PHILLIPS CRUISES & TOURS, LLC
OUR STORY
Phillips Cruises and Tours began in 1958 when tourism pioneers Brad and Helen Phillips, founders of our company, began operating in Prince William Sound with the vessel M/V Gypsy, an 85-foot vessel previously owned by John Barrymore. Unfortunately, that historic vessel was lost in the great 1964 Alaskan Earthquake. In 1985, the company was the first to pioneer high-speed catamarans in Alaska, which provide for a much smoother experience for passengers than mono-hulled vessels.
By 1987, Brad and Helen Phillips developed the “26 Glacier Cruise” route, which retraces the path of the historic Harriman Expedition. The M/V Klondike Express was designed in Sydney, Australia, and constructed in Freeport, Washington arriving in Whittier, Alaska, in time for the 1999 cruise season.
In 2003, Brad Phillips sold the company to Bob Neumann. Phillips Cruises added the M/V Glacier Quest in 2012, completed a refit on the M/V Klondike Express in 2017, with USB charging stations added at every table. In 2019, the M/V Bravest made her way from New York to Alaska. Phillips Cruises & Tours just expanded the fleet of high-speed catamarans to four, in May of 2024, with the arrival of their new 149 passenger vessel, the M/V Chugach Express.
Since those early beginnings, Phillips Cruises and Tours has grown to be Alaska’s premier day cruise business offering our first-class service exclusively on smooth and fast catamaran vessels. Operating and cruising in the calm waters of Prince William Sound provides the perfect venue for passengers to experience spectacular tidewater glaciers, abundant wildlife, and amazing scenery. Our “fast cats” whisk passengers on their adventure in style and comfort.
A scenic 90-minute drive south of Anchorage brings our guests to the town of Whittier, where our glacier and wildlife cruises depart. Whittier is the western “Gateway to Prince William Sound.” Accessible by car, rail, or bus service, this one-day experience will be the highlight of your trip to Alaska.
Phillips Cruises and Tours is an Alaskan-owned and operated business with over 60 years of experience and pride in sharing the beauty of Alaska’s pristine waters, magnificent glaciers, and abundant wildlife with generations of visitors and local Alaskans. We look forward to seeing you soon!
VIEW OUR BROCHURE
We support our local visitor associations
- Alaska.org
- Alaska Travel Industry Association
- Anchorage Alaska Bed and Breakfast Association
- Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
- Ayleska Girdwood Accommodations Association
- Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Girdwood Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce
More visitor resources
- Homer Chamber of Commerce
- Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
- Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council
- Seward Chamber of Commerce
- Soldotna Chamber of Commerce
- Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce
- Visit Anchorage
National trade organizations
- AAA Discount Rewards
- American Bus Association
- Brand USA / IPW
- National Tour Association
- U.S. Travel Association
Contact Us
Our cruise experts are enthusiastic and ready to talk about Alaska with you. Call us or send an email if you are currently in a different time zone. We strive to respond within 24 hours. From October to April, our office is open 9AM-5PM Monday – Friday. During the season, from May to September, we are here seven days a week, 7AM-7PM.
Whittier Cruise Info
- Alaska Residents – Join our Klondike Club and save!
- See where we cruise Whittier Cruise Routes
- Learn more about The Experience – Whittier
- Visit our FAQ’s page for answers to your questions
- Know Before you Go Whittier Cruise Info (PDF)
- Meal Options (PDF) / Food Ingredient List (PDF)
- Download our FREE Brochure (PDF)
