Holland America Eurodam cruising in Alaska near Glacier Bay.

Whittier to Vancouver Cruises

Such beauty to behold in the land of glaciers and fjords.

Princess Cruises Grand Princess at sea.

Whittier to Vancouver Cruises

Such beauty to behold in the land of glaciers and fjords.

Whittier to Vancouver Alaska Cruises

This southbound route connecting Whittier and Vancouver is often billed as departing from Anchorage, although this is a bit of a misnomer. Whittier is about 60 miles away by scenic road or railway. Passengers can easily travel from Anchorage via the morning Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery Train or the afternoon Park Connection Motorcoach Whittier Cruise Transfer. If time allows, it's worth it to come early. The hours ahead of boarding are easily filled with a self-guided walk through Whittier, and either a College Fjord sightseeing boat trip or a Blackstone Bay kayak excursion.

Whittier is a strange town by any measure, a peculiar holdover from World War II whose 200 residents all reside in a trio of 14-story apartment buildings. But oddity aside, Whittier is also an exceptionally beautiful port to embark from. The first full day is generally spent tracing the Alaskan coastline on the way to Disenchantment Bay and Hubbard Glacier followed by is also filled with epic glacial views in Glacier Bay National Park.

Cruisers typically spend their first shore day in Skagway, a small town rich with gold rush history (if not gold itself). The community is charming, with boardwalks, clapboard shops, and saloons giving it an authentic air. The cruise route also typically includes port calls in Juneau and Ketchikan. Both offer shore excursions for every interest, from canoeing near the Mendenhall Glacier to flightseeing and foodie tours.

After a final day at sea cruising Canada's Inside Passage, the route concludes in Vancouver, British Columbia. Cruise passengers can conveniently set out on a follow-on trip in the area from the Canada Place cruise terminal or, if an afternoon flight beckons, transfer to the airport via taxi, shuttle, or SkyTrain.

Whittier to Vancouver Cruises