittier’s population, and the Buckner Building, once the largest building in Alaska, is currently abandoned. Today the town population ranges from 182 – 218 citizens of Whittier. All visitors to Whittier who travel by rail or highway will transit North America’s longest shared rail and car tunnel.
One of the biggest reasons people visit
Whether you prefer to relax in your seat and gaze through our large panoramic windows or use the spacious outside observation decks, our vessels provide you with many ways to enjoy the view. Prince William Sound boasts one of the world’s largest concentrations of tidewater glaciers. College Fjord and Blackstone Bay provide impressive panoramic views of spectacular glaciers flowing down from the mountains to the saltwater.
Travel Is Our Tradition
If you choose Whittier, there are still things to do, just fewer options. Annual precipitation brings 197 inches of rain and 241 inches of snowfall. Summer temperatures range from 49’F to 63’F, while winter weather gets 17’F to 28’F. During inclement weather, residents use underground passenger tunnels to walk between their residence in Begich Towers to the school and grocery store.
Departure Ports
Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean. What lies beneath the waves is almost as impressive, where ice plunges 1,200 feet beneath the surface.
Alaska Day Cruises
The pristine waters of Prince William Sound provide a nutrient-rich environment for a variety of wildlife. We cover 150-miles on our way to view the glaciers, and our Captain keeps an eye out for sea otters, Steller sea lions, bears, mountain goats, and whales. At the end of the cruise, visit a kittiwake bird rookery inhabited by more than 10,000 birds nesting on the rocky cliffs in Passage Canal. The Glacier Quest Cruise, a shorter route (ideal for younger kids) focuses on magnificent glaciers in Blackstone Bay.
Published Rates for 2024 Season
For seeing glaciers to your heart’s content, book a day cruise from Whittier. It’s essential to check the flight schedules and book your tickets in advance to secure your preferred travel dates and times. During the peak summer season, when tourism in Alaska is at its highest, flights may fill up quickly. Several commuter airlines operate flights between Anchorage and Whittier, providing convenient schedules for travelers. These flights offer stunning aerial views of the Alaskan landscape, allowing you to admire the majestic mountains and glistening glaciers from above. The Anchorage train station is conveniently located in downtown Anchorage, allowing for easy access.
The Head of the Bay
Whittier boasts a state-of-the-art cruise terminal that can accommodate large ships. The terminal provides facilities for passenger check-in, baggage handling, and other services to ensure a smooth embarkation process. One of the most popular and exciting ways to reach Whittier is by embarking on a cruise ship.
Travel Planner
Conditions constantly change due to weather, ice flows, and wildlife activity. The Captain adjusts the cruise route to provide the best cruise experience while keeping your safety and comfort a top priority. The crew is attentive throughout the cruise, ensuring that your time with us is an enjoyable memory and a favorite highlight of your Alaska vacation. Marine wildlife and migratory birds easily outnumber people in Prince William Sound, so the odds are good that you will see a lot more than glaciers on our cruises! Sea otters are a common sight, along with harbor seals, Bald eagles, and kittiwakes.
You might not think Whittier—a town with fewer than 300 residents—would be the gateway to multiple cruise ship docks, a major railhead, dozens of glaciers, and a temperate rainforest. The seas are generally calm in these fjords and our vessels are large catamarans, providing extra stability for a smooth and comfortable cruise. In the unlikely event you experience seasickness during the cruise, please seek assistance from a crew member.
Cruise into magnificent Blackstone Bay, home to seven glaciers and towering waterfalls. Cruise Lines offer itineraries from Whittier that range from 7 to 7 days. You can choose cruises lasting from and 7-day cruise, depending on the length of your holiday. While you will be responsible for transferring your luggage between the transportation provider and the cruise ship terminal, we can provide assistance with storing your luggage during the cruise. There are people who make a day of it with a round trip train from Anchorage to Whittier and back to do the 26 glacier boat tour. If you are going to Glacier Bay National Park on a cruise ship, you will become familiar with the term “calving.” This is when huge chunks of ice fall off the glacier and into the water.
What should I expect boarding to like for my cruise departing Whittier, AK? Please visit our cruise preparation FAQ for information on how to access or print boarding passes, how to check in online, and to see if you need a passport. We have two questions for any customer who indicates they are traveling with a service dog so we can prepare for your arrival. Large picture windows provide a view from every seat on the main and second deck on each vessel. Reserved indoor seating for each confirmed guest provides a designated location where we will serve lunch and creates a base camp to keep personal items during the cruise. Guests can move about the vessel to take advantage of the many outside observation decks.
There are a variety of cruise options available, ranging from luxurious liners to smaller expedition-style ships. Choose a cruise that best suits your preferences, whether you’re seeking a relaxing retreat or an adventurous exploration of Alaska’s remote areas. It’s advisable to book your bus tickets in advance, especially during the peak summer season when demand is higher. This ensures that you secure your seat and have a hassle-free journey to Whittier.
And, like the 26 Glaciers Cruise, there is a no-seasickness guarantee, so you can focus on all the wonders around you. So, pack your bags, choose your preferred mode of transportation, and get ready to explore the wonders of Whittier, Alaska. Whether you’re embarking on a cruise or simply visiting this charming town, your journey to Whittier will be an experience filled with natural beauty, adventure, and memories that will last a lifetime. The Glacier Quest Cruise takes you from Whittier to a neighboring Fjord where two tidewater glaciers await you.
As you’ve read, they are definitely different and have two different experiences to offer. Whittier is better for glaciers, and Seward is better for whale-watching – but that doesn’t mean you won’t see whales from Whittier or spot glaciers on your Seward cruise. In the end, there’s no right answer to whether you should visit Whittier or Seward – on a day cruise or as a cruise port.
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