Whittier, Alaska Cruise Dock Fire: Tour Boat Destroyed, Terminal Damaged, Tunnel Closed

Whittier, Alaska Cruise Dock Fire: Tour Boat Destroyed, Terminal Damaged, Tunnel Closed

Updated: September 15, 2026

A fire broke out Monday, September 14, at Whittier's newly built cruise ship terminal on Prince William Sound, engulfing a tour boat moored at the dock and damaging part of the pier itself. The blaze forced a cruise ship to move away from the terminal and prompted the temporary closure of the only road tunnel connecting Whittier to the rest of the Alaska highway system. No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation.

What Happened

The U.S. Coast Guard said watchstanders at Sector Western Alaska received a report at approximately 11 a.m. that a fire had started at the north cruise ship terminal, officially known as the Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal, an approximately $80 million dock development built by Huna Totem Corporation. The Klondike Express, a tour boat operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours, caught fire while moored alongside the pier. No passengers were aboard, though the vessel was heavily damaged. Eyewitnesses on a nearby cruise ship described flames spreading between the dock and the boat and said crews worked for roughly 45 minutes before ships in the area were moved to safety.

By early evening, a volunteer with the Whittier Fire Department said roughly half of the dock had burned, and crews shifted to overhaul work, putting out remaining hot spots while waiting on water tankers from the Anchorage Fire Department to resupply.

Flames and heavy smoke rose from the tour boat Klondike Express and the adjacent dock at Whittier's Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal.

Cruise Ship Diverted, No Injuries Reported

The cruise ship Norwegian Jade, which had been moored at the terminal and was scheduled to depart Whittier that day for a seven-night Alaska cruise, safely moved away from the dock as the fire spread. Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the fire in a statement and said embarkation would proceed instead from Whittier's Cruise Ship Terminal 1 on West Camp Road, roughly two-thirds of a mile from the Glacier Creek terminal. The cruise line said there was no immediate confirmation of any impact to the ship's itinerary.

Anchorage Fire Department spokesperson Megan Peters said no injuries had been reported in connection with the fire.

Multi-Agency Response

Because Whittier's small local department couldn't handle the fire alone, several outside agencies responded:

• The Whittier Fire Department led the initial response
• Girdwood Fire and Rescue sent units to assist
• Anchorage Fire Department personnel and LifeMed medics also responded
• The U.S. Coast Guard sent personnel from Sector Western Alaska and a response boat and crew from Station Valdez, and established a 500-yard safety zone around the fire
• A Coast Guard pollution-response team was dispatched to check for any fuel or oil discharge into the water

The fire also prompted an emergency assistance request that led state transportation officials to temporarily close the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the single road connection between Whittier and the Seward Highway, so responders could reach the community more efficiently. The tunnel reopened by around 2 p.m.

Coast Guard crews and multiple Alaska fire departments responded to the dock fire, which also closed Whittier's only road tunnel for several hours.

Cause and Next Steps

As of the most recent updates, officials had not announced a cause for the fire. Whittier City Manager Jackie Wilde confirmed the blaze at the terminal, and the Coast Guard's pollution-response team was expected to assess the site for any environmental impact from fuel or oil. The extent of the damage to the newly built terminal itself, beyond the loss of the Klondike Express, had not been fully detailed as of the latest reports.

Bottom Line

A fire at Whittier, Alaska's new cruise ship terminal on September 14 destroyed the tour boat Klondike Express, damaged part of the dock, and triggered a multi-agency emergency response that included the Coast Guard, several fire departments, and a temporary tunnel closure. No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation. We'll update this story as officials release more information on the cause and the full extent of the damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the Whittier dock fire happen?

At the Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal in Whittier, Alaska, a newly built dock on Prince William Sound.

Was anyone hurt in the Whittier dock fire?

No injuries have been reported by officials as of the latest updates.

What boat caught fire in Whittier?

The Klondike Express, a tour boat operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours, caught fire while moored at the dock. No passengers were aboard, but the vessel was heavily damaged.

Did the fire affect cruise ship passengers?

The cruise ship Norwegian Jade, which was moored at the terminal, moved away safely and was not damaged. Norwegian Cruise Line shifted embarkation to an alternate terminal in Whittier.

What caused the fire?

The cause has not been officially announced and remains under investigation.