Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal Celebrates Phase 1 Dock Expansion in Partnership with Royal Caribbean Group

The Southeast Alaska community of Sitka welcomed Ovation of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean International’s most innovative ships, marking completion of the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal dock expansion—Phase I of a significant port development project set to position Sitka as a premier port of call for Alaska.

The expanded dock will soon be joined by completion of a new terminal facility built with features designed to provide an enhanced and seamless arrival experience for cruise visitors. The dock is built to accommodate the largest, state-of-the-art ships traveling to Alaska. It can also accommodate two large cruise ships at one time, as seen earlier this season when Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas and Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdamboth docked in Sitka simultaneously.

The dock is majority owned by Halibut Point Marine Services, a Sitka family-owned business, with financing support and minority ownership by Royal Caribbean Group and Ceres Terminals.

“The expanded dock and terminal positions Sitka as a premier destination in Alaska, opening up additional opportunity for our community,” says dock owner Chris McGraw. “Tourism has always been a staple of our economy—from retail to guided excursions and dining on the freshest Alaska seafood; and now we’ll be able to share what makes Sitka special with guests aboard the newest, largest ships visiting Alaska.”