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The best time to visit Whittier and experience both cruises and the town is during the summer months, from May to September. This period offers the warmest weather, longer daylight hours, and a higher chance of clear skies, providing ideal conditions for both cruising and exploring the city. The summer months also align with the peak cruise season, ensuring a lively atmosphere and a wide range of itineraries to choose from. Explore cruises from that depart in the months of May 2024, June 2024, July 2024, August 2024, and September 2024.
Whittier or Seward: Where to See Glaciers & Whales in Alaska
Secondly, Whittier is located much further inland, about 75 nautical miles from the ocean, where whales enter Prince William Sound. Seward, on the other hand, is less than 20 nautical miles from the open ocean. 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.
Explore Prince William Sound
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards. Rates, dates, taxes, and fees are subject to change without notice. At the time of travel, adult fares apply to ages 12 and up, child fares apply to ages 2 – 11, and Infants under 24 months must be confirmed on the passenger manifest. Passengers aged 2 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
Travel Is Our Tradition
Before returning to Whittier, you'll visit a bird rookery home to thousands of kittiwakes. Roughly 50% of people visit Alaska by cruise each year, and may not care about seeing any more glaciers or whales when they visit. If you choose to travel to Whittier by cruise ship, it’s important to check the embarkation details provided by your cruise line. This will include information about the designated check-in time, luggage regulations, and any necessary documentation required for boarding. Many major cruise lines offer itineraries that include Whittier as a port of call. These cruises provide an all-inclusive experience, combining transportation, accommodations, meals, and entertainment, allowing you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.
Prince William Sound is magnificent and something that only your eyes can truly capture. Trace the jagged mountaintops to the rivers of ice twisting their way back down to the sea. While you are busy viewing glaciers, our crew will be “ice fishing” to collect some of the fresh glacier ice that recently calved off the glaciers. We will bring the ice on board, rinse and chop it up for our signature drink – a Glacier Ice Margarita. If you prefer a hot drink after viewing the glaciers, warm your spirits with one of our signature hot cocktails like the Klondike Coffee or the Polar Bear Cocoa.
15 Incredible Things to Do in Whittier, Alaska - Cruise Hive
15 Incredible Things to Do in Whittier, Alaska.
Posted: Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:56:20 GMT [source]
The ship schedule for the year 2024 includes numerous exciting voyages from Whittier, the picturesque capital city of Alaska, to various enchanting destinations across the beautiful state. Embark on an unforgettable journey aboard luxurious cruise ships, and experience the breathtaking natural wonders, rich wildlife, and charming coastal towns that Alaska has to offer. Explore magnificent glaciers, witness majestic humpback whales, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and history of this remarkable region.
Explore the Wild!
It is not uncommon to see orca whales, humpback whales, sea lions, black bears, mountain goats, Dall’s porpoise, and migratory birds on our 26 Glacier Cruise. First of all, there are no day cruises in Whittier that focus specifically on whale watching. This naturally suggests that while you might see whales, it’s not common enough that the tour operators are willing to stake their business on it. Read on to discover whether Whittier wins at whales or Seward’s sweeping views include the most glaciers.
Glacier Cruise - Glaciers
The Harriman Expedition discovered College Fjord in 1899 and named the towering glaciers after the great East Coast universities of the United States, like the Harvard Glacier. With the largest collection of tidewater glaciers in the world, your scenic Alaska cruise through the fjord will make a lasting memory. Each half-day cruise includes narration on the history of the Alaska Natives who ventured into the sound in centuries past. Listen as the crew explains how the fjords have been transformed over the past 15,000 years. Learn about the various types of glaciers along the route and the history of the Harriman Expedition of 100 years ago that named many of the glaciers.
Travel Tips for Whittier
The Alaska Railroad operates seasonally, with more frequent services available during peak summer months. The train ride from Anchorage to Whittier is truly a feast for the eyes. As you meander through the Alaskan wilderness, you’ll witness towering mountains, majestic glaciers, and pristine forests.
A complete refit in 2017 of the M/V Klondike Express brought modern charcoal, burgundy, and silver colors to the stylish seating with flexible back support and comfortable upholstered seats. USB ports at every table to provide guests an easy way to recharge their phones or cameras during the cruise. Both Seward and Whittier have other activities in town, but the reality is that Seward is better if you want to enjoy other activities in addition to a glacier viewing/whale-watching cruise. While visiting Seward, there are loads of things to do, including hiking, tide-pooling, and tours – like helicopter sightseeing, dog-sledding, and fishing.
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]
We are not obligated to accommodate emotional support animals that provide comfort just by being with a person. If they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. While cruising, check out our collection of Alaska-themed gifts available for purchase. If you seek a wider variety of gifts, please visit our unique gift store, Grizzly’s Gifts, located at the corner of 4th and E Street in downtown Anchorage. Review our Menu Choices (PDF) and let us know which meal you would like to enjoy during the cruise when you make your reservation.
On the 26 Glacier Cruise, you will see several types of glaciers, including Alpine (hanging), Piedmont and Tidewater. Glacier calvings (when broken pieces of ice fall into the water and become icebergs) are normally seen on each cruise. Many different animals call this area home; bald eagles are commonly seen fishing in the area, it is not uncommon to see humpback whales plus sea otters are almost always present. Our 26 Glacier Cruise uses the M/V Klondike Express and the M/V Bravest. While viewing Prince William Sound, the cool air can often drain batteries quicker than expected.
This small, secluded town — only accessible by land via the two-mile long Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel — is nestled between soaring mountain peaks and the Passage Canal. Having been originally founded as a military facility during World War II, today, Whittier is your gateway to the famous Prince William Sound. The spectacular rugged coastlines and waterways are home to abundant wildlife, including bears, mountain goats, Dall sheep, whales, sea lions, otters and much more. Unleash your inner explorer on one of the many outdoor activities or enjoy a scenic boat tour along a portion of the sound. Nestled amidst stunning natural landscapes, Whittier serves as an enchanting departure port for your Alaskan cruise. Ships usually depart from the Whittier Cruise Terminal in the late afternoon, allowing ample time for passengers to check-in and settle aboard their cruise ship.
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