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The railroad is working on an agreement with Royal Caribbean for that cruise company to serve as the new dock’s long-term anchor tenant, O’Leary said. The docks are vital transportation links for the state, O’Leary said. He said the improvements will also support industries such as construction that send materials to Seward for distribution across Alaska. The project will be mostly complete in two summers, and finalized in 2025, railroad officials say. “It’s a critical project for not only the cruise industry, but also the entire visitor industry in Alaska,” O’Leary said.
Tourists and cruise ships are ready to return to Seward. But is Seward ready for them? - Anchorage Daily News
Tourists and cruise ships are ready to return to Seward. But is Seward ready for them?.
Posted: Fri, 20 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Seward AK USA Cruise Port Guide
If you are traveling roundtrip between Anchorage and Seward it is recommended to travel one direction by train and the other by bus. This approach allows you to enjoy the train ride, but also allows you to save time, money and see additional scenery on the bus. Tipping in Seward is not mandatory, but it is customary and part of the local culture, just as it is throughout Alaska and all of the United States. Plan on leaving up to 20% in restaurants for good service, 10 to 15% in bars, and around 10% of the cost of the tour, per person, for a good guide.
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One benefit is that the larger cruise ships, if they come, will create more work for the local longshoremen that support them, she said. The heart of the plan is the replacement of the passenger dock. It was originally a freight dock, built in 1966 as the railroad upgraded its facilities following the Great Alaskan earthquake two years earlier. A free shuttle bus, operated by Seward City Tours and calling at various points of interest, stops at the cruise terminal and operates between 8 a.m. The very pleasant walk from the cruise terminal to the furthest point of the downtown area takes around 30 minutes. Alaskan cruises run from May to September and temperatures range between 62 degrees F and 45 degrees F, so it’s important to pack accordingly.
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ARRC Seward Improvements Under Way - RailwayAge Magazine
ARRC Seward Improvements Under Way.
Posted: Fri, 22 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
For those who prefer not to walk, taxi’s and other transportation are available throughout town. The 24,000 square foot Dale Lindsey Seward Intermodal Facility is 240-by-100-foot and connects cruise and other maritime passengers to Seward and beyond. Located at 913 Port Avenue on the Cruise Ship Dock, the facility is available for rent from mid-September to mid-May, when not supporting cruise ship operations. The building has 25-foot ceilings, heated concrete floors, decorated walls, and ample parking. The venue can accommodate 800 for a sit-down event or 1,675 at a standing-room event. In 2022, ARRC (Alaska Railroad Corporation) started a development project to replace Seward's old cruise ship dock and passenger terminal (1966-built) with new facilities.
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Those big ships currently visit Southeast Alaska, but they don’t cross the Gulf of Alaska to visit Southcentral Alaska, he said. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. When dining in restaurants, it is customary to leave 15-20% tip for good service since servers typically make minimum wage. The pier will be able to operate with two ships docked simultaneously and was designed to host Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class. Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Centre You will find the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center at Seward’s boat harbour. Ask the rangers all your questions or see one of the park films on display in their auditorium.
Local Transportation
The railroad says it will focus on building the passenger dock first, then the freight dock. Seward Vice Mayor Sue McClure said many cruise guests often head straight to Anchorage by rail or bus. That reduces the need for more seasonal workers or housing to support them, an especially urgent issue now as Seward deals with ongoing labor shortage issues. The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines. Inorder to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departuretimes just follow the ship’s link. The facility will also be equipped with a 200-foot-long split transfer span, ensuring safe and efficient embarkation and disembarkation of cruise visitors and provisioning vehicles.
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But the prospect of a bigger footprint for the cruise industry has some residents in the bayside town of 2,800 closely watching developments. Just six miles from the city, SMIC encompasses 15 square miles of coastal land and is home to full-service shipyards, painting and sandblasting services, marine electronics, and more. Additionally, there will be a 41,500-square-foot cruise terminal providing indoor shelter for passengers and crew. The City of Seward offers long term parking for passengers sailing out of Seward who wish to leave a vehicle in Seward. The Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic train operates daily during the summer season and offers a scenic travel choice to and from Anchorage.
