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Seward (Alaska)

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

Rating:
Seward cruise port

Region
Alaska

Local Time
2024-12-21 07:19

min: 28 °F (-3 °C) / max: 39 °F (4 °C) 35°F
1.4°C
Wind: 93°/ 3.5 m/s Gust: 8.6 m/sWind: 93°/ 3.5 m/s Gust: 8.6 m/sGentle breeze
3.5 m/s
Min / Max Temperature39 °F / 4 °C
28 °F / -2 °C
  Port Map

Port Seward cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Seward, Alaska. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

DayShipArrivalDeparture
17 May, 2027
Monday
Viking Cruises Cruises cruise lineViking Orion
19 May, 2027
Wednesday
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Cruises cruise lineSeven Seas Explorer15:0020 May, 17:00
23 May, 2027
Sunday
Viking Cruises Cruises cruise lineViking Venus

Seward is a port city in Kenai Peninsula Borough, in the state of Alaska USA. The city has total area approx 22 mi2/56 km2 and population around 3,000.

The cruise port provides access to Anchorage and further north to Fairbanks which are destinations included in cruisetours (sea voyages combined with land tours).

The city was named after William H. Seward, US Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. He fought for the purchase of Alaska in 1867 and finally negotiated to acquire it from Russia.

Seward Port (locode USSWD) is one of the USA's most profitable fishing ports based on the monetary value of fish taken. Another major industry is tourism. The city is an Alaska Railroad terminus that has a maintained dock (for cruise ships) and controls a coal terminal from Usibelli (Usibelli Coal Mine). Seward is used as a homeport by major cruise shipping companies, including RCI-Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity, Silversea, RSSC-Regent.

Port Seward is approx 201 km (125 mi) from Anchorage, direction south.

Whitter Cruise Port is closer to Anchorage but Seward offers more exciting entertainment options and sightseeing tours. It is one of the oldest and most charming places to visit in Alaska.

Seward AK was included as a call port in the Northwest Passage cruises of the following ships:

Note: All Northwest Passage ship transits are assisted by a Canadian icebreaker or another vessel with an ice-strengthened hull.

In 2022, ARRC (Alaska Railroad Corporation) started a development project to replace Seward's old cruise ship dock and passenger terminal (1965-built) with new facilities. The bond-funded project (USD 60 million in bonds, out of total US$80M) was initially scheduled for completion in 2024-Q2. Construction works started in May 2024 and are currently planned for completion in 2026-Q1. For this public-private project, the Seward Company partnered with Alaska Railroad Corporation, RCG/Royal Caribbean Group and Turnagain Marine Construction.

In October 2024, to Port Seward was awarded a US$45.7 million grant through EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) Clean Ports Program for a shore power and battery storage system. The system will be integrated into a new cruise facility (completion in 2026) including a floating pier (to replace the existing dock) for handling larger vessels.

Seward cruise terminal

Seward Cruise Port is the homeport/start or the end for over 50% of all cruise ship tourists in Alaska.

The old Alaska Railroad Dock (passenger terminal/1965-built pier) is approx 1 km / 0,5 mi from downtown. You won’t find anything interesting around the wharf but the historic downtown district is within walking distance. There you can visit fine art galleries or buy quaint souvenirs.

The nearest airport is the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. You will need 3 hrs to reach it by a motorcoach and up to 5 hours by train. The train departs at 6:45 AM from Anchorage and arrives at 11:15 AM in Seward. From Seward it departs at 6 PM and arrives at 11 PM in Anchorage.

If you prefer a car, you can rent from Hertz and drive 127 miles along the Seward Highway (or Alaska Routes 1 and 9).

NEW Seward Cruise Terminal (2026)

In 2022, ARRC (Alaska Railroad Corporation) started a development project to replace Seward's old cruise ship dock and passenger terminal (1965-built) with new facilities.

The bond-funded project (USD 60 million in bonds, out of total USD 80M) was initially scheduled for completion in 2024-Q2.

The new terminal's construction started in May 2024 and is currently planned for completion in 2026-Q1. For this public-private project, the Seward Company partnered with RCG/Royal Caribbean Group and Turnagain Marine Construction.

The new terminal's centerpiece is a floating pier with two berths allowing simultaneous docking of two vessels (one on each side). The Pier's length is 750 ft/229 m and its width is 100 ft/31 m.

The new cruise pier also has a 200 ft/61 m split transfer span for passengers' embarkation and disembarkation and also for provisioning vehicles.

The dock will have a portable shoreside power system allowing the berthed vessels to turn off their main engines and connect to the city's power grid.

The cruise terminal building has 41500 ft2/3855 m2 of indoor space.

On no-ship days and during winter, the terminal doubles as an event venue.

In July 2024, ARRC's board approved the purchase of the new dock and RCG (as the facility's anchor tenant) was granted preferential berthing rights.

By the new plans, the project is now budgeted USD 137 million, and the terminal building would be larger (68000 ft2/6320 m2)

Seward tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Alaska SeaLife Center: discover amazing sea life on the Resurection Bay shores. This aquarium is a world-class facility with octopus, sea lions, puffins and much more interesting ocean creatures. You will see 177 kinds of species.

Major Marine Tours: try the Kenai Fjords or Prince William Sound cruise. Enjoy glaciers, whales, puffins and otters.

Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking: Resurrection Bay tours for kayakers, both novice and experienced ones.

Kenai Fjords National Park: located on the Harding Ice Field Fjordland. It is among the newest parks in Alaska. The distance from Seward Cruise Port is about an hour.

Exit Glacier: it is located 10 miles away from Seward Cruise Terminal. This is among the Alaska’s more accessible glaciers.

Lost Lake: try the most beautiful and popular Kenai Penisula trail – try mountain biking, running or just hiking to reach elevation of almost 200 ft to enjoy breathtaking Resurrection Bay and Gulf of Alaska views.

Resurrection River Trail: another great trail to try. It is easy and beautiful, Chugach National Forest part.

Seward Community Library: located across from the State Building. You can watch a movie or a slide show of the earthquake from 1964. also you will find the Seward Heirloom Quilt which dates from 1976. Located at the corner of Adams and Fifth.

Seward Museum: discover great exhibitions of native relics and artifacts. It is located at the corner of Jefferson and Third.

Qutekcak Cultural & Community Center: located on 3rd Ave. Discover the Qutekcak Native Tribe traditions and history.

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