About the Port
Set at the head of a deep fjord in Prince William Sound, Valdez sits below dramatic, snowcapped peaks that rise almost straight from the water. Rebuilt on a new site after the 1964 earthquake, the town retains a hardy frontier character shaped by fishing, oil, and its dramatic surroundings. The harbor lies close to downtown, making it easy to explore Old Town on foot before venturing farther afield.
Boat excursions on the sound reach the face of Columbia Glacier, one of the region's largest tidewater glaciers, where seals, otters, and seabirds are often spotted. Inland, the Richardson Highway threads toward Fairbanks past the trans-Alaska pipeline and the Tanana River Bridge, offering a look at the engineering and history that shaped interior Alaska. Together the port and its surroundings capture both the wild coastline and the vast land beyond it.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Valdez.
Cruise to Columbia Glacier
Board a boat for Prince William Sound and cruise along the three-mile face of Columbia Glacier, watching for seals, otters, seabirds, and whales along the way. Allow a half-day; book ahead as space fills quickly.
Walk Historic Old Town
Explore the rebuilt townsite on foot with a local guide, tracing how Valdez recovered after the 1964 earthquake reshaped its harbor and streets. An easy stroll close to the dock, ideal before or after a longer excursion.
Drive the Richardson Highway
Head inland toward Fairbanks past the trans-Alaska pipeline and the 1,200-foot Tanana River Bridge, with a stop at a historic roadhouse along the way. A full-day trip best arranged in advance given the distance covered.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Valdez
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2026 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Venus | 10 | $7,899 | |
| Jul 27, 2026 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 10 | $16,200 | |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 11 | $17,900 | |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Azamara | Azamara Pursuit | 27 | $10,909 | |
| Aug 24, 2026 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 10 | $16,200 | |
| Aug 25, 2026 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Venus | 10 | $8,299 | |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 11 | $16,400 | |
| Sep 4, 2026 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Venus | 23 | $6,099 | |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Orion | 10 | $7,799 | |
| Sep 16, 2026 | Holland America | Zaandam | 18 | $2,319 | |
| Sep 23, 2026 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Orion | 23 | $6,099 | |
| Apr 24, 2027 | Holland America | Zaandam | 18 | $2,514 | |
| May 3, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Orion | 21 | $7,099 | |
| May 6, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Pursuit | 39 | $13,889 | |
| May 9, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Venus | 21 | $7,099 | |
| May 20, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Pursuit | 25 | $6,779 | |
| May 24, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Orion | 10 | $7,299 | |
| May 27, 2027 | Ritz Carlton | Luminara | 9 | $14,600 | |
| May 30, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Venus | 10 | $7,099 | |
| May 30, 2027 | Azamara | Azamara Pursuit | 15 | $8,339 |
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