Departure port · Port of Seward · Alaska
Cruises from Seward
Seward, about 125 miles south of Anchorage, is the main northern port for one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises between Alaska and Vancouver, sailing from May to September. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity use its cruise terminal beside the Alaska Railroad depot, and the seven-night route typically adds Hubbard Glacier to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Fly into Anchorage (ANC), then allow about two and a half to four hours by road or rail.
- Alaska
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cruise port
- Port of Seward
- Location
- Seward, Alaska
- Main destinations
- Alaska
- Cruise lines
- 6 lines sail from here
Sailing from Seward
Seward is a small harbor town at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, ringed by mountains and the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. It’s also the southern end of the Alaska Railroad and the historic start of the Iditarod Trail, and in summer it becomes one of Alaska’s two cruise gateways for Anchorage, along with Whittier.
Cruises from Seward are one-way. Ships sail seven nights south through the Gulf of Alaska and the Inside Passage to Vancouver, or the reverse, typically with a day of scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay and calls at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point or Sitka. Because the trip starts or ends in Alaska, it pairs naturally with a land tour to Denali National Park, Talkeetna or Fairbanks before or after.
The one-way route covers more of Alaska than a Seattle round trip and reaches the glaciers of the northern Gulf. The trade-offs are higher open-jaw airfares, the long transfer from Anchorage, and a Canadian border crossing at the Vancouver end, which means you’ll need a passport.
Where cruises from Seward go
Cruise lines sailing from Seward
Port of Seward cruise terminals
Ships berth at the Alaska Railroad cruise terminal at the north end of town, near the small-boat harbor: a large terminal building with a floating double-berth pier that opened in 2026 with Royal Caribbean as its anchor user. The Alaska Railroad depot is right beside it, so passengers arriving by train walk a short distance to check-in, and cruise line motorcoaches pull up at the door. Porters take checked bags, then you go through security and check-in inside. If you’re traveling on a cruise line transfer, your luggage is often handled for you from Anchorage.
Getting to the port
Flying in
Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) is the airport for Seward, about 125 miles (200 km) away. Cruise line motorcoach transfers take about three hours including a rest stop, the scenic Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic train takes about four hours from Anchorage, and private shuttles run on cruise days. Many cruisers rent a car one-way, though drop-off fees can be steep. Seward’s own airstrip has no regular commercial service.
Driving
The Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway, runs south from Anchorage along Turnagain Arm and over the Kenai Mountains, about two and a half hours without stops. It’s the only road in, and summer construction or accidents can cause long delays, so leave plenty of time. Allow longer if you want to stop for wildlife and viewpoints.
Parking
Most cruise passengers don’t drive, since the trip is one-way. If you’re a local returning to Seward, ask your cruise line about long-term parking near the terminal, which is limited. Rental car companies with Seward drop-off locations can take back one-way rentals, but reserve early.
Where to stay before a cruise from Seward
Seward has a handful of hotels, lodges and B&Bs around the small-boat harbor and the historic downtown, many with bay views, but they fill months ahead in summer. Staying in Anchorage, especially downtown near the Alaska Railroad depot, gives more choice and easy access to the train. Girdwood, about halfway along the Seward Highway, has the Alyeska Resort and its aerial tram, a scenic break in the journey.
Things to do in Seward before or after your cruise
- 1
Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour
wildlife
Day cruises leave Seward’s small-boat harbor for the fjords of Kenai Fjords National Park, where tidewater glaciers calve into the sea. Humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, Steller sea lions and puffins are common sightings. Tours range from a few hours in Resurrection Bay to full days reaching Aialik or Holgate glaciers. Book ahead.
- 2
Exit Glacier
nature
About 15 minutes from town, the only road-accessible part of Kenai Fjords National Park leads to Exit Glacier. Easy trails reach overlooks of the ice, with signs marking where the glacier stood in past decades, and the strenuous Harding Icefield Trail climbs to a vast sheet of ice for those with a full day.
- 3
Alaska SeaLife Center
family
Part aquarium and part marine research and rescue center, this downtown facility lets you watch Steller sea lions, harbor seals and puffins up close, often from underwater windows. It also rehabilitates stranded marine animals. Allow about two hours.
