Day in Whittier on Back to Back cruise

[Aussiemate]

We are doing a back to back cruise that has Whittier as the turn around port. Any suggestions on things to do for the day in port?

 

We are active, independent, healthy travelers, like bush-walks.

[judynorth]

We are doing a back to back cruise that has Whittier as the turn around port. Any suggestions on things to do for the day in port?

 

We are active, independent, healthy travelers, like bush-walks.

 

The Prince William Sound boat excursion. There isn't much at Whittier to do.

[Putterdude]

There really isn't much to Whittier unless you are going to do a Prince William Sound cruise. In our case we rented a car from Avis and drove into Anchorage, took in some of the sights there and then drove back to the ship.

[Yukon]

If you get good weather, the Portage Lake Trail is great - walkable from the dock.

[Aussiemate]

:)The Car rental sounds like one idea I would imagine about 100$ for the day- I believe the highway and the railway use the same toll-tunnel. I'll need to look up details on the suggested bush walk. Any other bush walks.

[luvlake]

As it has been said there is not much to do in Whittier, it is a very tiny town. I would consider one of the Prince William Sound excursions. We used 26 Glaciers and it was a fabulous day!:) The companies are located next to the ship. You would not have to deal with the tunnel times or the car rental.

[BroncoLvrs]

Here are some links to hiking in the area...if you rent a car you can also check out some hiking in Seward and the Kenai Pennisula...another stop could be the Alaska Wildlife Center between Whittier and Seward...

 

http://www.alaskawildlife.org/

http://www.alaskaseakayakers.com/

http://www.trails.com/city-trails.aspx?keyword=Whittier&state=AK

http://www.trails.com/activity.aspx?area=10135

http://www.trails.com/advancedfind.aspx?keyword=seward+alaska

[wolfie11]

Whittier was established during WWII when the US wanted a secret base as a backup for the ARR if the Seward-Anchorage line was bombed by the Japanese. The reason they chose Whittier is that it is seldom visible from the air because of the clouds and rain. The narrow pass connecting PWS with Cook Inlet is also a wind funnel. I watched one of the smaller Princess ships try to dock for over two hours because they didn't have bow thrusters and the wind kept pushing them away from the dock.

 

Certainly plan on hiking but be aware that the weather could be dismal and make alternate plans. The PWS glacier cruises are always great even in the rain. The weather is often better if you rent a car and drive towards Anchorage and there are tons of hikes to do between Portage and Anchorage.

[Aussiemate]

Whittier was established during WWII when the US wanted a secret base as a backup for the ARR if the Seward-Anchorage line was bombed by the Japanese. The reason they chose Whittier is that it is seldom visible from the air because of the clouds and rain. The narrow pass connecting PWS with Cook Inlet is also a wind funnel. I watched one of the smaller Princess ships try to dock for over two hours because they didn't have bow thrusters and the wind kept pushing them away from the dock.

 

Certainly plan on hiking but be aware that the weather could be dismal and make alternate plans. The PWS glacier cruises are always great even in the rain. The weather is often better if you rent a car and drive towards Anchorage and there are tons of hikes to do between Portage and Anchorage.

 

Thanks for the tip. For those interested the tunnel schedule is here:http://www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/index.shtml

[trooper 1]

I second the two suggestions listed above. Either hiking the Portage Glacier trail or renting a car and sightseeing around the Kenai Peninsula. Homer is very beautiful but driving to Seward and its surroundings would be less time consuming and more opportunity to leisurely take in the scenery without rushing.

[trooper 1]

(Edited) Whittier was established during WWII when the US wanted a secret base as a backup for the ARR if the Seward-Anchorage line was bombed by the Japanese. The reason they chose Whittier is that it is seldom visible from the air because of the clouds and rain.

 

And because Whittier was a year round ice free port closer to Ft Richardson and Anchorage than Seward?

[NHsnowpup]

If you get good weather, the Portage Lake Trail is great - walkable from the dock.

 

Whittier was established during WWII when the US wanted a secret base as a backup for the ARR if the Seward-Anchorage line was bombed by the Japanese. The reason they chose Whittier is that it is seldom visible from the air because of the clouds and rain.

Certainly plan on hiking but be aware that the weather could be dismal and make alternate plans. .

 

Whittier is still a secret, even Princess had us leaving from Anchorage on the itinerary map they included in the photobook we purchased on our cruise.:p I had to expand and crop to use it.

 

When we arrived in Whittier you could barely see what there is of the town because of the mist and fog. Dismal to put it mildly. Hubby dearest looked at me and said, "We're getting on the boat and staying there." I had read up on its interesting history and was looking forward to the Portage Lake Trail, a peak at Horsetail Falls. and a quick stroll through "downtown." Don't laugh, Whittier has more downtown than we do here at home.

 

If you are really adventuresome (I'm NOT recommending you do this), you could sneak into the abandoned city complex there or just check out the creepy vids on YouTube kids have posted of exploring in those ruins.

[wolfie11]

My No. 1 stop in Whittier is the Swiftwater Cafe at the far end of town from the cruise ship dock (10 minutes if you walk fast) by the ferry terminal. They have local fishermen bring in the shrimp fresh. It's the best shrimp I've ever had that I haven't pulled out of the water myself....

[Aussiemate]

Some great ideas.

A) See we have all day -- Please advise which is better?

For the Prince William sound I see

1) 26 Glacier Cruise daily 12:30pm - 5:30pm $139A / $79C http://www.26glaciers.com/route.htm

 

2) Prince Willian Sound Glacier Cruises: Glacier adventure cruise 1:30 - 5:30pm 4 hour $91A/$46C* http://www.princewilliamsound.com/pws-daycruises.html

 

3) PWSGC: Wilderness Explorer 11:00am - 5:00pm (6hr) $115A/$58C*

* early bird special by April 30th.

 

Have I missed any options? Which would you recommend?

 

 

B) If one is doing back to back in Whittier, Does princess want passengers off at at a certain time, and when can you re-board?

[mytime53]

Some great ideas.

A) See we have all day -- Please advise which is better?

For the Prince William sound I see

1) 26 Glacier Cruise daily 12:30pm - 5:30pm $139A / $79C http://www.26glaciers.com/route.htm

 

2) Prince Willian Sound Glacier Cruises: Glacier adventure cruise 1:30 - 5:30pm 4 hour $91A/$46C* http://www.princewilliamsound.com/pws-daycruises.html

 

3) PWSGC: Wilderness Explorer 11:00am - 5:00pm (6hr) $115A/$58C*

* early bird special by April 30th.

 

Have I missed any options? Which would you recommend?

 

 

B) If one is doing back to back in Whittier, Does princess want passengers off at at a certain time, and when can you re-board?

 

I got an email from 26 Glacier Cruise which lists an earlybird special by April 31 of $109