After years of having to tender, with only a single dock 6 miles outside of town, cruise ships were welcomed to Sitka for the 2022 season with a brand-new 1,300-foot dock. In 1867 the USA purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire. In addition the forest, there are several view points out across the channel where you can see the water and the bustling activity in the channel. The cruise terminal is still a few miles outside of downtown but offers seamless departures for tours by coach or right along the waterfront. Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal Welcomes Ovation of the Seas Terminal to Downtown Shuttle - Sitka Dock (KCAW photo/Tash Kimmell) A shuttle for cruise guests between the terminal and downtown Sitka is designed to load up to four 60-passenger motor coaches at a time. Sitka's Lincoln Street on June 21, 2023. The partnership investment extends beyond enhancements at the port to extensive and thoughtful community planning efforts in collaboration with local stakeholders and industry experts. With its abundance of salmon, halibut, and other fish, Sitka is a great place to cast a line. It is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the city's rich cultural heritage. Stay up to date with the latest cruise news and travel updates! Inside the facility a retail store is already open. Cruise Terminal is Located 6 miles from downtown Sitka, Shuttle Ride is 10-15 minutes from Terminal to Downtown, The shuttle is free to all cruise ship passengers. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. It is also a great place to experience Alaska's natural beauty, with its stunning views of the ocean and mountains. Wildlife viewing is another popular activity for cruise passengers visiting Sitka. The Village Watchman, the Raven in Human Form, the Raven and a Bear are some of the figures displayed. Formerly a Cruise Critic editor, Brittany now writes about ships and their many destinations for various From its Native American roots to its status as a Russian territory, Sitka has seen some stuff. What are the nearest attractions to Old Sitka Dock? Your Ultimate Guide to the Sitka Cruise Port - He Works So I Travel Constructed 1844-1848, the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel was the principal representative of Russian cultural influence in the 19th century in North America, as the Seat of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America, and then as the Seat of the Diocese of Alaska. Construction began in 1895 and it has been occupied since 1897. With nearly half-a-million cruise passengers expected next summer, Sitka is pulling together a Short-Term Tourism Plan to address the obvious: What to do with so many people. It is about 80 miles (130 km) southwest of Juneau, the state capital, and is accessible only by air and sea. Trace Russias influence on Sitka in the 19th century and tour a raptor center that rescues injured birds in hopes of re Delve into the gastronomy of Sitka, which reflects the rich heritage of this city once known as the Paris of the Pacifi Voted "The Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line" 2013-2022 by World Travel Awards, This website uses cookies. Based on these reviews, here are the Best Cruise Excursions in Sitka, Alaska. As Gary Paxton likes to remind me, sometimes its harder to deal with success than it is with failure. There are also opportunities to take a scenic boat tour, visit a nearby island, or take a guided tour of the area. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they offer a variety of payment options. Bald eagles and other raptors from all over the Western United States are treated at this 17 acre facility bordering the Tongass National Forest. Currently, at Port Sitka (locode USSIT) can dock two large-sized cruise ships simultaneously at the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal (2021-expanded, max capacity 8000 passengers). Yes, Sitka, Alaska is a great cruise port. What else should I know about attractions in Sitka? Drop us an anchor below to share your Alaska cruise highlights. downtown on days with 3,000 or more cruise passengers . Follow your group as you birdwatch, spot starfish, and breathe in the crisp air, all under the shadow of scenic Mt. Occupied since 1897, the museum is named after Rev. A complimentary shuttle bus service (between the terminal and downtown) is provided via new motorcoaches (60-seater buses). The terminal facility is located six miles north of downtown Sitka and a mile from the Old Sitka State Historical Park. The Assembly (voting 5-2) approved leasing a total of 17 acres / 6,9 hectares to Shee Atika Inc (Alaska Native corporation), which via partnership with Adventure Sitka (tour agency) will develop the land with cruise tourism-oriented attractions like zip-lines, a canoe launch, a salmon bake. The citys main commercial activity areas are all accessible by foot. Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences visiting Sitka on a cruise ship. Lightering was a natural bottleneck that kept the town from being overrun by too many passengers at any one time. Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal is managed by Halibut Point Marine Services, a family-owned business based in Sitka, Alaska. We can't find that wishlist, please refresh the page and try again. Again, its just the wear and tear and how quickly all of that infrastructure, those assets, will degrade over time, and how often we might be needing to do additional maintenance, how often we might be seeing additional breakdowns and that sort of thing. (Rich McClear/KCAW) Sitka hosted more than 13,000 cruise . The perfect blend of coastal charm and urban vibes, Vancouver has endless activities for visitors. (KCAW photo/Tash Kimmell) Assuming the pandemic steers a better course next spring, Sitka is . The list of communities on Sitka Island includes: Baranof Warm Springs, Port Alexander, Port Armstrong, Port Walter and Sitka. Here is also where passengers with shore excursions would meet their tours. Far from just an aquarium, this facility actively conducts research in field stations on the Sitka