Ketchikan Cruise Port — Live Ships & Schedule

Thursday, 10 September 2026 (today)

• Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Cruise Line — arrives 06:00 — departs 13:15
• MS Eurodam, Holland America — arrives 06:30 — departs 13:00
• Royal Princess, Princess Cruises — arrives 07:00 — departs 13:15
• Discovery Princess, Princess Cruises — arrives 08:30 — departs 14:30
• MS Koningsdam, Holland America — arrives 11:00 — departs 19:00

Friday, 11 September 2026

• Coral Princess, Princess Cruises — arrives 06:00 — departs 14:00
• Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Cruise Line — arrives 07:00 — departs 13:15
• Seven Seas Explorer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises — arrives 07:00 — departs 17:00
• Serenade of the Seas, Royal Caribbean — arrives 10:00 — departs 19:00
• MS Westerdam, Holland America — arrives 11:00 — departs 18:00
• Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Cruises — arrives 13:30 — departs 20:00

Saturday, 12 September 2026

• Ritz Carlton Luminara, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection — arrives 08:00 — departs 15:00
• Disney Wonder, Disney Cruise Line — arrives 11:15 — departs 18:45

Ketchikan is a port city on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska, close to the Canadian border. Often called Alaska's "First City" because it is the first major stop for many ships entering the Inside Passage from the south, Ketchikan is primarily a port of call on Alaska cruises. Cruise ships dock close to the town centre, making it easy for visitors to explore the waterfront and many of the city's attractions on foot.

Ketchikan's history is closely tied to the development of Alaska. During the Yukon Gold Rush in the late nineteenth century, the town became an important gateway for prospectors travelling north. As the gold rush faded, the fishing industry took over, and Ketchikan grew into one of Alaska's leading salmon canning centres. Tourism now plays a vital role in the local economy, welcoming visitors from around the world while preserving the city's rich history and culture.

The city is especially well known for its Tlingit heritage and is home to one of the world's largest collections of standing totem poles. Visitors can explore impressive displays at Saxman Totem Park, Totem Bight State Historical Park, Potlatch Totem Park and the Totem Heritage Center, where historic poles are preserved and Indigenous art and traditions are celebrated. The nearby Tongass Historical Museum provides further insight into the region's history and the cultures that have shaped Southeast Alaska.

One of Ketchikan's most famous landmarks is Creek Street, a colourful wooden boardwalk built on stilts above Ketchikan Creek. Once the town's lively red light district, it is now filled with galleries, gift shops and cafés, while Dolly's House Museum offers a glimpse into its colourful past. The surrounding downtown area has been designated a National Historic Landmark District, adding to the town's unique character.

Fresh seafood is a highlight of any visit, with restaurants along Front Street and Main Street serving local salmon, halibut and crab. Outdoor activities are equally popular, including kayaking, wildlife watching, fishing charters and scenic floatplane flights to Misty Fjords National Monument. Known for its frequent rainfall and lush landscapes, Ketchikan offers a memorable introduction to Southeast Alaska, combining Indigenous culture, frontier history and spectacular natural scenery.

Ward Cove lies on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska, located approximately four and a half miles northwest of downtown Ketchikan. Functioning primarily as a port of call on scenic Alaska itineraries, the harbor features a floating dock facility that opened in August 2021 with space to accommodate two large cruise ships. Norwegian Cruise Line, which invested heavily in the redevelopment project known as The Mill at Ward Cove, holds priority docking privileges, though vessels from other cruise lines dock here when space allows. Direct complimentary shuttle buses transfer passengers from the terminal building into central Ketchikan within minutes.

The surrounding waterfront retains a strong connection to Alaska's industrial and maritime heritage. The north shore was previously occupied by the Ketchikan Pulp Company mill, built in 1957, sitting in a region long defined by timber, commercial fishing, and resource extraction. Nearby Ketchikan grew rapidly during the Klondike and Yukon gold rushes, earning the nickname Alaska's First City as prospectors arrived by sea. As mining activity declined, commercial salmon fishing and canning became the economic lifeblood of the community, eventually earning the region recognition as the Salmon Capital of the World.

Natural beauty and abundant wildlife define the landscape surrounding the cove and the broader Tongass National Forest. Every summer, millions of wild salmon migrate through local waterways, flowing past historic sites that house the world's largest collection of standing Native American totem poles, some dating back over two centuries. Bald eagles, harbor seals, and marine life are frequently spotted along the shoreline, while the temperate coastal rainforest brings frequent light rainfall and mild summer temperatures.

The facility provides guests with immediate access to wilderness excursions, wildlife watching tours, timber history exhibits, and waterfront shopping before heading into Ketchikan.

Ward Cove appeals to nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and Alaska cruisers seeking rugged wilderness scenery alongside rich indigenous culture. Log your past or upcoming cruise visiting Ward Cove in your account on The Cruise Globe.