Huna Totem Corp.'s new cruise terminal in Whittier, Alaska, provides expanded access to recreational and cultural opportunities in the south central part of the state.
The double-berth pier at the $80 million facility in the rainy, remote Prince William Sound community, about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, greeted its first ship in September.
The City of Whittier and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
collaborated with Huna Totem Corp. on the project, which sits on 20 privately held acres between serene waters and the rugged mountains. Norwegian has the
first right of scheduling, but the terminal is open to all cruise lines
to use.
It joins Whittier's other dock, which is used only by Princess Cruises and Holland America Line and comes at a time that cruise lines are searching for new ports amid Juneau's decision to impose a five-ship cap on visits.
I was able to get a glimpse of the new 30,000-square-foot terminal just after a call by Regent's Seven Seas Explorer in the fall. What stood out was the flexibility of the place: there were moveable walls, partitions, to divide the space any which way, even for community events and buyouts. And there were things like kiosks and counters that can easily be moved about depending on the needs of the particular cruise line that was in port.
"It's a blank slate. Everything is movable, which appeals to the cruise lines we've brought in. They say, 'Wow, we can do whatever we want in this place,' which really makes it awesome," said Tor Wallen, manager of the new Whittier terminal during a tour of the facility.
Wallen said he is most proud of that versatility, as well as the technology. The terminal includes a dedicated lounge for crews, generous storage space for cruise lines, a large-capacity water tank, backup generators for ships and WiFi. A tsunami warning system for the community is installed on the terminal's grounds.
Distinctive features
With portable partitions throughout the facility, alcoves can be created to make spaces for hospitality services and to enable guests to book regional adventures. Photos of Whittier's history and other art for the terminal are among the ideas being discussed to give guests an even stronger impression of their surroundings.
In addition to accommodations for bus service and soon rail service to Anchorage (about 60 miles northwest of Whittier), Huna Totem has ample land to eventually build retail, dining, a cultural center and other amenities.
But expected sooner are fire pits and picnic areas. Planning is also underway for tour options in Whittier and the surrounding area. Among the possible options are kayak rentals, JetSki rentals, charter fishing and wildlife watching, Wallen said.
He said boats available to rent in the area could lead to some other "cool" excursions. "We could go out on a crabbing tour or shrimp tour, set the [trap], go wild-lifing and come back and pull [the trap]," then cook the day's catch on the beach, Wallen said.
Huna Totem's new facility is scheduled to have 27 calls in 2025 from Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania.
NCL president David Herrera told Seatrade that the new Whittier facility will provide reliability and flexibility.
"It's custom-built. The ships fit better. Our guests will hopefully view it as another effort by us to improve the experience," Herrera said.
Huna Totem Corp is owned by about 1,600 shareholders whose Indigenous ties are to Hoonah, a largely Tlingit community along the Alaska panhandle. Huna Totem Corp. co-owns Port Klawock, which opened in 2024 on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island. Huna Totem Corp.'s flagship port, Icy Strait Point, opened in 2004.
'Town under one roof'
Whittier is often called the "town under one roof" since most of its roughly 260 residents are housed in the 14-story Begich Towers condominium. The colorful building, which once served as army barracks, includes shops, a police station, a church and other services to help residents live in the isolated town that often experiences harsh weather.
A few blocks from the Begich Towers, the 1,200-square-foot Prince William Sound Museum houses exhibits and artifacts recounting Whittier's history as a port and rail terminal. Displays about its logging and aviation background are also presented. The museum reflects Whittier's proud military heritage during World War II and the Cold War.
Correction: The author visited the new Whittier dock a few days after the call by cruise passengers aboard Regent's Seven Seas Explorer; an earlier version of this article stated that he visited during the call.