This $10 million cruise ship passenger terminal and dock in Whittier opened May 15, 2004. Cruise ships quit coming to Whittier in 1993 after the City Council imposed a $1-per-passenger head tax. In April 2003, the council rescinded the tax and Princess executives moved their northern destination port from Seward to Whittier.

The terminal is designed to handle more than 2,000 passengers that will come on each voyage. The town is guaranteed to get $250,000 a year in leases and taxes. Since Whittier is closer to Anchorage than Seward, Princess will be able to cut down on travel time for passengers and for the company itself.