Ketchikan Cruise Port
Ketchikan, United States · Alaska
Cruise ships dock at Berth 1 and 2 — Downtown Central, Ketchikan.
Small downtown-dock cruise port with Creek Street, totem parks and easy DIY options for Alaska's First City.
At a glance
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
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards are fine almost everywhere — keep a few singles for tips and the public bus
Build your perfect day in Ketchikan
Tell us your cruise line, ship and departure date and we'll give you a complete set of full port information and playbooks of how to spend your day.
Inside the Alaska collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Ketchikan cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
4 comparedMisty Fjords National Monument by floatplane
≈ 2 h · sold by 7 cruise lines
Cruise line
€370$416
Do it yourself
€300$337
Save ≈ €70Save ≈ $79 (19% off)
The Ketchikan cruise berths sit on the downtown waterfront, with the floatplane harbour 5 min walk away. Book direct with Taquan Air, Island Wings, Seawind Aviation or Misty Fjords Air -- same aircraft, same routes the cruise lines charter, ~$330 / €300 direct vs ~€370 through the line. All operators include the water landing in the standard 2-hour tour.
See the DIY plan →
Saxman Native Village and Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
≈ 4 h · sold by 8 cruise lines
Cruise line
€120$135
Do it yourself
€88$99
Save ≈ €32Save ≈ $36 (27% off)
Pure walk-and-public-transit play. Ketchikan's public bus (#2 South) leaves from a stop near the cruise dock and reaches Saxman Village in 10 min for $2 / €2 each way. Saxman Totem Park self-guided entry is $5 / €5; the guided Beaver Clan House dance ticket is $40 / €37 (book on the village's site). Back downtown, the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is 2 min walk from the cruise berths and tickets are $45 / €42.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
14 plansCreek Street, Totems and Flying Axes
The three things Ketchikan is actually famous for, walked in the right order and finished under a heated roof.
Saxman on Four Dollars of Bus Fare
The largest standing collection of totem poles in the world, reached on the $2 local bus instead of a $120 motorcoach.
Totem Bight and the Clan House in the Trees
Ten miles north on the local bus to a rainforest totem park most cruise passengers never reach.
Misty Fjords by Floatplane
Thousand-metre granite walls and hanging waterfalls that exist for cruise passengers only from the air.
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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