Where does my cruise ship dock in Ketchikan?

Your ship docks at one of the cruise terminals in Ketchikan, United States. The specific berth is assigned by the port a few days before arrival.

Can I walk from the cruise port into Ketchikan?

Yes. Ketchikan is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.

How do I get from the cruise port to Ketchikan centre?

Typical options include On foot, Shuttle bus, Taxi, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.

How much time do I need in Ketchikan?

Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Ketchikan independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.

What currency is used in Ketchikan and are cards accepted?

Ketchikan uses the US Dollar. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.

Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?

Free Wi-Fi is available at the Ketchikan cruise terminal.

When should I be back at the ship?

Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.

Ketchikan Cruise Port

Ketchikan, United States · Alaska

Cruise ships dock at Berth 1 and 2 — Downtown Central, Ketchikan.

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DIY 9/10

Small downtown-dock cruise port with Creek Street, totem parks and easy DIY options for Alaska's First City.

🚢 Docked port0.2 km / 0.1 mi to city centre

⚠️Ward Cove requires the Norwegian shuttle — confirm the last return time before heading into town; rainy weather can delay shuttles.

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At a glance

Multiple terminalsWalk-off possibleFamily friendlyMobility friendlyFree WiFi at portTourist info at dockSouvenir shops at dockIndependent tours at dockWheelchair accessible at dockMin. 4h neededAllow 60 min return buffer

Port summary

Ketchikan has three downtown berths (Berths 1-3) plus Ward Cove, Norwegian's dedicated dock 8 km north. Downtown berths walk off directly into the shopping strip; Ward Cove needs the line-provided shuttle. The town is famously rainy — bring a waterproof layer.

Cruise docks

🚢 Berth 1 and 2 — Downtown Central

The central downtown cruise berth, directly in front of the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and the tour kiosks. Most passengers walk off here straight into the Front Street shopping strip.

📍 Latitude: 55.340847, Longitude: -131.647249

See dock on port map →

🚢 Berth 4 — Downtown North

The northernmost downtown berth at the Bar Harbor North cruise dock. About three minutes on foot from the Visitors Bureau and Berth 2 down the seawalk.

📍 Latitude: 55.344043, Longitude: -131.656077

See dock on port map →

🚢 Berth 3 — Downtown South

The southernmost downtown berth at the Spruce Mill dock. Steps away from the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center.

📍 Latitude: 55.342711, Longitude: -131.651662

See dock on port map →

🚢 Ward Cove Dock

Norwegian Cruise Line's dedicated dock 8 km north of downtown. Passengers reach town via the complimentary NCL shuttle bus. Confirm the last shuttle time before heading into Ketchikan.

📍 Latitude: 55.403308, Longitude: -131.729355

See dock on port map →

Getting to Ketchikan

From the cruise terminal to the city centre

🚶 On footRecommended

⏱ 3 min💶 Free

Downtown berths 1-3 drop you on the waterfront — Creek Street, shops and the Visitors Bureau are all within a block

📍 Step directly off the ship onto Front Street or the Berth 2 plaza

🚌 Shuttle busRecommended

⏱ 15 min💶 Free or $10-15 (≈ €9.3–14)

Norwegian runs a complimentary shuttle from Ward Cove to downtown; other lines occasionally run paid shuttles to Saxman or Totem Bight

📍 Cruise-line shuttle stop at the Ward Cove dock plaza

🚕 TaxiRecommended

⏱ 10 min💶 $10-25 (≈ €9.3–23)

Ketchikan taxis accept cards; a round trip to Totem Bight runs around $60-80 and Saxman is cheaper

📍 Taxi rank on Front Street beside Berth 2

🚌 Local bus

⏱ 25 min💶 $2 exact fare (≈ €1.9)

"The Bus" Silver Line runs north to Totem Bight area and south to Saxman — cheap but infrequent and cash-only

📍 Ketchikan Gateway Borough Transit stops on Main Street and Mill Street, one block from Berth 2

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Map & things to do

Money & payments

💱 Currency: US Dollar ($)💵 Cash needed: rarely🏧 ATMs at port💳 Cards widely accepted

Cards are fine almost everywhere — keep a few singles for tips and the public bus

Things to do

Saxman Totem Park

⭐ Highlight

World's largest collection of standing totem poles with a working carving shed and clan house

⏱ 90 min💶 $5 park entry (≈ €4.6)👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Mid-morning when the carving shed is active

Totem Bight State Historical Park

⭐ Highlight

State park of 14 restored totems and a reconstructed Tlingit clan house on a forested point

⏱ 75 min💶 Free park entry👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Any time — park is rarely crowded even on peak days

Creek Street

Short stop

⭐ Highlight

Ketchikan's iconic wooden boardwalk on stilts over the creek — galleries, cafés and salmon in season

⏱ 60 min💶 Free to walk👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Morning before shuttle groups arrive

Married Man's Trail

Short stop

🚶 Walk

Short wooded trail from Creek Street up the hillside — the historic escape route from the brothels

⏱ 30 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Morning when the trail is quietest

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Frequently asked questions

Where does my cruise ship dock in Ketchikan?: Your ship docks at one of the cruise terminals in Ketchikan, United States. The specific berth is assigned by the port a few days before arrival.
Can I walk from the cruise port into Ketchikan?: Yes. Ketchikan is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
How do I get from the cruise port to Ketchikan centre?: Typical options include On foot, Shuttle bus, Taxi, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
How much time do I need in Ketchikan?: Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Ketchikan independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
What currency is used in Ketchikan and are cards accepted?: Ketchikan uses the US Dollar. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?: Free Wi-Fi is available at the Ketchikan cruise terminal.
When should I be back at the ship?: Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.

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