Jump On A Whale Watching Tour
Too tired for;hiking or walking? Book a wildlife boat tour and experience the bay and fjords from the comfort of your seat.;
Part glacier cruise, part whale watching, part sight-seeing; many cruises;offer half-day tours;for those who want to squeeze in a little nature excursion during their packed day.
Book your tour from late February to early May and take in the sights of gray whales migrating from the Mexican Baja coast to the Bering and Chukchi seas. These whales travel up to 7,000 miles to reach their feeding grounds in early spring.;
Why You Should Visit
Seward is a local favorite. People from all over Southcentral Alaska from Kenai to Wasilla to Anchorage make their way each year. Seward is absolutely beautiful. Resurrection Bay is the center stage with mountains jutting out from the water, beaches for miles, and tons of wildlife.
Its also a popular tourist spot. Seward draws thousands of tourists a year, and while many come in from the cruise ships, there are many others that visit by car.
You can often watch sea otters playing in the bay and harbor seals swimming nearby. The Alaska Sea Life Center is the only permanent marine mammal rescue and rehab facility in the state. There is also a large playground in town on the water, making it one of the most beautiful playgrounds Ive ever seen. Of course, if you prefer to stick to nature, beachcombing is a popular activity. Starfish, driftwood, mussels, sea urchins, seaweed, and much more can all be found right at the beach.
Below Ive highlighted 15 great reasons to add Seward, Alaska to your ultimate Alaska itinerary.
Seward Alaska Cruise Ship Transfers
Seward, Alaska sits at the head of Resurrection Bay and serves as the turn around port for the 7-day Gulf of Alaska cruises offered by Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The scenic town of Seward is about 125 road miles from Anchorage and the cruise transfer by motor coach takes about three hours. The motorcoach travels on the beautiful Seward Highway, along the Turnagain Arm, through the Kenai Mountains and past the turquoise waters of Kenai Lake.
The Park Connection offers two scheduled motorcoach transfers between Seward and Anchorage daily throughout the summer. On cruise ship days, some of these transfers feature pick up and drop off directly at the cruise ship dock. This motorcoach service can also be combined with transportation service to or from Denali Park and Talkeetna. This one day travel option between Seward and Denali allows you to make the most of limited time in Alaska, not to mention the cost savings of avoiding an unnecessary overnight stay in Anchorage.
The Alaska Railroad transfer to Seward departs Anchorage early morning, takes four hours and arrives in Seward about 11am. Again, a Seward day tour is recommended with this transfer. Compare and book both motorcoach AND rail cruise transfer options on our unique online booking system.
Remember, we have other Seward options so check our full rates and schedules pages for additional details.
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Insider Tips For Alaska Cruises
Transfer day is a sightseeing day The trip between;Whittier or Seward and Anchorage;travels one of the most scenic stretches of road in the state. Youll cross the mountains and follow the coast of;Turnagain Arm. Transfers are typically by motorcoach, private shuttle or train, but this is far more than getting from A to B. Keep your camera at the ready, and dont be surprised if you spot wildlife and incredible natural landscapes along the way.
Day cruises get even closer to glaciers Its worth adding a;day cruise;either in Prince William Sound or Resurrection Bay/Kenai Fjords. These nimble vessels are able to slip into smaller spaces than the big ships, better navigate to sea lion haulouts, bird nesting areas and whale watching hot spots in the moment, and get closer to glaciers and then linger in silence. These incredible sights also makes day cruises a great option for independent travelers as well. If spending nights aboard a ship doesnt appeal to you, day cruises are a great way to sample the marine ecosystem and keep the start of each day on solid ground.
Anchorage as flightseeing capital Anchorage isnt just the spot to catch the flight into or out of Alaska. With a huge concentration of pilots and small aircraft, its also a prime spot for;sightseeing tours by air. Flights from Merrill Field or Lake Hood in Anchorage take off for glaciers in the nearby Chugach Mountains, the waters of Prince William Sound, or even circle Denali by air.
