Whittier Cruise Terminal · Boarding Tips
Provenance: 9 boarding tips · researched from public reviews and official sources
Follow your cruise line's current check-in documents, confirm your terminal at Whittier Cruise Terminal, keep required documents with you, and prepare for curbside bag drop.
Whittier Cruise Terminal has 2 cruise terminals, and your terminal decides your drop-off lane, your parking lot, and the check-in door you walk through. Start with yours, then use the cruise line tips below.
Flying in? Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is varies with traffic away. Build that trip into your check-in window, not on top of it.
Drop-off: Whittier and Seward are different ports. Road access to Whittier uses the timed, one-lane Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. Check Alaska DOT’s current schedule and select a crossing that leaves room for delays before your assigned check-in time.
Drop-off: Glacier Gateway is at 1313 Prince William Sound Drive. It is a separate facility from the West Camp Road terminal. Use the terminal and arrival window on your final cruise documents; arrange transportation in advance.
These are the lines with ships in our Whittier Cruise Terminal catalog. Check-in windows are set by the line, not the port.
Princess check-in typically runs through the Princess app (MedallionClass), where you complete your documents and select an arrival window ahead of the sailing. Finishing everything early typically puts you in the faster walk-through lane at the pier.
Holland America assigns every guest a terminal check-in time, typically about 14 days before sailing, and shows it in the Navigator app. Arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before that time.
Norwegian online check-in typically opens about 21 days before sailing. At busier homeports NCL typically uses check-in or arrival windows, so plan to arrive inside the window printed on your eDocs rather than at the earliest possible hour.
Windows and opening dates vary by ship, by the port you sail from, and by your status in the cruise line's loyalty program, so always follow your cruise line's instructions for your specific sailing.
Bring the original documents your cruise line requires for your itinerary, plus your boarding pass. Keep them in your carry-on, not in a bag you hand to a porter.
Keep medication, valuables, charging cables and anything you will need straight away in your carry-on. Cabin access and checked-bag delivery times vary.
Once aboard, follow the crew’s instructions for the safety briefing and muster-station check-in before you settle in.
Open your cruise line’s booking page to check in, confirm your required documents and find your terminal arrival instructions. Check the deadline for your own sailing.
Download the app recommended in your cruise line’s booking confirmation before you travel.
Use the Royal Caribbean app or website to complete check-in when it opens for your booking. Save your boarding pass and note your assigned arrival time.
If you use curbside porters and want to tip, our suggested cash budget is $2-3 per bag. Keep your travel documents, medication and valuables in the bag you carry aboard.
Download the Royal Caribbean app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.
Check your booking for online check-in dates and your arrival window. Save your boarding pass and check the All Aboard Time in your guest documents.
Download the Celebrity Cruises app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.
Complete online check-in through your Carnival booking. Note your Arrival Appointment and the Final Boarding time on your boarding pass. Print luggage tags and attach them as Carnival directs.
The Carnival HUB app works on the ship’s Wi-Fi without an internet plan for its included features; group chat costs extra. Cellular service at sea can incur maritime roaming charges. Use airplane mode with Wi-Fi enabled if you do not want cellular roaming, and check your carrier’s terms.
Download the Carnival HUB app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.
More Whittier Cruise Terminal Guides
Flying In?
