Prince William Sound Glacier Tour – Whittier

The best part of this Whittier cruise is the close approach to Prince William Sound’s tidewater glaciers. You can watch for calving ice, sea otters, sea lions, whales, bears, mountain goats, and huge bird rookeries while staying aboard a steady catamaran. I like the smooth ride and the strong onboard narration. The wild Alaska salmon chowder is another welcome touch.

I also like that you get both indoor comfort and outdoor viewing space. You can warm up with coffee or tea, charge your phone at the table, then step outside when a glacier or animal comes into view. The main drawback is the length: the cruise lasts about six hours, and poor weather or weak narration in a crowded cabin could make that a long stretch.

Key points to know before booking

• Up-close glacier viewing: The boat makes close approaches to several glaciers, with a real chance of seeing ice calve.
• Smooth catamaran ride: Phillips Cruises uses stable, fast vessels on the relatively calm waters of Prince William Sound.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Whales, bears, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, goats, seals, and kittiwakes have all been spotted.
• A useful onboard lunch: The included meal is wild Alaska smoked salmon chowder with salad, fruit, cheese, crackers, and a sweet treat.
• Whittier needs planning: The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel controls access, and transportation, parking, and tunnel fees are not included.
• A full-day outing: The activity begins at 12:15 p.m. in Whittier and returns to the same meeting point after the cruise.

Why this cruise works so well for first-time Alaska visitors

Prince William Sound gives you a lot in one day: ice, mountains, open water, and wildlife. You are not simply riding out to one viewpoint, taking a picture, and turning around. The route gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the sound, listen for narration, scan the water, and wait for something to happen.

That waiting matters. A glacier may sit quietly for most of your visit, then crack and send a slab of blue-white ice into the water. You might spot a whale, but only for a few seconds. Sea otters can appear as small dark shapes among the waves, while sea lions may gather on rocks or ice. The experience rewards patience more than a packed schedule.

The boat is a major part of the appeal. Phillips Cruises uses high-speed catamarans, so the vessel can cover more water than a slower boat. The twin-hull design also helps keep the ride stable. The company offers a no-seasickness guarantee based on the catamarans and the calm waters of Prince William Sound, though no boat can remove every person’s sensitivity to motion.

I would still bring a light waterproof layer and dress for the deck. Even if the cabin feels warm, the open-air viewing areas can be cold, wet, or windy. You will want to move between the two.

Getting through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel

The journey begins with the drive into Whittier. From Anchorage, allow about 90 minutes. From Girdwood, allow about 45 minutes, before accounting for traffic, stops, parking, or the tunnel queue.

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is not an ordinary road tunnel. Access is scheduled, so timing matters. The tunnel opens 30 minutes past the hour for vehicles entering Whittier. Traffic leaves Whittier on the hour, with departures continuing hourly until 11 p.m.

That schedule can shape your whole day. Do not aim to arrive at the tunnel at the exact last minute before the 12:15 p.m. meeting time. Build in room for a missed opening, and remember that the tunnel toll is not included in the tour price. Parking is also extra, and transportation to Whittier is your responsibility.

The meeting point is at 100 West Camp Road in Whittier. The boat returns there at the end of the activity, which keeps the day simple once you have arrived.

Six hours among the glaciers of Prince William Sound

The main cruise lasts about six hours. The captain provides narration during the trip, and a United States Forest Service ranger may also be aboard. On some departures, Captain Chris and Forest Ranger Jim have handled the commentary, with explanations that help connect the scenery to the natural world around you.

Good narration makes a real difference on a cruise like this. Without it, you may see a wall of ice but miss the reason it looks blue, the signs of movement, or the meaning of a distant crack. It also helps you know where to look when wildlife appears.

The boat offers several ways to spend the time:

• Sit indoors with views through the windows.
• Step outside for a clearer view and fresh air.
• Use the self-serve coffee, tea, and ice water stations.
• Charge your phone at the USB station at your table.
• Visit the onboard restroom.
• Purchase a drink from the bar, including Alaskan ales, wine, spirits, or a Glacier Ice Margarita.

Wi-Fi is not available, which is hardly a problem in such a setting. It does mean you should download anything you need before boarding and save some battery for photographs. USB charging is available at every table, a practical feature on a long day when you may take hundreds of pictures.

The catamaran is smoke-free and ADA accessible. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is described as suitable for most people. Current health procedures may require masks or face coverings, depending on the rules in effect when you travel.

Glacier viewing is the heart of the day

The cruise is called the 26 Glacier Cruise, and the central promise is clear: you will spend the day looking at glaciers in their natural setting. The boat gets close enough to make the ice feel immediate, rather than like a distant white mark on a mountain.

The most dramatic moment is calving, when ice breaks from the glacier and crashes into the water. It is not guaranteed. One departure may bring several calving events, while another may offer no major break at all. Season, weather, and the glacier’s activity all play a role.

That uncertainty is worth keeping in mind. If your only goal is to see a huge calving event, you cannot control the outcome. If you want close glacier views within a broader day of scenery and wildlife, the trip offers better value.

Rain does not necessarily ruin the outing. Cloud and mist can soften the mountains and give the ice a stark, powerful look. On a rainy day, you may still get close views of two especially striking glaciers, see the aftermath of a calving, and watch birds gathered at a rookery. The tradeoff is fewer clear mountain views and a greater need for waterproof clothing.

