In September, Ketchikan, Alaska will welcome its millionth cruise passenger of the 2017 season. Cruise Lines International Association Alaska is forecasting an estimated 1.06 million cruise guests visiting the state this year, a new record.
As Alaska’s second largest cruise port, Ketchikan has seen an increase in traffic this summer. In May, the city received six large vessels, setting a one-day record with 13,000 cruisers in town. To avoid a bombardment, the ships were staggered to arrive and depart at various times throughout the day.
Ketchikan’s location along the famed Inside Passage and its range of shore excursions makes it a popular destination for cruise ships. Visitors enjoy fishing, catching a glimpse of wildlife, kayaking, zip lining, and more. Native Alaskan culture thrives there, and guests are able to experience it firsthand. Home of the largest collection of totem poles in the world, Ketchikan boasts some of the oldest ones, carefully preserved at the Totem Heritage Center.
The city also has an array of shops and galleries, many located along historic Mission Street and Creek Street in the heart of downtown, that feature the world of community artists. Creek Street’s colorful buildings surrounded by trees and pristine water make it a popular sight, even more so in late summer when thousands of salmon begin their journey home to spawn.
Congratulations on your inevitable upcoming cruise record, Ketchikan!
