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Because the cruise terminal is located so far from downtown Ketchikan (where most independent tours meet), many will be nervous about booking independent tours or venturing out on their own. Ketchikan is so easy to navigate and tour operators are now used to dealing with guests coming from Ward Cove. However, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to get to and from Ward Cove/downtown Ketchikan. Situated in a gorgeous 40-acre rainforest reserve, you can interact with various wildlife species.
Ketchikan Cruise Port Guide and Information
When visiting the Ketchikan, Alaska, cruise dock, rest assured that local currency transactions won’t pose any challenges. Ketchikan is most active (and slightly less rainy) during the months of July and August. If you visit during these months, you’ll find all of the tourist shops and destinations in full operation and a chance of some sun on the typically rainy days.
Ketchikan cruise dock
You can also enjoy walking trails and boardwalks, which offer stunning views of Eagle Creek, home to black bears, seals, otters, and bald eagles. The majority of these shops are within easy walking distance from the cruise ship docks but there are some excellent options a bit further away as well if you care to seek them out. Whether you seek sweaters, salmon, jewelry, Alaskan art, candy, or any other item, you can find whatever you seek in Ketchikan. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is a fun event that the whole family can enjoy.
Cultural and Historical Tours in Ketchikan
As you paddle through the tranquil waters, take in the breathtaking views of lush green forests, snow-capped mountains, and crystal-clear streams. The calmness of the water allows for a peaceful and leisurely exploration, providing ample opportunities to connect with the surrounding nature. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Tongass National Forest, a true gem of the Alaskan wilderness.
Hop on the free downtown shuttle to get to Saxman, which is about two miles south of downtown Ketchikan. Driving through a rainforest will likely involve precipitation, so these tours provide raincoats and helmets. An adult must accompany children under 18, and drivers must show a valid driver’s license. Once you arrive at Lake Harriet Hunt, you’ll climb aboard a Native American-style 20-person canoe.
It’s an easy minute walk from most cruise ships that are docked downtowm. Alaska Firearms Adventures is only a few minutes from the cruise ship docks. Certain packages require firearms experience and proof of hunter’s safety course completion. The sanctuary is also home to totem poles, a historic sawmill, an estuary, and a creek often filled with spawning salmon (and occasionally bears and seals). Four of the ports are within easy walking distance of downtown and Historic Creek Street, making Ketchikan a very walkable city.
Royal Caribbean begins skipping scheduled stops in Skagway, Alaska - Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean begins skipping scheduled stops in Skagway, Alaska.
Posted: Wed, 03 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
You’ll savor views of an old-growth forest, pristine bays, and majestic mountains along the way. Further down the street, the Chief Johnson Totem Pole has become one of the most photographed totem poles in the city, maybe even the world. Shuttles run every 20 minutes, but you’ll need to know the last bus back to Ward Cove.
Enjoy A Ketchikan Duck Tour
In June 2019, NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced the company's plans to construct in Ketchikan a private dock (cruise terminal) in Ward Cove - located approx 5 mi / 8 km north of the city. Inlets carved by glaciers thousands of years ago and wildlife in abundance. This museum in town displays all kinds of ancient tools or the native people. Find the museum at Creek Street, just a couple of blocks walk from the ship.
This village has 25 standing replica totems (the most in any location). For a $5 fee, you can tour the village on your own or take an organized guided tour that will give more of the history behind each totem pole. The Totem Heritage Center has one of the world’s largest collections of unrestored 19th-century totem poles. It also has an educational movie about totem poles and displays arts and crafts from the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people. If you are interested in firearms, archery, or knife and axe throwing, the port of Ketchikan offers a unique opportunity to try them out. With a backdrop of evergreen Sitka spruce trees, an ocean for a front yard, and historic homes on piles above the water, Ketchikan is a beautiful place to visit on a cruise vacation.
Note that the plaza is closed on Sundays (not including Safeway or McDonalds). Today, Ketchikan is known for having the world's largest collection of Northwest totem poles, used to record the legends and history of the native peoples. Ketchikan is also reputed as being the rainiest town in Alaska, so it's wise to bring an umbrella. Port Ketchikan's downtown dock currently can handle only one such large vessel at a time. Reconfiguring this publicly-owned dock to allow berthing for more mega-ships was estimated at ~USD 150 million (including shoreside infrastructure improvements). Both new berths can handle Post-Panamax vessels (including the world's largest passenger ships).
Ketchikan is a tourist town and almost always the first or last Alaska port on an Inside Passage cruise. The town’s small size makes it very easy to navigate in only one day while your ship is in port. There are tons of attractions, shops, and restaurants, too, so there’s no shortage of activities. Explore the charming city of Ketchikan, Alaska, and immerse yourself in its rich Native culture, breathtaking scenery, and exciting adventures.
All told, this wild area covers 2.2 million acres; it was proclaimed a national monument by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Once you’ve visited Creek Street, you’ll realize how frequently its image is used to symbolize traditional Alaska. Read on to check out a list of fourteen fun things to do in this northern destination. As you peruse this collection of activities, you can begin to plan for your stop in this port while you get excited about your trip. Cruise and Sea is not responsible for the content of external websites and transactions made on third-party websites.AdFind unforgettable experiences to discover the world. Embark on an exciting 7-day adventure through Alaska’s Ketchikan and its environs.
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