Royal Caribbean Group recently held the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal in Seward, Alaska. 

The new terminal, which replaced aging dock facilities dating back to the mid-1960s, was developed with Alaska Railroad, The Seward Company and Turnagain Marine Construction as partners, the cruise line said in a statement. 

“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, senior vice president, deployment, destination development and port operations.  

“The journey to open the Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal as a portal to premier travel destinations would not have been possible without our supporting partners, government official stakeholders, and the local community.” 

Said to be the largest cruise terminal in Alaska, the facility’s location next to the Alaska Railroad station facilitates onward travel to Anchorage, Fairbanks and beyond. 

The terminal is divided into 41,500 square feet of enclosed space and 27,000 square feet of open, pass-through luggage transfer layout. 

“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, the longtime owner and operator of the Seward passenger dock and terminal. 

According to the statement, the modernization project also included a shore power system, developed through the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Grant. 

Thanks to this alternative energy capability, any excess power generated during winter months will be stored in battery systems, serving as a backup power grid for Seward during winter.