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Princess and Carnival chose Whittier to save money. There are only two excursion options listed on the Princess website. There are three companies that offer day cruises out of Whittier. 26 Glaciers (Phillips) with a fast catamaran that visits Barry Arm and College Fjord. Major Marine that has two tours but only one during May; it visits only Barry Arm in May; it also visits Blackstone Bay after school is out (the boat is used for school field trips). And finally Prince William Sound Cruises and Tours; it does Barry Arm but starts at 11am-5pm (others start at 1:00pm to 5:30 or 6:00)

The above is from research done on the web. I have not cruised on any of these. I am Alaska bound prior to the May 24 sailing of Princess Sun out of Whittier. My wife and I will be doing Kenai Fjords National Park out of Seward a couple of days before. We may well do one of the day cruises out of Whittier on the day we embark the Sun. We are somewhat hesitant since the Sun travels to College Fjord and then Glacier Bay.

Currently Major Marine doesn't offer 1 way travel by coach to Whittier from Anchorage. With 26 Glaciers you get to pay the round trip fare of $40 for one way. Prince William Sound Tours (owned by KFTs) does have $26 one way coach transportation; but its pickup is at 8:00am at the Anchorage Hilton (also the Aspen and Ayleska Prince Inn in Girdwood). The train from Anchorage to Whittier does NOT allow luggage. So it is not an option for Cruise bound passengers. You must use a bus. There is no drop off for a rented car. Whittier is tiny...

These day cruises may be great for those who have never cruised the Inside Passage including Glacier Bay and College Fjord. I am wondering if it is worth the $99 (Major Marine w/o buffet) to $119 (26 Glaciers) for those who will be cruising with Princess or Carnival out of Whittier

I would like other people's thoughts.
Thanks

<blockquote data-quote="Dale" data-source="post: 721112">Princess and Carnival chose Whittier to save money.&nbsp; There are only two excursion options listed on the Princess website.&nbsp; There are three companies that offer day cruises out of Whittier.&nbsp; 26 Glaciers (Phillips) with a fast catamaran that visits Barry Arm and College Fjord.&nbsp; Major Marine that has two tours but only one during May; it visits only Barry Arm in May; it also visits Blackstone Bay after school is out (the boat is used for school field trips).&nbsp; And finally Prince William Sound Cruises and Tours; it does Barry Arm but starts at 11am-5pm (others start at 1:00pm to 5:30 or 6:00)The above is from research done on the web.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have not cruised on any of these.&nbsp; I am Alaska bound prior to the May 24 sailing of Princess Sun out of Whittier.&nbsp; My wife and I will be doing Kenai Fjords National Park out of Seward a couple of days before.&nbsp; We may well do one of the day cruises out of Whittier on the day we embark the Sun.&nbsp; We are somewhat hesitant since the Sun travels to College Fjord and then Glacier Bay.Currently Major Marine doesn't offer 1 way travel by coach to Whittier from Anchorage.&nbsp; With 26 Glaciers you get to pay the round trip fare of $40 for one way.&nbsp; Prince William Sound Tours (owned by KFTs) does have $26 one way coach transportation; but its pickup is at 8:00am at the Anchorage Hilton (also the Aspen and Ayleska Prince Inn in Girdwood).&nbsp; The train from Anchorage to Whittier does NOT allow luggage.&nbsp; So it is not an option for Cruise bound passengers.&nbsp; You must use a bus.&nbsp; There is no drop off for a rented car.&nbsp; Whittier is tiny...These day cruises may be great for those who have never cruised the Inside Passage including Glacier Bay and College Fjord.&nbsp; I am wondering if it is worth the $99 (Major Marine w/o buffet) to $119 (26 Glaciers) for those who will be cruising with Princess or Carnival out of WhittierI would like other people's thoughts.Thanks</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Dale, post: 721112"] Princess and Carnival chose Whittier to save money. There are only two excursion options listed on the Princess website. There are three companies that offer day cruises out of Whittier. 26 Glaciers (Phillips) with a fast catamaran that visits Barry Arm and College Fjord. Major Marine that has two tours but only one during May; it visits only Barry Arm in May; it also visits Blackstone Bay after school is out (the boat is used for school field trips). And finally Prince William Sound Cruises and Tours; it does Barry Arm but starts at 11am-5pm (others start at 1:00pm to 5:30 or 6:00) The above is from research done on the web. I have not cruised on any of these. I am Alaska bound prior to the May 24 sailing of Princess Sun out of Whittier. My wife and I will be doing Kenai Fjords National Park out of Seward a couple of days before. We may well do one of the day cruises out of Whittier on the day we embark the Sun. We are somewhat hesitant since the Sun travels to College Fjord and then Glacier Bay. Currently Major Marine doesn't offer 1 way travel by coach to Whittier from Anchorage. With 26 Glaciers you get to pay the round trip fare of $40 for one way. Prince William Sound Tours (owned by KFTs) does have $26 one way coach transportation; but its pickup is at 8:00am at the Anchorage Hilton (also the Aspen and Ayleska Prince Inn in Girdwood). The train from Anchorage to Whittier does NOT allow luggage. So it is not an option for Cruise bound passengers. You must use a bus. There is no drop off for a rented car. Whittier is tiny... These day cruises may be great for those who have never cruised the Inside Passage including Glacier Bay and College Fjord. I am wondering if it is worth the $99 (Major Marine w/o buffet) to $119 (26 Glaciers) for those who will be cruising with Princess or Carnival out of Whittier I would like other people's thoughts. Thanks [/QUOTE]