Port information & tips for Oak Bluffs (Martha's Vineyard, MA)
Ketchikan is the picturesque gateway to Alaska's Inside Passage and welcomes travelers as the "Salmon Capital of the World" in a breathtaking natural setting. The city impresses with its authentic charm between dense rainforest and the Pacific, while magnificent totem poles tell of the rich culture of the native people. Top highlights in the immediate vicinity include the historic Creek Street, built on stilts, the fascinating Totem Heritage Center, and the exciting Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Cruise ships usually dock directly at the central Ketchikan Cruise Ship Docks at Berths 1 to 4. Thanks to this prime location, guests find themselves immediately in the heart of the city and can easily reach the most important sights within a few minutes' walk.
Ketchikan, known as the gateway to the Inside Passage, is an integral part of Alaska cruises and impresses with its location directly on the Tongass Narrows. Ships dock either at the four central berths in the city center or at the modern terminal in Ward Cove, located about eleven kilometers north of the center.
Airplane
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) is the central hub and is regularly served via Seattle (SEA) by Alaska Airlines. Since the airport is located on Gravina Island, travelers use the island ferry, which takes passengers to the mainland every 15 to 30 minutes in about five minutes and provides a direct connection to the city area.
Transfer & Shuttle
From the airport ferry terminal, you can easily reach the centrally located berths 1 to 4 by taxi or after a short walk. For guests whose ships dock at the Ward Cove terminal, organized shuttle buses are available, ensuring a smooth connection between the city center and the port area in about 20 minutes.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long journey from the DACH region and the time difference, an overnight stay before the start of the cruise is recommended. A stay in the hotels along the waterfront allows for a relaxed start to the trip and also offers the opportunity to visit the famous Creek Street and the surrounding totem pole parks at your leisure.
Ketchikan, known as the gateway to the Inside Passage, is an integral part of Alaska cruises and impresses with its location directly on the Tongass Narrows. Ships dock either at the four central berths in the city center or at the modern terminal in Ward Cove, located about eleven kilometers north of the center.
Airplane
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) is the central hub and is regularly served via Seattle (SEA) by Alaska Airlines. Since the airport is located on Gravina Island, travelers use the island ferry, which takes passengers to the mainland every 15 to 30 minutes in about five minutes and provides a direct connection to the city area.
Transfer & Shuttle
From the airport ferry terminal, you can easily reach the centrally located berths 1 to 4 by taxi or after a short walk. For guests whose ships dock at the Ward Cove terminal, organized shuttle buses are available, ensuring a smooth connection between the city center and the port area in about 20 minutes.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long journey from the DACH region and the time difference, an overnight stay before the start of the cruise is recommended. A stay in the hotels along the waterfront allows for a relaxed start to the trip and also offers the opportunity to visit the famous Creek Street and the surrounding totem pole parks at your leisure.
PortMiami on Dodge Island is excellently connected to the city's infrastructure and allows for quick onward travel to the metropolis's vibrant neighborhoods. Thanks to its central location, you can reach Downtown Miami and the famous beaches of South Beach within a very short time.
Taxi & Ride-Sharing
Official taxis wait for passengers in marked zones at every cruise terminal and will take you directly to your destination. In addition, ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available and offer particularly flexible transportation thanks to special pickup areas in front of the terminals.
Miami Trolley & Metromover
The free trolley buses of the Coral Way Route conveniently connect the port with the city center and the Metromover stations. This automated rail system is available to you free of charge in Downtown and simultaneously allows for an uncomplicated exploration of important sights.
On Foot
You can reach the popular Bayside Marketplace and the city center via the port bridge in about 30 to 40 minutes. The path leads along the water and, thanks to its elevated position, offers fantastic photo opportunities of the skyline as well as the incoming and outgoing ships.
To make the most of your stay in the vibrant salmon capital, a combination of exploring the historic core with the fascinating testimonies of indigenous culture and the wild coastal landscape is recommended.
Creek Street
This historic boardwalk on stilts impresses with its rustic charm and colorful buildings on piles. Thanks to its central location on the river, it is the ideal place for a leisurely stroll through small galleries and for observing the spectacular salmon run.
Saxman Native Village
The cultural center offers a fascinating insight into the traditions of the Tlingit thanks to one of the world's largest collections of elaborately carved totem poles. At the same time, the village is easily accessible from the port thanks to short transfer times.
Misty Fjords National Monument
This spectacular natural area can be perfectly explored on a flightseeing tour or a boat trip directly from the port and impresses with its majestic granite walls and deep blue waterways that lead deep into the untouched wilderness of Alaska.
Creek Street
Historic Creek Street is easily reachable from the piers in about ten minutes on foot and enchants visitors with its charming wooden houses built on stilts and a fascinating history right on the water. This picturesque boardwalk is perfect for a relaxed stroll and also offers first-class local galleries as well as cozy cafes with views of Ketchikan Creek. Thanks to its central location, the exploration can be ideally combined with the adjacent "Married Man’s Trail" to enjoy the idyllic nature and the sound of the water. It is best to visit Creek Street directly in the morning to experience the special atmosphere before the arrival of larger crowds and return comfortably to the ship in the early afternoon.
Returning to PortMiami is straightforward thanks to the excellent infrastructure, and you can reach your ship comfortably from all parts of the city. Due to heavy traffic in Downtown and on the bridges, plan for sufficient buffer time to arrive at the terminal punctually and relaxed.
Taxi and Rideshare
Taxis are available at all times at busy locations such as Bayside Marketplace, as well as in front of major hotels in South Beach and Downtown. Additionally, you can conveniently use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, which have clearly defined pickup points and will take you directly to your ship's specific terminal.
Shuttle and Miami Trolley
The free Miami Trolley on the Coral Way Route connects important points in the city with the port area and offers a practical transport option for the return journey. Many guests also use the free Metromover to the Freedom Tower station and complete the final short distance to the ship by taxi or hotel shuttle.
On Foot
From the area around the Kaseya Center and Bayside Marketplace, a well-maintained pedestrian path leads over the Port Boulevard Bridge directly to the port grounds. Thanks to the wide sidewalks, the path is safe and also offers a fantastic view of the Miami skyline and the waiting cruise ships.
