Booking transfer from Anchorage to Whittier?

[I am Lulu]

Anyone book your own transfer tour from Anchorage to Whittier? I'm looking for recomandations as to which company to use, or not to use.

TIA

[WatchHill]

We love taking the train - sights along the way are great. We were lucky to be in the forward car, up top and got lots of great pictures. Once the train arrives, all you have to do is walk across the street to check in for your cruise. Your luggage is transported via truck from Anchorage to the ship.

 

Darcy

[bola]

I also am looking to book my own transfer. Is the train part of the cruise ship transfer or did you book it on your own?

[AkSusan]

I also am looking to book my own transfer. Is the train part of the cruise ship transfer or did you book it on your own?

I live here and have cruised out of Whittier, and love the train ride, booked independently through the Alaska Railroad, even though it does parallel the road, it's just nice not to have to drive and watch the scenery (which I usually can't do because I'm driving):eek::D

 

Susan :)

[WatchHill]

I booked the Alaskan RR transfer on my own, with the help and recommendation of my TA.

 

We did a week on land on our own prior to the cruise. Then on the morning of the cruise, we got a cab from our hotel to the train station. After dropping off our luggage and checking in, we entered the station to pick up a few items in their gift shop.

 

Darcy

[trident777]

I'm planning to take a bus from ANC to Whittier as it's much more economical... however the only schedule I can find are for a trip that includes a 1 hour wildlife tour, it leaves Anchorage airport at 12:30pm and arrives in Whittier at the port 3:45pm

 

We will be leaving on the Sapphire Princess that evening at 8:30pm... if we arrive in Whittier at 3:45pm will it be too late? What is the earliest time we can board the ship?

Edited January 30, 2013 by trident777

[I am Lulu]

This is the same one that I was looking at, but so far, only the AK railroad has been mentioned. The bus charter/tour takes your luggage right to the ship. Would like to hear from someone who's taken it.

[frugaltravel]

We will be leaving on the Sapphire Princess that evening at 8:30pm... if we arrive in Whittier at 3:45pm will it be too late? What is the earliest time we can board the ship?

 

Your question should be "What is the latest time we can board the ship?" (probably 7pm or so). It is a shame to board the ship earlier than need be when there is so much to see/do on land between Anchorage and Whittier. You will have the entire evening and next day on the ship, so there really is no rush to get on board. A great use of your time is to take an early transfer from Anchorage to Whittier and then take a Prince William Sound glacier boat tour. You get much closer to the glaciers on this trip than you will on your cruise ship.

Edited January 30, 2013 by frugaltravel

[rachelfran]

I'm planning to take a bus from ANC to Whittier as it's much more economical... however the only schedule I can find are for a trip that includes a 1 hour wildlife tour, it leaves Anchorage airport at 12:30pm and arrives in Whittier at the port 3:45pm

 

We will be leaving on the Sapphire Princess that evening at 8:30pm... if we arrive in Whittier at 3:45pm will it be too late? What is the earliest time we can board the ship?

 

My cruise on the island princess also leaves at 8:30 and the itinerary says

 

CHECK IN 12:30PM-7:30PM

ARRIVE AFTER 2:00PM

FOR A FASTER CHECK IN

 

 

I've read that some folks are doing a day tour with the alaska railroad that includes the transfer from anchorage to whittier and then a cruise on the Sound. This is a pricey option and those tours don't end until almost 6 ...

 

Here's a list of transfer options:

 

http://www.anchorage.net/cruise-transfers-transportation

 

have fun!

Can't wait for our cruise on July 29!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bola]

Has anyone heard of the company Alaska Cruise Transfer and Tours. They pick up at your hotel and drop off at the ship. It's a 3 hour tour with photo stops.

Is it a reputable company? Anyone use them before??

[rachelfran]

Has anyone heard of the company Alaska Cruise Transfer and Tours. They pick up at your hotel and drop off at the ship. It's a 3 hour tour with photo stops.

Is it a reputable company? Anyone use them before??

 

They're on Tripadvisor with positive reviews

[trident777]

Thanks for the responses. I think a 3:45pm dropoff should be fine in that case. The railway sounds nice but $150 for two for about an hours ride is a bit too rich for my tastes.

 

Has anyone heard of the company Alaska Cruise Transfer and Tours. They pick up at your hotel and drop off at the ship. It's a 3 hour tour with photo stops.

Is it a reputable company? Anyone use them before??

 

I think this is the same company as whittier shuttle. Looks like one company under different names.

Edited January 30, 2013 by trident777

[travfirst]

Check BBB Alaska - plenty of complaints about this company.

[ddcruiser1]

We've booked the Magic Bus. They pick up from your hotel and drop you off at the cruise terminal with a few photo stops along the way. I've heard good things about them on here. $50 pp. We'll see in June. :)

[Budget Queen]

I always recommend people consider taking advantage of a Prince William Sound boat tour out of Whittier, and never be in any rush to get on a ship. This tour is FAR superior to anything seen from your ship.

 

A "pricy" reference is above, that I completely disagree with. The experience is a big highlight. Purchased coupon books, can offer significant discounts.

