Cruise terminal and harbour
Short, level area
Ask about the route between the coach drop-off and the terminal.
Step by step
Getting ashore
Ships dock at the Whittier cruise terminal by the harbour. The town is tiny; most passengers transfer to Anchorage through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel.
- 1Check the tunnel schedule
The one-lane tunnel runs on a timed schedule.
- 2Cruise the glaciers
26 Glacier cruises leave from the harbour.
- 3Or head to Anchorage
Coach or train via Portage Valley.
💡 Pro move: The tunnel schedule rules every plan — confirm your transfer timing before booking anything independent.
Where your ship arrives
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
One cruise terminal.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Cruises & visiting lines | Whittier cruise terminal | 📍 Docked |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements were compiled for this new guide in October 2026 and have not all been independently verified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s access notes →
Starting or ending here?
Homeport & airport
✈️ Airport: Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) — about 1.5–2 hours
🚐 Getting to the ship: Cruise-line coach or the Alaska Railroad through the tunnel.
🏨 Where to stay: Anchorage, or Girdwood for a quieter stay.
Sail here
Recommended cruises
These cruise lines typically include Whittier on their itineraries — tap one to see its sailings in the region. Other lines use Seward, about 2.5 hours from Anchorage.
Typical lines only — which ships visit changes every season. Live sailings and prices come from Cruise Travellers' booking engine.
Worth your day
Top excursions
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in Whittier.
Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
No tour needed
Self-guided walks
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
🚶 Whittier harbour
1.5 km · 30 min · easy
Around the small-boat harbour, past the Begich Towers to the waterfront.
- Whittier cruise terminal
- Begich Towers
- Whittier harbor
Pack for your month
Weather & best time to visit
Best time: June–August. The warmest, longest days at 60–66°F / 16–19°C; May and September are quieter and cooler.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26°F / -3°C | 16°F / -9°C | 17 |
| Feb | 29°F / -2°C | 18°F / -8°C | 15 |
| Mar | 35°F / 2°C | 22°F / -6°C | 15 |
| Apr | 43°F / 6°C | 31°F / -1°C | 14 |
| May | 52°F / 11°C | 38°F / 3°C | 14 |
| Jun ⭐ | 58°F / 14°C | 45°F / 7°C | 14 |
| Jul ⭐ | 62°F / 17°C | 49°F / 9°C | 16 |
| Aug ⭐ | 61°F / 16°C | 48°F / 9°C | 18 |
| Sep | 53°F / 12°C | 42°F / 6°C | 21 |
| Oct | 42°F / 6°C | 32°F / 0°C | 20 |
| Nov | 32°F / 0°C | 22°F / -6°C | 17 |
| Dec | 28°F / -2°C | 18°F / -8°C | 18 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
From Melody
Insider tips
- 🚇Tunnel schedule. It alternates directions and closes at night.
- ☔Rain gear. Whittier is one of Alaska's wettest towns.
- 🏢Begich Towers. Most residents live in one building.
- 🧊Glaciers. Prince William Sound has dozens.
- 🛏️Overnight in Anchorage. Easier flight connections.
From the pier
Getting around
🚗 Ride-share: ❌ Not available
No ride-share; use cruise transfers or the railroad.
No ride-share; use cruise transfers or the railroad.
🚐 Cruise coachVaries
To Anchorage or the airport.
🚆 Alaska RailroadVaries
Glacier Discovery train.
🚶 WalkFree
Harbour area.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Keep exploring
Nearby ports
Other port guides close to Whittier.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
Make it your own
Choose your day in Whittier
Prince William Sound's glacier gateway — a one-lane tunnel, 26 Glacier cruises and Princess's Alaska homeport.
First visit26 Glacier cruise. Build around one priority, then confirm admission, transfers and time ashore.
Explore independently🚶 Whittier harbour. Published walking routes are ideas, not verified step-free routes.
A slower dayChoose one stop with seating and a confirmed return transfer. Ask the operator for the actual distance from the vehicle to the entrance.
Advisor planning lensEmbarkation logistics drive the day; arrange transfers through the cruise line for timing certainty.
Port-specific access notes
Mobility & accessibility in Whittier
The terminal is near the harbour; transfers and glacier boats are the main considerations.
Planning notes prepared October 25, 2026 for this new guide. Operator access statements have not yet been individually checked, and this is not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
Attractions and excursions: what changes the choice
Glacier cruise boats
Boarding ramps
Ask operators about ramp access and accessible seating.
A practical way to plan this port
Planning suggestion: Use the cruise line's accessible transfer and a glacier cruise with step-free boarding.
Confirm before booking
- Does the transfer coach have a lift?
- Is the glacier boat's main cabin step-free?
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsPrivate · Personal · Thoughtfully paced
Curated Ashore — Whittier
Turn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
A private take on a local highlightAsk about 26 Glacier cruise with a private guide, a flexible pace and a clearly agreed meeting point.
A day built around your interestsRequest food, culture, scenery or a quieter outing. Specify your budget, group size, walking comfort and ship schedule.
Before booking, request the named operator, inclusions, vehicle specification, entry tickets, cancellation terms and a written return plan. Private access, special entry and availability must be confirmed.
Request a Curated Ashore proposal Book a consultationYour day, your pace
Build your Whittier port-day plan
Save a personal checklist on this device, then print it or share your brief with Melody. Times are your inputs in ship time; this tool does not calculate travel times or guarantee return.
Plans stay in this browser when storage is available. Email opens your own mail app; nothing is submitted automatically.
Information Status
Confirm piers, fares, transfers, admission, tour duration and assistance with your cruise line and the relevant operator. Weather tables are indicative averages, not a forecast. Report a correction.