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Guided rafting trips provide a family-friendly experience with more of an adventurous edge than cruises, yet still appropriate for a wide range of mobility levels. Picture an ice slab the size of a house cleaving in slow motion from a massive blue and white glacier, sending up sparkling spray as it slips into the water beneath. You’re witnessing this in real time from a boat, at a safe distance but still close enough to hear. Many of our Alaska glacier cruises depart from Vancouver or Seattle, so you can get in your dose of urban exploration before you explore the icy wilderness. On northbound cruises, you'll get the best views of the glaciers on the starboard side of the ship; when you're sailing southward, the port side is the way to go. Other times, you might prefer to take advantage of the thrilling adventures an area has to offer.
Ask the Alaska Experts
Sightings of sea otters, seals, porpoises, sea lions and bald eagles are commonplace. You may also spot bears, mountain goats and humpback and orca whales. The captain will stop at a bird rookery that is home to thousands of kittiwakes. The tour operator offers a 'no seasickness guarantee.' Dress warmly in layers with a wind- and waterproof outer layer; bring gloves, a scarf and a warm hat. This tour is available only to guests whose cruise does not begin or end in Whittier. Northbound cruise ship routes include College Fjord, but this tour allows a closer view of the glaciers and wildlife.
Close Enough to Touch
When you arrive for check-in, there is a board that lists day-by-day the wildlife that have been spotted during their tours in the past week. To make the most of views on the exterior decks, bring a rain jacket, hat, and gloves. Even on a sunny day, the breeze coming off tidewater glaciers can be quite chilly. Each half-day cruise includes narration on the history of the Alaska Natives who ventured into the sound in centuries past. Listen as the crew explains how the fjords have been transformed over the past 15,000 years. Learn about the various types of glaciers along the route and the history of the Harriman Expedition of 100 years ago that named many of the glaciers.
The Beautiful Drive to Whittier
You’ll even stop at a bird rookery that is home to thousands of kittiwakes. Professional narration about the geography, history, glaciers and wildlife is provided by a U.S. Phillips Cruises operates a fleet of high-speed catamarans with two indoor heated seating areas and outdoor observation decks. All decks have outdoor areas with plenty of room for everyone to get an up close view. Modern and stylish comfortable seating at tables is designated for 4-guests and 6-guests and large picture windows provide panoramic views from every seat. The bar offers Alaskan Ales, wine, spirits, light snacks, and a variety of gift shop items for purchase (at your own expense).
There's nothing quite like experiencing a glacier from the inside. My luggage that I stored during the boat tour was waiting for me, and I walked across the street to catch the train to Anchorage. Because of the delayed train from Anchorage to Whittier, we got a late start on the boat tour by a few minutes, and we also got a late return by minutes. After 6pm, just before our return back to the Whittier cruise port and small boat harbor where we started from, we also make a short stop to see waterfalls. If you want to take the train from Anchorage to Whittier, the 26 glacier cruise will work out. You can do it after you arrive in Whittier and get off your northbound cruise ship that goes from Vancouver to Anchorage.
Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise & Coach
When you are ready to book, choose BOOK NOW, select your travel date and follow the prompts to add transportation or receive self-drive instructions on your confirmation. The new offerings include Alaska Up Close presentations as well as culinary and beverage experiences to help guests immerse themselves in the history and culture of the state. The 2024 season kicks off on April 27 from Vancouver and May 4 from Seattle. The Glacier Quest Cruise is the perfect choice to see Yosemite-scale waterfalls and beautiful Blackstone Bay. Try a guided trip with Chugach Outdoor Center or NOVA to Sixmile Creek, near Hope.
Seeing Southcentral Alaska by river, lake and sea - Anchorage Daily News
Seeing Southcentral Alaska by river, lake and sea.
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 20:14:55 GMT [source]
While you will be responsible for transferring your luggage between the transportation provider and the cruise ship terminal, we can provide assistance with storing your luggage during the cruise. The spot to get on and off the train in Whittier is literally right across the street from where the Phillips boat tour starts and ends. 👆 The check-in for the 26 glacier cruise is very near the Whittier cruise port. The check-in for a Phillips boat tour is literally right next to the Whittier cruise terminal.
