Whittier (Alaska)

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

Rating:
Whittier cruise port

Region
Alaska

Local Time
2024-03-28 01:42

min: 17 °F (-9 °C) / max: 35 °F (2 °C) 22°F
-5.7°C
Wind: 266°/ 2 m/s  Gust: 1.6 m/sWind: 266°/ 2 m/s  Gust: 1.6 m/sLight breeze
2 m/s
Min / Max Temperature35 °F / 2 °C
17 °F / -8 °C
  Port Map

Port Whittier cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Whittier, Alaska. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

DayShipArrivalDeparture
11 May, 2024
Saturday
Princess Cruises Cruises cruise lineRoyal Princess20:00
15 May, 2024
Wednesday
Princess Cruises Cruises cruise lineGrand Princess20:00
18 May, 2024
Saturday
Princess Cruises Cruises cruise lineSapphire Princess20:00
19 May, 2024
Sunday
Holland America Cruises cruise linems Noordam01:0019:00
25 May, 2024
Saturday
Princess Cruises Cruises cruise lineRoyal Princess20:00
26 May, 2024
Sunday
Holland America Cruises cruise linems Nieuw Amsterdam01:0019:00
29 May, 2024
Wednesday
Princess Cruises Cruises cruise lineGrand Princess20:00
31 May, 2024
Friday
UnCruise Adventures Cruises cruise lineSafari Explorer

Port Whittier (locode USWQF) was established during the WW2 (1939-45) 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 port has a small boat harbor but it is popular as homeport (cruise departure port) due to the wide range of shore excursions and tours starting from here. Most itineraries are 7-day one-ways between Whittier and Vancouver (BC Canada). The most popular "cruising destinations" visited from Whittier are Portage Glacier (Kenai Peninsula), College Fjord (Prince William Sound) and the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel (aka Whittier Tunnel - North America's longest highway tunnel/dual-use/motorway and railway tunnel, with length 4,1 km / 2,52 mi) that is part of the Portage Glacier Highway. Whittier Tunnel runs through Maynard Mountain linking Whittier with Anchorage (via Seward Highway). This combined railway-highway tunnel is the only access to Whittier by land.

Whittier Harbor is used by both cruise ships and AMH ferries (serving Alaska Marine Highway System with headquarters in Ketchikan AK). The town is served by Whittier Airport (airfield with one runway / not maintained during winter). Around 3% of the air traffic is taxis. There is also a seaplane dock.

On March 31, 2022, was announced that Huna Totem Corporation has signed an MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) with NCLH-Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings for building a new cruise dock/second berthing facility in Whittier. The port development project was privately funded (by NCLH/USD 80 million) and consists of the construction of a cruise docking facility at the head of the bay (2-berth/double-sided pier with capacity to accommodate ships from all NCLH's brands/NCL-Norwegian, Oceania, RSSC-Regent Seven Seas), as well as a cruise terminal, dining venues and retail shops, a cultural center, plus additional facilities for train and bus access. The project's construction works started with the groundbreaking ceremony held on October 10, 2022. The new Whittier cruise ship dock and terminal project is a joint venture between NCL-Norwegian, Whittier City and Huna Totem Development Corporation.

Note: The Hoonah-based Huna Totem Corporation and NCLH also jointly developed Icy Strait Point's second cruise ship pier (Wilderness Landing Pier) that was inaugurated in 2021 August.

Whittier cruise terminal

Whittier cruise port is located at Passage Canal's entrance in Prince William Sound. The port is approx 100 km (60 mi) southeast from Anchorage AK.

Whittier cruise terminal is an alternative to Seward cruise port, which is more crowded. It is also closer to Anchorage's airport (TSAIA). You can reach Whittier from Anchorage by Alaska Marine Highway ferry system or along the scenic Turnagain Arm (Chugach Mountains) by car (Whittier Access Road and Seward Highway). Drive distance is 1,5 hours (by car).

If the transfer is not included in your cruise package, you can use Whittier Shuttle bus or Avis car rentals from the airport.

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  • Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel: the tunnel connects Whittier and Prince William Sound to the the Seward Highway. The highway tunnel to South-central Alaska is the longest one in America.
  • Prince William Sound Glaciers: Whittier cruise port is the western gateway to this major attraction. You will be amazed by stunning glaciers and spectacular fjords views. If you like kayaking, try the Prince William Sound waters.
  • Wildlife: Whittier cruise port is surrounded by the beautiful Chugach National Forest. Take some time to discover the wildlife in the wilderness.
  • Fishing charters and scuba diving. 
  • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: located 10 minutes away from Whittier cruise port terminal by car. You can find wild animals including grizzlies, bison, elk, bears, deer, moose, musk ox, coyotes, birds of prey, foxes, lynx and caribou. The animal are injured or orphaned.
  • Portage Lake Glacier: take the Whittier Access Tunnel to reach the glacier and the Begich Boggs Visitor Center. There you can find interpretive display and you will learn a lot about the arctic landscape, the glaciers, the arctic wildlife and the glacier lakes.
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Whittier tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

  • Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel: the tunnel connects Whittier and Prince William Sound to the the Seward Highway. The highway tunnel to South-central Alaska is the longest one in America.
  • Prince William Sound Glaciers: Whittier cruise port is the western gateway to this major attraction. You will be amazed by stunning glaciers and spectacular fjords views. If you like kayaking, try the Prince William Sound waters.
  • Wildlife: Whittier cruise port is surrounded by the beautiful Chugach National Forest. Take some time to discover the wildlife in the wilderness.
  • Fishing charters and scuba diving. 
  • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: located 10 minutes away from Whittier cruise port terminal by car. You can find wild animals including grizzlies, bison, elk, bears, deer, moose, musk ox, coyotes, birds of prey, foxes, lynx and caribou. The animal are injured or orphaned.
  • Portage Lake Glacier: take the Whittier Access Tunnel to reach the glacier and the Begich Boggs Visitor Center. There you can find interpretive display and you will learn a lot about the arctic landscape, the glaciers, the arctic wildlife and the glacier lakes.
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