Visit Us In Whittier Alaska To Explore Prince William Sound Too
Since 1958, Phillips Cruises and Tours has been sharing the beauty of Alaskas pristine waters with Alaskans and visitors worldwide on our safe, clean, and spacious vessels. Our first-class fleet of high-speed catamarans get to the action in less time so you can spend more time viewing the wildlife and glaciers in the amazing places we cruise. Explore the dynamic glaciers of Prince William Sound from Whittier, Alaska or embark on a trip to see graceful whales and colorful puffins on your way to the glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward, Alaska. See it all with Phillips Cruises and Tours!
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Seward Coach And Cruise
Take the bus and leave the driving to our friends at the Park Connection. Grab your seat, sit back and relax while you take in the spectacular scenery. The ride is about 2.5 hours from Anchorage to Seward which allows time to explore Seward or make an optional stop at the Alaska SeaLife Center before your cruise. When its time to check-in for your Kenai Fjords Cruise, you can either walk to the cruise ship terminal or catch Phillips Cruises Shuttle from the Alaska Rail Depot.
Head For A Dog Sled Ride
Take in the scenery of gorgeous glaciers and mountains with friendly dogs by your side!;
Do as the Alaskans do and;mush through the wilderness. Strap into your sled and hang on tight because once you reach the glacier, the dogs know its time to run.
Opt for a kennel tour, too, so you can meet the friendly Alaskan Huskies that pull the sleds or cuddle with the adorable puppies waiting to meet you.;
No trip to Alaska is complete without meeting the stars behind the states most popular sport!;
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Alaska Cruises From San Francisco
While Alaska cruises departing from San Francisco are not as readily available as other closer ports, Celebrity and Princess do offer some extended cruises that allow you to sample Alaska and the beautiful Pacific Coast.
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International Callers
WMPH Vacations and AlaskaCruises.com are located in Delray Beach, Florida. You may book online or contact us directly. Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below:
Please note that all prices on our website are in US dollars, and travel purchases must be completed with a major credit card.Unless you are considering one of our custom cruise itineraries, certain cruise lines prohibit US-based travel agencies from selling to non-US residents.
All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip.
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Things To Do In Seward Alaska
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Seward is one of my favorite towns in Alaska. Its simply beautiful and there is so much to do. Whenever someone asks me where they should go in Alaska, its not Denali, but Seward. This place sits in a huge fjord and;is surrounded by glaciers. Theres an abundance of wildlife, water activities, hiking, and exploring you will be so happy you visited.
The town itself is charming and holds quite a bit of history. Downtown is reminiscent of an old West film. And for anyone seeking an outdoor adventure, Seward has just about everything.
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Check Out The Local Artists
One thing I love about living in Alaska is the amount of creative talent that lives here. Many of the shops along the main street are filled with local items. There is also a large gallery in the Brown & Hawking building with some impressive artwork. I recommend setting aside an hour or so to shop. There are also a few shops as you enter town, near the harbor.
If you want more Alaska travel tips, check out some other Alaska articles, linked below.
With No Cruises Westmark Downtown To Remain Boarded Up
Canada and the United States stopped large-cruise travel last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadas ban on the large ships remains in place until early next year.
Congress recently passed a bill that exempts Alaska-bound cruise ships from the Passenger Vessel Services Act, which requires those ships to either stop in Canada or start their voyages in Canada.
The vessels to Southeast Alaska originate in Seattle, allowing those planned sailings to move ahead, said Erik Elvejord, a Holland America spokesman. The voyages are scheduled for late July. Small cruise ships have not been affected by the ban.
The Westmark Anchorage Hotel in downtown remained closed during the pandemic on Monday, May 24, 2021.
But the ships that would normally head to Southcentral Alaska embark in Vancouver, Canada. Those journeys cant happen until next summer, after Canadas ban ends.
In summer 2019, before the pandemic and Canadas cruise ship ban, Holland America and other cruise lines made more than 125 voyages to Southcentral Alaska. They brought more than 400,000 passengers, mostly to Seward and Whittier.
