moki'smommy Posted May 16, 2018 #1 Share Posted May 16, 2018 We are doing a B2B with changeover day in Whittier. Princess supposedly offers excursions on those days for B2Bs or people with late departures from Anchorage, but everything I can find has transfers to Anchorage included. I've checked the Princess site as well as several private companies...and have e-mailed a couple of private companies (waiting for answers). I have checked the Alaska section of the boards and done searches in the Alaska and Princess sections....so my post isn't due to lack of attempting to get answers on my own! Does anyone reading the boards have any insight on doing an excursion in Whittier and surrounds (we'd like to visit the wildlife conservation area and possibly do the tram ride) with a departure from the cruise terminal and return there? No, we do not want transportation to Anchorage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougH Posted May 16, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 16, 2018 They will usually offer several tours once you are onboard ship. One of the options was a bus to spend the day in Anchorage, another was a stop at Alyaseka (sp?) for the tram and then the wildlife center. Every time I've tried to do it there wasn't enough people signed up and they were cancelled. Really only options are the Glacier cruises out of Whitter, the 26 Glacier cruise and the one thru Major Marine. Both are nice. There is small museum in Whittier but really nothing else to see/do at all. Only a half dozen at best small shops along the waterfront. The sailaway out of Whittier has some of the best scenery on your trip IMHO. Be sure be out on deck fro several hours after sailaway, most people miss this portion because they are too tired traveling to get to the ship. Don't miss it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted May 16, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Thanks! Looks like I should continue to look at private companies for the wildlife center and tram ride...hoping that they won't cancel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytime53 Posted May 16, 2018 #4 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Check with one of the companies that does tours that includes a trip to Anchorage. Perhaps they would take you to the Wildlife Conservation Center or Alyeska (for the tram), drop you off, and then pick you up on their tour taking people to the ship. If they had a bus that wasn't full each way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggprincess2004 Posted May 16, 2018 #5 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Keep checking back, they usually have few tours for people doing b2b cruises, including a nice glacier and wildlife boat tour, and they have offered trips into Anchorage and back as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb008 Posted May 16, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Or just take the transfer into Anchorage and then see about also taking a transfer back. Anchorage has a lot to see too, so a few hours in the city center wouldn't be wasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KYBOB Posted May 16, 2018 #7 Share Posted May 16, 2018 There is the 26 Glacier Tour offer by Princess, you have to read through the descriptions to find the one for B2B passengers, I think there are 4 options; passengers returning home, passengers returning home that need accessible services, B2B passengers and B2B passengers needing accessible services. That is all that is listed currently. More maybe available on the ship depending no the number of B2B passengers. But I have heard the 26 Glacier tour is worth it. I will find out in 2 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted May 16, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted May 16, 2018 There is the 26 Glacier Tour offer by Princess, you have to read through the descriptions to find the one for B2B passengers, I think there are 4 options; passengers returning home, passengers returning home that need accessible services, B2B passengers and B2B passengers needing accessible services. That is all that is listed currently. More maybe available on the ship depending no the number of B2B passengers. But I have heard the 26 Glacier tour is worth it. I will find out in 2 weeks. Let me know, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahospud Posted May 17, 2018 #9 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Let me know' date=' please.[/quote']On this week's Island Princess sailing there is just the one option for B2Bs, the 26 Glacier cruise. It departs at 12:30 pm and returns at 5:30 pm. It's $199.95. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted May 17, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Thanks-- I did find that when I went in thru the cruise personalizer. It doesn't show up directly thru the web site. I'm still exploring as daughter would like to see the wildlife center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted May 17, 2018 #11 Share Posted May 17, 2018 We did the Alyeska and Wildlife center excursion from Whittier. It continued on to Anchorage where we had time for lunch and a visit to the shopping area. They let you off in either the Egan Center or visitors center and that is where you rejoin the bus for the trip back. EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyskie Posted May 17, 2018 #12 Share Posted May 17, 2018 We are using Salmon Berry Tours- visiting both places. We are using it as a transfer but they have multiple land tours 907-278-3572 Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wishing on a star Posted May 17, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 17, 2018 If I were doing a B2B, I might choose to tour another area outside of Whittier. On the Southbound, which does not cover this area of PWS and College Fjord, we very much enjoyed the 26 glacier tour, and VERY highly recommend!!! While getting close to the glaciers and Surprise Glacier is amazing. The OP might consider a different tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted May 17, 2018 #14 Share Posted May 17, 2018 There is the 26 Glacier Tour offer by Princess, you