Tucked into the mountains at the head of Passage Canal, Whittier is Alaska's most singular port — a tiny Cold War town where most residents live in a single skyscraper, surrounded by waterfalls, glaciers, and the calm waters of Prince William Sound.
All ships dock directly at Whittier — no tendering. The compact town center is a short, flat walk from either pier.
💡 Pro move: Whittier is almost always an embarkation or debarkation port, not a mid-cruise stop. Most passengers are beginning or ending their Alaska cruise here.
Whittier has two piers — a new state-of-the-art terminal opened in 2024 and a legacy dock used exclusively by Princess and Holland America.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | Chugach Glacier Gateway Terminal, 1313 Prince William Sound Drive📍 | Docked |
| Princess Cruises, Holland America Line | Old Dock, Whittier📍 | Docked |
Prince William Sound is the star — most passengers do a glacier cruise or kayak tour right from the harbor, with WWII history and hiking rounding out the day.
Phillips Cruises' signature 26 Glacier Cruise takes you deep into Prince William Sound to see 26 named glaciers, including actively calving tidewater glaciers. Sea otters, harbor seals, puffins, and Steller sea lions are commonly spotted. Departs from the harbor, steps from your ship.
Find Prince William Sound glacier cruises →Paddle the famously calm, protected waters of Prince William Sound past waterfalls, near glacier faces, and alongside harbor seals resting on ice floes. Guided half-day tours depart from Whittier harbor.
Find Whittier kayaking tours →One of the few places in Alaska where you can ride a guided jet ski to the face of a glacier — a thrilling way to experience Prince William Sound's cold, glassy waters.
Find Whittier jet ski tours →Whittier was built as a secret Army port in WWII. Explore the Prince William Sound Museum (inside the Anchor Inn), view the haunting Buckner Building — a massive abandoned concrete barracks that once housed 1,000 soldiers — and learn about life in this Cold War outpost.
Find Whittier history tours →Take the Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery train from Whittier to the Spencer Whistle Stop, then float the Placer River through spectacular glacial scenery. A quintessentially Alaskan day.
Find Spencer Glacier float tours →Whittier is one of Alaska's best sport fishing ports. Half- and full-day charters target halibut and salmon in Prince William Sound's rich waters.
Find Whittier fishing charters →Whittier's compact layout makes it easy to explore on foot — from the harbor to the trailhead for the Portage Pass hike in under 15 minutes.
Walk from your pier along the waterfront to the small boat harbor, past tour operator docks, shops, and the Swiftwater Seafood Cafe. Look for sea otters in the harbor.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Whittier's best free hike. Walk past the train tracks and climb to Portage Pass for a spectacular view of Portage Glacier and Portage Lake. The first mile is the steepest — after that, it's all payoff.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Pre-booked shared motorcoach transfers run directly from the cruise terminal to Anchorage (1.5–2 hrs). Multiple operators including Whittier Shuttle and Alaska Cruise Transfer coordinate with ship arrivals.
Private SUV or van transfers to Anchorage airport or hotels. Includes door-to-door service; good value split among a small group.
Guided transfer to Anchorage with stops at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Glacier, and Turnagain Arm. Combines transport with a scenic shore excursion.
Uber operates in Whittier, but availability is limited in this small town — expect longer wait times and higher fares, especially on ship days. Reserve in advance when possible.
Whittier itself is tiny — the dock, a few shops, and the iconic Begich Towers (where most residents live) are all within easy walking distance. No transport needed to explore the waterfront.
Upcoming cruises that call at Whittier, Alaska, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.