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Valdez

Valdez is set on Prince William Sound with Chugach National Forest and the Chugach Mountains behind it. It has no lack of engaging history, including ties to the heady days of the Klondike Gold Rush, but it's hard for anything here to compete with the…

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Glacier ponds glowing bright blue, outside of Valdez, Alaska.

At a glance

95 current cruises call at Valdez, on 12 ships from 7 cruise lines. The lowest lead fare across those cruises is $1,979. The lines sailing the most of them are Viking Ocean Cruises (50), Azamara Club Cruises (18) and Silversea (8).

Destination guide

Valdez port guide: What to do & see

Valdez is set on Prince William Sound with Chugach National Forest and the Chugach Mountains behind it. It has a storied past, including ties to the heady days of the Klondike Gold Rush, but it's hard for anything here to compete with the magnificence of the natural landscape and the abundance of wildlife thriving in it. 

 

CRUISEABLE PORT GUIDES

     

Which is exactly what made the 1989 oil spill involving the Exxon Valdez so horrific. Fortunately, the $2 billion cleanup proved very effective. It took more than three years, but when all was said and done, Prince William Sound, the wildlife, the city of Valdez and the tourists all came back. Today, Valdez is a cruise port well worth visiting.  

Valdez is a quintessentially Alaskan town with friendly residents and an emphasis on the spectacular nature around it. Getting out in that nature is an Alaska cruise highlight. 

Because of its more remote location, there are only a handful of cruise options for travelers who want to visit the area. While Valdez is not a cruise port destination, cruise lines often package it with other land tour destinations such as Mt. McKinley, Denali National Park and Copper River. 

Read the full guide

Top things to do & see in Valdez

Culture & history

The Valdez Museum contains fascinating historical accounts, artifacts and exhibits about Valdez and the surrounding area. The museum is constantly being updated, and the displays are engaging. One of the most interesting exhibits chronicles the era of the Klondike Gold Rush, 1897-1898. 

Gold Rush Days, held in August at the visitor center, is a fun-filled community event that features a fashion show, dance routines and tons of entertainment. A free halibut and salmon fry is part of the event, so all budget-minded travelers should take note! The highlight of Gold Rush Days might be the ugly vehicle contest; wait until you see the photos of past winners!

On, in & around the water

Tourists flock to Valdez for the excellent fishing, and prizes for the biggest silver and pink salmon are given out annually. Fish Central is one option for anglers, offering information, equipment rentals, tips on the best sites to fish during the time you're there and more.

Cloud sprays and tide pools outside of Valdez, Alaska.
Cloud sprays and tide pools outside of Valdez, Alaska. Gary Minish / Courtesy of State of Alaska

Humpback whales and orcas populate the waters of Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska, and there are multiple boat tour operators who will take you out to see them, as well as the other marine life and birds in the area.  

Glaciers, a slew of them, define the Valdez landscape, and there are a variety of ways to see them. Most popular are those you can see via tour boat or kayak, including Columbia and Shoup glaciers. Shoup is also accessible via an 8.5-mile hike.

Exploring nature

Chugach National Forest is the second largest national forest in the United States, second only to Tongass National Forest, and it pretty much surrounds Valdez, with the imposing Chugach Mountains just beyond. Valdez Glacier Campground is a nice place to spend a couple of hours and to take a short hike. The trees and wildlife are abundant, the scenery gorgeous. Take lots of pictures but don't leave any food or food containers lying around; this is bear country. 

YOLO (You only live once!)

Book a helicopter flightseeing tour and get a (whirly) bird's-eye view of Valdez's impressive collection of glaciers. 

Don’t miss

Exploring Prince William Sound by kayak. Nothing puts you closer to marine life or the feel of the "real" Alaska than bobbing inches above the surface of one of the state's most impressive bodies of water.

Best bets for dining

You won't go hungry in Valdez. There are a number of places to sit, relax and enjoy the ambience of this coastal town. Mike's Palace features a good selection of food from around the globe, including Italian and Greek, and, of course, there's seafood. Head to The Fat Mermaid for its waterside setting, 15 craft brews on tap, burgers, pizza, salads and more. Coffee lovers should stop in at A Rogue's Garden, which has organic coffee and an espresso bar as well as soups made daily and freshly baked bread.  

When you arrive

Docking information

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Valdez, with convenient access to the Richardson Highway.

Getting around

There are several transportation options to choose from, but renting a car and driving the utterly scenic Richardson Highway tops the list. There are also rental bicycles, another good choice, and if necessary there are a few cabs, too. 

Your take

Have you been to Valdez? What was the highlight? Have any tips or photos? Please share.

Help improve this article! See anything wrong? What did we overlook? Be a co-creator!

Published March 2015

Photos of Valdez

  • Glacier ponds glowing bright blue, outside of Valdez, Alaska.
    Glacier ponds glowing bright blue, outside of Valdez, Alaska.
  • The Valdez Fishing Derbies draw participants of all ages.
    The Valdez Fishing Derbies draw participants of all ages.
  • A tanker near Valdez, Alaska, swathed in mist.
    A tanker near Valdez, Alaska, swathed in mist.
  • Cloud sprays and tide pools outside of Valdez, Alaska.
    Cloud sprays and tide pools outside of Valdez, Alaska.

Sailing soon

Cruises calling at Valdez

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  1. 18 Night Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer 18 nights · Zaandam · from Vancouver Next Sep 16, 2026 from $1,979
  2. 18 Night Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer 18 nights · Zaandam · from Vancouver Next Apr 24, 2027 from $2,409
  3. 22 Night North Pacific Passage 22 nights · Viking Orion · from Tokyo Next May 3, 2027 from $7,399
  4. 40 Night Kobe to Vancouver Transpacific Grand Voyage 40 nights · Azamara Pursuit · from Kobe Next May 6, 2027 from $12,069
  5. 22 Night North Pacific Passage 22 nights · Viking Venus · from Tokyo Next May 9, 2027 2 dates from $7,399
  6. 26 Night Japan and Alaska Transpacific Combination Tokyo Kodiak and Victoria 26 nights · Azamara Pursuit · from Tokyo Next May 20, 2027 from $7,769
Show 6 more
  1. 10 Night Alaska and the Inside Passage 10 nights · Viking Orion · from Vancouver Next May 24, 2027 9 dates from $5,999
  2. 9 Night Whittier to Vancouver 9 nights · Luminara · from Anchorage Next May 27, 2027 from $14,600
  3. 10 Night Alaska and the Inside Passage 10 nights · Viking Venus · from Vancouver Next May 30, 2027 from $7,099
  4. 10 Night Alaska and the Inside Passage 10 nights · Viking Orion · from Anchorage Next Jun 3, 2027 10 dates from $5,999
  5. 11 Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier Icy Strait and Ketchikan 11 nights · Azamara Pursuit · from Anchorage Next Jun 3, 2027 from $3,989
  6. 14 Night Alaska Glacier Featuring Juneau and Ketchikan 14 nights · Silver Whisper · from Vancouver Next Jun 3, 2027 3 dates from $9,500

Showing the 12 soonest of 95 cruises.

Who sails here

Ships and lines that call at Valdez

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Ports

Ports in Valdez

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