Prince William Sound Glacier Tour – Whittier

Alaska puts on a serious show. This six-hour Prince William Sound cruise brings you close to glaciers, marine wildlife, mountain views, and migratory birds aboard a fast, stable catamaran. I especially like the smooth ride, which is a major help if you worry about seasickness, and the chance to see glaciers from both a warm cabin and outdoor decks. The smoked salmon chowder lunch is another welcome touch.

The main drawback is the length. With travel to Whittier, the tunnel schedule, and roughly six hours on the water, this becomes most of a day. On a quiet wildlife day, the cruise may feel long, and one review noted that poor onboard audio made the narration hard to follow.

Key points to know before booking

• The catamaran is built for comfort: Calm Prince William Sound waters and a stable Phillips Cruises vessel make this a strong choice for first-time cruisers.
• Glacier viewing is the main event: The boat makes close approaches to several glaciers, with possible calving, falling ice, and dramatic ice-filled water.
• Wildlife sightings vary: You might see whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, bears, mountain goats, bald eagles, and large bird rookeries.
• Lunch is included: Wild Alaska smoked salmon chowder, salad, cheese, fruit, crackers, and a small sweet are served onboard.
• Plan carefully around the tunnel: The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel uses scheduled openings, and tolls, parking, and transportation are extra.
• The tour costs $248.20 per person: That is a substantial day-trip price, but it includes the cruise, lunch, narration, and six hours in one of Alaska’s most scenic coastal areas.

Getting to Whittier through the Anton Anderson Tunnel

The day begins before you board the boat. Whittier is about 90 minutes from Anchorage, or roughly 45 minutes from Girdwood, though the drive time does not include waiting for the tunnel.

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is shared by cars and trains, so traffic moves through on a schedule. Access into Whittier opens 30 minutes past the hour. Departures from Whittier begin on the hour and continue hourly until 11:00 p.m.

That timing matters. Give yourself extra room instead of aiming to arrive at the last possible opening. The cruise meeting point is at 100 W Camp Road in Whittier, with a listed start time of 12:15 p.m. Transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own drive, parking, and tunnel toll.

This is one part of the experience that requires practical planning. The cruise itself is calm and easy, but a missed tunnel window can turn a simple morning drive into a very stressful one. Check the current tunnel schedule before leaving and allow time for parking and walking to the boat.

Once you arrive, Whittier is worth a little attention rather than treating it only as a boat terminal.

A short look at Whittier before or after sailing

Whittier is a compact seaside town with a harbor, local shops, restaurants, and nearby trails. You have about an hour set aside for exploring before or after the cruise, depending on the day’s schedule.

I like this small-town pause because it gives the excursion a sense of place. You are not simply arriving at a dock, boarding a vessel, and disappearing into the water. The harbor helps you see Whittier as a working coastal community tied closely to fishing, transport, and the surrounding wilderness.

Do not expect a long list of major attractions. The appeal is a short walk, harbor views, a local purchase, or a meal if your timing allows. Since the boat returns to the same meeting point, you can explore without arranging another transfer.

Keep an eye on the clock. The tunnel schedule makes Whittier access less flexible than a typical roadside port. If you plan to browse, eat, or hike, leave enough time to return to the meeting area and catch your departure window.

Six hours among the glaciers of Prince William Sound

The heart of the day is the approximately six-hour cruise through Prince William Sound. The route is designed around glaciers, wildlife, and scenery rather than a single attraction, so the experience keeps changing as the boat moves through the sound.

The high-speed catamaran helps cover more water in less time. That matters here because the glaciers and wildlife are spread across a large area. You spend less of the day simply getting from one place to another and more time looking for ice, birds, and animals.

The captain provides narration during the cruise, and a forest ranger may also be onboard. The strongest feedback about the trip centers on this commentary. A good captain can explain what you are seeing, point out wildlife, and add context to the ice and mountains around you. The presence of a ranger adds another useful voice.

