Prince William Sound Reviews

We took Phillips cruises 26 glacier tour , but probably any tour company would be worth it! This is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. We saw 2 bald eagles, hundreds of sea otters, jellyfish, harbor seals , and a kittiwake rookery among other wildlife. The beauty of the area mountains, glaciers, icebergs, turquoise and dark waters will take your breath away.

Unspeakable Natural wonders abound. We saw whales, salmon, eagles, otters. Undescribablly great in its granduer.

You simply MUST see it! We caught the train from Anchorage to PWS, that in itself was a good experience. The boat was very comfortable and many vantage points depending on the breezes, views, warmth, whatever you want. The food was ok too. The views are out of this world, and we saw sea otters, stellar sea lions and bird species. LOTS of glaciers. I would prefer the commentary to be a little bit more often and clearer and louder - also by the time you hear them say something hat you're really interested in, you don't know where to look. Maybe if they mentioned the word "bear" for example, they repeat where to look. May use the method - 2.00 O'clock, so we know where to look before it's too late, as I found myself asking fellow passengers what has he spotted and then where is it, but they too often said, "not sure where it is or where to look" . BUT other than that it was great and would do it again

Didn't have time to do anything other than look at the town of Whittier and view the Sound! Wish we would have had time to take a boat or kayak to tour around in the sound.

The most beautiful, wild, vividly alive place I have ever been. Drove along the coast one day and it was everything I could to to keep my eyes on the road. I stopped often at the well placed viewing pull offs and saw Beluga whales breaching in the sound, Dall sheep clinging impossibly to the nearly vertical cliffs and a Bald Eagle flew right in front of my windshield. Magic, no other word for it.

Leaving Whittier by bus toward Anchorage, our bus driver was the best tour guide. He really kept our attention at 7:30 am. The ride through the longest tunnel in North America and the glacier views were spectacular! Wish we had more time to take a cruise or fish salmon! Next time!

Go to Whittier, buy the fudge from the shop at the end of the road, enjoy the strangest and most beautiful place on Earth.

Prince William Sound is boarded by numerous mountains, glaciers, fjords and shoreline. It has the Kenai Peninsula on its western border and is surrounded by Chugach National Forest mostly owned by the Chugach Alaska Nat'l Corporation. The scenery is spectacular.

Awesome experience. We added the all you can eat prime rib/halibut dinner. We saw three different glaciers and the Kitty Wake Rookery. Staff was wonderful.

Our first full day in Alaska ... we traveled by train from Anchorage to Whittier to take a cruise on
Prince William Sound to see Surprise Glacier and more. We had a beautiful sunny day on the
4th of July and this was one of the highlights of our time in Alaska. We were on the MV Fairweather II on a trip booked through Alaska Denali Travel. It is an awesome trip. Our young female captain knew her ship and her way through all the passages and areas. We saw whales, tons of sea otters, sea lions, and all kinds of birds. Our captain stopped the ship, or rotated slowly so everyone could see everything. We were informed every step of the way of what we were doing and what we were going to see. A prime rib lunch was included with this tour and the crew did a great job with this. The food was good and there was plenty of it.
We stopped at the glacier and the engines were turned off. Quiet ... until you hear the glacier make all kinds of strange noises, and then we watched the ice fall into the water ... calving. Awesome! We learned about the blue ice .... and how dense the ice really is. Our glacial ice Margarita was very very good and the ice lasted in the cup until we were almost back at the dock. This was a great trip and when we came back to start our Princess Cruise from Whitter five days later .... we were so glad we saw Prince William Sound in the sunshine .... it's pretty ugly when it's raining. Do this tour. We also loved the train trip both ways along the Turnagain Arm.

Prince William Sound is a fishing mecca, perfect place to kayak, and the Glacier Cruise is well worth the price and time. We go to Whittier every summer for dinner. The drive from the Valley to Whittier is lovely. If you time it right you can pick Salmon Berries. Drive around and see the falls and the view of the sound from the hill.

We toured Prince William Sound via a Phillips Glacier Quest cruise. Scenery was beautiful, but our route lacked wildlife. I'm guessing we needed to venture further out to see the wildlife.

Take a ferry ride across PWS. Cordova, Valdez, Whittier and beyond. The scenary is magnificent even on a cloudy day. Relax and enjoy the ride aboard one of the Alaska Marine Highway vessels. If you come to Alaska and don't see Prince William Sound then you're misssing one of the best views of Alaska.

I had arrived in Anchorage the day before and was hung over as a mother. There was an area down stairs where you could sit and a deck upstairs to take photos and what not. There was lots of wildlife on show, Orcas, Seals, A Bald Eagle etc. The best part, for me anyway was arriving at the glacier and the amount of Ice that was in the water leading up to it.

I got the entire glacier in some awesome panoramic photos which are on my Flikr page should you care to see them. They served us some food but there's no way I can remember what it was, the photos of the Glacier made the trip but before hand I didn't know we were going to be on that boat/ferry all day, a long day ended when we arrived in Valdez, I think. It was 2 or 3 years ago I was In Alaska.

Absolutely beautiful! The tunnel was fun and unexpected. We are very glad we stopped in to check it out. Smaller than we expected, but worth the stop

Fell in love with this town! It's absolutely beautiful. Went on glacier tours, salmon fishing and a trip to the hatcher when the salmon is running was live entertainment.

Great views fun and great visit nice - beautiful views and great history. The weather was very good and snow on the ground

When you ask people to "rate" places like Prince William Sound, I'm not sure it's possible to "rate" them! It is beautiful, but that word hardly begins to describe it!

We enjoyed the views and saw orcas on our second day. This is a must when traveling to Anchorage. You can hire a car to take you around for sea life viewing.

We went on a cruise through the sound it was amazing 26 glaciers to explore. Sea otters floating around the bay, seals, whales. Amazing

Friendly staff, good food, excellent service, and amazing scenery. Make time for Prince William Sound you won't regret it.

I debated a long time over which cruise to take. Ultimately, went with the shorter one (Blackstone) because of the tunnel timing, the promise of smooth sailing, and wanting to eat “in-town” before we departed. In hindsight, would have been fine with either and probably would have picked the longer one (and used our BOGO coupon). We made the 10:30 tunnel just fine from Anchorage and would have supported the 12:15 departure. Ate at the “best” restaurant there and were disappointed. You still don’t have to get the buffet on the boat, they have soups, chili and mac n cheese ala carte. I would have done that had we realized. There’s not much to, “see” in town, so getting off the boat and back to the car to depart right away would have caught the 6:00 tunnel just fine with the slightly later return. As for their process, check-in and pick up your tickets in their building up top. You line up down by the dock with your actual tickets in hand. Note: this is the same place people line up for other cruises. This area is pretty unorganized and it’s unclear when you walk up which cruise is boarding. A dry erase board would be a nice addition for the booth. Now boarding X, Y you’ll be next, just wait for us to call for you. The trip started rainy, but got sunny just when we arrived at the glacier, wow, that really made things more beautiful. We didn’t see much in the way of sea life and only saw a small calving at the glacier, but oh that sound, it’s amazing. It was pretty and well worth the drive from Anchorage.

The beauty here takes my breath away. The day here was sunny and warm so spent the day on our balcony. The water was glass smooth and the color of the water beautiful and the mountains majestic and beautiful. Actually this was one of my favorite days of the trip.

If you love wildlife you cannot go wrong taking a bay tour out of Seward. It is one of those experiences that you will talk about with everyone. Be sure to bring a camera. The tour is on a boat--take an anti-nausea med before if you are prone to sea sickness. You will spend the afternoon touring the bay, seeing wildlife, amend viewing the glaciers. We were lucky to see otter, seal, birds, and whales. Dress very warm-windy and cool to cold; wear a hat too! Any of the tour boats are fine; they work together to assure a great trip.lunch is included in the tour price which may be purchased through the Alaska Railroad if coming in by rail.

We fished for halibut out of Valdez on Prince William Sound, and it was absolutely gorgeous! And we caught a lot of halibut! Worth the 6 hour trip from Willow, AK.

Beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife. Nice way to travel from Valdez to Whittier. Sit out on the deck under the heat lamps, definitely a fun way to enjoy the views.

Walked along Ship Creek to get here,Definatly worth going to to watch all the locals fish and it's right behind the ulu factory!

We took a cruise to witness the beauty of prince William sound. It was cloudy but the vistas were picturesque. We got lucky spotted a couple of otters. The glaciers and the waterfalls along them were beautiful. Must visit !

A must for the bucket list. This is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. We were there in 1996, but the calendar would not go back that far.

My husband and I did not know what to expect specially after seeing a post on trip advisor. I cannot believe anyone would have had a bad time on this trip with this crew. We had the best trip of our lives. We hiked, kayaked, and enjoyed wild life every day. Sat and ate breakfast in front of the best views of Prince Williams Sound. We felt guilty telling other cruisers how great our experience was because ours blew the others away. The best thing was everything was included if we did all these things and ate and drank this much on a larger ship it would have cost us so much more. The staff took care of our every need before we even knew we had the need. Mat's cooking was second to none. Captain Dean or Bean as one young traveler kept saying was amazing. Corey and Heather knew so much about everything we saw and took us to amazing places. I cannot imagine seeing Alaska another way. Hope someday to be able to get back again.

I have spent many days flying around PWS and can't get enough. (Except during the Exxon Valdez oil spill). The area is so vast and beautiful, that the only (best) way to see it is by Sea-Plane. Glaciers, Whales, Otters, Deer and Bear. You can also take one of the many tour boats out of Cordova, Valdez, Whittier or Seward. You can also take the Alaska Ferry. It is a MUST see while in Alaska.

We took a boat out of Whittier on the "26 Glacier Tour" with the Phillips Cruise and Tour Company. Our cruise was a 5 hour tour....probably actually seeing about 16 to 18 glaciers. It was an amazing adventure....we saw two different glacier "calving"....wow! The sound and the sight was breathtaking! The boat was comfortable, easy to maneuver inside and out for close up views. The ranger who narrated the tour was very knowledgable and helpful with our questions. We were there at the end of May, so our tour was fairly empty, which was wonderful! No problem moving if you didn't like your assigned seats.Lots of eagles and one black bear at the top of the glacier. Whittier is actually a quaint little village. It was rainy, so we didn't get to explore too much, and we were sad to miss seeing this area on land. The only down side of this tour location, is that there is no "waiting area" for the cruises. We were there an hour early, fearing the possible line at the one way tunnel you have to pass through to get to Whittier. No problems there, at all, so our early arrival and the rain left us stranded. We walked to a very nice hotel next to the harbor, and had a cup of tea. Wish I remembered the name of it. Would be a nice place to sleep for one night.

Great whales, Ice burgs calving, lots of seals and birds. Beautiful trip out to Northwestern glacier. Friendly and organized trip. Loved the snacks on board.

We rode across the Prince William Sound on the Alaskan high speed ferry from Whitter to Valdez as part of our Alaskan two week tour. The Sound was so beautiful and was quiet when we crossed it. We met a man who told us about the islands and the local people who lived there. Really added to the experience.

Bus trip to Whittier was great and driver was friendly.
Boat and crew were exceptional. glaciers were fantastic.
Saw eagles- seals and sea otters.

The amount of wildlife in PWS cannot be explained. It is everywhere. Whales, dolphins, seals, baby seals, starfish, all sorts of birds. There are glaciers. On shore there are bears, moose, and fox-to name a few.

