Ketchikan (Revillagigedo Island, Alaska)

Ketchikan is a port city on Revillagigedo Island (part of Alexander Archipelago, Southeast Alaska) with population around 8,000. The cruise port is near Canada's southern border. All cruise ships dock near downtown. 

Port Ketchikan (locode USKTN) is approx 88 mi (140 km) northwest of Prince Rupert (Kaien Island, BC Canada), and approx 235 mi (380 km) southeast of Juneau AK.

The town was founded in the late-19th-century as a fishing village and incorporated in 1900. The town developed mainly through the fishing and fish-processing industries (canneries). Current-day city's economy is still based on fishing (canneries), as well as on tourism, forestry and services.

Famous sights in Ketchikan are its totem poles - one of the world's most elaborate collections of giant wood carvings. The Totem Heritage Centre houses a collection of authentic poles. At Totem Bight State Park and the Saxman village can be also seen original totem poles as well as enactments of native dances and legends.

Popular seaplane tours include Misty Fjords National Monument (approx 22 mi / 35 east of downtown) and Alaska Bear Adventure (Neets Bay). Also popular among tourists are the fishing charter excursions (salmon, halibut, cod, herring, rockfish) as well as guided eco-tours for wildlife viewing. Ketchikan's most popular restaurants are Alaska Fish House (seafood), Chico’s Mexican (also best for pizzas), Burger Queen, Bawden Street Brewery.

On June 4, 2016, Port Ketchikan's Berth 3 was damaged by the Celebrity Cruises liner Celebrity Infinity while docking. Due to the sustained serious damages, the pier became inoperative.

• The collision was caused by a sudden gust of wind and resulted in around USD 0,93 million in damages.
• The vessel was approaching Berth 3 when a strong wind (up to 20 m/s) pushed it into the structure.
• Repair works started on June 7, and by July 5 the pier was useable again.
• During pier's repair, ships in Ketchikan had to use the other 3 piers or anchor near Berth 3 and ferry their passengers via tender boats.
• In the period June 3 - July 5, the damaged Berth 3 had a total of 35 scheduled/booked ship calls.

On September 25, 2017, Port Ketchikan welcomed its 1 millionth cruise ship tourist in a single Alaskan season (a Fort Lauderdale family with two children on the NCL ship Norwegian Jewel.

Walker Cove (part of Misty Fjords National Monument) is approx 42 mi (68 km) from Ketchikan, and extends approx 9 mi (15 km) into mainland Alaska. Walker Cove is a scenic destination with stunning scenery - towering rocks (on the fjord's both sides) and hundreds of waterfalls. Wildlife seeing opportunities along the shoreline include bears, seals, bald eagles.

In early-November 2019, NCLH (parent company of NCL-Norwegian, RSSC-Regent, Oceania) announced signing a deal for 30-year preferential berthing at Ward Cove. The agreement allowed NCLH to build a new (2-ship pier) at the cruise port. The new pier has capacity to dock simultaneously two liners, each with passenger capacity ~4000. The project was completed in 2020.

Ketchikan cruise terminal

Ketchikan tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Tongass National Forest

Tatoosh Islands Wilderness (kayaking tour)

Rainforest Canoe & Nature Trail (canoeing tour)

Deer Mountain Trail (starts approx 1,5 mi from the cruise ship dock)

Creek Street (early-20th-century historic district/scenic walkway, shops, museums, Married Man’s Trail, Dolly’s House Museum)