Whittier Cruise Port
Whittier, United States · Alaska
Cruise ship docks at Head of the Bay Cruise Dock, Whittier.
Very walkable, but Whittier itself is tiny. For a full day most travelers do a glacier cruise or transfer to Anchorage.
Small, remote turnaround port with a short walk into town and onward tunnel access to Anchorage.
Port summary
Whittier is primarily a turnaround port. Most passengers embark or disembark here and transfer to Anchorage via the single-lane Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. On-day sightseeing is limited to the town itself and Prince William Sound glacier cruises.
Cruise docks
🚢 Head of the Bay Cruise Dock
Primary Whittier cruise berth at the head of Passage Canal. Operated by Princess and used for turnaround calls by most major lines. Walk-off straight into the Harbor Triangle.
📍 Latitude: 60.778754, Longitude: -148.697237
See dock on port map →🚢 Glacier Creek Terminal - NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line berth, north of the main cruise berth. Occasionally used when the Head of the Bay Dock is in heavy turnaround use.
📍 Latitude: 60.78506, Longitude: -148.713581
See dock on port map →Getting to Whittier
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
A small local fleet serves petroglyph and airport runs. Confirm cars by phone ahead for tight windows.
📍 Small taxi stand near the dock when ships are in.
Useful only if you plan to drive to Rainbow Falls or further out. Book in advance as fleet is tiny.
📍 Wrangell rental agencies deliver near the dock by arrangement.
Pier II is a five-minute walk from the Baranov Museum and downtown shops. Flat and well-signposted.
📍 Exit Pier II and walk straight along Shelikof Avenue into downtown.
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards work for tours and shops; carry small USD cash for tips and quick buys.
Things to do
Begich Towers
Short stop⭐ Highlight
Massive 14-storey former Army building where nearly every Whittier resident lives
🕐 Anytime during the day
Whittier Small-Boat Harbor Walk
Short stop🚶 Walk
Easy flat loop along Whittier's small-boat harbor with glaciers rising behind
🕐 Morning or early afternoon
Smitty's Cove
Short stop🏖️ Beach
Small sheltered cove a short walk from the harbor popular with locals for a quiet break
🕐 Clear afternoons
26 Glacier Cruise
🎯 Activity
Five-hour high-speed boat tour across Prince William Sound passing dozens of glaciers
🕐 Morning departures for best conditions
Prince William Sound Museum
Short stop🏛️ Museum
Compact museum covering the tunnel, WWII port and Prince William Sound history
🕐 Rainy afternoons
Horsetail Falls Trail
🌿 Nature
Short steep trail climbing to a waterfall viewpoint above Whittier
🕐 Late morning for best light
Buckner Building
Short stopother
Vast derelict 1950s military building that once housed the entire town of Whittier
🕐 Daytime for exterior photos
Alaska Railroad Depot
Short stopother
Working rail depot where scenic Anchorage trains share the single-lane Anton Anderson Tunnel
🕐 Near scheduled train times
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Plan my day →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Whittier?
- Your ship docks directly at the Whittier cruise terminal in United States.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Whittier?
- Yes. Whittier is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Whittier centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Local bus, Taxi. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Whittier?
- Plan for at least 2 hours ashore to see Whittier independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Whittier and are cards accepted?
- Whittier 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 Whittier 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.