Phillips Cruises & Tours

10/19/2026

Happy Alaska Day from your friends at Phillips Cruises & Tours!

10/02/2026

There’s a reason Alaskans call the first snow on the mountaintops “termination dust.” The term goes back generations, when that first dusting of snow at higher elevations signaled the end of seasonal work and the approach of winter. And as the mountains around Alaska begin to turn white, our 2026 cruise season is winding down too.

It’s always a little bittersweet this time of year as we say goodbye to many of the seasonal reservations, dock and crew members who helped make another summer tour season possible. We’re grateful for their hard work, their care for our guests and the countless ways they helped bring Prince William Sound to life this season. The good news? Many of these familiar faces will return next year!

We invite you to join us in bidding our seasonal workforce adieu as we prepare for our final cruise of the season on Monday, October 5.

Book your cruise at www.phillipscruises.com.

09/29/2026

Yesterday, Whittier welcomed the future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) ahead of its commissioning on Saturday, October 3. The ceremony will officially place the ship into active service.

It’s our pleasure to welcome the ship, her crew, and the U.S. Navy to Prince William Sound for this special occasion. Congratulations to everyone involved in this milestone. Welcome to Whittier!

Please note: Phillips Cruises & Tours will not operate cruises on October 3 while Whittier hosts the commissioning activities.

Learn more about the ship and the commissioning at usstedstevens.org.

09/24/2026

We’re so grateful our M/V Klondike made it through the dock fire. She’s a true Alaskan gal: tough, resilient, and still with us! Now we’re ready to begin the work of bringing her back to Prince William Sound, the place she’s called home for the last 25 years.

Unlike the long-forgotten historic shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea, the M/V Klondike Express is a modern sightseeing vessel designed to travel quickly across the waters of Alaska. Operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours, this catamaran is part of the tourist experience exploring the natural beauty of Alaska, a region known for its cold waters, majestic mountains, and glaciers. However, on September 14, 2026, the ship faced an unexpected event that turned the calm atmosphere in the harbor into an emergency situation.

That day, a large fire struck the cruise ship terminal in Whittier, Alaska. The fire raging in the dock area also affected the M/V Klondike Express, which was docked. The incident triggered an emergency response, while officers worked to control the blaze and prevent further damage. The ship that usually carries tourists to enjoy the panorama of Alaska is now in a situation far from its usual sailing routine.

Although it sustained damage from the incident, the M/V Klondike Express did not sink. This incident serves as a reminder that dangers in the maritime world do not always come from storms, high waves, or collisions at sea. Even modern ships docked in ports can face significant risks when a fire occurs nearby. Fortunately, there were no passengers on board the ship at the time of the incident, and reports indicate that there were no injuries.

The story of the M/V Klondike Express is also different from the tragedy of a shipwreck that ends at the bottom of the ocean. This ship is not a wreck left by time, but rather a modern tourist vessel affected by a fire incident amidst port activities. The incident in Whittier became an unexpected chapter in the ship's journey, while also reminding us that behind the advancements in maritime technology, safety remains an aspect that must not be overlooked.

09/18/2026

Our 2027 season is now open for early booking!

Whether you’re planning ahead or ready to cruise now, you can book your tickets today! We have two more weeks left for our 2026 season, and those fall colors in Prince William Sound are absolutely breathtaking.🍂

09/14/2026

09/12/2026

With the Twin Towers gone and transportation networks crippled, hundreds of thousands of people were stranded in Lower Manhattan.

What followed became one of the most extraordinary maritime operations in American history.

An armada of commercial vessels carried men, women, and children away from the devastation and across the harbor to safety.

Every trip mattered. Every vessel mattered. Every mariner mattered.

Twenty-five years later, the scale of the rescue still inspires awe.

As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, join us for one final look at the legacy of this extraordinary rescue effort.