In this one-house town, Alaskas wilderness is at your fingertips
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About 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, the tiny community of Whittier, AK, serves as a gateway to Prince William Sound. Established as a World War II port, the town now draws hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, despite only having a resident population of around 200, most of whom reside in a single building. Stop by the Prince William Sound Museum to learn about Whittier's history as a rail terminal and military port. Most other attractions here revolve around the deepwater sound, set against the majestic Chugach Mountains and home to a variety of wildlife and breathtaking glaciers. A catamaran cruise presents a scenic way to search for bald eagles, orcas, otters, seals and more. The cruise ship terminal, located at the mouth of Whittier Creek, doesn't offer much, other than efficient check-in and disembarkation facilities; a rack offers brochures on tours, eateries and the few existing shops.
Travel
This is the only road in and out of Whittier (at 2.5 miles it's the longest highway tunnel in North America). Note that the tunnel also shares its time with the railroad, so accessibility runs on a timetable. If you’re doing a one-way northbound cruise from Vancouver to Whittier, you will fly out of Anchorage airport.
Seasonal Weather Conditions in Whittier, Alaska
Look for shuttle service through your cruise line or a third-party provider. Local shuttle operators offer either narrated direct transfers or half-day tours on your way down to the port. The pick-up location for all shuttles is outside of the baggage claim at both terminals. If you are traveling by car to the Whittier cruise port, you will pass through the single-lane Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel.
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Each port will offer its own unique attractions, from picturesque fjords and glaciers to historic Alaskan landmarks. For those booking cruise itineraries that make stops in various Alaskan ports, transferring between ports will be handled for you. When booking your cruise, you will discover this is a relatively common occurrence on an Alaskan cruise.
Check out hats and scarves made from musk ox wool – known as qiviut – as well as Alaska Native artwork, hand printed apparel, jewelry, wood crafts, and more! Browse galleries, or get down to the Anchorage Market & Festival, held every Friday through Sunday during the summer. Please don’t forget to come back to whatsinport.com for new and updated port guides.
Ride the Alaska Railroad
It's best to arrange wheelchairs and boarding assistance directly through your cruise line. If you wish to park a trailer, you will need to utilize the private long-term parking lot located across the tracks from the waterfront. This parking lot, as well as camping and RV parking, is accessed by turning right just over the bridge as you approach the waterfront area. Let us create the perfect event while you relax and have the time of your life. Find exceptional City Stays & Pre/Post Overland Packages, which offer a seamless experience ashore to add to your cruise. To depart from Whittier, coming in via air is the best option for most travelers.
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Spring brings the return of milder temperatures in the 30° to 50° F range. Expect wet conditions, both from rainfall and the melting snow. While it is a dryer season by Alaskan standards, you can still expect rain showers. Public restrooms are available at the nearby Cliffside Marina & Yacht Club, as well as inside of the terminal.
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Its fascinating military history -- keeping supplies hidden under dense fog during World War II -- and picturesque Prince William Sound surroundings make it a delightful place to begin your Alaska cruise. Book an airport transfer from the airport to your ship after you book a cruise with Holland America Line. We make getting to and from your cruise comfortable, convenient and hassle-free.
You also can’t walk off the cruise ship and head off for public transportation, because there is none. This isn’t a cruise port where you can just show up and grab a taxi or uber to get you to the airport or downtown Anchorage. Whittier’s geographic location, protected waters, and proximity to tidewater glaciers drew him and his wife, Bec, to choose the town as a base of operations in 2014. If you are planning an overnight stay before or after your cruise, we highly recommend staying in Anchorage because there is much more to see and do in town, and there are more accommodation options. However, with Prince William Sound just steps away, there is plenty for cruisers to do with a few hours to kill in Whittier. Included are a few suggestions for what to do with one day in Whittier if you are feeling a bit adventurous.
Portage Valley is home to some of the most mesmerizing and accessible glaciers in Alaska, with the valley's crown jewel, Portage Glacier, standing ten stories tall and nearly a mile long. The trip to meet your ship departs, but there’s much more to see along the way. The turnouts along the Seward Highway are great photo stops for landscape shots of Turnagain Arm. A pair of binoculars or a telephoto lens could be handy too; beluga whales ply the waters and Dall sheep clamber up the rocky cliff faces.
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. Holland America Line Flight Ease® offers specially negotiated low prices, a convenient and worry-free way to book air travel, late-arrival protection, and the freedom to change your flights with no change fees. In Anchorage, you can easily navigate the city and reach the port in Whittier through various transportation options. From taxis and car rental to shuttle services, you have convenient choices to get to and from the port. But there’s another side to Whittier that someone just passing through may never see.
Huna Totem Corp., NCLH break ground for Whittier cruise dock - Seatrade Cruise News
Huna Totem Corp., NCLH break ground for Whittier cruise dock.
Posted: Tue, 11 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Nearby outfitters can set you up for an hour or an entire day of fishing. You will find no shortage of guided shore excursions that enable participants to view some of Alaska’s famed wildlife and terrain. Popular tours include hiking to Crow Pass Trail and Eagle River Nature Center. Many offer views of glaciers, historic collapsed mines, and snow-capped mountains. Seating is very limited at Whittier Alaska cruise port, with just a few folding chairs available for use inside the terminal.
Not only will you learn all of the essential information you should know about the terminal and its facilities, but we will also dive into nearby amenities and attractions, seasonal conditions, and directions. For those of you ready to embark on this type of journey, there is a good chance your voyage will involve a stop or even an embarkation departure at Whittier Cruise Port. It’s about a 90-minute drive southeast of Anchorage (and is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Anchorage Cruise Port). Luggage storage is not available at the Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal, but you can arrange luggage storage charters or individual tour operators if you are booked on a day tour.
You will also find a surprising number of restaurant options, from basic fast food chains to independently-owned, world-class restaurants. Fall brings cooler temperatures, especially in the evenings. With the cooler temperatures, you can also expect more active wildlife, especially bears preparing for winter hibernation. Seating is also very limited inside the terminal, so passengers with mobility concerns should check with their cruise lines for assistance. Taxis are readily available outside of the airport terminals, as are rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. However, cab rides to Whittier are eye-wateringly expensive (see below).
If the weather cooperates, you can rent bikes and take a ride downtown or try taking in the views along the bike trails surrounding the city. If you want something more cosmopolitan, spend some time in Anchorage. You can enjoy shopping in designer stores and exploring the city’s many art galleries and souvenir shops.
At the North Terminal, the pickup location is on the curb when you exit the terminal from the arrivals area. At the South Terminal, the pickup location is along the curb on the departures level. For more information, visit our hotel packages and pre- or post-travel arrangements. At Holland America we offer cruise travelers low prices on their flights.
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