Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal Celebrates Phase 1 Dock Expansion in Partnership with Royal Caribbean Group
Sitka welcomes Ovation of the Seas.
Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal | 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.”
Guests disembark Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas at the recently expanded and upgraded Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal.
Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal | Royal Caribbean Group
“As we look beyond this year’s partial Alaska season, we are more optimistic than ever that our guests will absolutely love the authentic experiences Sitka offers with its rich culture and awe-inspiring wilderness,” says Joshua Carroll, vice president, Destination Development, Royal Caribbean Group.
“This partnership exemplifies our strategy to support sustainable development that is majority-owned by Alaskans to bring maximum economic impact to the local community.”
The partnership investment extends beyond enhancements at the port to extensive and thoughtful community planning efforts in collaboration with local stakeholders and industry experts.
Plans will focus on transportation capacity, visitor traffic flow, and opportunities for more tours and destination experiences that will benefit both residents and visitors alike. New kayak tours and the introduction of Alaska Coach Tours to manage land transportation are key examples of the work of community partnerships.
Making History
The track of oil and gas development in Alaska shows the footprints of bold companies and hard-working individuals who shaped the industry in the past and continue to innovate today. The May 2024 issue of Alaska Business explores that history while looking forward to new product development, the energy transition for the fishing fleet, and the ethics of AI tools in business.