Showing from 1 to 13 of 13 comment(s) received.
What a lovely cruise terminal and town! The locals are incredibly welcoming and hospitable. We were delighted to discover that there is a complimentary shuttle service to transport visitors into the town center, where an abundance of attractions and activities await.
It's quite disappointing, really. The city talks about wanting more tourists but it seems they don't actually mean it. I visited back in 2018 and the tour just skimmed past the city. It looked lovely, so I decided to come back aboard a cruise in May, and let me tell you, it was an absolute nightmare at the terminal.
Our ship wasn't even fully packed, just at half capacity, but another ship pulled in almost completely full. I had breakfast first, but when we tried to head into town, about 5 miles away, we found ourselves in a queue with around 4000 other people.
Turns out, the town only has 12 buses and 4 taxis, no Ubers in sight. So, if you do the calculations, assuming each bus can hold 40 to 46 passengers, and taking into account the time needed to accommodate those with wheelchairs, scooters, elderly, or overweight individuals, plus the minimum 30-minute journey each way and an early departure, it hardly seems worth the hassle. Waiting for over 2 hours, as some did, is just not feasible. Many, including myself, ended up heading back to the ship.
It's clear that the town can't handle more than one ship at a time, and to top it off, they chose that day to do road repairs. It was all so disorganized, thoughtless, and inconsiderate towards the passengers. It's almost as if they don't actually want visitors!
Well, this was my last try at visiting. Feeling extremely frustrated and let down. 😞
The individuals managing the shuttle service seemed to struggle with basic organizational tasks, making for a less than satisfactory experience during our trip to the cruise terminal.
Spotlessly tidy. Effortless to find the excursion buses. Lovely assortment of shops and eateries to grab a snack or some coffee. Stunning vistas!
Just had an incredible time in Sitka, enjoying some amazing seafood at Fin Island Lodge and watching the majestic whales. Justin was the perfect host, making sure everything was top-notch. Definitely recommend this spot as a must-visit!
Decent terminal, I must say. You'll find a few pop-up vendors here and there. The main store is a tad on the expensive side. Foot traffic tends to be quite light, except when the cruise ship folks and excursion-goers come in and out. You might spot some workers on tugs and forklifts, but they're tucked away in a separate section, so no need to be concerned. It's a small to medium-sized terminal with plenty of connex boxes scattered about.
I recently indulged in some scrumptious halibut and chips from the Halibut Point Crab and Chowder spot, and I must say, it was a spot-on delight. The view overlooking the cruise ships and the serene waters only added to the overall experience.
This delightful little two-island city is a gem, brimming with captivating sights and attractions to discover.
I am eagerly anticipating my return!
Convenient access and enjoyable to stroll through. A brief walk to access the complimentary wifi at the library. It takes about a 15-20 minute bus journey from the cruise ship terminal to reach the town.
Loads of buses heading into the city, all looking very fresh and tidy.
It was all very well organized, mate, but that's to be expected when you're dealing with more than 6,000 passengers at once. The queues moved swiftly, just like the people processing at Disneyland for the ships. A smooth operation all around!
Fantastic selection of gift shops and delicious snacks available right as you step off the ship. The area was pristine and all the facilities appeared to be brand new. We enjoyed some coffee and tasty treats while browsing through the charming gift shops as we waited for our bus to transport us into town.
