Cruise port Bar Harbor (ME)

Sitka on Baranof Island is an island port accessible exclusively by plane or sea, as there is no road connection to the North American mainland. Most large cruise ships use the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal at Old Sitka Dock, which is located about eight kilometers north of the city center and is perfectly connected by an efficient shuttle system.

Airplane

Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT) is located on an offshore island and is only about three kilometers from the city center. Travelers from the DACH region usually fly via the hubs of Seattle (SEA) or Anchorage (ANC), which are served several times daily by Alaska Airlines. From the airport, you can comfortably reach the hotels in the center or the departure points for smaller expedition ships in about five to ten minutes by taxi or hotel shuttle.

Transfer & Shuttle

For guests whose cruise begins at the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, coordinated transfers from the airport or central hotels are available on the day of embarkation. In addition, free shuttle buses run regularly between the terminal and the city center, taking you to the central meeting point at Harrigan Centennial Hall in about 15 minutes. Thanks to these scheduled connections, a smooth transition from the mainland to the ship is guaranteed at all times.

Pre-Cruise Hotel

Due to the long journey from Europe and the location in the Inside Passage, an overnight stay before the cruise is very sensible to catch potential flight delays in a relaxed manner. Accommodations such as the Westmark Sitka Hotel or the Aspen Suites Hotel are located directly in the historic city center and allow for exploring the Russian-American history of the town beforehand. In addition, many hotels near the airport offer practical pick-up services that further facilitate the start of an Alaska vacation.

Check-in & Embarkation

Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan accordingly sufficient time for the journey to the port and consider that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.

Also during the voyage, the following applies: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always observe the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.