There is one important caution: sound quality may not be perfect in every seat or on every departure. One person found the speaker difficult to hear, which made the long cruise feel less rewarding. If narration matters to you, pay attention to where announcements are clearest, and ask the crew for help if you are missing information.

Close glacier views and the chance of calving ice

The boat gets close to several glaciers, sometimes close enough to make the scale of the ice feel startling. The blue-white ice, steep mountains, floating chunks, and sudden sound of shifting ice are the features that make this more than a standard sightseeing cruise.

Glacier calving is possible, but it is never guaranteed. Some departures include dramatic ice falls, cracking sounds, or fresh signs of a recent break. Other days may offer excellent close views without a large calving event. Several strong experiences included calving glaciers, while another outing saw beautiful glaciers but no calving at all.

That unpredictability is part of the deal. You should book this to see glaciers in a striking coastal setting, not on the promise of one specific thunderous moment. Rain and gray weather do not necessarily ruin the day. Even on a dreary departure, close views of two major glaciers and the remains of a recent calving event made the cruise worthwhile.

The captain adjusts stops according to what is visible at the time. That flexibility is useful because wildlife and ice are not arranged for a fixed schedule. The boat may slow down for an animal, reposition near a glacier, or spend time at a particularly strong viewing area.

Wildlife sightings range from otters to whales

Wildlife can turn this from a glacier cruise into a full day of Alaska viewing. Sightings recorded from the boat include whales, bears, mountain goats, sea otters, sea lions, seals resting on icebergs, bald eagles, and large groups of kittiwakes.

That list is impressive, but it is not a guarantee. The sound is wild, and animals appear on their own schedule. The best approach is to bring patience and keep watching rather than expecting a constant parade.

Sea otters and sea lions can be especially fun because they are often visible near the water or on floating ice. A bear or mountain goat may be much harder to spot, while whales require attention and a bit of luck. Bird colonies can provide a different kind of spectacle, with hundreds of birds gathered on rocky outcrops.

The crew makes a real difference here. When staff actively help locate animals, you have a better chance of seeing something you would miss on your own. I like that the boat experience is not limited to pointing at the biggest glacier. The search for wildlife gives the day variety.

Bring binoculars if you have them, but the boat’s close approaches still provide worthwhile views without special equipment. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise looking at the world through a screen.

What the boat is like in cold or rainy weather

Alaska’s weather can shift quickly, and an outdoor-only boat would make a wet day hard work. This vessel offers indoor seating where you can stay warm while still watching the scenery, along with outside deck areas for clearer views and fresh air.

That choice is one of the cruise’s strongest practical features. You can step outside when a glacier or animal appears, then return indoors when wind or rain takes over. The cabin also gives you a place to warm up during a long day on the water.

The catamarans are promoted with a no-seasickness guarantee. No boat can control every person’s reaction, but the combination of a stable vessel and generally calm Prince William Sound waters received repeated praise. Several people specifically noted that the ride felt remarkably smooth.

The boat has restrooms, is smoke-free, and provides USB charging stations at every table. Wi-Fi is not available, so download anything you need before boarding. The charging ports are useful because six hours of photography can drain a phone quickly.

The vessel is ADA accessible and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, and the design provides a comfortable way to see the glaciers from inside or outside.

Salmon chowder, coffee, and the onboard bar

Lunch is included and centers on wild Alaska smoked salmon chowder. The meal also includes oyster crackers, a julienne vegetable salad, a cheese stick, fruit snack, and a Peppermint Pattie.

The chowder receives the most enthusiastic food praise, and it sounds like the right meal for a cool day at sea. It is hearty without turning lunch into a long interruption from the scenery. One person compared the meal favorably with typical travel food, while noting that it was solid rather than a special culinary event.

Vegetarian chili and a kids’ meal are available if requested at least 48 hours ahead. That deadline is easy to miss, so arrange it when you book rather than waiting until boarding.

