Departure port · Port of Whittier · Alaska
Cruises from Whittier
Whittier, about 60 miles from Anchorage on Prince William Sound, is the northern port for one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises to and from Vancouver with Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Regent and others, from mid-May to mid-September. Itineraries often include College Fjord and Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. The only road in runs through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which opens to traffic on a set schedule, so transfers from Anchorage (ANC) need planning.
- Alaska
Photo: Forest Service Alaska Region, USDA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cruise port
- Port of Whittier
- Location
- Whittier, Alaska
- Main destinations
- Alaska
- Cruise lines
- 5 lines sail from here
Sailing from Whittier
Whittier is one of the strangest towns in Alaska: a former World War II military port on Passage Canal where most of the roughly 300 year-round residents live in a single 14-story building, Begich Towers. Mountains and hanging glaciers rise straight from the water, and the only land access is a 2.5-mile (4 km) single-lane tunnel shared by cars and the Alaska Railroad.
That remoteness doesn’t stop it from being a major cruise gateway. Its sheltered deepwater harbor sits right on Prince William Sound, so ships leaving Whittier can spend their first evening among the glaciers of College Fjord, then head across the Gulf of Alaska to Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan on the way to Vancouver, or the reverse. Princess has long used Whittier, and Holland America, Norwegian, Regent and Azamara sail from here too.
Whittier makes sense if you want a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise combined with a land tour to Denali, and it’s closer to Anchorage than Seward. The downsides: there’s little to do in town and almost nowhere to stay, the tunnel schedule shapes your arrival, and the weather is famously wet and windy.
Where cruises from Whittier go
Cruise lines sailing from Whittier
Port of Whittier cruise terminals
Cruise ships berth at deepwater docks on the harbor, a short walk or shuttle from the tunnel exit and the Alaska Railroad platform; the facilities are modest compared with big-city terminals. Most passengers arrive on cruise line motorcoaches or trains timed for sailing day, and luggage is often handled for you from Anchorage or your land tour. Check-in and security are quick because arrivals are spread out by the transfer schedules. If you’re arriving independently, aim for the tunnel opening that gets you to Whittier well within your boarding window.
Getting to the port
Flying in
Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) is about 60 miles (97 km) away, usually around 90 minutes by road including the tunnel. Cruise lines run motorcoach transfers from the airport and downtown Anchorage hotels, and the Alaska Railroad runs train service to Whittier, including departures timed for cruise days. Private shuttles also make the trip. Allow extra time for waiting at the tunnel.
Driving
Take the Seward Highway south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm, turn onto the Portage Glacier Road and continue to the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The tunnel alternates direction, with Whittier-bound and Anchorage-bound traffic taking turns and trains given priority; it closes overnight, and a toll is charged. Check the current published schedule and arrive at the staging area early.
Parking
Whittier has paid lots near the harbor, used mainly by boaters and locals. Most cruise passengers arrive by transfer or train, so parking is rarely needed. If you’re driving a one-way rental, confirm drop-off arrangements, since Whittier has very limited rental services.
Where to stay before a cruise from Whittier
There are only a couple of small inns and some condo rentals in Whittier, so most cruisers stay in Anchorage, about 90 minutes away, where downtown hotels are close to the Alaska Railroad depot and cruise line pickup points. Girdwood, about 45 minutes from Whittier, is a good alternative, with the Alyeska Resort, its aerial tram and hiking trails. Book early, as summer rooms near Anchorage fill fast.
Things to do in Whittier before or after your cruise
- 1
Prince William Sound glacier cruise
scenery
Day boats leave Whittier’s harbor for several-hour cruises past dozens of tidewater and hanging glaciers in the sound’s fjords, with chances to see sea otters, harbor seals, puffins and whales. Some trips focus on a single glacier face. It’s a good way to fill a pre-cruise day if you stay nearby.
- 2
Portage Glacier and Begich, Boggs Visitor Center
nature
On the road to the tunnel, the Chugach National Forest visitor center explains glaciers and the Portage Valley. Summer boat tours cross Portage Lake for a close view of Portage Glacier, which has retreated out of sight of the visitor center, and the short Byron Glacier Trail leads to another glacier nearby.
