Focacta

The shuttles for Ward Cove take you directly from the ship to Berth IV downtown. Here is a link to the Shuttle Schedule for Ward Cove. The lines will get long but they are constantly moving. Getting off early will ensure barely any line. If you return prior to 11:30 that will reduce your wait time. They will not leave you if you are waiting in line to return to the ship, I promise! You can always go outside of the welcome center and grab a taxi or call an Uber but then you miss out on a chance to ride a double decker bus or a school bus for those nostalgic folks.

Bears come out March/April but for viewing they don’t start bear tours until late June/early July because that’s when salmon are coming in heavier so they are walking during the day more. Best of luck because you can definitely see them then but it may end up being in some random spot and not on a tour!

I live in Ketchikan and bears are hit and miss, unless you leave you trash out... If you want to guarantee bears here go on a Taquan Air flight to Anan Creek where you land and walk up to a bear viewing. Otherwise the big spot is Herring Cove at the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. July is the start of better bear viewing but if you don’t see bears this company gives half your money back through the cruise line bookings. If you don’t see bears their site is awesome and you’ll enjoy it there regardless as they have wild birds, a large walkway and viewing platform, totems and gift shop. Good luck!

Yes indeed. The line will be long From 11-12:15 but it’s constantly moving. The ship doesn’t leave until 1:15 but at times hasn’t left until 1:30 to ensure all passengers are onboard. Usually some straggler who didn’t use the shuttle and rushed back via taxi.

@Northern Aurora NCL did not develop the dock at Ward Cove. The dock was developed by the Ward Cove Dock Group. It’s a common misconception because NCL has proprietary use of the dock under an agreement with WCDG. But all in all it’s a private operation owned by two multi-generational Alaska families!

Use this Ward Cove Calendar to see the ships scheduled call times and the shuttle times. When returning to the ship they are not going to leave you if your in line to return to Ward Cove. With construction on the main highway everything is a little off schedule.