Anchorage's Cruise Ports: Whittier vs. Seward

Anchorage shows up on a lot of Alaska cruise itineraries, but no ship actually docks there - the water's too shallow. Instead, cruises embark or disembark at one of two nearby ports: Whittier or Seward. Which one your ship uses isn't up to you, but it's worth knowing the difference, since either one makes a genuinely good place to spend a day before or after your cruise.

Getting to Whittier: Through the Tunnel

Whittier sits about 60 miles from Anchorage, but there's only one way in or out by road: the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a 2.5-mile passage carved through the mountains in 1943 and still the longest highway tunnel in North America. It's a single lane shared with the Alaska Railroad, so traffic runs on a schedule - cars head into Whittier on the half hour, out on the hour. The drive itself takes about an hour from Anchorage, tunnel included.

What to Do in Whittier

Whittier is tiny - most of the town's year-round residents live in a single building, Begich Towers - but it's the departure point for Phillips Cruises & Tours' 26 Glacier Cruise, a full-day boat trip into Prince William Sound that's been running since 1987. It's exactly what it sounds like: a single afternoon that can take in up to 26 glaciers, plus the sea otters, seals, and whales that come with them. If you have a free day around your cruise, it's one of the best-value excursions in the state.

Getting to Seward: The Scenic Drive

Seward is farther out - about 125 miles and 2.5 hours from Anchorage - but the drive is part of the appeal. The Seward Highway hugs Turnagain Arm the whole way, with pull-offs for beluga whales and Dall sheep before the road climbs into the mountains around Kenai Fjords. No tunnel, no schedule to work around - just a longer, more scenic drive.

What to Do in Seward

Seward packs in more to see within walking distance of the harbor. The Alaska SeaLife Center is a public aquarium and marine wildlife rescue and research facility - it's also, unexpectedly, Mile 0 of the Iditarod Trail, marked by a prospector-and-sled-dog statue right in its parking lot. The trail carried mail and gold out of Seward starting in 1908, long before it became better known as a sled dog race.

Beyond town, Kenai Fjords National Park and Exit Glacier are a short drive away, and boat tours out into Resurrection Bay are a good way to see tidewater glaciers and wildlife without needing a full cruise.

Which Port Will Your Cruise Use?

That depends on your cruise line and the direction of your itinerary - some sail round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver, others do a one-way run between Seward or Whittier and a Southbound or Northbound partner port, often paired with a land tour up to Denali or Fairbanks. It's not something you choose independently of the cruise itself, but it's worth knowing before you book, since it changes what your pre- or post-cruise day looks like. If you're deciding how many days to add, here's how we'd spend anywhere from one night to a full week.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Whittier or Seward closer to Anchorage?
Whittier - about 60 miles and an hour's drive (tunnel included), versus roughly 125 miles and 2.5 hours to Seward.

Do all Alaska cruises use the same port?
No. It depends on the cruise line and whether the itinerary is round-trip or one-way; both Whittier and Seward see regular cruise traffic.

Can I do the 26 Glacier Cruise even if my ship doesn't stop in Whittier?
Yes - it's a standalone day cruise, not tied to any particular cruise line, so it's a good add-on for an extra day in Anchorage even if your ship departs from Seward.

Not sure which port your cruise will use, or want help planning the day around it? Get in touch and we'll help you plan it.