Princess b2b aug/sept 2014

[bobontheblue]

We are booked on the Crown Princess on a b2b. We enjoyed our 7 day so much last year on the Sapphire, and the ports of call we chose to do a round trip. What to do with the turnover day in Whittier. Looking for some great options from others who have done the same. As time is a concern, the ship departs 8.30pm for the return to Vancouver. Shore excursions seem limited on the Princess site. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.:)

[mapleleaves]

Whittier is barely a "town". I think the population is under 300 so there isn't much to the town itself. Google 'Whittier Alaska chamber of commerce' for the town web site; it provides a list of vendors and activities.

Your best option is to rent a car for the day from AVIS. This gives you the opportunity to visit some wonderful sights along the Turnagain Arm; all within an hours drive of Whittier! pan for gold at Indian River or Crow Creek Mine, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (bear, musk ox, caribou, bison, etc), the Visitor Center at Portage Lake/Glacier, Alyeska Resort tram, Potters Marsh.

http://www.alaska.org/guide/portage-valley

http://www.alaska.org/guide/turnagain-arm-drive

Be mindful that Whittier is only reached via a tunnel so be mindul of the schedule... it's shared with trains and cars so its only open once an hr in each direction.