Sound. So thats something that sticks out in her comments to me., Ainslie responded that centralization on the front end of a tour was easier on passengers who are completely unfamiliar with Sitka but dispersion on the back end had the benefits Alderson was looking for: Absolutely. Cruise ships to Baranof Island dock (anchor) at Sitka AK (port town on the island's eastern coast). Ride a 10-minute free shuttle to town. The Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal is a 40,000-square-foot timber complex able to accommodate two neo-Panamax cruise ships (think Royal Caribbeans megaship Ovation of the Seas). A free shuttle bus runs from the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal to town every 15 minutes. A free shuttle bus transports cruise ship passengers to downtown Sitka. Beautiful locally made soap that are a wonderful treat to take home with you! Sitka Rides offers transportation throughout Sitka for a single price. The Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, pictured above, is one place that ships dock and is located about 5-6 miles from the main part of town. The beaches are surrounded by lush green forests and snow-capped mountains, making them a great place to explore and take in the stunning views. The 38-page draft Short-Term Tourism Plan leans heavily into dispersion, transportation, and traffic for the coming summer, and points the way toward more long-term infrastructure planning still to come. Offering a superb exhibit and collection of Alaskan Native cultural and historical artifacts. The Visitor Center is open year round. The Fortress has two resident brown bears and may have additional cubs or other bears as rescues occur. There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. There are plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with the local wildlife, whether youre taking a boat tour, a guided hike, or just exploring on your own. For writer Sun Woo Baik, the meaning of the holiday changed when he met a new group of friends. A cruise pier opened in 2013 at Old Sitka Dock (OSD) approximately five miles north of the downtown area. Also home to the Sawmill Farm. Dr. Sheldon Jackson, a resident who was a statewide advocate for education. All three are located in the Alexander Archipelago and are part of the Tongass National Forest. Commissioner Wendy Alderson thought that there were advantages to Barkers suggestion, but Planning Director Ainslie said this particular wrinkle had already been ironed out. Sitka Sound Terminal is majority-owned by the local company Halibut Point Marine Services, . In 1804 their brief victory ended with the return of Baranof, accompanied by Russian warships. City staff plan to cover the bulk of the $1.1 million dollar budget with money from the head tax collected by the state, more formally known as the Cruise Passenger Excise Tax Fund, which must be spent on services for cruise passengers. The terminal facility is located six miles north of downtown Sitka and a mile from the Old Sitka State Historical Park. After years of having to tender, with only a single dock 6 miles outside of town, cruise ships were welcomed to Sitka for the 2022 season with a brand-new 1,300-foot dock. However, we walked to the park in the rain from our hotel and did the tour on our own. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they offer a variety of payment options. Cruises to Sitka, Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line - NCL Phone (907) 623-7267 Email sitkarides@gmail.com Water Taxis A Whale's Song Expeditions P.O. After a lengthy planning process, the Sitka Assembly on Feb. 8 finally approved the citys new short-term tourism plan, and with it, the decision to close about five blocks of Lincoln Street, from Lake Street to Katlian Street, downtown on days with 3,000 or more cruise passengers. Were surprised they havent made a major motion picture on this place yet. Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. . Things to Know Before You Go. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Sitka, Baranof Island, Alaska. She is a lifelong resident of the Jersey Shore. Sitka's 13K-passenger day was 'far too many,' mayor says The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. A short video reviews Sitka's history. Can hold up to 12 passengers. Members of Sitka's Tourism Task Force have learned that an early estimate of 9,700 cruise passengers may have been too low, with the actual number . Sitka Cruise Port Guide - CruisePortWiki.com In 1867 when Alaska was transferred from Russia to the U.S., the Russian flag was lowered and the American flag officially raised here. Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal celebrates phase one dock expansion in High Speed WiFI, and an outdoor covered terrrace for passengers to view activity in the adjacent boat yard. On clear days, fronting the Pacific Ocean, Sitka rivals Juneau AK for the beauty of its surroundings. The port is a favorite among smaller ships from upscale lines like Oceania, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas, among others. With cruise season in full swing, Seattle reaps benefits Typically, pre-sold morning tours depart from the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal while afternoon and independent purchases depart from downtown. Sitka is a great place to explore and experience the beauty of Alaska. Sitka, Alaska is a popular cruise port destination for travelers looking to explore the natural beauty of the area. Other cruise ships will anchor and will tender you to downtown. The Russian American Company is an authorized dealer of contemporary Faberge jewelry.Also offer large selection of Alaskan Native Art - Ivory, whalebone, baleen baskets, scrimshaw, totemic plaques and masks. Visitors can explore the center's exhibits and learn about the marine life of the area, as well as the importance of conservation and protecting the environment. It is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest and is close to many of Sitka's attractions, including the Alaska Raptor Center, the Sitka National Historical Park, and the Sheldon Jackson Museum.