This was by far a highlight of our Alaska tour. The scenery is outstanding, and we got as close to the glaciers as you could go without getting on them. Truly a beautiful experience. But, the "BEST" thing was seeing a whale breach 23 times!! The captain said he had done this tour for 14 years and had never seen one breach more than 3 or 4 times. Go on this tour and you will not be disappointed!

Have just been on a 3 day Discovery Voyage trip. It was amazing! Captain Dean and his crew - Heather, Maddie and Tory make this trip the wonderful experience it is with all their hard work, knowledge and enthusiasm. The meals were delicious and of a very high quality - just outstanding. This is a slick and professionally run business from the booking experience with Megan and our tour driver Edward, right to the very end of the trip. I would highly recommend this to everyone. Thanks once again to all,
Kerry (Carrie) Boyd

Words cannot really capture the beauty of Alaska, moreover the mountainous scenery reflecting of the still waters of Prince Willaim Sound....just a great sight....

If you want to see Whales and other sea life with beautiful scenery thorn in this is the place for you.. Don't miss the sunset or sunrise

My husband and I went on the 26 Glacier Cruise which is a 5 hour trip by boat to view 26 different glaciers. These glaciers were the most amazing things I have ever seen! The sound has lots of wildlife too - we saw jumping fish, birds, otters, and sea lions. The cruise included lunch and had a bar on it. They stopped at several places so we could take pictures and we got up very close to several glaciers. We could see & hear ice chunks falling off into the water. I would recommend this to everyone! The only bad thing I would say it was that the cruise was a bit long. Maybe a 4 hour trip for a little less money would have been better.

This is such a beautiful area and the further you get into the sound, the more spectacular the area looks. We were so lucky to be able to experience this on a cruise ship and will never forget our wonderful experience. We sat on the balcony and just took in the atmosphere - electric.

Good Glacier cruise but expensive ~$150/adult.The agents or manager wouldn't compromise on switching the lunch for a vegetarian person.It appears there are only a handful of these cruises from Whittier and they have a monopoly so are willing to offer any discounts, specials or promotion. Get pricey if you are a family of four.Need to ensure you visit during good weather conditions to view the Glaciers. It takes about 90 minutes from Anchorage including the Whittier tunnel which only opens every hour for one way traffic so must time your travel correctly. The town of Whittier is very ordinary and quiet dead town. Stay in Anchorage and you can easily do the day trip.

Prince William sound is an incredible body of water teeming with fish and wildlife. There are many access points and well worth the time spent. People fish, sight see, kayak, and cruise the area.

it was awesome to get so close to these beautiful glaciers. I t was overcast and raining the day we went but the glaciers look amazing. The colors were great

One of the most beautiful places I've ever been!

If you like glaciers, insane views, sea otters, eagles, seals, sea lions, puffins, etc....go here.

It is expensive and can be rather miserable weather-wise but has great scenery. It is best to see it by spending a couple days in a cabin or camped on a beach (get dropped off) but at a minimum do a day trip on a tourist boat and hope for good weather and calm seas.

We drove from Anchorage to Whittier, the drive is beautiful and the boat ride from Whittier to the Glaciers were amazing. We saw all kinds o wild life from whales to Bald eagles... it was magical.
We took the tour to the Surprise Glacier . If you are driving to Whittier make sure you know the times for the tunel.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Seward & out to the Sound. Even if you only have a couple of days in or near Anchorage, I highly recommend.

Phillips 26 glacier cruise is the best introduction to the prince William Sound. Narrated by a National Parks ranger. Included a delicious Alaskan cod lunch.

If you're into fishing and you have your own boat, this is definitely a good place to go. Apart from fishing, you can also kayak, go on a glacier cruise or just about laze around in the area and enjoy the food that their cafés and restaurants offer. I spoke to a local and she said that their population year round is only 150 but during the summer, it balloons to 1,000. Talk about a private island. Crime is non-existent. I can say that it's one of the safest place I've ever visited.

We took the ferry that gives a chance of seeing lot´s of amazing views during the trip. Even wild life!!!

A few hours of cruising around the glaciers is awesome! The guides are very knowledgable and give you ample time to stop and take pictures. Don't forget to dress warm while you are on the trip (it gets really windy)

I love Prince WilliamSound, I grew up in the area. We took the Alaska Marine highway ferry from Whittier to Valdez, such a scenic ride! The weather was cooperative and we had sunshine most all the way. You can see seals, otters and even whales occasionally. We travelled through ice fields, the debris from calving glaciers. Such a grand ride. My only wish would be if the crew would provide more commentary along the way.

The wildlife and glaciers of Prince William Sound are truly astounding. Visit there if you can! We took the glacier tour from Whittier (which takes a bit of planning).

We recently returned from a spectacular, wonderful experience aboard the Discovery. My family (mom dad and two teen boys) was aboard for a kayak and hike voyage, and it was all we could have dreamed. Captain Rand knows everything about the Sound, and steered us into safe harbours every night, and spectacular glaciers and wildlife during the days. Food and company aboard ship was more than excellent. Berths totally comfortable. Crew exemplary (hi Heather, Matt and Megan!) I cannot say enough about how terrific this trip was for all concerned. B&B in Anchorage on either end was also great (The Copper Whale). Highly, highly recommend this trip for anyone who wants an up close and personal view of Prince William Sound, and the incredible scenic beauty that is Alaska.

You have to see it to believe it. It looks like on a post card, picture perfect. Even better than Kenai. Endless glaciers, rivers, lakes, the sea. It can't get better than this. You definitely have to make a trip to this area and see it. Valdez is a good base and then explore the area by cruise or kayak.

I was in Prince William Sound for 6 nights on the Island C as part of an Alaskan photography safari. It is an incredibly beautiful place. We visited Mink Island, Eshamy bay, Dangerous Passage, Icy Bay, Bettles Bay, Gaanaak Cove, Glacier Island; and saw many glaciers - Bettles, Tiger, Tiger Tail, Chenega - and so much wildlife - orca, sea otters, harbour seals, puffins, bald eagles. I can't recommend this beautiful part of the world enough.

Just did a catamaran trip around the Sound with Major Marine Tours (highly recommend them- so professional!) We did the 5.5 hour Surprise Glacier tour.. it's the longer one and goes right up to this large Glacier and if you're lucky you can see pieces calve off and crack into the icy waters of the sound. The waters here are pretty protected & peaceful, so sea sickness is rare. We saw a few whales, seals and many eagles. No Orcas (killer whales) though- as I found out later, they rarely come into these waters.

To see Orcas better off doing a boat trip out of Seward -the Kenai Fjords trip. That boat ride is out in the open waters- more rough, but better chance of seeing Orcas.

BUT totally recommend Prince William Sound trip.. it's amazing! Don't be surprised if it's drizzly and don't let that deter you- still fantastic with jaw dropping scenery & icebergs!

great trip via ferry from Valdez to Whittier. We saw lots of otters, seals, eagles and whales. The ferry was very comfortable and provided washrooms and meals.

We viewed the sound from out tour bus as we journeyed toward Seward. Pictures do not do it justice. The mountains are so high still capped in snow and some snow as fresh as today with beautiful water flowing along the road.

We did the Glacier Quest Cruise including the train. from Anchorage. Overall we had a good time and saw some great views of the Glaciers thanks to Rusty, the Captain. The company is not how ever as Covid cautious as they claim. There is assigned seating and they put 2 strangers at our small table. They were able to find an employee who put them at another table. They also say there are places to plug a phone in at every table, the only outlet was on the wall by the bar.

Don't miss taking a glacier cruise with the Phillips 26 Line. You get REAL CLOSE to the glaciers where the big boats can't go. The catamaran is very stable and the ship does not "rock 'n roll" at all. On-board park ranger provides lots of info on the glaciers and wildlife. The optional sandwich lunch was so-so...I would recommend getting a Subway in town (Anchorage) instead.

Small village with shops dotting the road. A must for a break in journey. The gift shop, ice cream shop were good.

We had a fantastic 9-day trip to Alaska but without question the highlight was our 3-day Voyage in Prince William Sound with Captain Dean and the delightful crew of the Discovery Voyages.

* If you don't want to watch and hear the thunderous sound of a glacier calving a 5-story tall iceberg into the sea, then this trip is not for you
* If you wouldn't enjoy exploring the emerald waters of Prince William Sound with humpbacks, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, puffins, dall porpoises, bald eagles, black bear and more, then this trip is not for you
* If you wouldn't like to witness nature’s intersection of the sea and snow-capped mountains manifested in the narrow, deep Alaskan fjords, then this trip is not for you
* If you wouldn't find it exhilarating to kayak next to a massive waterfall or though the icebergs at the mouth of a tidal glacier, this trip is not for you
* If you don't want to hike through the beautiful flora to a hidden waterfall surrounded by snow-covered mountains, beautiful forest and glaciers in every direction, then this trip is not for you
* If you wouldn't like the challenge of jumping off the roof of the Discovery into the chilly glacial waters of PWS, then this trip is not for you
* And if you don't like being treated like royalty by your crew, learning about the geology, marine and wildlife of PWS, and eating gourmet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, then you definitely won't enjoy this trip

Truly an amazing adventure that we will remember fondly for the rest of our lives. If you can only do 1 thing while you're in Alaska, this should be it!

Thanks Captain Dean, Meg, Heather and Tori for your kindness, hospitality and knowledge and making our voyage the adventure of a lifetime! Our only regret is that we didn't book one of your longer trips!

Spectacular views of Prince William Sound while jetskiing with Glacier JetSki tours. Could not have asked for a better tour guide in Charlie and what an awesome way to experience the glaciers on a jetski.

It is typical to see it rainy in the area but we still got wonderful views. Some of the photos were even better because of the misty air. Well worth the trip.

Went to see the Blackstone Glacier by Major Marine cruise. A very comfortable vessel with very supportive staff. Really enjoyed the 4.5 hrs trip which took us so close to at least 3 glaciers. We saw large chunks of ice floating & at the end was treated with a mix of this ice. Pristine I should say. Saw small seals, plenty of birds but no whales. Better luck for you.

It was the highlight of our trip. The glaciers are breathtaking. We used Major Tours boat service, and they were quite professional.

Prince William Sound is a beautiful and peaceful space. This year we traveled across it via the Alaska Marine Highway System from Whittier to Valdez. The boat took over six hours so we were able to see the beauty of the mountains, glacier ice floating in the water, waterfalls, many boats, and the awesome wonder of the whales and seals.

We took a 6 hour cruise on Stan Stephens from Whittier to Valdez. It was a beautiful day a little overcast but no rain until the very end when we were puling into Valdez, and it was dark at that point anyway.

Just a tremendous place to look at glaciers and wildlife. We went really up close and personal with the Mears glacier for about a half hour and that was incredible. A lot of the other glaciers we were able to see from a distance.

For wildlife I was a tad disapointed that we did not see any whales, particularly Orcas but we did see puffins, sea lions, harbor seals and plenty of floating otters. We did see one bald eagle from quite a ways away.

We have visited Blackstone Bay by Kenai Star of Major Marines. Kenai Star is a beautiful vessel with heated cabin and spacious. We liked heated cabin comfort very much. During the cruise we saw Tide Water Glaciers, Hanging Glacier and Kerriwake Rookie. We had very near view of few Glaciers and stayed near them for longer time. Of Course if you want to see more Glaciers, you may take 26 Glacier tour.

Liked the great service - We went with the Alaska Kayak Academy Big Ice Trip and it was FANTASTIC!!!!