From there, the travelers helped fill hotels and shops from Anchorage to Fairbanks, with many bound for Denali National Park and Preserve. In Anchorage, before the pandemic, they represented about 45% of overnight summer visitors.
Without the cruise ships in Southcentral this year, the boarded-up 14-story Westmark Hotel in downtown Anchorage will remain closed, said Elvejord.
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Fish The Silver Salmon Derby
If youre in Alaska for fish and only fish, visit Seward during the end of the summer season for the citys salmon derby.;
In early August, the silver salmon make their way into Resurrection Bay and usher in the annual fishing derby.;The Silver Salmon Derby is one of the states oldest and largest fishing derbies, and participants can win up to $10,000 for their tagged fish.;
Fish from sailboats, kayaks, or just on the shore-;all anglers are welcome;at the derby!
Year Of The Independent Traveler
Bill Popp, president of the Anchorage Economic Development Corp., said no cruise ships in Southcentral waters this summer will hurt hotels and tourism-related businesses.
But Popp said hes hearing good things from many operators, including that bed-and-breakfasts are reporting strong bookings from independent summer travelers.
Downtown Anchorage, Alaska, photographed on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
Independent travelers typically stay longer in Alaska and spend more at more businesses, officials say. Theyre not tied to a tour package with limited itineraries.
Alex Logan, manager with Denali Park Adventures, said on Monday that young, independent travelers are snatching up the companys ATV and zipline tours outside the park.
Thats making up for reduced bookings of the highway Jeep tours often preferred by older cruise ship travelers.
Those tours are booking up like crazy, he said. They look like they will be in fantastic shape this summer.
Also, Holland America, along with its Carnival-owned affiliates, is part of an effort to bring tourists to Southcentral Alaska for land-based packages, minus the cruise ships.
The land-package visitors, who will travel Alaska by train and motor coach, might number around 3,000 this summer, Elvejord said. Those visitors are not counted as independent travelers.
The numbers arent the same , he said. But doing something to bring the numbers up was important to us.
Businesses are hurting in Alaska, he said.
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Kenai Fjords National Park Seward Alaska
- Kenai Fjords Cruise 5 hours, 115 miles
- A complimentary hot meal, coffee, tea, water
- Professional narration with local expertise
- Free parking at Seward Cruise Ship Terminal
- Kenai Fjords National Park
Visit Kenai Fjords National Park with our new Kenai Fjords Cruise to see whales, puffins, and Steller sea lions on our way to the face of the tidewater glaciers in Aialik Bay. Cruise in comfort on our first-class high-speed catamaran while viewing the rugged landscape where wildlife flourishes.
To reach Seward, drive the Seward Highway, ride the historic Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic, or take narrated Seward Coach Service, all three options lead to a spectacular journey. Be sure to keep an eye out along the Seward Highway for wildlife such as Dall sheep, moose, bald eagles, and beluga whales in Turnagain Arm.
Prince William Sound Whittier Alaska
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26 Glacier Cruise 5.5 hrs, 160 miles
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Glacier Quest Cruise 3.75 hours, 45 miles
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No Seasickness Guarantee in Whittier
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A complimentary hot meal, coffee, tea, water
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Professional narration by experienced Captains
See dynamic glaciers and wildlife on the 26 Glacier Cruise and Glacier Quest Cruise departing from Whittier, Alaska. Retrace the 1899 Harriman Expedition route in Prince William Sound, exploring ice-filled bays, narrow passages, and deep-water fjords carved by glaciers and surrounded by the pristine wilderness of the Chugach National Forest.
Whether you ride the historic Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery, take a narrated Whittier Coach Service to Prince William Sound or Drive to Whittier, the journey will be spectacular. To access Whittier, travel through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, North Americas longest shared rail/vehicle tunnel.
