Morning Kenai Fjords tour + drive to Whittier for cruise?

Question

My family of four (two adults + two kids ages 10 & 11) is taking an Alaskan cruise out of Whittier and trying to finalize our pre-cruise days. Here’s where we’ve landed:

Day 1: Arrive in ANC mid-morning. Visit Alaska Native Heritage Center, rent bikes and cycle along the coastal trail, overnight in ANC. Anything else we should try to fit in here?

Day 2: Drive to Seward with stop at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Ididaride sled dog ride/tour in the afternoon + exit glacier hike. Maybe Sealife center if time allows. Overnight in Seward.

Day 3: Kenai Fjords 6 hour tour at 8am, drive to Whittier, board cruise ship in time for dinner. 8:30pm sailing time.

Does this all seem feasible, in particular the last day that includes the boat tour + drive to Whittier? We’ve got a one way rental car from Avis. Timing the tunnel has me a little concerned.

Answer

Your itinerary is ambitious but doable with careful timing, especially on the last day combining a Kenai Fjords cruise and the drive to Whittier. Here’s a detailed breakdown and considerations for each day:

Day 1 – Anchorage: Arriving mid-morning gives you some time for sightseeing. The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a great start. Renting bikes to ride along the Coastal Trail is feasible, but allow for lunch and rest. Other optional activities:

Visit the Anchorage Museum if you enjoy local history and art; it’s near downtown.
Walk around downtown Anchorage and the Ship Creek area for a quick snack or coffee.

Evening: Overnight in Anchorage is fine. Consider an early dinner and rest after the flight.

Day 2 – Anchorage to Seward: Driving to Seward is about 2.5–3 hours without stops. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is right along the Seward Highway and makes a great mid-morning or lunchtime stop.

Ididaride sled dog tour is usually 1–2 hours; reserve in advance and check if timing works with your drive and glacier hike.
Exit Glacier hike is flexible; choose a shorter loop if pressed for time.
The Alaska SeaLife Center could be a quick stop if you have extra time before dinner.

Overnight in Seward is logical and convenient for your Kenai Fjords cruise the next morning.

Day 3 – Kenai Fjords cruise + drive to Whittier: Your plan involves:

Kenai Fjords 6-hour morning tour starting at 8am. Most cruises end around 2pm–2:30pm.
Drive from Seward to Whittier after the tour (~2–2.5 hours). This drive is scenic but requires attention, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the roads.
Consider the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel (Whittier Tunnel). It has scheduled one-way traffic, so check timing online or call the Alaska DOT for updated schedules. Delays here can be 15–30 minutes depending on traffic.

To ensure you board your cruise by dinner (usually 5:30–6:00pm for a 7:30pm sailing), aim to leave Seward immediately after the Kenai Fjords tour ends. Factor in:

Fuel and restroom stops along the Seward Highway.
Traffic delays in Anchorage or tunnel scheduling.
Car rental drop-off in Whittier if required before boarding.

Tips:

Consider calling your cruise line to inform them of your travel plan; they may offer advice or assistance in case of delays.
Pack snacks and water for the drive and the cruise boarding process.
Keep an eye on weather forecasts; Alaska weather can affect both the cruise tour and driving conditions.

Summary: Your plan is feasible, but Day 3 is tight. Leaving no gaps between the Kenai Fjords tour and the drive to Whittier is crucial. The rest of the itinerary allows for a manageable pace with optional stops included if timing permits.

Morning Kenai Fjords tour + drive to Whittier for cruise?

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