By
Alex Smith |
The Alaskan port of Sitka has marked the completion of its new dock expansion with the arrival of Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas.
The expansion of the dock is phase one of an infrastructure development project at Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, which also includes the construction of a new terminal facility. The dock can accommodate two large cruise ships with capacity for up to 4,300 passengers at one time.
The new dock is majority owned by Halibut Point Marine Services, with financing support and minority ownership by Royal Caribbean Group and Ceres Terminals.
“The expanded dock and terminal positions Sitka as a premier destination in Alaska, opening up additional opportunity for our community,” said Chris McGraw, general manager at Halibut Point Marine Services. “Tourism has always been a staple of our economy – from retail to guided excursions and dining on the freshest Alaska seafood; and now, we’ll be able to share what makes Sitka special with guests aboard the newest, largest ships visiting Alaska.”
Planning for the expanded port will be conducted in collaboration with local stakeholders. It will focus on transportation capacity, visitor traffic flow and opportunities for more tours and destination experiences.
“As we look beyond this year's partial Alaska season, we are more optimistic than ever that our guests will absolutely love the authentic experiences Sitka offers with its rich culture and awe-inspiring wilderness,” said Joshua Carroll, vice president of destination development for Royal Caribbean Group. “This partnership exemplifies our strategy to support sustainable development that is majority-owned by Alaskans to bring maximum economic impact to the local community.”