Nothing to dislike!

on a nice day with the Background of the blue sky and the clear air ... great photography! Price is surely much too high!!

Between the beautiful teal-colored water, glaciers and surrounding mountains, I'm not sure there is a more beautiful place on earth than Prince William Sound.

It was rainy, foggy, and did I say rainy? Saw the briefest glimpse of a whale's flukes. Saw some sea otters and sea lions, a couple of eagles, and that was it. The food was pretty good. They have tables and windows all the way around the catamaran, but if you're stuck in the middle section, you have no window because everyone suddenly stands up in the way if there's the remotest sign of possible wildlife, so forget about getting to see anything. Might want to take dramamine because IF something gets sighted, or thinks it's sighted, the captain will back up, turn around, repeat, until he might be near something you might see...

we visited from land and the views go on forever! we were able to see the boat activity, the mountains, the glaicers - great little fishing town.

Took a cruise and seen many sea lions, great views of the glaciers since it was a dreary day (best time to see them since the sun hasn't washed out the amazing blue color).

Prince William Sound a very nice attraction if you are interested to see both glaciers and wildlife. It's a stretch of water surrounded by magnificent mountains and glaciers. Very spectacular.
Personal Tips:
1) definitely take some warm clothes with you - believe me it's rather cold if you are close to the floating glaciers, no matter what the weather forecast tells.
2) prepare NOT to see any wildlife, as this is not a Zoo. Sometimes you see whales, sometimes you don't. It's better to be rewarded with them than be disappointed for not seeing them (like we were).
3) if you are in Anchorage, definitely make the time for the trip - it's really not that far away and you will remember it till the end of your lifetime.

Was in PWS for a day fishing charter and was in awe of its enormity and beauty. I would go back again without a second thought.

I took the 26 Glaciers tour during the first week of July and it was rainy, cold and foggy. It was like a restaurant with bad food on the water. There were families, very noisy groups and so many people that it was difficult to see what I wanted to see and hear what the captain was saying. I was mainly there to photograph, so my experience may not be the sam as everyone else's, but I felt claustrophobic both inside and outside on deck. We did see quite a bit of wildlife, humpback whales, a pod of orcas, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles. However, the railings on deck, and the windows inside were so crowded that not only didn't I get the photos I wanted, since I'm short, I sometimes also didn't get to even see the animals. The staff was very organized and very nice, but there were just too many people. The length of the ride was about right. I took the train to Whittier, which was fun, and took the small motor coach back to Anchorage, which got back much sooner than the train. Overall a fun trip, but I thought the boat was too crowded.

Went with the 26 Glacier tours. The guide driving us up there was excellent and telling us every thing you would want to know and stopping if animals were seen. The boat crew were very helpful and polite. The fish meal was excellent. We had a very good guide from the parks department. The captain gave us more than enough time to see the glaciers and sights. It is stunningly beautiful and we saw the glaciers Calvert a few times which was very exciting. You have to go there to see the amazing beautiful and the 26 Glaciers tour is the perfect way to do it.

we did the glacier cruise in prince william sound as part of our alaska tour,a camera is a must, the weather was excellent with clear blue skies, we managed to see some calving,

We took a boat trip from Valdez on a sunny day. We saw orcas, sea otters, dall porpoise and seals. It was spectacular by the Columbia glacier with plenty of icebergs and you could hear the ice breaking away from the glacier.

We took a day cruise in the Sound. We were very lucky with great weather. The boat was comfortable, the hot lunch satisfying and the narration good. Saw a lot of glaciers that are only accessible by boat

We visited while on our cruise ship. This was a beautiful area. We could see 8 glaciers from where the ship was positioned and there were a lot of icebergs floating around the ship.We were there in the evening and even though the sun was shining the the temp was chilly. The Park Rangers were onboard the ship and they were able to point out the different wildlife in the area, we were able to see a bear on the shore. It was a perfect evening in Prince William sound. Hope to visit Alaska again soon.

Excellent boat, smooth and quiet, plenty of staff, comfortable seats. Bring your USB-to-whatever charge cords to keep your cell charged. They assign you a seat/table so you don't have to scramble to get a good seat. two-thirds of the seats/tables are interior (not next to a window) but plenty of access to the top and stern decks to get open views. Hope for good visibility-watch the forecast.

On a perfect day with the sound like a millpond the views are spectacular, the wildlife plentiful and commentary informative. Even though it was a sunny Autumn day, make sure you have very warm clothing if you intend to stand on the forward deck (and you need to,it is sensational) with the boat at cruising speed. Gloves, wind proof jacket and a beanie will not be out of place here...
The 7 hour trip from Valdez to Whittier is well worth the time spent.

This is a very large area and someone could easily spend years here and not see everything this area has to offer. We drove down to Wittier and did a 4.5 hour cruise. We saw a few Otters, some seals, and bald eagles, but no whales, etc. The glaciers, Blackstone Ice Field, were amazing and even thought by law you have to stay 1/4 mile away, you feel like you are right there because of the massive size of them. See pic. We saw several small calvings of the glaciers, but no large slabs creating enormous waves. beautiful blue water full of floating ice chunks. Lots of waterfalls.

Because of the scope and size of the area, try to narrow down the activity and location and then search from there. I cannot emphasize enough the beauty of this area. I look forward to returning.

This was an awesome site. So enjoyed the stillness and yet powerful sound. Loved the color of the water everything really in Alaska is beautiful. I have nothing I could say I didn't like. Really I loved visiting Alaska and we are ready to go back!!

Beautiful area to see. We didn't see all the marine life we had hoped to see but still enjoyed it. Needed a warm jacket when we were up close to the glaciers. Binoculars came in handy.

Beautiful! Breathtaking! Beyond Description! I have heard about Prince William Sound but never imagined that it would be such an embracing sight. The mountains and glaciers around the Sound produce natural waterfalls and streams that feed the Sound. While I was only there for a few hours, I look forward to visiting again and taking the Alaskan Ferry across Prince William Sound.

I have spent many summer days and nights out in Prince William Sound. Typically I leave from Whittier and spend 2 or 3 nights out on my boat. The fishing is great! Scuba diving is great! Hunting is Great and the scenery is fantastic! Rent, charter, beg, buy, or steal a boat and go explore!!! You will love it!

This was a great tour! The catamaran itself was equipped with two decks, bathrooms, a small shop, and a bar/food area. All of the seating downstairs were at tables so you could sit and listen on the way out. If you had an inside table not near a window, you missed a lot. We saw beautiful glaciers and wildlife! While we were out, we saw a bunch of whales and a ton of sea otters on the water. Absolutely beautiful photos, but it was hard at times to get a spot outside on the bow to get a good view. The only frustrating thing was the seating at the tables- we booked our trip way in advance and were all separated in our seating arrangements. The staff was able to fix it when we got there, but be careful about this especially if you're traveling with children because you may not end up sitting with them on the boat.

Important! Choose your Tour day wisely! Yesterday, it was 42 degrees and rainy; today it is 72 degrees in the full sun. And Major Marine Tours - Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise carried 50+ people both days! EGADS!

Weather.com!

My first Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise came nearly 20 years ago from Valdez, courtesy of Stan Stevens. I saw first hand the terrific damage of the Exxon Valdez! Make no mistake the eco system is damaged for the next 50-70 years! Corporate responsibility is a non sequitur!

I have done three Prince William Sound Glacier Cruises from Valdez taking the road near the Wrangrell Mountains to Valdez. Today the Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise is from Whittier.

So, shall it be Major Marine Tours or Phillips. My research indicates a larger Phillips vessel, which means sever tour buses will HERD people on board, and indeed this is the case.

I hate cruises and other HERDING methods.

Still, the Major Marine Tours is a mini - United Nations: Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Russians, Middle East. Latin Americans, Mexicans, and U.S. We all blend very well and the 50+ group cooperates.

There is captain, crew, and 80 year old Don, the U.S. Park Ranger. Dan has 24 years in the USAF, years on the Alaskan Ferry, and now an expert on the 10,000 Alaskan Glaciers. I really like Don. I really like my table mates, Jo Ann and Tom! I really like this cruise!

No one exhibits sea sickness; this is not the case with the Kenai Fjords cruises!

Prince William Sound Glacier Cruises began with the infamous Brit, Captain Cook, who named the sound, Prince William. Cook did fine in Alaska, but in Hawaii, warred with the natives, died, and was shipped home pickled in a barrel of rum.

The Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise includes an optional "all you can eat" salmon and roast beef buffet. Hmmmmmmm!

Take your own food!

The "Silver Salmon" cannot compare with Copper River Salmon, and is OVER COOKED! The roast beef is fine.

Ranger Don sings to us (Willy Nelson style.)

In my dreams, I have considered Ranger Don's role; however Ranger Don is a walking talking encyclopedia. I like this guy. Ranger Don at 80 plans to retire! Big mistake - Don knows too much; however Don is in love with Alaska, and has an agenda.

I meet a Tough Mudder, and we talk of my Great Son, who is also aTough Mudder!

We visit Surprise Glacier, and this is the stuff of National Geographic!

Whales, seals, birds, Otters, .....

The Kenai Fjords cruise (Seward) is pure wildlife, and bring your dramamine.

Bottom Line: Splurge for the 5.5 hour tour!!!!!

I had been in Milford and Doubtful Sound in NZ but Prince William Sound is completely different, it is not only the fjords but also whales everywhere, sea otter, seals, puffins.
humpback whales is not only one they are a lot...
and most important, the price is really worth.
I love it

Our tour group went across Prince William Sound by small boat from Valdez to Whittier to get to our cruise ship. We were lucky with the weather and extraordinarily lucky with our wildlife sightings. We saw lots of humpback whales breaching, spouting, and doing backflips. We also saw an orca, a porpoise, sea otters, and puffins. We also got to see fishing boats and the tenders that service them. Nice experience and it got us where we were going!

First day of 2014 season, absolutely amazing trip. Scenery superb, close up to glaciers and lots of wildlife. Friendly crew and informative commentary, I'd do it again tomorrow if I had the chance

Took the amazing 26 glaciers cruise. Saw 3 majestic humpback whales, dozens of otters, seals, birds, blue ice, and glacier calving! I was worried at first the cruise tour would be too touristy and too jam-packed but it's not! The captain stopped for whales and glacier claving etc. Highly recommend it :)

Took the Phillips 5-hour 26 glacier tour. Weather was cool and rainy, but I guess that is normal. But the glaciers were spectacular and I recommend the Phillips Cruise company.

we went on a day cruise out of Valdez and it was really nice. The crew on the boat were wonderful. The lunch was a little lacking, you had a choice of clam chowder or vegetable soup and a bagel, with oreo's for dessert. Kind of a strange combination to me. I would do it again. Saw lots of eagles, seals, and the captain of the boat got us really close to the glacier!

I was a little apprehensive when my wife told me we were going on a three-day cruise during our trip to Alaska. It seemed awfully pricey. But what in Alaska isn't price for the three or four month window that the state has for tourists. It turned out to be the best experience we've had in our fourth trip up there. First there was a crew. Owner and captain Dean Rand is in his 60's but acts like he's in his 30's. He was a great source of i formation from start to finish. His wife Meghan did the cooking and she should be working at a 5 star restaurant. Every meal from breakfast to dinner was first class. And the crew, including his daughter, was first class leading the five families and two enthusiastic young daughters on three hikes and two kayak cruises. Unfortunately for me, I injured my knee going from plane to plane at LAX and was forced out of hiking and kayaking. Still enjoyed the cruise taking pictures of whales, sea lions, sea otters, porpoise, puffins and eagles, enjoyed the company, enjoyed the scenery and took many, many pictures. This was our fourth trip to Alaska and we're already planning on our next trip and at the top of our lists of things to do is another cruise on the Discovery.

