United States (Alaska) Alaska

Anchorage (Seward)

Cruises to and from Anchorage start or end at Seward's new railroad cruise terminal, 200 km south of the city on Resurrection Bay.

HomeportShips dock at the pier

3 km to Historic downtown, Fourth Avenue

1 cruise terminal

US$ US dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. A local sales tax is added at the till.

Language English.

UTC−8 Local time

The terminal is 3 km from downtown; a free city shuttle runs in summer. Anchorage airport is 200 km away: 2.5 h by road or about 4 h by train.

Seward, on Resurrection Bay at the edge of the Kenai Peninsula, is one of the two ports, with Whittier, used for one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises that begin or end in Anchorage. The town is about 200 km (125 miles) south of Anchorage. The drive along the Seward Highway takes around two and a half hours, and in summer the Alaska Railroad runs a train between Anchorage and Seward that takes about four and a half hours and follows the shore of Turnagain Arm. Most passengers fly in or out of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and travel to or from the ship by coach or train.

Ships dock at the Alaska Railroad cruise terminal, rebuilt with a floating pier and opened in June 2026, at the northern end of town next to the railway station. It is about 1.5 km (1 mile) from the small boat harbor and 3 km (2 miles) from the historic centre, and a free city shuttle runs in summer. The Alaska SeaLife Center, an aquarium and marine research centre, is at the southern end of the seafront. Seward is also the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park: boat tours leave from the harbor to see tidewater glaciers, sea lions, puffins and, in season, whales. Exit Glacier, the only part of the park that can be reached by road, is about 20 minutes' drive from town, with trails to viewpoints over the glacier.

From the ship to the centre

7 options

Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad TerminalRoyal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea, Viking and other linesAlaska Railroad cruise terminal with a floating double-berth pier, opened in June 2026 beside the railway station. About 1.5 km from the boat harbour and 3 km from downtown.

Free city shuttle
The City of Seward's free bus, run by Seward City Tours, loops around town every 30 minutes, 8:00 to 19:00 on cruise days, mid-May to mid-September. Designated stops only.

30 min loopFree
Waterfront path to downtown
Paved path along Resurrection Bay: 1.5 km to the small boat harbour, 3 km to downtown and 3.3 km to the Alaska SeaLife Center.

20-45 minFree
Coastal Classic to Anchorage
Alaska Railroad, daily mid-May to mid-September. Leaves Seward at 18:00 and reaches Anchorage at 22:15; southbound it leaves Anchorage at 6:45 and arrives at 11:20.

4-4.5 h$133 one way
Cruise line transfers
The lines sell coach or train transfers between the ship, Anchorage hotels and Anchorage airport (ANC), timed for embarkation and disembarkation.

2.5-4.5 hSet by the line
Shuttle buses from Anchorage
Private companies run buses between Anchorage, the airport and Seward on the Seward Highway, 203 km. Seward has no scheduled flights.

2.5-3 hSet by operator
Kenai Fjords boat tours
Day cruises leave the small boat harbour to see tidewater glaciers, sea lions, puffins and whales. Operators collect cruise passengers or meet the train.

Half or full daySet by operator
Exit Glacier
The only part of Kenai Fjords National Park reached by road, 20 km from town. No park shuttle: go by taxi, tour or car. No entrance fee.

20 minSet by operator

Map of Anchorage (Seward)

Cruise terminals Historic downtown, Fourth Avenue

Climate

Average daily temperature

Now in Anchorage (Seward)–Loading weather…

Best months for a call

MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

Cool and wet: average temperatures of about 13 °C in July and August and -3 °C in January. Rain is frequent. The cruise season runs from mid-May to mid-September.

Tips for your call

New terminal
The Alaska Railroad terminal opened in June 2026 after delays: in May some ships were moved to Whittier. Check the port on your cruise documents.
Train or road
The Coastal Classic runs once a day each way. If you fly out on disembarkation day, a coach or car (2.5 h) is faster than the train (over 4 h).
Book boat tours early
Kenai Fjords cruises last from a few hours to a full day and fill up in summer. Make sure the return fits your train, coach or flight.
Exit Glacier
No entrance fee. Parking at the glacier is limited from 10:30 to 15:30; tours and taxis avoid the problem.
Alaska SeaLife Center
Aquarium and marine research centre at the south end of downtown. Book a time online in summer. There is no luggage storage.
Weather
Cool and wet even in summer. Bring a rain jacket and a warm layer for boat tours.

Accessibility

Seward is flat, and a paved path runs along the waterfront from the harbour to downtown. The new terminal has sheltered queuing areas. Alaska Railroad trains have wheelchair access. Ask the cruise line about adapted transfers to Anchorage.