Wildlife adds surprise to the cruise

Glaciers are the main attraction, but wildlife can turn a good cruise into a memorable one. Sightings have included whales, bears, sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, mountain goats, and large groups of kittiwakes.

You should treat these as possibilities, not guarantees. The crew can help search for animals, but nature sets the timetable. A bear on shore or a whale in the distance may be the day’s highlight, while another cruise may focus almost entirely on ice.

Sea otters and sea lions are especially rewarding because they can be easier to watch for longer than a passing whale. Seals resting on icebergs, hundreds of kittiwakes at a rookery, and a group of sea lions hauled out together all give you a closer look at daily life in the sound.

Keep binoculars handy if you have them, but do not let equipment distract you from the wider view. The mountains, islands, water, and ice are part of the experience even when no animal appears.

Salmon chowder, hot drinks, and the onboard routine

Lunch is included in the price. The standard meal features wild Alaska smoked salmon chowder, oyster crackers, julienne vegetable salad, a cheese stick, fruit snack, and a Peppermint Pattie. Coffee, hot tea, and ice water are available at self-serve stations.

The chowder is one of the stronger food features of the tour. It is warm, filling, and well suited to a cool day on the water. It is not a restaurant meal, so set your expectations accordingly. The lunch is designed to keep you comfortable and fed while you continue watching the sound.

Vegetarian chili and a kids’ meal are available if requested at least 48 hours ahead. That deadline matters. Do not assume you can make a special request after boarding.

The bar is separate from the included food and drinks. Alcoholic beverages cost extra, with Alaskan beer, wine, spirits, and signature hot drinks available for purchase. The Glacier Ice Margarita is a fun option if you want a vacation-style treat, but you do not need to spend more to enjoy the cruise.

Whittier gives you a little time on land

The schedule allows about an hour in Whittier before or after the cruise. The town is small and easy to sample on foot. You can stroll along the harbor boardwalk, browse local shops, eat at a restaurant, or take a local trail if time and conditions allow.

Do not expect a large sightseeing center. Whittier works best as a compact seaside stop that adds texture to the boat trip. The harbor, working waterfront, and surrounding mountains remind you that this is a real community, not only a departure point for excursions.

Your available time may depend on how you arrange the day and the tunnel schedule. Keep an eye on the clock. A pleasant walk through town is not worth missing the return window through the tunnel.

Is $248.20 a fair price?

At $248.20 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. The value comes from the amount of time on the water and what is bundled into the fare: a roughly six-hour cruise, glacier viewing, wildlife searching, professional narration, lunch, coffee, tea, restrooms, indoor seating, outdoor access, and USB charging.

You are also paying for a fast vessel that can cover a large area of Prince William Sound. That matters because the scenery changes, and the captain can make stops based on what is visible. A shorter cruise may cost less, but it may give you less time to reach remote glacier areas or wait for wildlife.

The price does not cover your transport to Whittier, parking, the tunnel toll, alcoholic drinks, or purchases from the gift shop. Add those costs before comparing this with another excursion.

For a first Alaska trip, I see the fare as reasonable if glaciers are high on your list and you want a full day without arranging several separate activities. It is less attractive if you dislike long boat rides, want guaranteed wildlife, or prefer a quick sightseeing stop.

Who should book this experience?

You are a good match if you want a major Alaska outing with minimal physical effort. The cruise gives you dramatic scenery without requiring a hike onto a glacier or a difficult trail. Families can use the indoor cabin, food service, restrooms, and kids’ meal option, while older visitors may appreciate the stable boat and accessible setup.

It also suits first-time cruisers who worry about seasickness. The catamaran and calm sound waters make this one of the more comfortable ways to see glaciers by boat, though the guarantee should be understood as a company promise, not a medical certainty.

You may want another plan if six hours on a boat sounds tiring. One weakness reported on a less successful departure was poor audibility of the speaker, which made the trip feel too long. Sitting where you can hear the narration, and stepping outside when conditions allow, can help.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 838 ratings, with 93 percent recommending the experience. That matches the main strengths: scenery, smooth cruising, attentive crew, and strong glacier access. The occasional complaints point to the limits of any nature cruise, including weather, missed calving, repeated commentary, or uneven sound.

Final call: should you book it?

I would book the Prince William Sound Glacier Tour if you have one full day for Whittier and want glaciers, wildlife, and comfort in the same package. The close approaches, steady catamaran, salmon chowder, and indoor and outdoor viewing make it a practical choice for couples, families, and first-time Alaska visitors.

Book with realistic expectations. You might see whales, bears, otters, sea lions, and calving ice, but none is guaranteed. The surest reward is time among the glaciers and mountains, with a crew trying to show you what the sound offers that day.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 12:15 p.m. start. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

FAQ

Where does the Prince William Sound Glacier Tour begin?

The tour begins at 100 West Camp Road in Whittier, Alaska, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:15 p.m. The full activity lasts approximately 10 hours, including the Whittier access and cruise schedule.

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. Vegetarian chili or a kids’ meal must be requested 48 hours ahead.

Is the boat suitable for people worried about seasickness?

The company offers a no-seasickness guarantee based on the smooth catamarans and calm waters of Prince William Sound. The vessels also have restrooms and indoor and outdoor viewing areas.

Are transportation and parking included?

No. Transportation to Whittier, parking fees, and the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel toll are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.