The light hits differently up there across an expanse of glacially fed river and jagged mountain peaks. Their Matanuska River overnight tour is customizable for different experience levels, and starts at $550 per adult and $350 per child. One outfitter is Alaska River Adventures, offering half- and full-day float trips beginning at $64 per adult and $29.50 for kids. Homer provides a stunning starting point for outfitters such as True North Kayak Adventures, which runs kayak trips in gorgeous Kachemak Bay in the $150-per-person range.
Complimentary coffee, tea, and ice water are available throughout the cruise. On the cruise, a full-service bar features Alaskan ales on tap, craft beers, ciders, wine, and a variety of specialty cocktails for purchase. You may bring your own food if you have dietary restrictions, however no personal alcohol can be brought on or off the vessels due to our liquor license.
Before returning to Whittier, you'll visit a bird rookery home to thousands of kittiwakes. When I arrived, the wildlife that was seen in the past week included breaching whales, dall’s porpoises, sea otters, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, and bald eagles. Their signature tour is the 26 Glacier Cruise, which has been running since 1987. You’ll ride aboard a high-speed catamaran, which zips you from Whittier deep into Prince William Sound. Cruise the calm, protected waters of Prince William Sound and come face to face with tidewater glaciers plus an amazing array of wildlife on Phillips Cruises & Tours. This longtime operator offers up-close views of glaciers, wildlife, mountains and the rugged beauty of Prince William Sound in one afternoon—which plenty of people say was the highlight of their vacation.
The tiny harbor town is located 60 miles southeast of Anchorage and accessible by road through a single-lane tunnel. Prince William Sound's protected waters ensure the trip is a smooth one. The 140-mile voyage passes sea lion haul outs, rafts of clustered otters, kittiwake colonies, and icebergs inhabited by shy spotted seals. Once you arrive in Whittier, please stop by the Cliffside Marina to get your boarding cards or use the restrooms we have provided for our day cruise guests. If time allows, feel free to explore our quaint seaside town before parking on Whittier street and returning to the Cliffside Marina to board your cruise.
In addition to seeing glaciers – the obvious goal and highlight of the 26 Glacier Cruise – we also saw wildlife during our cruise. This isn’t the priority for this cruise (different from Kenai Fjords) but our captain was sure to point out any wildlife we passed, and we made a stop at a sea lion rookery. As their name suggests, Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise is all about seeing glaciers – and in that department, they definitely do not disappoint! Based on their brochure map, there are up to 33 glaciers visible along the route of the cruise, though I wasn’t counting (and, to be fair, it’s not like there are borderlines on glaciers to help delineate them!). I can say that we definitely saw a lot of glaciers, so if that’s one of your big goals for visiting Alaska, this is a great way to tick that experience off your list. Everyone has assigned seats at tables on board the ship, which is nice for keeping things organized throughout the day.
A cruise ship that goes to “Anchorage” actually goes to Whittier. Don’t despair if the weather looks bad for your cruise, though – overcast skies bring out the richer blue colors in the ice than cloudless skies. I’ve also included a section at the end of this post about what to pack so you’re ready for whatever weather Prince William Sound decides to serve up. We spent a lot of time at Harvard Glacier, which has one of the biggest faces at the tidewater level – and is more active as a result. In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) and Dënéndeh peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands.
Phillps Cruises and Tours, LLC provides clean restrooms for our guests in the Cliffside Marina parking lot and each vessel has multiple restrooms for your convenience. Choose the 26 Glacier Cruise for an extraordinary cruise that follows the route of the Harriman Expedition in Prince William Sound. Glaciers are everywhere along this route and there is ample opportunity to view wildlife and migratory birds. Discover the glaciers of Prince William Sound on an easy day trip from Anchorage.
This fabled local whitewater destination is considered intermediate to advanced and not for the faint of heart (or for those who can’t swim). Choose between a Class IV, two-canyon itinerary, or three canyons including IV and V rapids, $139-$215. Finally, while you’re out on the water, why not catch some dinner? There are myriad salmon and halibut fishing charter options in both Seward and Homer, and easy pack/flash freeze/ship outfitters back on land to get your catch conveniently and safely processed. Check out Alaska Northern Outfitters in Seward and Homer Charter Fishing in Homer as starting points.