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Revel In The Local Cuisine
No guide would be complete without recommendations for the best cuisine in the area. Connect with the local culture through food at these;top restaurants and cafes!;Coffee Shops and Cafes:;
13 Ravens Coffee and Books-;Grab a coffee and a browse through the books at 13 Ravens for a quiet start to your morning. The butterscotch latte is divine!
Zudys Cafe-;Need a little more sustenance to get your day going? Zudys Cafe has you covered. Along with their coffee and tea selection, they serve a wide variety of pastries, cakes, and sandwiches.
Coho Joes Dockside Cafe-;Coffee with a view is what youll get at Coho Joes! Located right on the harbor with a stunning panorama of the mountains, Coho Joes is the spot to grab your coffee before heading right out on your boat tour.
Resurrect Art Coffee House & Gallery-;Whats better than coffee, scones, and art? Wed argue nothing, so make sure Resurrect Art Coffee House & Gallery is on your list!;Restaurants:;
The Cookery-;Next to tourism, fishing is the most popular industry in Seward, so theres no shortage of fresh fish! The Cookery prides itself on creating a menu showcasing regionally farmed meats, fresh daily oysters, and local produce from the Kenai Peninsula.;
Lone Chicharron-;Also owned by the Cookery team, Lone Chicharron switches up the game with this taqueria for those whove had a little too much fish during their stay.;
See The Wilds Of A Great Frontier
Immerse yourself in a world of Tlingit heritage with hints of Russia, where an outpost atmosphere prevails in mountain-ringed seaside towns. As you cruise this pristine wilderness of misty fjords, lush forest and gleaming walls of ice, pan for gold like prospectors of old, meet local Tlingit, and hear tales both tall and true of a region where a Wild West spirit is very much alive.
Immerse yourself in a world of Tlingit heritage with hints of Russia, where an outpost atmosphere prevails in mountain-ringed seaside towns. As you cruise this pristine wilderness of misty fjords, lush forest and gleaming walls of ice, pan for gold like prospectors of old, meet local Tlingit, and hear tales both tall and true of a region where a Wild West spirit is very much alive.
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Take A Fishing Charter
Seward is known for the massive halibut caught in the bay and beyond. Halibut can be caught in Seward year-round, and many consider this type of fishing to be the best in Alaska.
No matter your experience level, there are plenty of charter boats that will take you out. There are also some fantastic guided tours for day trips or overnight camping excursions. There are plenty of fishing charter options in Seward. Check out Saltwater Safari, J-Dock, Aurora Charters, or Puffin. Millers Landing is also a good spot for fishing charters.
Dont forget to take a picture at the Seward Boat Harbor .
If you cant do a tour, I would recommend visiting the cleaning station at the harbor in the late afternoon when the boats return. Here, you may be able to see some large halibut being cleaned. The halibut can get up to 500 pounds and are one of the largest fish in the world.
Vancouver To Seward Alaska Cruises
Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean run seven-day cruises from Vancouver to Seward. Viking Ocean Cruises sails a 10-day cruise. All ships embark from the Canada Place cruise terminal in Vancouver Harbor. The terminal doubles as a visitor center and event space, offering everything from cultural exhibits under its eye-catching white sail roof, to an interpretive waterside walking path, to free outdoor movie nights in the summer. The city itself is rich with diverse experiences like these. Many cruise passengers enjoy two to three full days exploring Vancouver before their Alaska cruise.
All northbound ships on this route make their opening port call in Ketchikan, a tiny fishing community aptly nicknamed “Alaska’s First City.” The shore day in Ketchikan follows a full day cruising through the maze of forested islands and fjords that form the Alaskan Inside Passage. North from Ketchikan, most cruises next visit Juneau, the state capital and home of the quickly retreating Mendenhall Glacier, and Skagway. Viking, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean make an additional call at Icy Strait. This small, privately owned port is well-known for the Icy Strait Point ZipRider, the longest single zipline in the world. Passengers on the 10-day Viking cruise enjoy additional port calls in Sitka and Valdez.
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