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It's best to arrange wheelchairs and boarding assistance directly through your cruise line. To Whittier, cars typically leave on the half-hour, but the schedule varies depending on the season.
HAL-Holland America opens bookings for 2025 Alaskan cruises
The port adheres to high-security standards, so you should leave plenty of time for luggage and bag checks and metal detector scans. You should know where your cruise ship is docked and which terminal you should report to ahead of time. At Port Anchorage, passengers can use bus shuttle service (usually complimentary), taxis and rental cars downtown. Shore excursions (by train and bus) also leave from the cruise terminal. Cruise ships don’t leave Anchorage directly, but most popular cruise lines have cruises that depart from one of the ports close to Anchorage. You will find no shortage of guided shore excursions that enable participants to view some of Alaska’s famed wildlife and terrain.
Wheelchairs and Accessibility at the Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal
The Whittier Cruise Port is about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage. If you are interested in an Anchorage excursion or visiting the city independently, you have a few options. By car, it takes about 90 minutes to travel between the port and Anchorage.
Winter Season (December to February)
For more information, visit our hotel packages and pre- or post-travel arrangements. Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2022 Port Anchorage was visited by just one cruise ship - Holland America Line's ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Port Anchorage handles around 95% of all goods shipped to Alaska. Cargo ships from the US container shipping companies Horizon Lines and TOTE Maritime arrive twice per week from Port Tacoma (Washington).
The accommodations at Whittier Cruise Port are somewhat sparse. There are no shops or restaurants inside, but there are a few stores and small cafes nearby. Whittier is a strange little port town built by the military during World War II that is reached only by boat or through a one-lane tunnel almost 3 miles long. Please visit our most frequently asked questions page on cruise preparation, transportation, safety and security, and more. At Holland America we offer cruise travelers low prices on their flights.
Also, be sure to check out Cruise Critic's ranked cruise deals from the Whittier cruise ship terminal as well as the tips, tricks and secret advice our Cruise Critic members have about cruises from Whittier. As for luggage, while there are no porters at this cruise ship terminal, there are luggage carts available for use. If you’re boarding your cruise at Whittier Cruise Port, there will be a luggage drop-off in the parking lot, and the cruise line will take care of loading your bags onto the ship. Several major cruise lines, as well as others, make use of the Whittier cruise ship terminal, including ships operated by Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Oceania Cruises. Cruise lines will often use the port as a departure terminal for Alaska itineraries. Thanks to Alaska’s famed salmon fishing, you can enjoy freshwater and saltwater fishing experiences just outside Anchorage.
Canada bans cruise ships for another year, likely halting most of Alaska's 2021 tourism season - Anchorage Daily News
Canada bans cruise ships for another year, likely halting most of Alaska's 2021 tourism season.
Posted: Thu, 04 Feb 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]
For more casual dining experiences, there are plenty of burger joints and breweries within relatively close proximity to the cruise port. 49th State Brewing is an excellent option for trying local beer and picking up a souvenir. If the weather cooperates, you can rent bikes and take a ride downtown or try taking in the views along the bike trails surrounding the city. For those booking cruise itineraries that make stops in various Alaskan ports, transferring between ports will be handled for you. When booking your cruise, you will discover this is a relatively common occurrence on an Alaskan cruise.
Bathrooms at the Whittier Alaska Cruise Port
If you are boarding at the Whittier cruise port, you will want to follow your cruise line’s specific boarding instructions. Regardless of the cruise line, you should be able to quickly present valid photo identification and travel documents upon arrival at the port. Seating is also very limited inside the terminal, so passengers with mobility concerns should check with their cruise lines for assistance. We’re going to take an in-depth look at the popular Alaskan port.
Note that the tunnel also shares its time with the railroad, so accessibility runs on a timetable. The most common way to get between Whittier and Anchorage is by car, which takes about 90 minutes. You can also ride the Alaska Railroad, which is about a two-and-a-half-hour scenic train journey.
The Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal is located about an hour-and-a-half drive southeast of Anchorage and is sometimes referred to as the Anchorage cruise port. Its fascinating military history -- keeping supplies hidden under dense fog during World War II -- and picturesque Prince William Sound surroundings make it a delightful place to begin your Alaska cruise. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry.
Popular tours include hiking to Crow Pass Trail and Eagle River Nature Center. Many offer views of glaciers, historic collapsed mines, and snow-capped mountains. The closest airport to the Whittier cruise terminal is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), about a 90-minute drive away. You’ll find many taxis and ride-share services at the airport to get you to Whittier, but be prepared. Your cruise line will likely provide transportation from the port to the various excursions, and private sightseeing tours are available.
Otherwise, there will be a luggage drop-off point in the parking lot. There are no restaurants or shops inside the Whittier cruise ship terminal. If you want to grab a quick bite or buy last-minute essentials, there is a small assortment of cafes and shops around the Small Boat Harbor. If you are traveling by car to the Whittier cruise port, you will pass through the single-lane Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. This is the only road in and out of Whittier (at 2.5 miles it's the longest highway tunnel in North America).
Our guide explains everything you need to know about the port and surrounding area. Find exceptional City Stays & Pre/Post Overland Packages, which offer a seamless experience ashore to add to your cruise. Passenger trains depart both towns daily headed for Anchorage, and the train is a memorable way to get to your destination and enjoy some of the sights along the way. If you wish to park a trailer, you will need to utilize the private long-term parking lot located across the tracks from the waterfront. This parking lot, as well as camping and RV parking, is accessed by turning right just over the bridge as you approach the waterfront area. While it is a dryer season by Alaskan standards, you can still expect rain showers.
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