We arrived in Anchorage several days before our land cruise tour began with Holland America to do some day trips on our own. We were not sure if we should do this excursion since our cruise included Glacier Bay. Well, we are sure glad we did! It was amazing! We had a rental car and the drive to Whittier along the Seward scenic highway is worth the cost in and of itself! Also, the only way into Whittier is through a one way tunnel shared with the train. Interesting, how these Alaskans live!

On the cruise, We got so close up to the glaciers, it was beautiful beyond measure! Our trip through Glacier Bay later in the week was also spectacular but this was different as we got closer up and also saw so many different types of glaciers. We also experienced an incredible display of two humpbacks literally putting on a show for us, breaching over and over again for over 20 minutes! Amazing!

We took the Phillips 26 Glacier trip, which I am sure is comparable to the other glacier tour out of Whittier. The lunch of fish and chips was excellent...better than we expected. We also enjoyed a hot chocolate laced with Bailys Irish Cream for dessert...yum!The ranger on board did a great job narrating and was excited as we were by the things we saw. We were lucky to have a beautiful day. Our friends, who booked the next day, had their trip cancelled because of fog and rain. It is good that the tour company cancels because it would not be as great of an experience in bad weather. A little rain or mist would not be a big deal, but the fog is a killer.

One of the really cool parts of our trip was when the ranger stopped talking and told us to just soak it all in, meditate, enjoy the quiet, peace and beauty. At this point, the captain just slowly turned the boat 360 over and over, ever so slowly....it was magical!

Don't miss this trip! You will never forget it!

First time in AK and our 5-hour 26 Glacier Tour on the Klondike Express, operated by Phillips, was nothing short of amazing. Our day was a little overcast, a little drizzly, a little chilly... but that didn't stop the seals, otters and porpoise from showing up. Our tour guide was well-informed and friendly, giving lots of interesting pointers along the way, without being overbearing or talking too much. The food was OK.

I suggest getting there early, checking in and getting on the boat soon, so that you can get a window seat. You won't be sitting at a table by yourself, you'll be sharing a table with others and you may not get a window seat.

This was our best day in Alaska!

The lunch was great, simple fish (cod) and chips, but hot and tasty! Although this is not billed as a "wildlife" cruise, but simply for seeing glaciers, we saw so much wildlife, we were astounded! Humpback whale, lots of cute sea otters, bald eagle, Dall's porpoises, seals, kittiwakes (birds like seagulls) in a rookery (nesting area). All this and glaciers too - one calving before our eyes! This is an excellent choice if you can't get south to Juneau and Glacier Bay!!

The highlight of our Alaska trip was this custom excursion on the Arctic Fox with Captain Chris Hanna and his crew. This yacht was amazing, newly remodeled with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, living room and kitchen. We especially enjoyed kayaking out to Blackstone Glacier and hearing the crashing of the ice with hundreds of birds flying around. We also made margaritas out of the glacier ice for happy hour which was really fun! All of our meals were prepared for us and delicious! On the way back we stopped amd fished for Rockfish which were filleted and prepared for us to take home. Chris is a local Alaskan and a seasoned outdoorsmen with lots of knowledge and fun stories to tell! Loved that we could do what we wanted and not feel rushed unlike the tourist boats with tight schedules. We give this trip 5 stars and will definitely go again!!

Like how calm this water was. Did major marine tour out of sweeard... Saw whales and sea otters. Lots of birds too. The glaciers calving also!

Be aware of tunnel times for getting in and out of Whittier for the Prince William sound glacier tours.

We made the tour on a rainy day by Major Marine tours. The boat itself was comfortable and allowed us some comfort from the light rain and fog outside. The scenery and location is simply beautiful. Especially the closer view of the Surprise Glacier was the highlight of the trip. It was an out of the world experience, just being in that place. Saw many sea otters on the way. The only sad part was that the photos we took don't do justice to the beauty of the place.

The glaciers were amazing. We took the 26 Glacier Cruise and only saw a fraction of which we would have seen if it weren't so foggy and rainy...as promised, despite rough seas, we did not suffer motion sickness. Beautiful area!

We had a great time watching 5 orcas playing and the glaciers views were stunning too. Great day trip for the whole family

Most of the wildlife we saw while in Alaska were in Prince William Sound-orcas-sea lions-seals-rafts of otters-salmon-jellyfish-eagles. And, of course, glaciers and more glaciers.This was my most enjoyable part of our Alaska Adventure.

On the last day of 7 day one way Princess Cruise from Vancouver to Whittier, we spent the day and evening in Prince William Sound and the College Fjords. In total, we spent 17 days in Alaska, the inside passage and land, including Denali. This was one of the best days of the trip! The Sound was so beautiful and peaceful, blue skies and bright blue water everywhere we looked. Saw an Orca jumping out of the water, and just soaked in the beauty of the sound.

Once we turned towards the Fjords, the views became even better. It was amazing to see all the glaciers tumbling into the water. The highlight of the Fjords was the Harvard Glacier, where the boat slowly rotated for over an hour to provide great views of the glacier. There were many calving episodes, which gave us some great pictures and videos. Alaska was so amazing, it's hard to say what the best thing we saw was, but the Sound and Fjords are a must see!

It was my first time in Alaska. Went on the 5-hour 26 Glacier Tour and it was incredible. Saw a lot of otters, seals and eagles. Our tour guide was well-informed and friendly.

This region is a bucket lister, so get off of your tush and schedule your trip here to Prince William Sound. I did and I LOVED IT!

We took a really cool train to Prince William Sound with great narrators. Saw Moose, thank god we were safe inside the train.

The boat ride was well worth it. We spent a lot of time in the Sound and the included lunch was good. Lots of Glaciers and wildlife. The narrator there was very informative. Bring a coat because in the outside parts of the boat it's cold.

Took the 6 hour boat tour and it was awesome. Older boat but very comfortable. We saw many sea animals and the experience was priceless.

Saw whales and dolphins very close up the people were nice and informative an amazing trip no downside.

This is an absolute must do on your trip to Alaska. The glaciers and the natural beauty if just breathtaking

We saw the sound during a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and found it absolutely impressive. We were totally lucky as that day it was sunny the whole day. I even got a sunburn. Whenever you are in the area, board any kind of ship and check it out.

A friend of ours took us out on the sound to show us glaciers calving, sea lions lounging on ice burgs, orca whales spouting and plenty of views of the surrounding mountains. Awesome Alaskan views!

Prince William Sound was one of our sightseeing on the Globus Overland of Alaska. The sound was also the most enjoyable one since the rest of the trip was on coach. With the experience to board a ship and explored nature through the stretch of Prince William Sound gave us the appreciation of the animal inhabitants in this norther state. We had our opportunity to cruise in ocean line along the Alaska coastline and did see more. But for other visitor on overland or only Anchorage, Prince William Sound is a must.

If you can only go to once place in Alaska, go to the Prince William Sound. The college fiord glaciers are spectacular! To watch the glaciers calving is a once in a lifetime experience!

for us the highlight of the 3 weeks visit in Alaska,although terrible weather same day(the whole week).very friendly staff,stops all the time to watch wales,sea lions,dolfines,& of course Prince William Sound glacier.DON'T MISS!

We had a very cold day cruising however we had a great time.
The snow caps were calving and because of the dull day the ice was blue as blue in colour. The lunch was good and the staff were very friendly on the boat from Major Marine

This was an attraction I got to go on as part of an Alaskan tour vacation. It is truly beyond words. There was beautiful scenery, wildlife and a great lunch served. We were a few minutes late getting back in because the captain stopped to let us look for a whale. Again, absolutely breathtaking.

Saw multiple glaciers during our tour but the most exciting part was up close to the Glaciers, when the boat moved closer. It was terribly cold because it's windy but worth it. The Glaciers was incredibly amazing!

Six different tidewater glaciers come down from the ridgeline into the fjords, this is the largest accumulation of tide waters anywhere in the world. Traveling towards the fjord, we saw lots of sea otters and in the Sound, there was a large group of seals with their pups, just hanging out on the ice. The water is so clear you can see the submerged ice clearly from the deck. The glaciers are a truly amazing sight, we stood out on the bow of the ship and enjoyed the view despite the cold!

Dean Rand and his daughters who run 'Discovery Voyages' in Alaska are one of the most intimate and professional run family businesses I have encountered. Your cruise on-board their boat the 'Discovery' in Prince William Sound is brilliant from the moment you arrive. Their knowledge of the flora and fauna is amazing as well as their intimate knowledge on the history of Alaka, you will never have a dull moment. As for the food on the Discovery it is 5*+, you would have a hard job to beat it in a top restaurant! We encountered whales, eagles, dolphins, sea otters, glaciers and so much more.... They really do deserve 5*, check them out you wont be disappointed.

This was a comfortable boat with lots of seating and outdoor viewing area, a nice salmon/roast beef lunch and scenery to remember forever.

The cruise out of Whittier was absolutely wonderful, many glaciers, puffins, otters, kittywaits. The buffet was quite good also.

We actually signed up for the 26 Glacier Cruise however that ship had mechanical issues. So we went on the Glacial Quest Cruise and it was EXCELLENT. It was a 4 hour cruise. The National Forest Guide on the cruise was excellent. She was knowledgeable and was fun and entertaining to listen to. We saw Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, the Salmon chowder lunch with the accompaniments was very tasty. I especially loved the Polar Bear Smooches - a piece of chocolate mint candy with lunch.
They also had a vegetarian chili option which looked very good. The cruise was full but we could still walk around and go outside. The Glaciers and waterfalls were stunning. Go it is a lifetime adventure.

We visited Prince William Sound with “Glacier 26”. It was last 4th of July, a rainy day in Wittier. We were afraid the rain would spoil the day, but the captain, in his first announcement, calmed us down saying the observation does not depend on the rain (but the thicker fog would ruin it). Of course a sunny day would make better pictures, but we had no choices.

The vessel is pretty neat, well conserved, with several observation decks, restrooms, enough crew members, complimentary hot beverage and water. They serve at your choice either a sandwich or fish and chips (nothing special) aboard and a warm cookie latter on (very good). A local ranger was aboard explaining what we saw. You seat in a table with other people (6 people in total). That is a little awkward, but you have no choice. The bright side you stand up most of the time to watch.

The trip took 5 hours. The landscape itself already worth the day: we saw several glaciers, but we stopped and examined closer three of them. With regards to fauna, we saw sea lions, several birds (including a sanctuary in the end), sea otters and a family of orcas, for several minutes!

Negative points: The price is a little salty (180/person with taxes, approximately), and the responsible for the company should think very seriously in building a better place to keep passengers away from the rain while, they wait the departure. The parking lot is about 0.3 mile away from the dock, it is not a problem, unless it is raining.

The view is beyond compare from the boat. You get right up to the glaciers, close enough to hear them crack. We saw thousands of birds, including an Eagle, and a few otters and seals. I was disappointed that I didn't see a whale, but that is not the fault of the ship, just timing. The National Park Ranger who emceed our trip was very knowledgeable and fun. The food was excellent. Expect to purchase your own drinks, the meals come only with water. If you wish to purchase soda or other beverages make sure you bring your wallet.

