Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier

About This Experience

The 26 Glacier Cruise is the long version of a Prince William Sound day. Phillips Cruises runs it out of Whittier on a high-speed catamaran: west along Passage Canal, north through the narrows of Esther Passage, then into College Fjord and back — roughly five and a half hours on the water, and twenty-six named glaciers along the way.

The route is what makes the count possible. Passage Canal opens directly off the Whittier harbour, so the walls and waterfalls start within minutes of leaving the dock rather than an hour offshore. Esther Passage is the tight section, steep on both sides. College Fjord at the far end is the payoff: a line of tidewater glaciers standing shoulder to shoulder, named by the 1899 Harriman expedition after the American colleges that funded it.

Tidewater glaciers are the ones that reach salt water, which means they calve. The captain holds position off the ice and waits, and when a face lets go the sound arrives a beat after the sight. Nothing schedules this — some holds produce a wall of ice going over, some produce nothing at all.

The boat is built for the job. Phillips' catamarans carry a no-seasickness guarantee, heated indoor seating at tables with USB charging, several restrooms and an open deck for when it matters. A hot meal is included and you choose it at checkout — Alaska smoked salmon chowder, hearty vegetarian chili, or an all-beef hot dog for children.

Wildlife is the other half of the trip. Sea otters and harbour seals are close to routine, bald eagles and kittiwakes nest along the cliffs, and when the salmon run the orcas, humpbacks, Steller sea lions and black bears follow them in. None of it is guaranteed — this is open water, not an enclosure — but animals outnumber people in the Sound and the crew narrate what appears.

One cost to plan around: driving yourself from Anchorage means the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which charges $13 and runs one direction at a time on a fixed schedule, plus $15–20 to park in Whittier. Neither is in the cruise price. Phillips also sells coach and rail transfers from Anchorage and Alyeska, which remove the driving and stretch the day to nine hours or more.

Highlights

• Twenty-six named glaciers in one loop — Passage Canal, Esther Passage and College Fjord
• College Fjord's tidewater faces, where the captain holds position and waits for calving
• High-speed catamaran with a no-seasickness guarantee and an open viewing deck
• Hot meal included — salmon chowder, vegetarian chili or a kids' hot dog
• Sea otters, harbour seals and bald eagles, plus orcas and humpbacks in season
• Optional coach and rail transfers from Anchorage and Alyeska

What's Included

• ✓ 5.5-hour glacier cruise aboard a high-speed catamaran
• ✓ Hot meal chosen at checkout (salmon chowder, vegetarian chili or kids' hot dog)
• ✓ Coffee, tea and water
• ✓ USB charging at every table
• ✓ Heated indoor seating and multiple 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 or rail transfer option

What to Bring

• Warm layers — the deck is where the glaciers are, and it is colder on the water
• A windproof, waterproof outer shell; sailings go ahead in rain
• Waterproof shoes or boots
• Binoculars for the wildlife along the fjord walls
• A camera, and more storage than you expect to need

Good to Know & Caveats

• Departures run rain or shine. The cabin is heated and enclosed, but outdoor viewing is the point of the trip.
• Strollers, large bags or luggage, coolers, umbrellas and tripods are not allowed aboard.
• Infants travel on a lap. Service animals are welcome.
• No alcohol may be brought onto or taken off the vessel under Alaska liquor law.
• You may bring your own food if none of the included meal choices suits you.
• The Anton Anderson tunnel is single-lane and alternates direction on a fixed timetable — build slack into the drive.

Meeting Point

Cliffside Marina, Whittier — check in at the Phillips Cruises office one hour before departure. If you add a coach or rail option you are collected in Anchorage or Alyeska instead, so the option you pick at checkout sets your meeting point.