Royal Caribbean Opens New Alaska Cruise Terminal in Seward

Royal Caribbean opens Alaska’s largest cruise terminal in Seward

Royal Caribbean Group has officially opened a brand-new, state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Seward, Alaska, marking the end of nearly a decade of planning and partnership. The Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal is now the largest cruise terminal in Alaska, replacing aging dock facilities from the mid-1960s and positioning Seward as a premier cruise turn port for guests heading to Alaska’s most iconic destinations.

The terminal was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Alaska dignitaries, local leaders, and partners including Alaska Railroad, The Seward Company and Turnagain Marine Construction. You can learn more about Royal Caribbean’s ports, destinations and new terminal openings on the official site: Royal Caribbean Group.

A seamless gateway to Alaska by land and sea

The new terminal is designed to elevate guest experiences by prioritising smooth passenger flows, sheltered queuing and efficient processing. It sits directly adjacent to the Alaska Railroad station, offering a seamless handover from ship to train and convenient onward travel to Anchorage, Fairbanks and communities across Southcentral and Interior Alaska.

The facility includes 41,500 square feet of enclosed space and an additional 27,000 square feet of open, pass-through luggage transfer layout, making it a true hub for both cruise traffic and regional travel. Alaska Railroad President and CEO Bill O’Leary noted that the terminal is not just vital for Seward, but for communities across the region as guests begin to explore Alaska by land and sea.

Built for year-round use and community life

Beyond cruise season, the terminal is built for year-round operations and serves as Seward’s largest indoor space. The facility is designed to host recreational sports, concerts, festivals and community gatherings when the weather turns cold and the cruise ships are away.

The terminal was literally inaugurated for this purpose when Royal Caribbean invited the entire Seward community to celebrate the culmination of its Port Partners small business accelerator program. Standout business Exit Glacier Greenhouses received a $20,000 grant to scale operations, highlighting the company’s commitment to long-term economic development in coastal communities.

Cleaner air, quieter docks and a greener future

The modernisation of the pier includes a shore power system, developed through the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Grant, which delivers cleaner air and reduced noise for the local community. With this alternative energy capability, any excess power generated during winter months is stored in battery systems, serving as a backup power grid for Seward during unpredictable winter weather.

This blend of cruise infrastructure, renewable energy and community use shows how the terminal is designed not just for passengers, but for the long-term health and resilience of Seward itself.

A milestone for Seward and Alaska

Josh Carroll, senior vice president of Deployment, Destination Development and Port Operations at Royal Caribbean Group, described the opening as the culmination of nearly a decade of effort to unlock a world-class travel destination. He highlighted the importance of partners, government stakeholders and the local community in making the Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal a reality.

Named in honour of Dale and Carol Ann Lindsey’s contributions to Seward and the state, the terminal is now a gateway for guests around the world, connecting them to the best of Alaska by both ship and train. With its modern design, clean energy systems and year-round community use, it’s a facility that’s set to serve Seward for decades.