For decades, every cruise ship to Ketchikan docked directly on the downtown shoreline, steps from Creek Street. That changed with the opening of **Ward Cove**, a private port located 7 miles north of the city center. Knowing where you dock is the single most important part of your planning.
Typically, ships from Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas use the Ward Cove terminal. Most other lines (Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney, and Carnival) still dock at the Downtown berths (Berths 1-4).
If you dock at Ward Cove, the terminal operator provides a complimentary shuttle to downtown. However, you must factor this into your plans:
Pro Tip: If you have an independent excursion booked downtown, allow at least **60-90 minutes** from your ship's clearance time to reach your meeting point.
The good news is that many operators now provide direct pickups from Ward Cove. When booking excursions, always select "Ward Cove" as your pickup location if you are sailing with NCL. This saves you 2 hours of shuttle transit time.
| Cruise Line | Likely Dock | Shuttle Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Cruises | Downtown | No |
| Holland America | Downtown | No |
| Norwegian (NCL) | Ward Cove | Yes (to see town) |
| Royal Caribbean | Downtown | No |
| Celebrity | Downtown | No |