How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Ship
Starbucks has a shop at 1907 Seward Highway, not far from the cruise ship docks, that provides Wi-Fi. Mount Marathon looms behind the downtown area of Seward and is famed for its grueling annual race to the summit and back every July 4. The mountain can be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace via three hiking trails to the top through the spruce forest and a lush, rock-tumbled glaciated valley. The views up here are magnificent, with jagged mountains and glaciers all around, and Resurrection Bay stretching away below. After a busy day in port, enjoy the luxurious comfort and delicious, world-class cuisine of Celebrity Summit®. Unwind in The Spa, relax in the balmy Solarium, or watch the snow on the mountains turn pink as you raise a glass to the vacation of a lifetime from the Sunset Bar.
We recommend that guests arrange their transportation to Seward in advance. Guests that arrive in Seward too early to check in at the cruise terminal may take advantage of local baggage storage options while exploring Seward. Because the town is so close to the cruise terminal, guests can depart the ship after check-in, and spend some time wandering Seward’s shops and galleries. The cruise port in Seward, Alaska is known as the Seward Cruise Terminal. It serves as a major gateway for cruise ships traveling to and from the scenic wonders of Alaska, including the nearby Kenai Fjords National Park and the picturesque Resurrection Bay.
The Alaska Legislature advanced the cruise dock project this session, approving a bill for a $60 million bond. If needed, the railroad will look at increasing its capacity to transport more guests from Seward to Anchorage and elsewhere, O’Leary said. They were part of the 1.3 million cruise guests to visit the state that year.
Seward is largely excited about the opportunity for more visitors in the community and modernized facilities at the port, said Kat Sorensen, head of the Seward Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. The dock is still safe, but its pilings are corroding, said Clark Hopp, the railroad’s chief operating officer. It has passed the standard design lifetime for a marine project. The new dock will extend close to a quarter of a mile into Resurrection Bay, about 500 feet longer than the existing dock that must be replaced because of its age, railroad officials said.
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. During this time, numerous cruise lines offer itineraries that include Seward as a port of call or embarkation point for voyages exploring the Inside Passage or other destinations in Alaska. The railroad will cover the rest of the cost with cash, railroad officials say.
In the very early 20th century, this was a strip of rowdy bars and houses of ill repute, but today, you’ll find inviting art galleries and craft shops occupying the old clapboard houses. From May to September, vessels arrive and depart Seward’s harbor as part of the popular 7-14 day Alaska cruises, round-the-world itineraries, and special charter cruises. Comfortable seating areas are provided throughout the terminal, allowing passengers to relax while they wait for embarkation or disembarkation procedures. These berths are equipped with necessary infrastructure such as gangways, mooring facilities, and fueling stations to facilitate the smooth embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. It is nestled at the head of Resurrection Bay, offering breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, and pristine wilderness.
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 homeport by major cruise shipping companies, including RCI-Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity, Silversea, RSSC-Regent. Guests beginning their cruise in Seward typically fly into Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage. Anchorage is 120 miles from Seward, and the trip to Seward can take anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the mode of travel. Guests can travel to Seward via train, motor coach, vehicles for hire, and rental car.
For shops, places to eat, and cafés with Wi-Fi, you’d have to walk 10 minutes to the waterfront at the Small Boat Harbor, which has everything you’d need. Seward's cruise terminal, nestled at the end of the scenic Resurrection Bay, serves as the gateway to Alaska's stunning wilderness. Surrounded by majestic mountains and glaciers, this charming terminal provides an authentic Alaskan experience before you embark on your cruise. The Alaska Railroad specializes in moving goods like lumber, heavy machinery, rebar, pipe, and hazardous material and can transload commodities to and from ships, railcars, and trucks. This is a popular option for customers without rail service directly to their facility.
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