Royal Caribbean Opens a Brand New Cruise Terminal in Seward, Alaska

Royal Caribbean just opened a brand-new cruise terminal in Seward, Alaska — and it’s a big deal for anyone planning an Alaska cruise.

A New Terminal Comes to Seward, Alaska

The Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal is now officially open. Royal Caribbean Group held the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. The new facility replaces old dock infrastructure that had been in place since the mid-1960s.

Royal Caribbean didn’t build this alone. The project was a team effort with Alaska Railroad, The Seward Company, and Turnagain Marine Construction. It took nearly ten years to bring the project to life.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the culmination of nearly a decade of efforts to unlock this world-class travel destination, bringing long-term economic opportunities to Seward and beyond,” said Josh Carroll, Royal Caribbean’s Senior Vice President of Deployment, Destination Development, and Port Operations.

What Makes This Terminal Special

This is now the largest cruise terminal in all of Alaska. The building includes 41,500 square feet of indoor space. There’s also 27,000 square feet of open space designed for easy luggage transfers.

The terminal sits right next to the Alaska Railroad station. That location is key. It gives cruise passengers a convenient connection to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and other parts of the state.

“We know how important the terminal is not just to Seward, but to communities across Southcentral and Interior Alaska as these cross-gulf cruise guests take the opportunity to explore Alaska by land as well,” said Bill O’Leary, President and CEO of the Alaska Railroad.

A Green Upgrade for the Port

The project also included a shore power system. This was funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Grant. Shore power lets ships plug into the local power grid instead of running their engines while docked.

Here’s a cool bonus for the local community. Any extra power the system generates in winter gets stored in batteries. That stored energy then acts as a backup power source for the city of Seward during the colder months.

What This Means for Alaska Cruisers

If you’re thinking about an Alaska cruise, Seward is worth putting on your radar. The new terminal makes the arrival and departure experience much smoother. And with easy rail access nearby, exploring Alaska beyond the port is simpler than ever.