Coffee, hot tea, and ice water are available at self-serve stations. Alcohol is not included, but you can buy drinks from the full-service bar. Options include Alaskan ales, wine, spirits, hot drinks, and a Glacier Ice Margarita. A gift shop is also onboard, though the selection may feel limited if you are hoping for a large range of souvenirs.

Is $248.20 a fair price?

At $248.20 per person, this is not a casual budget outing. The value depends on how much you want a full day built around Prince William Sound rather than a short harbor ride.

The price includes about six hours on the water, glacier viewing, wildlife searching, professional narration, lunch, coffee, tea, restrooms, and access to indoor and outdoor viewing areas. The high-speed boat also lets you cover more territory than a slower vessel might manage.

You still pay for transportation to Whittier, parking, and the tunnel toll. Alcohol and gift shop purchases cost extra. For a family, the total can rise quickly, especially once you add driving costs and drinks.

I think the price makes the most sense if glaciers are a top priority on your Alaska trip and you want comfort rather than a bare-bones boat ride. It is also a good fit if seasickness has kept you away from cruises in the past. If your budget is tight or you have little interest in spending six hours on the water, the cost may feel harder to justify.

The cruise is generally booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 58 days. That suggests you should reserve early during the busy Alaska season, especially if your schedule has little flexibility.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would point this tour toward people who want a big scenic day without rough-water anxiety. First-time cruisers, families, older adults, photographers, wildlife fans, and anyone who wants close glacier views should find the format appealing.

It also suits mixed groups. One person can remain warm inside while another spends time on deck. Children can enjoy animals and ice, while adults can listen to the narration or settle in with lunch and coffee.

You should think twice if you dislike long boat rides, need a tightly controlled schedule, or expect guaranteed wildlife and glacier calving. The trip lasts about six hours on the water, and nature may provide a quiet day. Even a beautiful cruise can feel lengthy when the narration is difficult to hear or the wildlife stays out of sight.

The maximum group size is 250 people. That is large enough to feel like a full sightseeing operation, not a private expedition. In exchange, you get a well-equipped vessel, an organized service team, and more room to move than you would have on a very small boat.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear layers and plan for changing conditions. You may want the outdoor deck near a glacier, then prefer the cabin a few minutes later.

Charge your phone before departure, and use the onboard USB stations when needed. Since there is no Wi-Fi, save maps, messages, or entertainment in advance.

If you need a special meal, request it 48 hours ahead. Bring patience for wildlife sightings, and listen for crew announcements even when you are outside.

Allow extra time for the tunnel. The drive from Anchorage is listed at 90 minutes, but the scheduled tunnel openings mean your total journey can take longer than the road distance suggests.

The cancellation policy is generous if your plans change: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Prince William Sound Glacier Tour?

I would book this cruise if you want a comfortable, well-organized way to see several glaciers in one day. The smooth catamaran, warm indoor cabin, helpful crew, strong narration on many departures, and included salmon chowder give it real practical value.

Book early and build your day around the Whittier tunnel schedule. Go in expecting spectacular scenery and possible wildlife, not guaranteed calving or whales. If that sounds like a fair bargain for six hours in Prince William Sound, this is one of the stronger choices for a glacier-focused Alaska outing.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is 100 W Camp Road in Whittier, Alaska. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 12:15 p.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The Prince William Sound cruise lasts about six hours. The full experience is approximately 10 hours when travel and other timing are included.

How far is Whittier from Anchorage?

Travel from Anchorage to Whittier is listed as about 90 minutes. From Girdwood, allow about 45 minutes, not including any tunnel wait.

Is the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel included?

No. The tunnel toll is not included. Transportation, tunnel fare, and parking are also extra.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes wild Alaska smoked salmon chowder, oyster crackers, julienne vegetable salad, a cheese stick, fruit snack, and a Peppermint Pattie.

Can I request a vegetarian or children’s meal?

Yes. Vegetarian chili or a kids’ meal can be requested at least 48 hours before the cruise.

Is the boat accessible?

Yes. The vessels are ADA accessible, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate.

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

No. Wi-Fi is not available, but USB charging stations are provided at every table.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded.