Valdez Cruise Port
Valdez, United States · Alaska
Cruise ships dock at Kelsey Dock, Valdez.
Plan my port daysCompact, walkable cruise port with glacier cruises, stunning mountain scenery, and easy independent exploration.
At a glance
Port summary
Valdez is one of Alaska's smallest cruise ports, visited mainly by expedition and luxury lines. Kelsey Dock is right in town — most attractions are walkable or a short drive away. Columbia Glacier boat tours and Worthington Glacier are the headline draws.
Cruise dock
Kelsey Dock
600 ft wooden wharf adjacent to the Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal. Walk-off access to downtown Valdez in 5 minutes.
Latitude: 61.1245, Longitude: -146.364
See dock on port map →Getting to Valdez
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards accepted widely; carry small cash for food trucks and seasonal vendors
Build your perfect day in Valdez
Tell us your cruise line, ship and departure date and we'll give you a complete set of full port information and playbooks of how to spend your day.
Inside the Alaska collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Valdez cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
4 comparedHighlights of Valdez with Keystone Canyon waterfalls and Old Valdez earthquake site
≈ 3 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€95$106
Do it yourself
€99$111
Similar cost — pick on convenience
Walk south from Kelsey Dock into downtown for the museum ($10 entry). Keystone Canyon is 13 miles east on the Richardson Highway (Bridal Veil Falls pullout) and Old Valdez Townsite is at mile 0 — both require a rental car or taxi ($60–80 each way). A rental car from Valdez U-Drive ($80–120/day) is the best option to combine canyon and townsite in one loop.
See the DIY plan →
Columbia Glacier cruise through Prince William Sound with wildlife viewing
≈ 6 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€155$173
Do it yourself
€141$158
Save ≈ €14Save ≈ $16 (9% off)
Walk east from Kelsey Dock to the Small Boat Harbor (10 minutes) — Stan Stephens Cruises and Lu-Lu Belle Tours depart from there. Stan Stephens runs a 6-hour Columbia Glacier cruise ($145 + $10 fuel surcharge adult) and a 7.5-hour Meares Glacier cruise ($189 adult). Book well in advance — sailings are not daily and fill quickly in summer. A light meal is included onboard.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
9 plansColumbia Glacier Day Cruise
Six hours through Prince William Sound to a tidewater glacier and its iceberg field — whales, otters and sea lions along the way.
Free Valdez: Harbour, Forest Trail & Waterfront
A no-cost day on foot — the Small Boat Harbor, the forested Dock Point loop and the mountain-ringed waterfront.
Valdez by Rental Car: Keystone Canyon & Worthington Glacier
A self-drive road trip to roadside waterfalls, a dramatic canyon and a glacier you can walk right up to.
Valdez Earthquake History Walk
The 1964 Good Friday quake, told across two museums and the empty grid of the town it destroyed.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Valdez?
- Your ship docks directly at the Valdez cruise terminal in United States.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Valdez?
- Yes. Valdez is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Valdez centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Taxi, Car rental. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Valdez?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Valdez independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Valdez and are cards accepted?
- Valdez uses the US Dollar. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Valdez cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
Have something to share about Valdez Cruise Port?
Share a photo, suggest a thing to do, drop a map link, or tell us what you did in port.
Add a contributionAdmin reviews every contribution before it goes live.