Land trip after 7 days Alaska cruise ( northbound )

Question

We are family of 5 ( age 19-55) planning princess cruise from Vancouver ( Ketchikan , Juneau , Skagway , Glacier bay, college Fjord ending in Whittier) during the end of July

My son is an avid wildlife, birder, photographer and we have plans to book whale watching ,wildlife excursions at the ports during the cruise.

We might plan to do some land trip for next 2 days from Whittier. Based on our wildlife interests please recommend an itinerary from Whittier ( we arrive at 12:30am ) for the next 2 days

Answer

Ending a northbound Princess cruise in Whittier is a perfect setup for a short but wildlife-rich land extension. With just 2 days after arrival, the goal should be to minimize driving, maximize wildlife encounters, and choose activities ideal for a birder/photographer.

Below is a detailed, realistic 2-day plan, plus a couple of alternate options depending on weather and interests. Everything suggested is easily reachable from Whittier or within a short transfer to Anchorage/Seward.

Important note about your arrival: You arrive at 12:30 a.m. into Whittier. Whittier is small, and the Anton Anderson Tunnel (the only road tunnel out) runs on an hourly schedule and does not run overnight. That means you will stay in Whittier the first night and depart in the morning when the tunnel opens.

From a wildlife/birding standpoint: Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula, and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge are your top choices for marine mammals, seabirds, eagles, moose, and tidal-flat species.

Here is your optimized plan:

Option 1 — Prince William Sound + Seward (best marine wildlife + glaciers)
- Day 1: Whittier → Prince William Sound day cruise → drive to Seward
- Wake up in Whittier and take a Prince William Sound glacier/wildlife cruise (5–7 hours). This is one of the densest wildlife experiences in the region: humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, puffins, harbor seals, and nesting seabirds on sheer cliffs.
- Photographers love PWS because boats get closer to tidewater glaciers and seabird rookeries than many larger ships.
- After the cruise, drive through the tunnel toward the Kenai Peninsula. The drive to Seward is 2–2.5 hours and is one of the most scenic in the state (Turnagain Arm, moose habitat, mountains).
- Arrive in Seward for the night.
- Day 2: Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise or Exit Glacier + seabird photography
- If your son wants more marine wildlife (whales, sea lions, puffins), book a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise — a strong complement to Glacier Bay/College Fjord because these boats are smaller and get near marine life.
- Alternative: Hike the short trails at Exit Glacier in the morning and spend the afternoon photographing eagles and seabirds around the Seward harbor, Lowell Point, or Tonsina Point.
- Drive back to Anchorage in the late afternoon or evening (about 2.5 hours) for your flight home.
Option 2 — Turnagain Arm + Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center + Chugach wildlife day (moose + bears + birds)
- This option avoids long cruises but offers very high wildlife variety with almost no rushing.
- Day 1: Whittier → AWCC → Girdwood
- Leave Whittier in the morning and drive 25 minutes to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, one of the best places for guaranteed close photography of brown bears, black bears, moose, musk ox, lynx, and wood bison.
- Birders can also photograph owls, eagles, and smaller species.
- Continue 15 minutes to Girdwood (a beautiful forest/mountain setting). Take the aerial tram for panoramic scenery and birding.
- Stay the night in Girdwood.
- Day 2: Potter Marsh + Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge + Eagle River Nature Center
- Drive toward Anchorage and stop at Potter Marsh, the region’s best boardwalk birding area (great for waterfowl, shorebirds, terns, herons, bald eagles).
- Continue to Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge for tidal-flat birding and potential beluga spotting (timing depends on tides).
- If time allows, visit Eagle River Nature Center, where moose, beavers, and forest birds are common.
- Stay in Anchorage that night or fly out if your flight is late.
Option 3 — Quick Denali Sampler (only if you want land mammals more than marine wildlife)
- Day 1: Whittier → Anchorage → drive to Denali (4.5–5 hours)
- Leave Whittier early, pick up a rental car in Anchorage, and drive north toward Denali.
- Stop in the Hatcher Pass or Talkeetna area for scenery and birding. Moose sightings are common.
- Arrive near Denali for the night.
- Day 2: Denali bus/shuttle or wildlife drives
- Take an early Denali transit bus to the Teklanika or Savage area (shorter option for your tight schedule). You may encounter caribou, Dall sheep, moose, foxes, and possibly bears.
- Drive back toward Anchorage in the evening.
- Note: This is the most driving-heavy option and best only for land mammal lovers who are less interested in marine photography.

Which option is best for you?

Because your son is an avid wildlife photographer and you will already have marine experiences from the cruise, your priority should be:

Sea otters, puffins, seabirds
Close-range whale photography
Bears and moose (photogenic, easy access)

For that reason, the most complete, high-impact 2-day combination is:

Day 1: Prince William Sound cruise → drive to Seward
Day 2: Kenai Fjords cruise or Seward wildlife day → Anchorage

Why this is the best wildlife itinerary:

Two completely different marine ecosystems in two days (Prince William Sound + Resurrection Bay).
Highest concentration of sea otters and puffins in Southcentral Alaska.
Excellent whale chances (humpbacks in both areas, and orcas more common in PWS).
Minimal wasted time — no long backtracking.
Perfect for photography: glacier backdrops, accessible cliffs, calm waters in PWS.

If bad weather hits: Choose Option 2 instead — AWCC + Potter Marsh offer excellent wildlife while avoiding rough seas.