Once can't go to Alaska and not take a cruise along the Prince William Sound. By far, one of the most extraordinary sights I have ever seen. This place is beyond amazing. All the glacier along the way are without a doubt spectacular. I can now check this off my bucket list.

Packed with marine life, there is so much to do on a peaceful day. It was one of the highlights of my trip to Alaska

We took a daylight cruise out into the sound and saw eagles, sea lions, otters, and many other forms of wildlife as well as beautiful glaciers, icebergs, waterfalls and just indescribably beautiful scenery both on land and in the water.

This large body of water is surrounded by forested mountains with glaciers. There are many inlets and branches off the main sound, some have glaciers reaching down to the water. We visited on a tourist cruise through Phillip’s Cruises and were able to see wildlife like sea otters, porpoises, seals and sea birds. The highlight was drifting close to the glaciers and watching huge chucks of ice break off and splash into the water sending a large wave out making the icebergs bob. These tour boats allow you to explore a large portion of the sound in a short amount of time. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

I lived onHinchinbrook Island in Prince William Sound for many years and say this is paradise. Wild life galore. Kayak and you may see whales, porpoises,salmon, seals, otters and scenery beyond compare. If you take a glacier cruise you will see as good a glacier as in the SE Alaska. These tours are out of Whittier. Take the ferry between Whittier and Valdez or Cordova and see the scenery. Valdez offer some fishing excursions that are very much good. Want to see a true fishing complex

Great sites and water events - will go again sometime - Recommend this tour for anyone going to Alaska

We took the ferry from Whittier to Valdez. Spectacular scenery about a comfortable ship. The ferry ride was approximately 6 hours. Valdez is a somewhat isolated, rustic town with amazing natural beauty all around it.

The crew was professional, upbeat and accommodating. In a rating of 1-10 everyone of them got a 10. There was a knowledgeable Forest Ranger narrating the entire cruise. He explained so many interesting facts about Prince William Sound and it's wildlife. He interacted with the children on board including them in his demonstrations. The Grand kids had a blast! The ship the "Klondike Express" got an over the top 10. It's is a catamaran and was smooth sailing for the entire trip. My daughter in-law was reluctant to go on this cruise because she gets sea sick. She did not get sick at all on the "Klondike". That's one large and powerful boat. We had a birds eye view of the great Glaciers from the top deck. The magnificent sight and thunderous sound of the calving of the glaciers was truly a sight to behold. It was a glorious sunny day....porpoise followed along side for part of the trip. We also saw Sea Lions, adorable Otters...some swimming with babies on their bellies.....most were eating fresh shellfish using rocks to crack the shells. As you can tell the trip made quite an impression on me. We have taken this cruise before and we plan on taking it again. It's never the same experience twice. Alaska is my home. I have lived here over 60 years. This cruise was definitely one of my most memorable experiences. Almost forgot....the included lunch was great!

You can take small cruise to go out and see the glaciers. Always prepare jumpers, and also binoculars.

Beautiful scenic area, lots of wildlife including seal, sea lions, Dahl sheep, etc. The glaciers are magnificence. Weather can be an issue but if you are lucky you will have a once in a lifetime experience.

Beautiful views of the Columbia Glacier, whales, and wildlife. Dress for cold weather. The did blowing off of the glacier is chilly.

It was part of the Princess cruise experience and it was great. However, it rains frequently in July, August & September, so be prepared with rain gear and binoculars

The scenery is spectacular. The fish lunch was delicious. The glaciers are magnificent.
A wonderful trip.

also note the Captain Cook Statue
park very close to downtown Anchorage, easy walk from area hotels, restaurants

What ever you do take the long version of the Prince William Sound cruise. The first time you see a glacier calving in person just blows your mind. A sensational day and one I will remember forever!

While it's true that the catamaran tour of the Sound is a touristy requirement, there's no denying the magnificence of the scenery. Lunch is a bore, but it is fuel for the nearly 5-hour trip. Feel free to bring your own snacks. Try not to be annoyed by the guests who seem more interested in the bar than the bergs, and just remember how unique this part of the country is. We did get tired of the Forest Services guide, who was very knowledgeable but who droned on and on about every little scientific fact. We were very happy when she went on break so we could just enjoy the glide. The trip may be the only chance you'll ever have to try an iceberg margarita.

Spectacular scenery, great fishing opportunities, fabulous kayaking and wonderful glimpses of wildlife.

Prince William Sound was where I was born and raised. One of the most beautiful areas on earth and perhaps one of those most richest in wildlife, marine and otherwise. However, it does tend to precipitate a little now and then. It is the only area in the state where they have significant harvests of all 5 species of Pacific Salmon. Last year the total commercial harvest on the sound was just shy of 100,000,000 salmon. There are three major communities on the Sound, looking at it as if it were a square, Whittier is in the northwest corner, Valdez in the northeast corner and Cordova in the southeast. Resurrection Bay, where Seward is located, is outside of the Sound but relatively close to its southwest corner.

You can drive your vehicle to either Whittier or Valdez (Valdez is the largest of the communities and where the terminus of the Trans Alaska Pipeline is located. Whittier is the smallest. Cordova is not connected to the State Highway System (surface) and only accessible by air or the Marine Highway System.) The state ferries offer two different ships between these points, a slow ferry and a fast one, I recommend that you take the slow ferry on at least one leg of your voyage in order to capture the beauty and immensity of the land and sea as well as the marine life you will observe enroute.

I know the Sound well as I fished it commercially as well as being a commercial pilot on it for years, hardly a bay or stream I haven't visited. I could go on and on about how great every corner of it is, however I will confine this review to just a small segment of the southeast quarter, Cordova: "In the Cordova area alone, the United States Forest Service maintains 15 hiking trails covering 35 miles and 15 recreation cabins from the tip of Montague Island to the eastern Copper River Delta. The Cordova Ranger District is also an active participant in international migratory bird conservation programs celebrated each May during the Copper River Shorebird Festival, in conjunction with the seasonal migration of more than 5 million shorebirds though the Copper River Delta. The festival draws researchers, experts and bird enthusiasts from around the globe. In another program area, working with partners up and down the Copper River, the forest service’s natural resource programs are part of an effort to maintain subsistence resources and practices". alaskadispatch.com/article/20140402/new-head…

The great scenic attractions, Child's Glacier and the Million Dollar Bridge, are located at Mile 49 on the Copper River Highway. The million dollar bridge received its nickname back in 1910 when it was constructed in order to accommodate a 200 mile railroad to the newly discovered copper prospects near the Kennicott River. Those mines were where Kennecott Copper Corporation had its beginning. This turned out to be a very rich discovery and the world has never seen anything close to large volumes of copper ore that rich since. The mine played out in 1938 and all was abandoned including the railroad. Along the entire route all became ghost towns except Cordova. Much later, the Copper River Highway was completed on the old railroad bed out to Mile 49, from Cordova, about 1957, but the 1964 great earthquake collapsed many of the bridges and dropped one of the four spans of the Million Dollar Bridge into the river. The road was again reestablished by the late 1980s and the Million Dollar Bridge was repaired not many years ago for a cost of about 17 million.

There are two glaciers in the vicinity of the bridge, Miles and Childs. Childs is very close to the bridge and at one time even threatened the bridge. During the summer it is still very active and makes considerable advances. I believe I can credibly say that it is my opinion that the Childs Glacier has the best glacier caving viewing anywhere. A close second might be Hubbard Glacier approximately 160 miles southeast of Childs. It is best to view Childs Glacier during mid summer and fall when the Copper River is at its highest and most in its most active state. As I said, I've flown the State over but: seeing glaciers from the air really isn't getting a feel of the dynamic natural forces which mark their existence, like viewing them close up will get you. In addition to viewing Childs Glacier and many others in Alaska, close up dozens of times over the years, we also cruise a lot, so have experienced shipboard viewing as well. We have seen glaciers in the Alps, Andes, Chilean inside passage, Antarctica but not those in Greenland. When president Warren Harding visited Alaska in 1922 they took him out to mile 49 on the railroad. He believed it should be classed as one of the great natural wonders of the world.

Most unfortunately, a bridge at mile 36 on the highway is in a washout condition, arguably, but according to the state DOTPF, which has it closed until 30 million dollars can be raised to replace it, a circumstance very unlikely in the foreseeable future.

Fortunately, there still exists options to visit the Childs Glacier area during the summers. If one can arrange it they are in for a world class adventure. I'm told there are at least two different concerns at Cordova that run tours out there. Check with websites at Cordova for more information. I understand one offers two different tour packages up to the glacier. One involves leaving from a resort near Cordova, driving to Mile 36 and taking a jet boat on up. This is not a harem-scarem white water river rafting type trip but a scenic river run that involves a total, on the water, of less than an hour. The other option involves driving out to Mile 36 using your own vehicle or a rent-a-car. The road is paved from Cordova to its all weather jet airport at Mile 13 and then is a very well maintained gravel surface from that point on out to Mile 36. Lunch is provided for you at the glacier. You have a good portion of the day to watch glacier caving, walk the million dollar bridge and enjoy the breathtaking view.

This year, if you drive to Mile 36 yourself the price is $136.00 pp and if you take their ride from the resort it is $240.00, I think that is what the charges are anyway. This might seem pricey but quite frankly, having traveled a good portion of the world and taken many excursions, that charge is more than reasonable. I don't really understand how they can make it at that price. Perhaps they hope guests will use their lodge near Cordova for a night or two. I haven't stayed there but understand it is really nice.

At anyrate, Prince William Sound has much to offer and this is only a simple hors d'oeuvre sample.

The train from Anchorage to Whittier is a wonderful beginning to an adventure of sailing that includes so much, expected and unexpected. We were lucky enough to have friends who owned a sailboat anchored in Whittier and sailed off from there with them to experience Prince William Sound We were taken by the exquisite beauty of the lush forest contrasted by the rocky shore line as we began our sail. Then we experienced streams and rivers so filled with Salmon that it seemed you could walk on them. We accessed the shore with our boat's dinghy. As we proceeded further north the massive glaciers brought cold temperatures and incredible sights of ice calving into the sea and many icebergs and sea lions floating around our boat. It was an ideal trip, so far, and August was a time when we anticipated continued warm weather, but that was not to be as wind picked up to the point that we sought shelter in Granite Bay to protect us from the howling wind and large waves that pounded us. As a joke, I had included my ski outfit as part of my packing for this trip and found that the biting wind and cold were such that even that level of outerwear was not adequate to keep me warm. We spent 2 days at anchor (2 anchors were required) appreciating the Granite bays' shield from the worst of the storm. It finally passed and we then proceeded back to Whittier and Anchorage for the State Fair which was a hoot!. Advice, if you are sailing or boating in Prince William Sound be prepared to enjoy magnificent sights and experiences and also for severe weather, regardless of the month of your trip. Sailing Prince William Sound is a lifetime experience and highly recommended.

Princess William Sound (威廉王子灣) is located on the north of the Gulf of Alaska (阿拉斯加灣), on the east side of the Kenai Peninsula (基奈半島). Its largest port is Valdez. College Fjord (學院峽灣) is inside the Princess William Sound with a 35 km (21.7 mi) long fjord and has more than 12 glaciers. It is a popular destination for cruise ships. Five of the glaciers are the tidewater glaciers (glaciers that terminate in water), and another five are large valley glaciers in College Fjord. Some of the glaciers were named after Ivy League colleges (such as Harvard, Yale, Amherst, etc.) by Harriman expedition in 1899. The original goal of the expedition was to find a way to the Klondike gold fields.

