United States (Alaska) Alaska Anchorage (Whittier)
Princess and Holland America cruises to and from Anchorage use Whittier, a Prince William Sound port reached by a one-lane tunnel.
The harbour is a 10-minute walk from the ship. Anchorage and its airport are 97 km away, about 1.5 h by coach or 2 h 15 min by train.
Whittier, on Passage Canal in Prince William Sound, is one of the two ports, with Seward, used for one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises that begin or end in Anchorage. It is about 100 km (60 miles) southeast of Anchorage, roughly an hour and a half by road. The only road into town passes through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a single-lane tunnel 4 km (2.5 miles) long shared by cars and trains, which opens in each direction at set times and closes at night. Princess and Holland America ships use the Whittier Cruise Terminal, on the west side of the harbor next to the railway station. A newer terminal at the head of the bay, used by Norwegian, Regent and Oceania, lost its dock in a fire in September 2026. Most passengers travel between the ship and Anchorage by cruise line coach or by the Alaska Railroad.
The town is small: most of its residents live in a single building, the 14-storey Begich Towers, built as military housing. Visitors often use the time before or after the cruise for a boat trip in Prince William Sound, where several operators run glacier cruises from the harbor to see tidewater glaciers, sea otters and other wildlife. On the way to Anchorage, the road passes Portage Glacier and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, which cares for bears, moose, wood bison and other animals.
From the ship to the centre
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On foot to the harbourAlong the waterfront to the boat harbour, its cafés and shops (700 m) and to Begich Towers and the town museum (1.2 km).10-15 minFree
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Cruise line transfersPrincess and Holland America sell coach and rail transfers between the ship, Anchorage hotels and Anchorage airport (ANC), timed for embarkation.1.5-2.5 hSet by the line
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Glacier Discovery to AnchorageAlaska Railroad, late May to mid-September. Leaves Whittier at 18:45 and reaches Anchorage at 21:00; southbound it arrives in Whittier at 12:05.2 h 15 min$122 one way
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By road through the tunnelCar, taxi or private shuttle from Anchorage, 97 km. The one-lane Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel opens to each direction once an hour.About 1.5 h$13 toll per car
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26 Glacier CruisePhillips Cruises catamaran from the pier next to the cruise terminal to College Fjord and Harriman Fjord. Meal included.5 h$219 adults
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Portage ValleyBegich, Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Glacier (10 km) and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (19 km), by tour or car on the way to Anchorage.15-25 minSet by operator
Map of Anchorage (Whittier)
Climate
Average daily temperatureCool and very wet: average temperatures of about 14 °C in July and -2 °C in January. Rain is frequent all summer. The cruise season runs from May to September.
Tips for your call
- Which terminalPrincess and Holland America use the Whittier Cruise Terminal. The newer Glacier Gateway Terminal burned in September 2026: check with your line where 2027 cruises dock.
- Tunnel timesSummer opening 5:30 to 23:15. Vehicles go into Whittier on the half hour and out on the hour; trains can add 15 to 30 minutes. No walkers or bicycles.
- Tunnel toll$13 per car, round trip, paid on the Portage side when entering. Nothing is charged when leaving Whittier.
- Before or after the cruiseThe 26 Glacier Cruise leaves at 12:15 and returns at 17:15 from the pier next to the terminal. Phillips stores luggage for its guests.
- FlightsAnchorage airport is 97 km away. Allow for the tunnel schedule and possible waits before booking a flight on disembarkation day.
- WeatherWhittier is one of the wettest towns in Alaska. Bring a rain jacket and a warm layer, even in July.
Accessibility
The area between the cruise terminal and the Phillips Cruises pier is paved and flat. Alaska Railroad trains have wheelchair access. The town is small and compact. Ask the cruise line about adapted transfers to Anchorage.
In pictures
