Three real choices on this trip, with the prices and timing side by side.
These are the things we get to choose: the Valdez glacier cruise, where we sleep near Glennallen, and how we get back to Anchorage on travel day. Compare them here, then head to the Decisions page, which tracks what to lock in and when.
Choice 1
The main Valdez activity. Pick one boat. Columbia is the family pick; the table makes the price and timing differences clear.
| Stan Stephens – Columbia Recommended | Stan Stephens – Meares | Lu-Lu Belle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departs | 10:30 am (some dates 7:30 am or 2:30 pm) | 9:00 am | Boarding 10:30 am |
| Duration | 6 hours | 7.5 hours | 7 to 9+ hours (variable, weather/ice dependent) |
| Glacier | Columbia Glacier, a large ice field (the boat does not reach a calving face) | Meares Glacier, an actively calving tidewater glacier (a different glacier than the ferry passes) | Columbia Glacier only |
| Wildlife | Otters, sea lions, seals, humpback and orca whales, porpoise, eagles, puffins | Same as Columbia, plus sometimes mountain goats and bears | Whales, otters, sea lions, porpoise, eagles |
| Price (approx.) | $173/adult, $86.50/child (ages 3–12; under 2 free), plus ~$6/person fees | $193/adult, $96.50/child, plus ~$6/person fees | $185 per person, all ages (includes fuel surcharge and tax); no child discount |
| Group total 2 adults + 1 child (age 5) |
~$450 | ~$500 | ~$555 |
| Best for | Families with young kids: shortest trip, heated indoor cabin, restrooms onboard, light meal included, calmer water | Seeing a calving glacier, if the longer day suits the child | Adults: an intimate 40-passenger yacht with captain narration |
| Fit for a 5-year-old | Strong | Workable if the longer day suits the child | Weakest: long, unpredictable end time, limited indoor seating, lots of cold outdoor exposure |
| Booking notes | Peak July. Stan Stephens gives a full refund if cancelled 16+ days before, so booking early is low risk | Does not run daily, so check the date. Same refund policy | Book online ahead |
Recommendation: Columbia for a family with a 5-year-old (shortest, kid-friendly, real child price). Choose Meares if a calving glacier is worth a longer day. Lu-Lu Belle is best for adults only.
Choice 2
Where we sleep near the hometown. Plan A is the Airbnb; the big difference between options is the bathroom.
Airbnb, Kenny Lake · Our plan
~$199 / night
2025 snapshot; confirm 2026
Friends' home
Free
Subject to their offer
Wilderness Lodge, Copper Center (~12 mi from Glennallen)
~$216 / night
High season
Choice 3
July 9 is the travel-home day. The 11:15 pm flight is fixed, but how we cross from Valdez to Anchorage is a real choice.
Car ferry across Prince William Sound, then drive
~$325–440 one-way
Vehicle + 2 adults (child under 6 free); get a live quote
The car ferry leaves Valdez at 7:00 am and reaches Whittier at 12:45 pm (5h45m across the Sound, scenic, with possible Columbia Glacier and wildlife views from the boat). Then drive through the one-lane Whittier tunnel and along the coast to Anchorage, arriving about 3:00–3:30 pm, leaving roughly 8 hours before the flight.
Valdez to Anchorage on the Richardson and Glenn highways
Fuel only
No ticket cost
Drive Valdez to Anchorage in about 6 hours and arrive afternoon or early evening, then fly out at 11:15 pm.
Recommendation: Take the ferry for the experience (and book the vehicle slot early). Keep the drive as the safe, flexible fallback.