Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive in Whittier
Whittier, United States

Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive

Outty Ranking 72 4.9 · 19 traveler reviews4 hoursFrom $224

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September 2026

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Adults

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$224
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Outty Ranking

72/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive worth booking?

Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive is a 4-hour experience in Whittier, United States, from $224 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
72 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (19)
Duration
4 hours
From
$224 per person

Drive the Seward Highway along the scenic Turnagain Arm to Whittier. The Glacier Quest Cruise takes you from the quaint seaside town of Whittier to glacier-filled Blackstone Bay, a dramatic deep-water fjord where two tid

What you get

    About this experience

    Drive the Seward Highway along the scenic Turnagain Arm to Whittier. The Glacier Quest Cruise takes you from the quaint seaside town of Whittier to glacier-filled Blackstone Bay, a dramatic deep-water fjord where two tidewater glaciers and several alpine glaciers await. Keep an eye out for sea otters, Steller sea lions, bears, mountain goats, whales, and more! You will see several glaciers, including Tebenkof Glacier, named for Mikhail Demitrievich Tebenkof, an outstanding surveyor whose maps were the first charts of Alaska’s waters published in 1852. Northland Glacier rests majestically, clinging to the edge of the towering mountain. Blackstone and Beloit are tidewater glaciers that have carved a steep pathway to reach Prince William Sound’s saltwater. Cruise up close to these massive glaciers to watch for telltale signs of movement signaled by the distinct “pop” of glacier ice calving.

    What's included

    Included

    • No Seasickness Guarantee - Our smooth cruising catamarans & the calm waters of Prince William Sound.
    • Lunch
    • Smoke-free vessels - We do not allow any form of tobacco, marijuana, vape or e-cigarettes.
    • ADA Accessibility limited - Please call regarding your specific needs so we can assist you.
    • On-board restrooms
    • Tea and coffee

    Not included

    • Gift Shop items are available for purchase on board to share with family back home.
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel

      Add travel time from Anchorage to Whittier at 90 minutes each way. From Girdwood to Whittier, allow 45 minutes. We recommend taking the 11:30 AM tunnel entrance at the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to access Whittier in time for the Glacier Quest Cruise. The tunnel is open thirty minutes past the hour for access to Whittier. After your cruise, the tunnel opens on the hour to depart Whittier until 11:00 PM.

    2. Prince William Sound

      The Glacier Quest Cruise travels 45 miles into Blackstone Bay where seven glaciers and glistening waters provide a spectacular panoramic view from the mountain peaks above to the turquoise saltwater sea below. Please check-in one hour before cruise departure time.

      240 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Whittier

    10:00 AM Drive Anchorage to Whittier, allowing 1.5 hours travel time. 11:30 AM Travel through North America's longest shared rail and vehicle tunnel. 12:00 PM Arrive, Whittier. Check-in and board cruise by 12:55 PM.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    10:00 AM Drive Anchorage to Whittier, allowing 1.5 hours travel time. 11:30 AM Travel through North America's longest shared rail and vehicle tunnel. 12:00 PM Arrive, Whittier. Check-in and board cruise by 12:55 PM.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 14 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Phillips Cruises & Tours, LLC

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Service animals allowed
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Guests get up-close to Beloit Glacier.A waterfall cascades down from a glacier into Blackstone BayThe M/V Glacier Quests explores Beloit Glacier with guestsA mountain goat with its kid are scene on the mountainside on the Glacier Quest Cruise.Glacier ice calves and falls into the ocean at Blackstone Glacier.

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    5 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    17 verified traveler reviews for Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    16
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    John_V · August 2026

    Bad luck with the weather...

    Bad luck with the weather but the excellent service and great staff person's made thr entire experience first class.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for weathering the rain with us to explore Prince William Sound. Your review means a lot to us and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on a sunny day!

    via Viator

    Robin_R · August 2026

    Beautiful Blackstone Bay

    This was a great way to get close to glaciers and see the beautiful landscape of Blackstone bay. We enjoyed the lunch and were lucky enough to see otters. Tables are for 4 or 6 people so be prepared to share if you have a smaller party. Plenty of places to view from open deck if you don't want to stay inside the heated cabin. Good value for the cost.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us to explore Blackstone Bay on the Glacier Quest Cruise!

    via Viator

    Marie_L · August 2026

    Fantastic cruise to see...

    Fantastic cruise to see glaciers, great commentary and photo opportunities. Well worth doing this cruise!

    Response from the operator: Thank you, Marie! Your recommendation means a lot!

    via Viator

    566jodib · August 2026

    The highlight of our Alaska trip

    The guide was very knowledgeable and made the cruise really interesting. All of the crew were friendly and helpful and the boat was very clean and comfortable. The sights were incredible! I would highly recommend this cruise!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for letting us be a part of your visit to Alaska! Your recommendation means so much to us.

    via Tripadvisor

    athimac2026 · August 2026

    Glaciers, grace and gratitude

    On our first trip to Alaska, we had to see glaciers — but within a week of also visiting Denali, Homer and Anchorage. Whittier made the most sense. Phillips made the experience exceptional on many levels: helpful info when we called (about the tunnel to get there), friendly crew — especially the guide who kept pointing out wildlife in a timely way, clean and comfortable seating (having it reserved was a pleasant surprise) and eating a delicious and filling lunch on board. It was also great that they handed out reusable boarding passes and lunch cards instead of paper, or even digital. Very fast and efficient. This was truly a wonderful way to see something so synonymous with Alaska in a half day.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for including us in your first trip to Alaska! Your review means a lot to us.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    4 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    7
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 72

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)89
    Review evidence (18% weight)56
    Booking momentum (14% weight)49
    Value for money (12% weight)61
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)56
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Whittier.

    How much does Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive cost?

    +

    Prices start at $224 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Whittier usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive take?

    +

    Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Whittier is not rushed.

    Is Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 19 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Whittier, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive?

    +

    Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Whittier can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Whittier and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Glacier Quest Cruise Self Drive start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Whittier within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Whittier?

    +

    Whittier, AK packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Whittier by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Whittier experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife&Glacier tour to Anchorage, Whittier to Anchorage Half Day Transit Tour From the Port, Whittier to Anchorage Wildlife Extravaganza. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Whittier?

    +

    Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Whittier, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Whittier?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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