have to read through the descriptions to find the one for B2B passengers, I think there are 4 options; passengers returning home, passengers returning home that need accessible services, B2B passengers and B2B passengers needing accessible services. That is all that is listed currently. More maybe available on the ship depending no the number of B2B passengers. But I have heard the 26 Glacier tour is worth it. I will find out in 2 weeks. For what its worth (to future cruisers) this 26 Glacier Tour can be booked on your own by calling or filling out the online form for Phillips Tours. They are who provides the boat and operates the tour which leaves from a pier within a short walk from the cruise ship. Phillips also offers a AAA discount. Bottom line is that you might find yourself paying a premium because you booked via the cruise line when all they do is walk you the few hundred feet to the same boat used by anyone who booked independently. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb008 Posted May 17, 2018 #15 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Thanks-- I did find that when I went in thru the cruise personalizer. It doesn't show up directly thru the web site. I'm still exploring as daughter would like to see the wildlife center. The wildlife center might be a bit underwhelming... might be worth looking up so more info on it (e.g., youtube) to assess where to rank it on your list. It was part of our tour-transfer from Whittier to Anchorage and it was fun... but if that's a "dream" destination for a daughter it might be good to manage her expectations a little in advance. I posted my trip report from about a year ago that might have some helpful information for your trip planning. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2508384 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytime53 Posted May 17, 2018 #16 Share Posted May 17, 2018 The wildlife center might be a bit underwhelming... might be worth looking up so more info on it (e.g., youtube) to assess where to rank it on your list. It was part of our tour-transfer from Whittier to Anchorage and it was fun... but if that's a "dream" destination for a daughter it might be good to manage her expectations a little in advance. I posted my trip report from about a year ago that might have some helpful information for your trip planning. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2508384 Depends on the age of the kids and how much they love wildlife. We took our oldest granddaughter there when she was 10, and we would have stayed much longer if she had her way. I'm pretty certain we were there for at least an hour and that was definitely not too long; the only reason we left when we did is that we had to be in Soldotna for a party by 5. My husband and I found it interesting, also. There are definitely animals there that you don't get to see up close and personal, or perhaps ever. I would go back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoriPhil Posted May 18, 2018 #17 Share Posted May 18, 2018 We have taken the Phillips 26 Glacier tour twice and really enjoyed it. This time we're going with Major Marine for comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukestrummer Posted May 18, 2018 #18 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Let me know' date=' please.[/quote']I am doing B2B saturday on Golden, I have booked Phillips 26 glacier which we did 3 years ago, very nice trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucedodge Posted May 18, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 18, 2018 I would easily recommend one of the glacier tours as top priority. We had such a wonderful time and in our case the boat was not even 1/2 full. On our B2B we waited until arrival to see what the weather was going to be like, and in the morning we walked to the ticket booths to inquire about bookings (how crowded the boats might be), pricing (what kind of discounts), and sailing times. We made our reservation and went back on board until it was time for the excursion. Another option for DIYers is to rent a car, Avis has a location there run out of the small convenience store. We haven't rented from them, but we've dropped off a car there once prior to boarding. It's kind of fun to drive through the train tunnel, and you can purchase gas right next to where you drop the car off. FWIW, Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted May 19, 2018 #20 Share Posted May 19, 2018 If you are willing to rent a car, the extra behind the scenes tour at the Wildlife Center is really nice. Look for my photos in this thread from a few years ago. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2055554 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddle Posted May 19, 2018 #21 Share Posted May 19, 2018 We did the 26 Glacier Tour last year, and loved it - amazing scenery and close encounters. We were not on a back to back, but took the train down early from Alaska. It was a great experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susiesan Posted May 19, 2018 #22 Share Posted May 19, 2018 On this week's Island Princess sailing there is just the one option for B2Bs, the 26 Glacier cruise. It departs at 12:30 pm and returns at 5:30 pm. It's $199.95. Just book the glacier cruise yourself for $178.95 pp. direct with the company, Phillips Cruises. Why do you need to do this through Princess unless you are trying to use up OBC. Save yourself the $20 pp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukestrummer Posted May 19, 2018 #23 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Just book the glacier cruise yourself for $178.95 pp. direct with the company, Phillips Cruises. Why do you need to do this through Princess unless you are trying to use up OBC. Save yourself the $20 pp. If you are AAA USE THAT DISCOUNT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted May 19, 2018 Author #24 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Looks like a no brainer--base price is $20 less than thru Princess and AAA will give an additional discount. Good web site too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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