Glacier Quest Cruise from Whittier with Onboard Lunch

About This Experience

Glacier Quest is the short Phillips cruise: four hours out of Whittier into Blackstone Bay, rather than the five and a half it takes to reach College Fjord. It is the same catamaran fleet and the same harbour — a different, closer fjord.

Blackstone Bay is a deep-water fjord with two tidewater glaciers at its head and several alpine glaciers hanging on the slopes above. Because it is nearer to Whittier than College Fjord, more of the four hours is spent at the ice and less of it in transit, which is the real argument for this trip over the longer one.

A Chugach National Forest Service ranger travels aboard and narrates — what the glaciers are doing, what lives on the walls, how the fjord was cut. It is the same live-commentary arrangement the longer cruise carries, and it is what separates these sailings from a boat that simply drives you to the ice.

A hot meal is included, chosen at checkout from the same three options as the 26 Glacier Cruise: Alaska smoked salmon chowder, hearty vegetarian chili, or a kids' all-beef hot dog. Coffee, tea and water are aboard, and so are restrooms.

Sea otters, harbour seals, bald eagles and kittiwakes are the usual sightings. Whales and bears turn up seasonally, following the salmon. As on every Sound cruise, the wildlife is real and therefore not guaranteed.

Pickup from Anchorage or Alyeska can be added, which is what pushes the listed duration as high as eleven hours. Driving yourself means the $13 Anton Anderson tunnel toll and $15–20 for parking, neither included.

Highlights

• Blackstone Bay's two tidewater glaciers, reached in a four-hour round trip
• More time at the ice and less in transit than the longer College Fjord route
• Live commentary from a Chugach National Forest Service ranger
• Hot meal included — salmon chowder, vegetarian chili or a kids' hot dog
• Sea otters, harbour seals, bald eagles and kittiwakes along the fjord walls
• Optional coach pickup from Anchorage or Alyeska

What's Included

• ✓ 4-hour glacier cruise by high-speed catamaran
• ✓ Hot meal chosen at checkout (salmon chowder, vegetarian chili or kids' hot dog)
• ✓ Coffee, tea and water
• ✓ Live onboard commentary from a Forest Service ranger
• ✓ Heated indoor seating and onboard restrooms

Not Included

• Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel toll ($13) and Whittier parking ($15–20)
• Anything bought from the galley, bar or gift shop
• Gratuities
• Hotel pickup, unless you add a coach transfer option

What to Bring

• Warm layers, a hat and gloves — the deck is exposed and the ice cools the air
• Waterproof shoes or boots and a rain shell
• Photo ID
• Binoculars and a camera

Good to Know & Caveats

• Check in at the Phillips office at Cliffside Marina one hour before departure.
• If you add coach transport, luggage can be stored on the bus for the return to Alyeska, Anchorage or the airport.
• Strollers, large bags, coolers, umbrellas and tripods are not allowed aboard.
• Infants travel on a lap. Service animals are welcome.
• The Whittier tunnel is single-lane and alternates direction on a schedule — allow extra time if you are driving.

Meeting Point

Cliffside Marina, Whittier — check in at the Phillips Cruises office one hour before departure. Coach options are collected in Anchorage or Alyeska instead; the option you choose at checkout sets the meeting point.