Prince William Sound Glacier Tours | ALASKA.ORG Recommends Major Marine Tours

If you want to see glaciers, Prince William Sound is the best place in Southcentral Alaska to go: it has the world’s densest concentration of tidewater glaciers, and nice, calm waters for cruising, with fewer other boats, compared to the Seward area.

Major Marine Tours runs two cruises out of Whittier and provides a lot of niceties too: guaranteed reserved seating in a heated cabin, a salmon and prime rib buffet, and knowledgeable Chugach National Forest rangers guiding every tour.

If you are coming to Whittier from Anchorage, Major Marine Tours can also help you set up train or motor coach travel, making the trip to Whittier even more leisurely and rich with scenery.

Your Whittier cruise options:

Blackstone Glacier Cruise (4.5 hours): Head straight out to Blackstone Bay, where Blackstone and Beloit glaciers tower 200 feet above your vessel. Rather than sailing from glacier to glacier, Major Marine stops at each one, floating among the icebergs, giving you plenty of time to take in Mother Nature’s glorious ice sculptures. The captain will stop for major sightings such as bald eagles, seals, porpoises and entire rookeries of birds. You don’t get a lot of motion in Blackstone Bay, which is great for passengers who tend to get seasick.
Surprise Glacier Cruise (5.25 hours): New for 2012! This catamaran cruise has many highlights including tidewater glaciers, marine wildlife and a working salmon hatchery. While cruising in famous Harriman Fjord you'll get an up-close view of the spectacular Surprise Glacier. This massive tidewater glacier features towering blue ice sculptures, and floating icebergs that often host resting harbor seals. The cruise also includes waterfalls, bird rookeries and a trip through the beautiful and peaceful Esther Passage.

Details: Whittier tends to be overcast in the summer, but this doesn’t effect the viewing. Morning clouds and/or fog often clear by the time the tour starts.

Major Marine Tours also does glacier cruises of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, departing out of Seward.

Photo Album for Major Marine Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise

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Tour Highlights

Reserved indoor seating in a heated cabin
Large, stable vessel with multiple viewing decks
Accommodates up to 140 passengers
All-you-can-eat Alaska salmon and prime rib meal served buffet style ($19; $9.50 for children)
Parties seated together at tables
"Cruising restaurant" service offers comfort and convenience of exploring as you dine
If you're eating and an otter appears in the water, you can pop outside and see it, then return to your meal. Don't worry about missing anything.
Full-service bar available: beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks, snacks
All cruises are hosted by a Chugach National Park ranger; young children may join Junior Ranger program

2012 Times & Prices

Cruise Details	Dates	Depart	Return	Adult	Child (ages 2-11)
Blackstone Glacier Cruise	5/12 - 9/16	12:45pm	5:15pm	$119	$59.50
Surprise Glacier Cruise	5/19 - 9/9	12:15pm	5:30pm	$149	$74.50

Note:

Children under 2 free but must be noted on reservation. Full-day cruise not recommended for infants.
Cruise fare does not include tax, applicable fees, meal, or transportation.

What To Bring

For comfort throughout the cruise-both inside and outside the heated cabins and in a variety of weather conditions-guests are urged to dress in layers, including a warm, rainproof coat
Bring hat and gloves
Wear comfortable, rubber-soled shoes

Directions

From Anchorage, take the Seward Highway south. Approximately 11 miles south of Girdwood, you'll see a sign for "Portage Glacier & Whittier." Turn left on Portage Glacier Road and follow the signs for Whittier. Information on the Whittier Tunnel schedule and fees. Upon arriving in town, you must check-in at the tour office before parking. You'll see Major Marine on your left, past the Harbor Master office.

Payment Policy

At time of placing reservations, Major Marine Tours requires full payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
	Cancellation Policy
All cruise reservations are fully refundable until two weeks prior to cruise date; 70% refundable within two weeks of cruise until 24 hours prior to cruise; non-refundable within 24 hours of cruise. After purchase, reservation date may be changed once at no charge by calling at least 24 hours prior to original cruise (subject to availability of desired cruise). Each subsequent change will be subject to a $15 per person change fee. Tickets not used at the time of sailing ("no show") are non-refundable and may not be used on other sailings. Tickets not picked up 15 minutes prior to cruise departure are subject to cancellation. The cancelled tickets can be used on another sailing for a $15 fee per person. At the discretion of the Coast Guard-certified captain, Major Marine Tours reserves the right to cancel or re-route its cruises based on weather or other conditions.
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