Whittier (Anchorage Alaska)
Where to Stay near Whittier Cruise Port
Whittier Cruise Terminal is located at the head of Passage Canal, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains about 65 miles southeast of Anchorage.
Unlike most cruise ports, Whittier is a very small and remote town with only a limited number of accommodation options. Because of this, most cruise passengers choose to stay in Anchorage before or after their cruise.
Anchorage offers far more hotel choices, restaurants, rental car options, and easier access to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Many travelers continue to Whittier on embarkation day by cruise shuttle, motorcoach, rental car, or the scenic Alaska Railroad.
Some travelers prefer staying closer to the port in Whittier itself, Girdwood, or along the Seward Highway corridor.
Can You Stay in Whittier?
Yes, but accommodation in Whittier is very limited and availability can fill up quickly during the Alaska cruise season.
Travelers wanting to stay as close as possible to the cruise terminal can find a few lodging options directly in town, while most visitors continue to choose Anchorage for its convenience and wider hotel selection.
Bestsellers
Inn At Whittier
★★★
Best for: Staying closest to the cruise terminal
One of the very few hotel options in Whittier itself, located near the harbor and cruise facilities.
The Hotel Captain Cook
★★★★
Best for: Downtown Anchorage stay before your cruise
A well-known full-service hotel in downtown Anchorage with convenient access to cruise transfers, restaurants, and the Alaska Railroad depot.
Coast Inn at Lake Hood
★★★
Best for: Airport convenience before a Whittier cruise
A practical Anchorage airport hotel with shuttle service and easy access for travelers arriving late or continuing toward the port next morning.
Whittier Cruise Terminal is one of the main cruise gateways for Gulf of Alaska itineraries and currently features two separate cruise terminals.
The main Whittier Cruise Terminal is primarily used by Princess Cruises and Holland America Line.
A newer facility, Glacier Creek Terminal, is used by cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Azamara.
Travelers should double-check which terminal their cruise uses before arrival, as Glacier Creek Terminal is located slightly further from the harbor area and transportation services.
The Whittier train depot and cruise facilities are connected by local shuttle and transfer services, while most cruise passengers continue to Whittier from Anchorage on embarkation day.
Anchorage to Whittier Transportation
Most cruise passengers traveling to Whittier Cruise Terminal arrive via Anchorage and continue to the port on embarkation day.
Popular transportation options include cruise line motorcoach transfers, rental cars, private shuttle services, and the scenic Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery route between Anchorage and Whittier.
The train journey takes a little over two hours and follows the spectacular Turnagain Arm before passing through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel beneath Maynard Mountain. The Whittier train depot is located within walking distance of the cruise terminal.
Motorcoach transfers are often slightly faster than the train and are commonly used by cruise passengers traveling between Anchorage and Whittier.
Travelers driving to Whittier should be aware that access to the town is only possible through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a shared one-lane tunnel used by both trains and vehicles with scheduled opening times.
Because transportation between Anchorage and Whittier can fill up quickly during the Alaska cruise season, advance reservations are generally recommended.
Anchorage Ted Stevens Airport
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is the closest major airport for travelers cruising from Whittier.
The airport is located in Anchorage, about 65 miles from the cruise port. Most cruise passengers continue to Whittier by train, motorcoach, rental car, or cruise transfer service on embarkation day.
Because Whittier does not have a commercial airport, Anchorage is the main gateway for nearly all cruise passengers visiting the port.
Why Alaska Cruises Use Whittier
Whittier is one of the main gateways for Gulf of Alaska cruise itineraries thanks to its location on Prince William Sound and its rail and road connections to Anchorage.
Unlike roundtrip Alaska cruises from Seattle or Vancouver, many Gulf of Alaska itineraries start or end in Whittier, allowing cruise passengers to combine their voyage with inland Alaska destinations such as Denali National Park, Talkeetna, Fairbanks, or the Kenai Peninsula.
Because of this, Whittier is especially popular for one-way Alaska cruise itineraries combined with rail journeys, wildlife tours, and Alaska land packages.
Related Alaska Cruise Ports
Travelers cruising from Whittier Cruise Terminal often combine their trip with other Alaska cruise ports and rail destinations across the Pacific Northwest.
Popular alternatives include:
- Seward Cruise Terminal for Gulf of Alaska itineraries
- Port of Vancouver for classic Inside Passage cruises
- Port of Seattle for roundtrip Alaska sailings
Because many Alaska cruises are one-way itineraries, travelers often arrive and depart from different ports during the same trip.