 

 

Another option that could offer a FULL day of touring, is a one way Avis rental. So much to drive to, that the car "cost" isn't significant compared to "tours". Especially ideal, is the ability to McKinley flight see, glacier trek etc. Far more interest- for many people- seeing Alaska, rather than parking yourself on a ship. :)

[pwillmo]

We booked the train and the Glacier Discovery with Major Marine and saved $75.00 each. They have a web special right now. It was cheaper than the coupon. We have never done the train or the cruise and we are really excited about it.

[rachelfran]

We booked the train and the Glacier Discovery with Major Marine and saved $75.00 each. They have a web special right now. It was cheaper than the coupon. We have never done the train or the cruise and we are really excited about it.

 

Are you sure? I have the surprise glacier trip booked for two using the 2 for 1 coupon and adding the train is lower than the advertised special of 165 pp plus tax and fees

 

Is there a different special?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[pwillmo]

Sorry, it was cheaper for us. We looked at the coupon book and did not see the coupons we needed this year. We are kinda low key this year. It was cheaper to book both with them than separately I should have said. :)

[Budget Queen]

Are you sure? I have the surprise glacier trip booked for two using the 2 for 1 coupon and adding the train is lower than the advertised special of 165 pp plus tax and fees

 

Is there a different special?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

The companies offer various specials, themselves. There have been cases where it was the same as the coupon offers.

Edited March 25, 2013 by Budget Queen

[daily handwriting]

My flight arrives in Anchorage around 4 pm and my cruise ship (coral princess) sets for sail at 8:30 pm on the same day. I tried to buy princess transfer but couldn't because I booked my flight and cruise through Expedia. I could buy "transfer" through Expedia but time consumed for the transfer seems to be different.

 

While Princess transfer takes 1.5 hr to 2hrs, that of Expedia takes 2.5 hrs. Well, I have only 4 hours from Anchorage airport to Whittier and this worries me. Do princess and Expedia use different bus? If so, do I have enough time if I uses 2.5 hr transfer? I'm a first time cruiser and there are lots of things that worries me.

[Budget Queen]

My flight arrives in Anchorage around 4 pm and my cruise ship (coral princess) sets for sail at 8:30 pm on the same day. I tried to buy princess transfer but couldn't because I booked my flight and cruise through Expedia. I could buy "transfer" through Expedia but time consumed for the transfer seems to be different.

 

While Princess transfer takes 1.5 hr to 2hrs, that of Expedia takes 2.5 hrs. Well, I have only 4 hours from Anchorage airport to Whittier and this worries me. Do princess and Expedia use different bus? If so, do I have enough time if I uses 2.5 hr transfer? I'm a first time cruiser and there are lots of things that worries me./QUOTE]

 

You could be, not able to book the Princess transfer because you are arriving too late. They do sell them independent. How did you "try" to buy the transfer? They have specific guidelines for flight times, did you verify this?

 

I see a LOT stacked up against you making this cruise. The last tunnel, you can go through, to Whittier, is 6:30p. You would need to be on the road by 5pm, at the latest, and actually, I would suggest any shuttle you may get leave by 4:45p. As you should see, a lot can go wrong, resulting in you missing the ship. I would instead suggest, you get your flight changed. Did you pick these flights, or was it an Expedia Package- where the transfers should have been included?

[daily handwriting]

I really appreciate your reply. When I tried to book my cruise and flight, I went to the princess cruise homepage. According to it, 4:00 arrival flight is the latest flight I can use. Because other flights were for early morning, I booked this through Expedia. (I wanted discount rates so I went to Expedia.)

 

I checked again and again with Princess and cruise specialist at Expedia whether this arrival time is enough or not. All of them confirmed that the flight was O.K, adding that there was a reason why that flight time was there in the first place. Well, now I really want to change the flight but the tickets are nonrefundable!!!

 

What should I do?

[dcdisney]

I would call customer service at Expedia and Princess. I think that's cutting it really close. We are doing a tour on Friday before our cruise and the company called to move up our time by 90 minutes because they have been doing construction on the highway between Anchorage and Whittier with only one way open at a time so he said it's been taking exceptionally long. I'm not sure if they do road work on Saturdays in Alaska though but if they do you would have little chance of making it. If you get the Princess transfer they would wait for you though assuming your flight gets in relatively on time. Definitely buy the best trip insurance you can find too!

[Budget Queen]

I really appreciate your reply. When I tried to book my cruise and flight, I went to the princess cruise homepage. According to it, 4:00 arrival flight is the latest flight I can use. Because other flights were for early morning, I booked this through Expedia. (I wanted discount rates so I went to Expedia.)

 

I checked again and again with Princess and cruise specialist at Expedia whether this arrival time is enough or not. All of them confirmed that the flight was O.K, adding that there was a reason why that flight time was there in the first place. Well, now I really want to change the flight but the tickets are nonrefundable!!!

 

What should I do?

 

If you have ONE issue, anywhere along the way- you are likely to miss the ship. Your biggest mistake, is why didn't you book the early morning flights? I would suggest, you agree to any change fees at this point, and get one of those flights. May be $150 per flight depending on airline?

 

Otherwise, you NEED to book the Princess transfer- YES it probably will be the most costly, but at the least, they will be expecting you and know you are on that flight. Do NOT take any chances with any other transfer.

 

I would suggest you ONLY carry on ALL your luggage. Pack light, and do laundry.

Edited July 8, 2015 by Budget Queen