This was another amazing location to see glaciers on our Alaska cruise trip. We entered the Princess William Sound which was a beautiful bay on the way to College Fjord. We needed to voyage through lots of islands and channels in order to reach the College Fjord. It was an unforgettable experience to see miles of mountains with snow and glaciers on the snow capped peaks. It took us two hours from the Princess William Sound to the entrance of College Fjord. Before we entered College Fjord, we passed the Port Wells. We saw a series of glaciers on our left once we entered the College Fjord. Far away at the head of College Fjord is the Harvard Glacier on Harvard Arm. The other major glacier is the Yale Glacier next to the Harvard Glacier on the Yale Arm. The 2.4 km (1.5 mi) wide, 76.2 m (250 ft) high magnificent Harvard Glacier is the 2nd largest glacier in the Princess William Sound. Although the glaciers we saw all had black small rocks which made them looked not so pretty, but the massive size and the surroundings were really stunning. We were lucky because the weather was good, and we could see the blue sky most of the time. Besides the College Fjord, we really enjoyed the icy scenery in the Princess William Sound area. We also saw whales, water birds, sea lions and otters in addition to the snow-mountains and glaciers. We live in a place where there is no snow in the winter; therefore, this trip was a wonderful experience for us.

Be sure to bring your camera and binocular telescope with you because you need it when you visit such amazing glaciers and nature. You don’t need a tripod because you are taking a ship or boat. Even if you visit during the “summer” season, you need to bring a coat once you are on the deck.

Fresh air, snow covered majestic mountains, wild life (whales, birds, glaciers. What else can you ask for? We took a Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise on the Klondike Express, from Whittier, AK, The excursion is fantastic. Don't miss it. Summer months only.

Amazing beauty that you will truly not see any where else on earth. Guarantee that you will see lots of wildlife.

Prince William Sound is now readily available for tourist since putting in the road to drive there.
Best to take a Boat Charter out into the Sound and they can take you the base of Glaciers, see calving of a glacier, lots of sea otters, seals and eagles. Prince William Sound islands and inlets are full of black bears, so keep looking! On my last visit we spotted 11 different black bears out feeding!

Anywhere mountains drop into the sea is spectacular, and that describes this tour. All sorts of glaciers, and we got to see one calve 3 times! We travelled on Major Marine, and were seated on the main deck, which was quite noisy and smelled a bit of diesel; go for the upper deck, if you can.

Arctic nature. Fun trip. Great views. The boat trip had a very good all-you-can-eat buffet that passed the time until you got to the glaciers.

Loved it, saw many glaciers, so clean cant explain how brilliant it was. It was very very quiet and we could near the ice crackling as it floated by. The early morning fog made you feel like you were there alone even thro we were on a Princes Cruise.

We visited the Prince William Sound to see the glaciers. We took a 5+ hour glacier tour from Whittier. This was a great option for us compared to a 7+ day cruise. We saw about 9 different glaciers, lots of otters in the sound, and a moose on the train ride from Anchorage to Whitter. The midnight sun is something to experience. At 3 AM it looks like dawn, but never getting completely dark. The temps were in the 70's (F) during the day. It was chilly at the glaciers, so bundle up

We took Glacier Quest cruise offered by Philips Cruises and were very happy. Weather was great that day. We saw an otter, eagle nest, and glaciers. Food was ok, but the chocolate chip cookies that they offered at the end of the day was great.

We went to this half-day cruise. Lunch was served on board (fish+chips). The views of the glaciers were excellent. Watching so many glaciers for the first time was a real treat. It was quite a value for money..

We went on the 26 glacier cruise and it was awesome. The day was overcast and misty which is common for the area. Food on the cruise was just ok. We had the fish and chips and next time might choose the sandwich which looked very good. Scenery was awesome. Saw some great glaciers close up. Saw sea otters, walrus, harbor seals and a small humpback whale. You have to have sharp eyes and clear weather to see 26 glaciers but the ones we saw were awesome. Might not have taken the trip if our cruise had gone through glacier bay but we did not regret going.

Take a tour boat and have a meal overlooking the glaciers. Super memorable. Super beautiful. Super natural.

Fantastic service, commentary, scenery and wildlife. Good food, comfortable boat. Have done this twice and would do it again and again.

Dean Rand, his family and crew offer an outstanding cruise around Prince William Sound on their cruise boat 'Discovery' with a maximum of 12 persons it does feel like a very exclusive experience. Their knowledge of the flora and fauna in and around Prince William Sound is unparalleled which has been gathered over decades of working in this environment and it really shows.Their cruise is not only very professional but also great fun and I would not hesitate in recommending them, in fact I would suggest you actively search them out and book this cruise of a lifetime...

what a great day on the water looking at glaciers. Found my new favorite winter drink...the Hot Otter...yummy

We walked along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and viewed it from there. Plus, we have a view of it from our hotel room at the Downtown Marriott.

Enjoyed this holiday.
Its well worth the visit, such natural beauty is just outstanding, And there are so many ways to get here, i took the ferry up, but you have the cruises ships coming up and you can always catch a flight as well.

It was a cold, rainy and foggy day and we still absolutely LOVED our Prince William Sound cruise from Whittier which took us to Surprise Glacier. We even heard the glacier calving which shook us to our core! A must

Not a lot of dining options in late September. Got some great pics by taking the gravel road up past the old Army barracks to the high ground.

We went on a cruise around Prince William sound and it was a beautiful day and we say glaciers up close and orcas breaching and a cannery where the fisherman brought in their salmon. The landscape is so awesome also, It's eye candy for the brain .. We even had glacier margaritas ... Nice way to end the day.

We explored Prince William Sound via a Glacier Cruise. The sights were stunning and it was one of my favorite outings of our entire trip.

We took the 26 Glacier Cruise with the railroad trip from Anchorige. It was great and well worth the money.

Incredible. Bring a camera and charge your phone as back up. We hired a full day fishing charter to catch silver salmon in the summer and spent the whole day crushing up and down PWS. The surrounding mountains make you feel like you are in a Lord of the Rings movie - they are breath taking. We caught a esky full of beastly salmon, saw some porpoises in full flight and had a terrific time. Started off cloudy, cold and overcast but the sun came out in the afternoon as it does in the summer.

Rain, low clouds, not good. The Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise was good. The boat and staff were terrific. Liked the fish and chips for lunch, we didn't have the sandwich so can't comment on it. Bad weather but the captain tried to show us the glaciers and the lady doing the narrative was entertaining. Sun finally shown the last hour so we got to see a lot of glaciers. Took the train from Anchorage and back, good way to go.

What a beautiful place to visit- for both wildlife and glaciers.. We took the 26 Glaciers cruise and it was worth it.. The surprise glacier was the best!! Apart from seals, sea lions and sea otters- we saw dolphins- that made our day. Thankfully, it was a bright and sunny day.

Loved the Blackstone Glacier Tour. Took the train from Anchorage to Whittier and did the 4 1/2 hour cruise. Breathtaking and worthwhile!

We spent three days on the small ship Discovery operated by Discovery Voyages. We saw many sights - glaciers up close, birds, seals, sea otters, a bear, salmon spawning, nature hikes, eagles, sea lions, whales, etc. (we could go on and on). The captain and small crew did a superb job, including our own personal chef for just 10 people. We would repeat this trip any time we could. There have been a very few negative reports about this trip but we found them to be untrue.

Everything was just fantastic, Alaska is one of the great place's we have visted and the land component was awesome

I flew into Anchorage with the kids. I had been here in March and came back with the kids. The views even on the flight in are amazing. A really beautiful place.

We go to Prince William Sound every now and then to go shrimping and salmon fishing. The starting point is Whittier. We love the wilderness and scenerery that affords Prince William Sound.

The Sound itself is beautiful. The little village at the waterside was touristy. Candy and hotdogs and ice cream and souvenirs.

I got up early and walk along the Sound toward the Tunnel. It was a very peaceful walk. The fish were jumping in the Sound. The scenery can not be beat.

Excellent trip! If you can only do PSW or the Kenai Fjords, pick this one. The water is calm and it's just a great trip!

My wife and I took the Alaska Railroad to Whittier and a cruise on the "Klondike" - a fast catamaran. The several glaciers we viewed and many different types of wild life seen was very enjoyable. The crew did a good job of narrating the many points of interest and history of Prince William Sound.

For the entire 12 plus hour trip from Anchorage, including a good lunch, It was reasonably priced and very well done.

I would do it again!

we flew around and between the mountains and over the glaciers
then we landed on the water and went on shore and it was so
quiet and peaceful an awesome trip

We took a glacier boat cruise out of Whittier on the "26 Glacier Tour" with the Phillips Cruise and Tour Company. We selected the 5 hour tour with a hot lunch. While many of the glaciers were visible -- about 15 or so, many were not so visible. You could see them from a distance, but not so close the boat could pull up to to them. What a terrific adventure! We saw a small calving, as you never know when part of a glacier will split away, but it was exciting for everyone on the boat. The captain did an excellent job of giving all of us ample time to take plenty of pictures as we cruised through the waters, seeing wildlife and animals. You have to ooh-ah before you realize you need to quick snap a picture! He also came to a complete stop as we floated beside the larger glaciers. It was beautiful. Our cod lunch was excellent. The boat was roomy, comfortable and just great with helpful staff and informed forest ranger on board. Take your waterproof rain jacket just in case. I recommend this cruise! It was perfect for my husband and me.

The cruise around the sound was fantastic. There was so much to see, snow capped mountians,glaiciers, waterfalls and plenty of wildlife.

We went on the 26 Glacier Cruise out of Whittier. It was a great experience seeing glaciers, waterfalls, whales, seals, ice bergs, calving glaciers, bears and eagles - a great experience. The cruise boat held ~300 and was comfortable. Try to get a table along the windows. The sound was incredible smooth for our cruise.

Awakened to arriving in Sound. Was so peaceful and serene. Saw a grizzly on shoreline and then a glimpse of whale? rolling at surface. That will get you awake!

It is just one of those places you must see when visiting Alaska. The sites are stunning. Where layered clothing.

Cruised Prince William Sound from Whittier to Valdez. Weather was overcast and raining. This however did not detract from the magnificent sights. Able to get close the the glaciers and wildlife.

The crew on the boat where informative and friendly.

We were able to get within a short distance from the Columbia Glacier. We were able to not only see the glacier but hear it cracking and breaking off.

A definate must

This place was so dead calm and eerily quiet apart from the sounds coming from the glaciers falling.I saw otters, dolphins and eagles whilst on the water. Well worth a visit once.

We drove an RV from Tok to Valdez and then took the ferry to Whittier and on to Anchorage. By going this route we were able to see the Columbia Glacier and the floating icebergs. There was a whale siting along with seals and porpoises. This was a great way to see part of the Prince William Sound and experience a tiny bit of a cruise. The ferry ride was well timed with the tunnel to Anchorage and we experienced no wait time.

Can't say enough about the beauty and peacefulness of this place. Makes you feel like all is right with the world.

What a beautiful place to visit. Glaciers, mountains and lakes all around, and the air was so clean and crisp. I took Highway 1 to Whittier, and enjoyed a boat trip. LOVELY - perfect day trip from Anchorage.

