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Roughly 50% of people visit Alaska by cruise each year, and may not care about seeing any more glaciers or whales when they visit. Ride the train along the scenic Turnagain Arm to Whittier, located at the entrance of Prince William Sound. Enjoy a narrated cruise on a catamaran and see impressive glaciers and marine mammals like the adorable sea otters. 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.
DAY RAIL & CRUISE PACKAGE
All passengers are assigned indoor cabin seats around tables with USB ports. While at the glaciers your captain idles the engine down as low as possible. He'll also rotate the boat so everyone can see, offering a different angle each minute. When stopped, the crew actually scoops glacier ice over the side and brings it up for you to touch. It's a rare day when you don't see some kind of calving activity, anything from little snowballs to a big sheet of ice. The boat comes within a 1/4 mile, close enough to hear the glaciers move as well as see the brilliant blues in the ice.
Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There
Passengers arriving by train can walk from the Whittier Depot to the Phillips Cruises & Tours kiosk at the Cliffside Marina. Passengers arriving by car can park for a fee in pay lots across the Whittier Creek bridge toward the marina. Plot a course through Blackstone Bay, Esther Passage, and College Fjord to see 26 of Prince William Sound’s spectacular glaciers. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip.
Which is Better for Seeing Glaciers?
Whittier serves as an exceptional launchpad for your Alaska vacation, whether you embark on a driving tour, explore the region via a railroad tour, or traverse the landscapes in a comfortable motorcoach. Regardless of your chosen mode of exploration, the experience promises to be nothing short of unforgettable. From Whittier's scenic backdrop to its accessible waterways, your journey begins with a captivating blend of convenience and natural wonders.
Glacier Cruise - Glaciers
This longtime operator offers up-close views of glaciers, wildlife, mountains and the rugged beauty of Prince William Sound in one afternoon—which plenty of people say was the highlight of their vacation. In early May and June, watch for "maternity wards" of otters and seals on the icebergs; the abrasive ice serves to ward off orcas. Watch for "rafts" of otters as well-maybe 300 all together; like synchronized swimmers, they'll flip from floating on their backs and dive into the water all at once. The most common whales in Prince William Sound are humpbacks and orcas, with sightings of minke whales as well. You may also spot wildlife on land, such as bears and mountain goats. Of the 200 species of bird life inhabiting this area, bald eagles are very prominent.
As always, make sure you are booking through your cruise line if you are only making a port of call stop in the area. Those booking back-to-back Alaskan cruises to enjoy everything the most northern state offers will find a cruise transfer relatively simple. This is thanks to the well-maintained highway system, railroads, and short-haul flights. If you are boarding at the Whittier cruise port, you will want to follow your cruise line’s specific boarding instructions. Regardless of the cruise line, you should be able to quickly present valid photo identification and travel documents upon arrival at the port.
On an Alaska cruise, unpack once and explore glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska. In 2024, the company will operate four high-speed catamarans on the calm waters of Prince William Sound.
To begin, Whittier is a small Alaskan waterfront town, home to 318 people at last count. It is located at the head of Passage Canal in Prince William Sound, roughly 60 miles south of Anchorage. You can reach Whittier by train in roughly two hours on the Alaska Railroad, or drive from Anchorage in about 90 minutes. Either way, you’ll enter Whittier through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, constructed as part of Whittier’s strategic military history.
2024 Alaska Cruises: Sail from Seattle, Seward, Vancouver, and Whittier - Cruise Blog
2024 Alaska Cruises: Sail from Seattle, Seward, Vancouver, and Whittier.
Posted: Tue, 11 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
You will not have trouble finding boutique shops selling souvenirs and unique Alaskan art. Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall is located downtown, and it offers five levels. 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.
With days stretching to as long as 20 hours of sunlight, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors. The Whittier Cruise Port is about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage. 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. So if you want to do a day cruise and explore beyond the cruise, Seward is the way to go.
Prince William Sound is a nutrient-rich environment for a variety of wildlife. Our captains and crew will keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. It is possible to see sea otters, Steller sea lions, bears, mountain goats or whales on our cruises. Birders will delight at the change to get an up close look at a kittiwake bird rookery inhabited by more than 10,000 birds nesting on the rocky cliffs in Passage Canal. Cruise the calm, protected waters of Prince William Sound and come face to face with tidewater glaciers plus an amazing array of wildlife on Phillips Cruises & Tours.
I want to spend a little time talking about both Whittier and Seward, and the day cruise options offered by each one. This will help you get a sense of each town; then I’ll dive into which one is better for different Alaskan experiences you might want to have. The 26 Glacier Cruise travels 140 miles into Prince William Sound where you will see 26 “named” glaciers and many more unnamed. You get face to face with these towering masses of ice, so close you can “hear” the glaciers move and gaze at their brilliant blue hues.
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