Whittier Cruise Port: Logistics, Things to Do and More
There's nothing prettier than the tiny town of Whittier, but it's tough to get to without advanced knowledge. In this article discover some of the logistics of how to get to Whittier from Anchorage, what to do if you have time in town, and more.
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About Whittier
For my time in Whittier, I enjoyed rainy end of season weather, but in the summer months mid-cruise season, I can imagine that this port is an absolute gem.
With a unique history to tell, Whittier was built by the military during WWII along with the Anton Anderson tunnel, built for ferrying cargo back and forth between Whittier and Anchorage.
A fascinating build out, the tunnel is the longest dual use tunnel in the United States, meaning both vehicle traffic and rail cars (trains) can travel along the tunnel route, which is 2.5 miles long.
The feat is really interesting because not all that long ago, the tunnel carried only cargo and passengers by train along the tracks within the tunnel. Now, cars are allowed in a toll system, which operates in a one-way direction, swapping every half hour.
Because the tunnel is the only route into town by land (you can also arrive by small aircraft or by boat), the town is home to less than 300 residents, many of them seasonal, all living in the same building in town.
Called the Begich Towers, it's the "new" version of an abandoned complex you can see on the cliff side across the small town, where literally most residents stay when they live in the village. What I was told was that you can't build on the land in Whittier because the railroad owns the lands now, but I don't know the validity of that so we'll just leave that there.
Meanwhile, tiny Whittier has two major operations drawing visitors to port - the seasonal cruise ship traffic and regular siteseeing tours of the Prince William Sound.
Let's learn a bit more about both.
About Whittier Cruise Port
If you've been around the world to cruise ports like Port Canaveral in Florida or Barcelona's ship port, you may know them to be massive outfits - huge ramps, luggage services, taxi cars and chaos, really.
But driving past the Whittier Cruise Port, it looked like somewhere you'd just hop onto a ferry for the day. Cool and casual, the low fuss port imaginably does get crowded and busy, but it's not a major operation.
Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Holland America ships depart from Whittier during the summer season, and may say "Anchorage (Whittier) port" on your itinerary.
Don't be confused, there is also an Anchorage port a few miles from the downtown center of Anchorage, but Whittier is a good 60 miles from Anchorage, so keep that in mind.
If you are still in the research phase, consider browsing Alaska cruise options at the link or button below to get an idea of what is in store.
Book or Browse Alaska Cruises on CruiseDirect.com
Otherwise, let's move on to what is in Whittier, a greatly recommended tour for you to make time for while you are there, and the best options for getting into Whittier for your cruise.
What to Do in Whittier
Outdoor and Adventure Tour Ideas in Whittier
If you've got a day before you embark, or you are finishing your cruise in Whittier, the town is a fantastic launching point for boating adventures, fishing charters, glacier tours and visits to Blackstone Bay.
The adventurous can also go on ATV adventures, heli tours and glacier dog sledding with outfits like Alpine Air Alaska.
But if you ask me what the the number one thing to do in Whittier is, I'd suggest taking a tour with Lazy Otter Charters. They offer many customized siteseeing tours, a water taxi service, guided kayaking, and the show-stealer - their glacier site seeing tour on Prince William Sound.
More About Lazy Otter Charters
Designed for beach landings, the Lazy Otter Vessels are uniquely equipped to sail the in-land seas of Prince William Sound and Blackstone Bay, with options to stop in rocky coves for a stroll or a boxed lunch snack.
Boats accommodate up to 30 people.
The staff is genuine and kind with so much knowledge to share about the area. From stories of the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill near the neighboring town of Valdez and its impact on the animals and environment, to the care of professionalism taken when piloting through less than ideal weather conditions like rain, fog and yes, tiny icebergs!
See glaciers, waterfalls and enjoy comfortable indoor seating, along with a bathroom and outdoor areas for pointing out animals.
Whether on Lazy Otter Charters or some of the other available tour companies in Whittier, expect to see otters, eagles, and more.
Not Sure About a Smaller Craft?
If a hot lunch and bigger digs is what you need, that's fine too! Whittier offers a much larger boat for the less sea-worthy folks, and your admission includes a hot Alaskan salmon chowder for lunch. Click here to learn more about this tour.
Here are some other great options for boat tours in Whittier:
Hiking and Walks in Whittier
Lastly, you can take a historical walking tour of Whittier, or lace up your hiking boots for several trails of varying levels.
Portage Pass is the most strenuous with a steep hike that is not for the faint of heart, while Horsetail Falls is moderate and hilly at 1 mile and same for Emerald Bay Trail at 2 miles. The easiest hike will be the Whittier Creek Trail at 0.5 miles.
Pick up a map in one of the town stores for more information and guidance before you set out to hike.
Stores and Amenities in Whittier
In the truly tiny town, it is possible to visit the tasting room at Prince William Sound Salt Co for locally harvested culinary sea salt, or pop in to Whittier Fudge to indulge a sweet tooth.
They may be few and far between, but the town's general stores have practical gear and items you may have left home before your journey.
Where to Stay in and Around Whittier
Most people will stay in Anchorage and travel in for embarkation day.
Options in Whittier are extremely limited, but you can visit the Anchor Inn for a good meal and a place to stay or the Glacier View Condo Suites.
The Inn at Whittier is a nice option, but is still recovering from flood damage and is temporarily closed at time of writing.
Alyeska Resort is not in Whittier, but along the way from Anchorage, and offers ski lodge decor, mountain-style Alaskan dining, a spa, and more.
How to Get to Whittier Cruise Port from Anchorage
Getting to Whittier by Car
Cruise ship parking is available in Whittier if you own or rent a car, but most will come into Whittier by way of a bus, train or private transportation.
No matter the vehicle, the drive into Whittier is a scenic one along the popular Turnagain Arm route from Anchorage.
Head to Whittier through the Anton Anderson tunnel mentioned in the introduction, and if you are doing the driving, study up on the tunnel website below for more information about time tables, tunnel schedules, weather and toll costs.
All tolls are round trip tickets, and remember the tunnel swaps directions every half hour.
Cruise Ship Transfer and Tour Options From the Whittier Cruise Terminal to Anchorage
If you have time to spare, especially on the return route to Anchorage from Whittier, consider one of these pre-packaged cruise ship transfers that include siteseeing stops.
This tour involves port transfer and also a fun-filled day of unique stops. Enjoy the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where I got to see bears on an elevated "bear walk", and witness the once-extinct, now fully alive and thriving Wood Bisons, now restored to Alaska.
This tour also stops for foodie fun - sampling reindeer meat, smoked sausage and chocolates. There's even more surprises in store than that, so if you are looking for a ride back to Anchorage, this is a no-brainer.
This one is beer focused - have a hoppy day and get a ride back into town while you're at it!
This tour stops at a brewing company and also offers up lunch and brews at the top of Alyeska's Tramway in the ski resort of Alyeska. I went up there and this is a sweet spot for catching off-season trail views!
Mostly a shuttle service, this tour also includes a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, along with stops along scenic Turnagain Arm.
Getting to Whittier by Bus
Consult https://www.alaskacoach.com/.
Buses are $40-75 per person and run on demand. The ride takes about 2 hours including the tunnel time.
Getting to Whittier by Train
Take the historic Alaska Railroad!
The trip goes out once a day and takes 3 hours, according to my sources. Review time tables and pricing at https://www.alaskarailroad.com/.
For more information on how to get from Anchorage to Whittier, consult Visit Anchorage's website.
For other helpful cruising resources, consult my other links including:
Happy cruising!
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