It is possible to see areas around Prince William Sound and stay on land, but getting out on the water is the best way to enjoy. It may be a small cruise ship, a smaller glacier tour boat, or a smaller fishing or pleasure boat that gets you there, but any form will be enjoyable. Calm waters for those concerned about that. Wildlife abounds on land and at sea. Glaciers around every corner. Snowy mountains reaching down to the waters edge. It is a truly magical Alaskan spot. For most of the activities, Whittier will be your main starting point.

we went on a glacier tour on the qayak chief . the whole cruise was just so amazing and scenic! since it was winter did not get to see many whales still some orcas surprised us. also lots of seals and otters..saw 2 gglaciers - the blackstone and beloit. and anchored at one of the glaciers near them and did a beach walk... beautiful and scenic. drive on the seward highway just provided views out of this world! lovely trip!

We view Prince William Sound as we passed through on a Princess Cruise. You can't put into words all the beauty that see. The mountain, the trees, and the animals that you see are beyond words. It is a view that you will always remember.

Beautiful area - fabulous pictures and very fun to see all the area. We experienced the Sound by staying in Valdez and taking the LuLu Belle day cruise. I wrote reviews on both of these. A very quiet and picturesque town - a bit sleepy, but the sound is beautiful

We did a 6 day live aboard on Discovery Voyages. Meg, Dean and crew were amazing. If you are looking for a one of a kind experience this it it. Hiking, Kayaking, Glaciers, Wildlife and you can even do a polar plunge from the boat!! Lol.

The voyage was excellent. It was quite cold, but hey that what you expect when you are up North. We had a cloudy day, but that made it more like Alaska. Glaciers were great and saw lots of wildlife. I simply got a hoot from the whole experience.

My fiance and I rented a tandem kayak from Alaska Sea Kayaks in Whittier and were dropped off at the Northern end of Dangerous Passage and Chenega Island. Day one, we kayaked 20 miles south and camped on a little island off of Gaanaak Cove. We shared the island with a Bald Eagle family, they on the northern end and we on the southern end so as not to get in each others territory. Day two, we kayaked to Nassau Fiord and navigated the iceberg filled waters and camped opposite "The Wall". We saw many seals and sea otters, but made one sea otter friend who tailed us for several miles, frequently popping up less than a foot away from my rudder. All night we listened to the thunderous ice calving, it was amazing. Day Three, we got close to the wall and experienced a giant piece of "The Wall" falling down and paddled as fast as we could away from the breaking waves! We didn't want to attempt a roll in these waters! We kayaked to Dual Head and made camp. We watched and listened to Humpback whales blow water through their blowholes during dinner. We decided to get a closer look from the kayak (keeping a safe distance of course) and watched these magnificent creatures swim around us and show us their flukes right before they disappeared. We saw many dolphins or porpoises-not sure which. We fell asleep to the whales blowing. Day four, we kayaked to Whale Bay and into orca Cove. Sadly, we did not see any orcas, but we saw many, many Bald Eagles and salmon swimming up stream. We got picked up in the afternoon by the same water taxi and enjoyed a warm ride back to Whittier after 4 days of kayaking in the rain and cold waters. What an amazing trip!

We did 5 day trip end May 2016 on MV Discovery. The trip exceeded expectations. Dean, Heather, Madison & Tory wonderful hosts. Heather was masterful in the kitchen turning out a different menu each day for each meal. Quality of the food excellent as were the wines & spirits in evening. Hiking & kayaking activities excellent as was wildlife viewing. Blessed with good weather, good company & generosity of spirit of all aboard. Standout of our 5 week trip through US National Parks.

Every time I have been to Alaska, I can't stop being amazed by the Glaciers. I can look at them for hours and take multiple pictures. It is never the same view. Prince William Sound is the gateway to the glaciers. This is a must on any trip to Alaska.

So, first of all, we were blessed with AMAZING weather, which was awesome!
But, that aside, this was anyway a terrific day cruise. Loved that our family had a table/seating area together. Captain narration was great, would have even liked a bit more information. Loved walking around and seeing all the different views and sights.
Complimentary coffee was appreciated!
Yes, there are cheaper cruises, but you get what you pay for—this cruise went all the way out into Prince William Sound and you get to see a LOT.
Wear layers and bring a hat…gets cold and windy on the deck when the ship is moving quickly!
Would definitely recommend!

We chartered the Discovery Voyager with Captain Dean, Meg (also a licensed captain & chef) and Tori (also licensed and activities lead) for a 5-day, 4-night cruise of Prince William Sound out of Whittier, Alaska. For 98% of our stay, we were the only people in sight!!

Every step of our experience, from booking and planning through the last stop at a Whittier fish market to pick up smoked salmon before our van ride back to Anchorage was incredibly well thought out. Dean, Meg, Tori and Mike worked to make every minute memorable. Exceptionally knowledgable about the history and ecology of the Sound, they worked tirelessly to provide the best hiking, kayaking, glacier and wildlife watching, conversation, spoons playing, and yes, meals. We begged for Meg's recipes after every meal. Absolutely unforgettable!

Following our cruise, we spent 5-days traveling Talkeetna and Denali. Also, an incredible experience, but if time only permits one week, hands down, take a Discovery Voyage cruise.

Prince William Sound is a short distance from Anchorage. You can drive to Whittier in about 45 min if you hit the tunnel at the right time. On the way you can stop at Spencer or Portage Glacier. There are a couple of inexpensive Fiord tours that take about half a day. The tours highlight various glaciers and wildlife such as otters, puffins, seals and if you're lucky a killer whale or two. Well worth the time. Great scenery - classic Alaska! There are also smaller vessels available with a more personal touch for those so inclined.

Prince William Sound is expansive and truly beautiful. There is something for everyone-
Cruises, Fishing, Kayaking, Whale watching, Glacier tours and hiking. Allow time to
investigate your options-theres too much to do it all in a short visit. Be prepare for
any kind of weather.

Loved seeing Orca whales! Kind staff. The captain and staff went out of their way in steering boat to see animal wildlife off shore and in water. Thanks!

the view, quietness, hugeness of the open space and little tourist influence. Would go back and schedule another kayak trip to this place. Most camp at "decision point" if you get a chance.

Going into Prince William Sound on a small tour boat that held about 100 people was absolutely awesome. The scenery is spectacular with the deep blue water of the Sound, the green trees on shore, and the towering white mountains reaching to the sky. We saw whales, sea otters, lots of birds while on the boat, and moose and Dall Sheep on the drive down and back. Glaciers were breaking off and falling into the sea water and we cruised through floating ice both huge and small that popped and crackled continuously as the air trapped in the ice and under pressure for 10,000 years was suddenly released as the ice melted. The crew pulled some ice out of the water and served it in drinks. I was blown away by the fact that I was breathing the same air that mammoths and other ancient creatures had breathed. It was the most memorable and exciting trip I think I have ever taken. Prince William Sound is fantastic!

Although a little costly, please do not give it a miss while u are in Alaska. The sight is breath-taking throughout the 6- hour cruise and the marine creatures and birds you get to see is fabulous. You can never get closer to a glacier than this on a ship. We visited in May and there was enough icebergs to see. Photographers would cherish the memory for ever. Please do not remain inside the ship. Brave the cold, remain on the deck throughout the Cruise. After all you are in Alaska.

I've kayaked in Harriman Bay and in Knight Island. Stayed in Shoup Bay near Valdez and taken the ferry from Valdez to Whittier. Love the views. Not as many mammals as Kenai area, but more ice. Which I'd gotten to Icy Bay.

We took the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise recently. The boat itself was terrific. The twin hull catamaran was so smooooth you barely knew you were moving unless you went outside to experience what 35-40 knots feel like. The staff was well organized. You get seated at a table with 4 seats, 2 people facing the other 2 people. Hopefully you'll get someone you can enjoy for the next 6 hours. They served the sandwich lunch right away which tasted okay. Drinks (except for water) are extra. We had so-so weather but the captain tried his best to show us the glaciers and the ranger doing the narrative was entertaining. The sights were excellent. Well worth the trip. We took the train from Anchorage and back, and would not ever do that again (see my review on the railroad). We saw small calvings of some glaciers, lots of seals and birds. Beautiful blue (and green) water full of floating ice chunks with lots of scenery and lots of waterfalls. We got to travel to where a glacier once resided but has now receded over a mile away in the last few years but that their GPS map shows the boat driving on a glacier. The photos do not do justice on how really beautiful this place is.

The area is beautiful and the is unspoiled. It was a thrill to see the animals around here. For myself it was exciting to see bald eagles in the wild and watch seals rest on icebergs.

Beautiful bus ride to Whittier and then boarded our boat tour with Major Marine. Highly recommend this tour company. The staff was extremely friendly, by all means include the buffet lunch. Food is prepared fresh on board including salmon and prime rib. Great value.

Prince William Sound is a must-see place when visiting Alaska. The beauty of the landscape is too much to describe using words...You have to see it & drink it all in. Taking the catamaran ride thru the fjord to see the calving glacier is indescribable.

We took a day trip from Anchorage and did a six hour glacier cruise with Kenai Fiords Cruises. The scenery is spectacular. We saw a glacier calving, whales, sea otters and lots of birds. Our captain was very knowledgable and kept us interested and entertained. If you have any thought you might suffer from motion sickenss, pre-medicate before the trip.

Being from Cordova Ak ( in PWS) I can think of no place more beautiful or peaceful as the islands and waters of the PWS The ferry leaves out of Whittier and Valdez. From Whittier to Cordova approx 3 hours, from Whittier to Valdez to Cordova approx 6 hours

Where else in the world can you see 26 glaciers, waterfalls, harbor seals, sea lions, whales, orcas, beautiful mountains and seascapes all in one 5 hour boat tour? There are no words to describe this spectacular place.

One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Take a boat tour to get the full view. Glaciers, birds, whales, otters and amazing landscapes!

We had a half day glacier cruise it was excellent our guide sang for us and the crew where great. We stayed at Whittier if this wasn't on your bucket list it should be.

If you have a chance to get out on the sound don't miss it! There are few words that can describe what God did out there and you'll just have to see it for yourself. Protected from heavy seas the glacial fjords and rock formations are natural harbor for life and beauty that's forever changing and in dramatic juxtaposition where land meets sea; and where 10,000 year old ice plunges into the crystalline depths. Humpbacks, Orca and other whales dot the horizon. After a day on the sound you'll never question the existence of a divine creator!

All of Alaska is a postcard! Prince William Sound is no different. The view is breathtaking. The wind off the water is very brisk.

We went on a tour with Major Tours, it was the Blackstone Glacier tour, it was excellent. The crew was outstanding, the food was actually very good. We did see whales, glaciers etc. but a lot more than usual. The boat had a forest ranger aboard, Brent, he was full of information and shared it with us. The captain of the boat Ian , was also excellent. Well worth the price.

