Saturday, April 13, 2024

Port of Call Whittier: Pre- or Post-cruise Adventure

whittier cruise ship terminal

Once there, you can even take a boat tour across Portage Lake to get an up-close view of the glacier itself. As for luggage, while there are no porters at this cruise ship terminal, there are luggage carts available for use. If you’re boarding your cruise at Whittier Cruise Port, there will be a luggage drop-off in the parking lot, and the cruise line will take care of loading your bags onto the ship. The Park Connection Motorcoach offers morning and afternoon departures in both directions between Anchorage and Seward. So, regardless of which direction you are traveling, we have a departure aligned with your cruise, as well as an option that would allow for extra time in Seward.

Whittier Cruise Transfers by Train

You can see some of my pictures on my post about Whittier excursions. Here are 5 main ways for how to get from Whittier cruise port to Anchorage after your cruise. It rains a lot in Whittier; bring your rain jacket and managed expectations. Even if the tour you're on boasts 26 glaciers, you might only see one or two due to cloud cover (still, the one or two are pretty amazing). Thusly, resign your sightseeing around Prince William Sound to fate. Crews have already started clearing space for the new terminal building.

Whittier, Alaska Cruise Ship Schedule 2023-2024 - Crew Center

Whittier, Alaska Cruise Ship Schedule 2023-2024.

Posted: Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Porters at the Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal

Please see more information on our Flight Ease program here. If you don’t manage to do this before you cruise, you can book a Princess shuttle while on the cruise too in the first couple of days of the cruise. Next are some tour companies that you can have a tour alongside your transportation from Whittier to Anchorage.

Day 3: Wildlife Farewell

whittier cruise ship terminal

Before your cruise from Whittier, get to know the town—it is one of the most unique in North America. Accessible only by boat or a single-lane tunnel, virtually all of Whittier’s 200-plus residents live under the same roof—a condo complex with a school, grocery store and bank built right in. On the banks of Prince William Sound, there’s stunning natural scenery and a selection of tidewater glaciers to discover before your cruise from Whittier.

If you’re just looking for a hotel that’s closest to Anchorage airport before you fly out, one of the best hotels near the airport is Comfort Suites Anchorage International Airport. For the 2022 season (May thru September),  the following cruise lines are scheduled to be sailing one way either northbound or southbound between Vancouver, Canada and Whittier. There are public washrooms located at the cruise terminal, but not much else in terms of amenities – no WiFi, no wheelchair rental, and even limited seating. The unique town of Whittier, Alaska is located approximately 65 miles south of Anchorage.

Whittier Cruise Port: Terminal, Directions and Info

whittier cruise ship terminal

Port Whittier (locode USWQF) was established during the WW2 ( ) as a military supply seaport. As cruise port, Whittier is the gateway to Prince William Sound and Chugach National Forest (south-central Alaska). Whittier is a deepwater port and also the only ice-free Alaskan port. The most common way to get between Whittier and Anchorage is by car, which takes about 90 minutes. You can also ride the Alaska Railroad, which is about a two-and-a-half-hour scenic train journey.

Passengers disembark in the heart of a tiny business/residential district. If you want to see this iconic glacier firsthand, you can travel to it from Anchorage in roughly 1.5 hours by car. Although it’s 50 miles southeast of the city, numerous shuttle services offer affordable rides to and from the glacier.

Whittier Cruise Port Facilities?

Read on for our breakdown of the Whittier, AK, cruise port including address information, cruise line terminals, directions, services and more. Also, be sure to check out Cruise Critic's ranked cruise deals from the Whittier cruise ship terminal as well as the tips, tricks and secret advice our Cruise Critic members have about cruises from Whittier. Of course we recommend spending four or five days or more before (or after) your cruise to explore the land side of Alaska. Even if your schedule or budget does not allow for an extended land trip, at least try to arrive one day early. This will allow time for unexpected airline flight or luggage delays, and allow you to start your cruise fresh and rested.

Whittier is a strange little port town built by the military during World War II that is reached only by boat or through a one-lane tunnel almost 3 miles long. Though small in size, there are various accommodations, restaurants and activities for cruise passengers to enjoy, and are all within walking distance of the terminal. Some tours are aimed directly at wildlife viewing, so you will be taken by vehicle or boat to try and get up-close views of bears, moose, bald eagles, and other species native to the state. During your voyage, you may dock at other ports, like Seward Cruise Ship Terminal, Juneau Cruise Port, Ketchikan Port, or Skagway Port.

For shopping, the port area and downtown core offer plenty of stores. 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. It can be a great option when the weather isn’t cooperating. The closest airport to the Whittier cruise terminal is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), about a 90-minute drive away.

Hikers can enjoy the stunning views of Anchorage and the surrounding wilderness from the top of the trail. Located just 10 miles northeast of Anchorage, this immersive cultural center allows you to learn more about Alaska’s native population through demonstrations and interactive exhibits. For more casual dining experiences, there are plenty of burger joints and breweries within relatively close proximity to the cruise port.

Not only is the bus a quicker and less expensive mode of transportation, it will pick up or drop off right at your cruise ship on most departures. ACT is a popular shuttle for cruise ship transfers between Whittier and Anchorage. This company also offers a tour + transfer option, or you can do a direct transfer. Still, the tiny city of about 200 residents is a natural benefit for cruise lines sailing Alaska itineraries, actually more than an hour closer to Anchorage than Seward. (It takes about 90 minutes to get to Whittier from the Anchorage airport.) This means hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers are a part of the Whittier scene each summer. Thanks to Alaska’s famed salmon fishing, you can enjoy freshwater and saltwater fishing experiences just outside Anchorage.

Make waves with a rafting trip or jet boat safari and gain another perspective on the Alaska Range and the three rivers that join near the town. Enjoy the views on your two hour drive north to the quaint historic village of Talkeetna where you'll soar over the top of the Alaskan forest on nine different ziplines. See amazing views of the mountains and catch glimpses of Alaskan wildlife before stopping for lunch and hearing stories of gold mining days.... Whittier, Alaska The unique town of Whittier, Alaska is located approximately 65 miles south of Anchorage.

If you exit the Anchorage airport at the North Terminal, you’ll get a taxi near the arrivals area; from the South Terminal, you’ll get a ride near departures. Local shuttles offer direct transportation to the Whittier cruise ship terminal or half-day tours to sneak in a bit of sightseeing before boarding your cruise ship. There is no direct bus from the Anchorage airport to the Whittier cruise ship terminal, but the Municipality of Anchorage bus stops at the airport and the Anchorage downtown area. From there, you’ll have to take the Park Connection Motorcoach from the Dena'ina Civic Center. The ride is about two hours long and the bus will drop you right at the Whittier Alaska cruise port.

Even though Alaskan cruises are during the summer months, the temperatures are not warm. July and August provide average highs of 62 degrees F and lows of 50 degrees F. There is even an underground tunnel which leads to the school, built behind the condo building, so students don’t get cold. They use Whittier Cruise Port or other nearby ports, including Seward Cruise Ship Terminal, Juneau Cruise Port, Ketchikan Port, or Skagway Port. There are also plenty of outdoor adventure activities, including kayaking, jet skiing, and hiking. If your transfer to the ship is booked through your cruise line, your bags should be transported via luggage truck to the ship.

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