About Phillips Cruises & Tours
Phillips Cruises & Tours has been a cornerstone of Alaska's cruise tourism industry since the 1960s, operating glacier sightseeing tours out of Whittier on Prince William Sound. Their signature 26 Glacier Cruise is one of the most popular day excursions for visitors staying in Anchorage, covering over 135 miles of pristine Alaskan coastline in a single outing. The company operates a high-speed catamaran that allows them to visit more glaciers in a single trip than any other operator in the region, making the most of Alaska's long summer daylight hours.
The 26 Glacier Cruise departs from Whittier — about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel — and spends roughly five hours navigating the sheltered waters of Prince William Sound. Passengers see massive tidewater glaciers up close, often witnessing dramatic calving events where house-sized chunks of ice break off and crash into the sea. Wildlife encounters are common and include humpback whales, sea otters, harbour seals hauled out on icebergs, bald eagles, and colonies of puffins and kittiwakes. A US Forest Service ranger rides along to provide expert narration on the geology, ecology, and history of the Sound.
Phillips sets itself apart with the sheer scope of their cruise — no other single-day tour in Prince William Sound visits as many glaciers. The high-speed catamaran is stable and comfortable with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, a full snack bar, and a gift shop. For Anchorage visitors with just one day to spare for a glacier experience, Phillips's 26 Glacier Cruise consistently ranks among the top-rated excursions in the state.
