Transfer from Whittier to Anchorage post-cruise

[Whitetrike]

My wife and I will finish our Royal Princess cruise in Whittier the first of June!  Travel agent said we should be off the ship around 10:00 a.m. even though port arrival is posted at 12:30 a.m.!  Does Princess require passengers to remain aboard that long after arrival?   Secondly, what is the easiest transfer to book to Anchorage.  We will not be able to check into our downtown hotel until 4:00 p.m. so we are in no real rush!  You comments and/or suggestions will be appreciated!

 

Smooth sailing,   Whitetrike  

[AKStafford]

You could rent a car from Avis, but there'll be a one-way drop off fee in Anchorage. My second choice would be the Alaska Railroad or a cruise contracted train. Or you could  do a bus.

[Northern Aurora]

Princess will not require passengers to remain onboard until 10 AM -- that is when they will want all disembarking passengers off so that the ship can be prepared for those embarking.

 

While there will be a one-way drop off fee, since there is such interesting scenery between Whittier and Anchorage I would be inclined to rent a car and take a leisurely drive.  On a clear day the Alyeska tram in Girdwood would be a spectacular ride.  And there are a number of turnoffs along the route to pause and enjoy the views.  The Alaska Wildlife Conservation  Center would be another potential stop if of interest.

[Bubbs33]

No expert. We are also northbound this summer, disembarking in Whittier. We have booked a car rental through Avis and plan a leisurely drive to Anchorage.

 

This is our plan.  Google Map Route

From Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal to Airport Terminal Departures
https://goo.gl/maps/LRwHCqbfRmL2

Whittier Tunnel

https://girdwood.com/item/whittier-tunnel/

Begich Bogg Visitors Centre
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recarea/?recid=71946

Byron Glacier Trail
https://glaciercitygazette.net/byron-glacier-trails-beauty/

See Byron Glacier Trail and reviews on Trip Advisor

Alaska Wildlife Centre
https://www.alaskawildlife.org/

Mt Alyeska Tram
https://www.alyeskaresort.com/resort/about-aerial-tram

http://www.alaska.org/detail/alyeska-tram

Beluga Point
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewinglocations.belugapoint

Potter Marsh

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm%3Fadfg=viewinglocations.pottermarsh

[wolfie11]

Get ready for sticker shock.  The drop off fee is $150 and the cheapest car will rent for around $100 a day.  You can book a private company to pick you up in Whittier and take you on a tour on the way to Anchorage, or you can book a Princess transfer with a tour or a drop off downtown.  Most hotels will let you drop off your luggage and you may even be able to get into your room after 1 or 2pm.

 

[katrina915]

Try salmonberry tours.  I believe they have just a transfer to Anchorage or a sightseeing one.  You could always take the park connection bus and do stuff in Anchorage until your room is ready.

Edited December 7, 2018 by katrina915

[mapleleaves]

A car is pricey but gives you the ability of a full day of sightseeing; going where you want and at your pace.  Maybe find someone on your roll call to share the cost ....

Otherwise, ACT has been highly reviewed on this forum. Choose the wildlife option for a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center , a rehab center for orphaned/injured animals such as moose, bison, caribou, bear, etc.

Your hotel may not be ready when you arrive but the front desk staff will check your bags so you can wander around downtown Anchorage for a couple of hours or enjoy lunch.

https://alaskacruisetransfer.com/

 

[fishywood]

On 12/6/2018 at 4:41 PM, Whitetrike said:

My wife and I will finish our Royal Princess cruise in Whittier the first of June!  Travel agent said we should be off the ship around 10:00 a.m. even though port arrival is posted at 12:30 a.m.!  Does Princess require passengers to remain aboard that long after arrival?   

 

I was on Island Princess Vancouver-Whittier this year. The earliest disembarkation group was at 6:45 AM. The Princess disembarkation tours need to make the 9:30 tunnel opening, so those on them need to be off the ship and lining up for the buses in the terminal before 8:45. And plenty of people book private tours that are off in time to make the 8:30 AM tunnel opening (if you haven't guessed yet, the tunnel from Whittier opens to northbound traffic every hour on the half hour). Perhaps your TA meant to say that the last persons have to be off the ship by 10 AM--but if you asked for clarity and they maintained that you are held on the ship until 10:00, they are one clueless agent.

 

If you take either a Princess disembarkation tour or just the coach transfer to Anchorage that they offer your bags are shipped to and held at the Egan Convention Center in Downtown Anchorage for the remainder of the day. You can easily explore the city on your own from there--or pick up a rental car from Enterprise for a tiny fraction of the cost of one at the pier. Even if not on a Princess transfer you can request your bags forwarded for no charge to either the Egan or ANC airport. This is one of the reasons the ship is alongside Whittier at 12:30 AM--to sort all the bags out as the large majority of passengers claim them elsewhere than the cruise terminal. (It does however mean that you must have your bags out in the hallway no later than 7:30 PM the night before).