Just so you all know - Prince William Sound is not technically IN Anchorage. Most of the reviewers are talking about boat tours that originate from Whittier, AK, a 1.25hr drive from Anchorage (or many packages include either a coach bus or luxury train). That said, I too took the 26 Glacier Cruise (Phillips Cruises) and LOVED it! There are 2 major tour carriers- Phillips and Major Marine. I decided on Phillips because the cruise boat was faster, and you got to see more during the same amount of time (can see College Fjord in addition to Surprise, etc although that is not the main focus), and is cheaper (and includes lunch!). The boat facilities were clean and comfortable. Food was pretty decent. They have a national park ranger on board who was super informative about glaciers and wildlife sightings (Dall Porpoise, Sea Lions, Harbour Seal, Sea Otters, Salmon fishing boats, Eagles, and more!), and made a point to get all the kids involved in showing artifacts to everyone on board. The boat was awesome, high speed yet no seasickness (or your $$ back). You can either sit in your table seats on the upper or lower deck, or stand outside at the bow on the lower deck, on the 3rd level, or at the back/sides of the 2nd level. Yet it was not so big that it couldn't go up close to the glaciers - we were at Surprise at the same time as the other tour, and we were the same distance out from the glacier. The glaciers themselves were amazing, especially the tidewater glaciers that we got to go up close to and watch calve. Although there were a lot of people on deck, I found that there was definitely enough time given for everyone to take ample photos, and they made a point of turning the boat around so that both sides got a good view of the glacier. Highly recommended!!

Even 34 years after the great oil spill this place is still not what it was. But it beats everything else I have seen in the world for ocean life and beauty. PWS is beyond description. The videos and commercials do not so it justice. It is a crap shoot for weather so if you get rained or fogged out its just bad luck. But if you get sunshine, leaping whales, darting porpoises, puffins, eagles, ravens, bears, moose and a plethora of other native Alaskan's you will never forget this trip. Don't just get on a fat ol cruise ship and suck a hot toddy get in a kayak or charter fishing boat go camping or flight seeing. The choices are many and life is short. This is "THE PLACE" to live so do not miss your chance.

We took three glacier viewing boat tours while in Alaska. Prince William Sound was probably the greatest scenery of them all, and they were all stunning. The scenery is so overwhelming and pervasive that after a few hours, it is hard to get excited over yet another glacier or snow capped peak. Wildlife is abundant, with eagles, whales, porpoises, innumerable birds, otters, seals, etc. We took the 26 Glacier Tour out of Whittier, after riding the train from Anchorage. That means 26 huge glaciers. There are probably a thousand more smaller ones. Huge waterfalls at every turn, that anywhere else would be made national parks by themselves.

We went on the cruise visiting Prince William Sound this is a day trip and an excellent one for seeing all of the glaciers in the Sound. The commentary was ver good and the food served was also OK, the staff were all very helpful. The scenery is breathtaking and worth the cost of the trip and this can be done as day trip from Anchorage or you can stay at the Inn at Whittier which we did, would also recommend this hotel.

This must place must be protected and preserved for future generations. Knight Island, with its glacially carved bays, its lush meadows, forests, and snowcapped peaks, is achingly gorgeous.

Major Marine Tours did a great job on our trip. The staff was very professional and welcoming. They had good personalities. The day cruise took us into Prince William Sound and we saw glaciers up close. The weather did not cooperate and I'm not sure that is a rare thing. Rain and clouds affect visibility and it's not the same on a rainy day as it is on a clear day. But we had a great time anyway. The salmon/prime rib was delicious and plentiful.

We arrived a bit early because you have to time the entrance to Whittier and P.W. Sound through the tunnel which is shared by trains and autos. The tunnel opens at 10:30AM and 11:30AM. If you miss the 10:30 tunnel opening, the 11:30 is probably still enough time to make it for your 12:15 boarding of the cruise if you have the 12:45PM departure but why cut it close? Get there early and enjoy a drink in the pub at the Whittier Inn alongside the waterfront.

In October, one can't do the glacier cruises in Prince William Sound, the main hotel is closed and the fun shops are as well. But take that Portage road and stop along the way. Any turn out is beautiful. If the weather is holding, hike Byron Glacier. Even if you don't want to pay the toll for the (awesome) 2 mile tunnel to Whittier, stop at the first bridge and take a photo of the icebergs from Portage Glacier. However, I'd bring a thermos and a snack, go through the tunnel and just sit and enjoy the bay of the Sound. It's a sight that soothes the soul.

Took Glacier tour. The tunnel to get to Whittier was scary, you go thru a tunnel to get to the one way tunnel. It should be posted, all the scared people like us went to the visitor center to ask was this the one way tunnel! No it was not, once you get to the real one you know, that is where all the signs are. Maybe they dont post signs at the first tunnel just so everyone will stop in at the visitors center.

From every vantage point, every bit of the way on the ferry, Prince William Sound is alluring. Both times I have traveled by ferry and at 32 knots the vistas are subtly changing all of the time. It is a gorgeous passing, no matter if it is clear or overcast.

Nice, comfortable 5 hour trip, spectacular scenery, and you can take your vehicle. Lots of room to move around the boat, or grab a comfortable seat and take a nap.

Glacier boat trips are not available in October. Driving to Whittier is interesting because of the tunnels but the $12 toll road lessens the enthusiasm one might feel in the off-season. Whittier is not much to look at itself.

No matter what you have seen in photos, or in movies, none of it compares to seeing it for real! The contrast of colors between the rich evergreen forests, the deep shades of blue water, and bright white snow covering the towering sharp mountains is amazing. If you not already on a cruise, then do invest in a short glacier cruise of the area. Do you not need a long cruise to enjoy a few hours of this amazing scenery.

Snow-capped mountains against blue water with glacial ice floating by...
Teeming with all varieties of wildlife....orcas, birds of every color and size.....
One of the truly wondrous places on this planet!

Watching and hearing icebergs calving off the glaciers was amazing. Either take the boat from Valdez or Whittier, (the road to Valdez is beautiful, to Whittier you have to go through a long one way tunnel, and the town itself is ugly. But the sound is gorgeous.

We had a great crew with Major Marine Tours, saw sea life and Surprise glacier. Wonderful salmon and prime rib meal. Great experience.

My wife and I just returned from a wonderful 4 day - 3 night photography cruise on the M/V Discovery in Prince William Sound. We had many wonderful experiences, from hiking ashore to kayaking, to watching glaciers calve, to seeing and photographing much wildlife, as well as enjoying some real gourmet meals on board. Captain Dean, his wife Megan, and crew Maddie were absolutely the best, both in terms of service and enjoyable company. This 65 foot yacht holds 12 comfortably (although the cabins are a bit tight), and has two shared baths with showers, which we had no problem with. We especially enjoyed being off the beaten path of the day tour boats and cruise ships, and we were always anchored for the night in a beautiful location where we were the only vessel in sight. We hope to get to return again someday!

We had a fantastic tour of Alaska on board the 'Discovery' in Prince William Sound and in Denali National Park. The personnel on board and travelling were knowledgeable, friendly, fun and flexible and could not do enough for us. All the passengers got on so well it made a fabulous holiday. We saw all the gorgeous animals you hope to view in Alaska, plus the wonderment of the glaciers! The food was amazing, and kayaking exhilarating. How lucky we were to have chosen Discovery Voyages. We would highly recommend them to anyone with adventure in mind.

If you go to Alaska, you must take the trip to Whittier and go on a cruise in Prince William Sound. It is so big, peaceful and beautiful. Just to experience the tunnel you share with the trains is a must. Doesn't matter which cruise you take-they are all fun.

those cruises leaving form Whittier go thru Prince William sound.
Great sights to see and protected from rough ocean.
Seward is in open sea so if you get sea sick easily leave from Whittier.
Anchorage bus shuttle also stops at Wildlife Park and that is a hoot for any age.

The Best Way to see Prince William Sound is via the Alaska Marine Highway System (the car ferry). We just took the ferry from Valdez to Whittier. Its saved us from driving all the way to Anchorage. The ferry goes past fjords and glaciers plus whales, sea otters sea lions and seals plus all manner of bird life. It is truly a grand view. Regards, OldeBear

Take that boat ride and enjoy all that the sound has to offer. you will remember your experience for years to come.

We had a great time on this boat trip to Surprise Glacier and we were happy that they had the option of buying the dinner or bringing your lunch since a couple of us have food challenges. We were not disappointed at all by the sights we observed on this trip except maybe that we didn't see any whales (but that was not guaranteed). Forest Ranger Don was awesome. Happy for him that he is retiring again but sad for the guests that won't get to enjoy his stories.

We had a wonderful day on the cruise ship sailing from Whittier to see glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, and wildlife--sea lions, seals, kittiwakes and more. We also watched the salmon fishing boats. The food was tasty, the crew were excellent and the Ranger on board who narrated the trip was very knowledgeable. It was a first class day!

What a quaint little town ! Was raining while there so that created many waterfalls down the mountains! So beautiful ! The tunnel was quite the experience!

Took the 26 glacier cruise on the high speed catamaran. It was a beautiful sunny day so we were able to see all 26 glaciers. Great experience. Don't forget to take binoculars.

We traveled through Prince William sound. A real beautiful place as are most places in Alaska. Bring your camera

It's more open water, so potentially more choppy, but it can live up to its whale siting reputation: Orca, humpbacks, bubble nets, pods. A good captain will spot them and stay with them. And Prince William Sound will likely give him/her the best opportunity in the Inside Passage. Pretty close to Juneau and Glacier Bay, so you can plan on it--and thanks for noting if this was helpful.

Ok, so let me preface this with we have friends in Alaska that happen to have a boat. I understand that not everyone visiting Alaska will get to go out on a privately owned boat. That being said, I feel like it would be worth it to take a day cruise because it seemed like the cruise boats went the same places we went. Now, this was some of the most scenic sights I have ever seen. Ocean, meets mountains, meets glaciers, meets trees everywhere you look. It was so relaxing and refreshing after our plane ride (got in at 12 the night before). We drove from Anchorage to Whittier and saw many wonderful things along the way, but the boat ride was incredible. We also got to see some two glaciers calving...crazy. Seriously, if you have the time and money , or a friend with a boat :), you need to experience this, it was a definite highlight of our trip.

Whittier was an interesting place to visit. The boat tours of the glaciers were wonderful. Harbor seals, sea lions and some of the friendliest staff made our boat tour an experience to last a lifetime. The vista was simply breath taking. Pointing out bear tracks to my wife while we watched salmon migrate up a creek was pretty cool too. Signs remind you to be alert, but a big old paw print brings it home. Our visit to Seward was just as wonderful. The aquarium there is a real gem. It does a great job showing the Prince William Sound history, inhabitants and its environment. Well worth seeing.

Was there during the wettest days of summer but glacier sightings were spectacular. The wildlife sightings were limited but my family & I managed to catch sights of eagles, sea lions, lots of birds & mountain goats too. We almost couldn't set out on the cruise due to the weather but thankfully the storm subsided and the wind was calmer. We were also lucky to watch ice calving at the tidewater glacier. (:
There are a few tidewater glaciers at the sound and it depends on the which one the cruise takes you to. Different cruises have different journey length, so pick the one most suitable to your schedule!
I definitely recommend anyone to see it because it is still one of the well-preserved natural sights, untouched by human activities.

We rented a car to Whittier and took the cruise around the Sound. We got to see some whales frollicking and some sea lions. Very beautiful scenery. The Phillip's cruise had a ranger aboard who did an excellent job in explaining what we were seeing. The meal wa snothing special but adequate. Very enjoyable.

Prince William Sound is a world class sailing and boating destination for its scenic beauty, wildlife, and wilderness. It is where I've frequently chosen to recreate for the past 30 years. Its a wild place with little infrastructure you would so typically find in the lower 48. Coast Guard help is many hours away so you'll need to be completely self-sufficient, plan well, and have a comprehensive first aid kit.

Boaters will find a great cruising guide called, "Cruising Guide to Prince William Sound" on Amazon or at Title Wave Books. Its a little pricey, but its an excellent value when exploring new areas in Prince William Sound.