- 3
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
wildlife
Near the junction of the Seward Highway and the Portage road, this sanctuary cares for orphaned and injured animals, including brown and black bears, moose, musk oxen, wood bison and elk, in large natural enclosures. A drive-through loop and walkways make it easy to visit in an hour or two.
- 4
Horsetail Falls Trail
nature
A short, steep trail starting behind Begich Towers climbs to a boardwalk overlook of waterfalls and Passage Canal. It’s a quick way to stretch your legs before boarding, though it’s often muddy, so wear waterproof shoes.
- 5
Girdwood and the Alyeska Tram
scenery
The aerial tram at Alyeska Resort rises to a mountaintop viewing area over Turnagain Arm and seven hanging glaciers. Girdwood itself has the Winner Creek rainforest trail, the historic Crow Creek gold mine and good restaurants, making it a handy overnight between Anchorage and Whittier.
When cruises sail from Whittier
Cruises from Whittier sail from about mid-May to mid-September. June and July bring nearly endless daylight and the warmest temperatures, while May offers snow-capped peaks and lower fares, and September brings fall color, fewer crowds and the first chance of northern lights on dark nights. Rain is common in every month; Whittier is one of the wettest towns in Alaska.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 28-2 | 30-1 | 331 | 404 | 468 | 5815 | 6418 | 6116 | 5412 | 436 | 310 | 31-1 |
| Low °F (°C) | 20-7 | 20-7 | 22-5 | 310 | 415 | 4910 | 5412 | 5311 | 468 | 362 | 23-5 | 22-5 |
| Rain in (mm) | 7.4188 | 6.1156 | 5.9149 | 5.4136 | 5.9150 | 5.2132 | 6.7171 | 10.5266 | 10.7271 | 10.0253 | 9.3236 | 9.5242 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
Embarkation day tips
- Never plan to drive to Whittier at the last minute. The tunnel opens to Whittier-bound traffic only at set times, and missing an opening can cost you the better part of an hour.
- Pack good rain gear in your carry-on. Whittier is often wet and windy, and you may walk outdoors between transfers and the ship.
- Watch the departure from the deck. Ships leave up Passage Canal toward Prince William Sound, and many itineraries reach College Fjord that first evening.
- On disembarkation day, transfers arrive at Anchorage’s airport around midday or early afternoon. Most flights to the Lower 48 leave in the evening or overnight, so plan a short tour or a day room.
- Carry your passport: a one-way cruise to or from Vancouver crosses the Canadian border, and you’ll fly into or out of Canada at the other end.
Cruises from Whittier: FAQs
How do you get from Anchorage to Whittier for a cruise?
By cruise line motorcoach, the Alaska Railroad or a private shuttle or car. The trip is about 60 miles and takes around 90 minutes by road, including the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. Cruise lines time their transfers to the tunnel schedule.
How does the Whittier tunnel work?
The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is a 2.5-mile, single-lane tunnel shared by cars and trains. Traffic runs one direction at a time on a fixed schedule, it closes overnight, and drivers pay a toll. Check the published schedule and arrive early.
Which cruise lines sail from Whittier, Alaska?
Princess and Holland America are the most frequent, with one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises to and from Vancouver. Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas and Azamara also use Whittier, and other lines occasionally switch here from Seward.
Where should I stay before a cruise from Whittier?
In Anchorage or Girdwood. Whittier has only a couple of small inns and some rentals, while Anchorage has plenty of hotels and easy access to cruise transfers and the Alaska Railroad. Girdwood is closer and more scenic.
Is Whittier or Seward closer to Anchorage?
Whittier. It’s about 60 miles from Anchorage, or roughly 90 minutes including the tunnel, compared with about 125 miles and two and a half hours or more for Seward.
Do you need a passport for a cruise from Whittier?
Effectively, yes. Cruises from Whittier are one-way to or from Vancouver, so you enter or leave Canada at the end of the trip. A valid passport is the easiest document for crossing the border and flying home.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.