- 4
Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm
scenery
The drive from Anchorage is a highlight in itself. Watch for Dall sheep on the cliffs near Windy Point, beluga whales and the tidal bore along Turnagain Arm, and stop at Portage Valley and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where rescued moose, bears and bison live in large enclosures.
- 5
Dog sledding and the Iditarod story
adventure
Seward marks Mile 0 of the historic Iditarod Trail, and local kennels run by mushers offer summer cart rides with sled dogs, puppy visits and talks about racing to Nome. Some helicopter tours land on glaciers where teams train on snow even in summer.
- 6
Mount Marathon and downtown Seward
adventure
The mountain rising behind town is home to a famously brutal Fourth of July footrace. Fit hikers can take the steep hikers’ trail partway up for views over Resurrection Bay, or stay low and stroll the waterfront path and downtown murals, galleries and seafood restaurants.
When cruises sail from Seward
The cruise season runs from about mid-May to mid-September. June and July bring the longest days, with sunsets after 11 p.m. around the solstice, and the warmest weather. May and September are quieter and often cheaper, with snow still on the peaks in May and fall color in September. Whale watching in Resurrection Bay is good all season, and salmon runs peak in July and August. Expect cool, changeable weather and rain at any time.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 320 | 331 | 351 | 404 | 468 | 5412 | 5915 | 5915 | 5312 | 447 | 352 | 352 |
| Low °F (°C) | 26-3 | 26-4 | 26-3 | 331 | 415 | 499 | 5312 | 5312 | 489 | 404 | 29-2 | 28-2 |
| Rain in (mm) | 9.6243 | 7.3186 | 6.7169 | 6.6168 | 7.8198 | 5.5140 | 6.5164 | 8.9226 | 9.9252 | 10.9277 | 10.2260 | 11.6295 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
Embarkation day tips
- Fly into Anchorage the day before your cruise. With a two-and-a-half to four-hour transfer, a delayed flight on sailing day can mean missing the ship.
- If you can, take the Alaska Railroad one way and the bus or a rental car the other. The train passes glaciers and wilderness with no road access, while the highway offers wildlife stops.
- Book Seward hotels and Kenai Fjords boat tours months ahead if you’re arriving early; the town is small, and summer demand is high.
- On disembarkation day, cruise line transfers usually reach Anchorage’s airport around midday or early afternoon. Many flights from ANC to the Lower 48 leave in the evening or overnight, so avoid tight connections.
- Carry your passport. A one-way cruise to or from Vancouver crosses the Canadian border, and you’ll fly home from or arrive in Canada at the other end.
Cruises from Seward: FAQs
How far is Seward from Anchorage?
About 125 miles. It takes roughly two and a half hours by car on the Seward Highway without stops, about three hours on a cruise line bus with a rest stop and about four hours on the Alaska Railroad.
What is the best way to get from Anchorage airport to Seward?
For most cruisers, a cruise line motorcoach transfer is simplest because it handles your luggage. The Alaska Railroad is the most scenic option, and a one-way rental car gives you freedom to stop along Turnagain Arm.
Which cruise lines sail from Seward?
Royal Caribbean is the anchor line at Seward’s cruise terminal, and its sister line Celebrity also uses the port for Gulf of Alaska cruises. Other lines have used Seward in past seasons, while several, including Princess, Holland America and Norwegian, sail from nearby Whittier.
Should I choose a cruise from Seward or Whittier?
Choose by ship and itinerary rather than port. Both serve Anchorage. Whittier is closer, about an hour and a half by road, but access depends on a tunnel schedule; Seward is farther, about two and a half hours, but reached by an open highway and has more to do in town.
Do I need a passport for a cruise from Seward?
Yes, in practice. Cruises from Seward are one-way to or from Vancouver, so you cross into Canada at one end and fly from or into a Canadian airport. A valid passport is the simplest document for that trip.
Can I visit Kenai Fjords National Park before my cruise?
Yes, and it’s one of the best reasons to arrive early. Boat tours leave Seward’s harbor daily in summer to see glaciers and marine wildlife, and Exit Glacier is a 15-minute drive from town. Spend at least one night in Seward to fit in a tour.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.