Your Guide to Alaska's Cruise Ports
An Alaska cruise is a trip where the stops are every bit as exciting as the scenery. One day you're watching for whales from a small-town harbor, and the next you're riding a gold rush railway into the mountains.
Most Alaska cruises sail the Inside Passage, a protected route of islands, fjords and rainforest along the southeast coast. Here's a look at the ports you're most likely to visit, what makes each one special, and my favorite ways to spend the day.
Ketchikan: The Salmon Capital of the World
Ketchikan is often your first taste of Alaska, and it makes a great first impression. Colorful buildings line the waterfront, the rainforest climbs right up the hillsides, and the town is famous for its salmon and its totem poles.
My favorite ways to spend the day:
Stroll Creek Street, a historic boardwalk built on stilts over Ketchikan Creek, full of little shops and galleries.
See the totem poles at Totem Bight State Park or Saxman Village, a beautiful introduction to Alaska Native art and culture.
Fly over Misty Fjords National Monument by floatplane for sheer granite cliffs, waterfalls and quiet fjords.
Watch for bears on a wildlife excursion when the salmon are running.
Juneau: Alaska's Glacier Capital
Juneau is Alaska's capital city, and you can only get there by boat or plane. It's also one of the best places on the whole trip for glaciers and whale watching.
My favorite ways to spend the day:
Visit Mendenhall Glacier and take the short hike to Nugget Falls for a picture-perfect view of the ice.
Go whale watching. Humpback whales feed in the waters around Juneau all summer long.
Ride the Mount Roberts Tramway right from the cruise dock for sweeping views over the town and the channel.
Treat yourself to a helicopter tour that lands on an ice field, some with a dog sledding experience on top of the glacier.
Skagway: Step Back into the Gold Rush
Skagway feels like a movie set from the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush. Wooden boardwalks, restored storefronts and towering mountains make it one of the most charming stops in Alaska.
My favorite ways to spend the day:
Ride the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, which climbs nearly 3,000 feet through tunnels and over trestles. It's one of the most scenic train rides anywhere.
Walk Broadway Street and explore Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park right in town.
Try gold panning, a fun hands-on activity for all ages.
Hike a section of the Chilkoot Trail, the same route the stampeders took on their way to the gold fields.
Sitka: Russian and Tlingit Heritage by the Sea
Sitka was once the capital of Russian America, and its history blends Russian and Tlingit culture in a way you won't find anywhere else. It sits on the open coast, surrounded by islands and snow-capped peaks.
My favorite ways to spend the day:
Walk the totem trail at Sitka National Historical Park, which winds through the rainforest along the water.
Visit St. Michael's Cathedral, a landmark of Sitka's Russian past.
Stop by the Alaska Raptor Center to see bald eagles and other birds being cared for up close.
Take a wildlife cruise to look for sea otters, whales, puffins and eagles.
Icy Strait Point: Adventure and Tlingit Culture
Icy Strait Point is a private port near Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. It's quieter than the bigger towns and packed with outdoor adventure.
My favorite ways to spend the day:
Ride the ZipRider, one of the world's largest ziplines, which sends you flying down the mountainside toward the water.
Go whale watching. The waters here are known for humpback whale sightings.
Join a bear search excursion in the surrounding wilderness.
Enjoy a Tlingit cultural performance and learn about the people who have called this area home for generations.
Glacier Days: The Wow Moments of the Trip
Most Alaska itineraries include at least one scenic cruising day. Your ship sails right up to a tidewater glacier, and you get to watch the ice from the deck or your balcony. Here are the three you'll see most often:
Glacier Bay National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has more than 1,000 glaciers. Park rangers often come aboard to share stories and answer questions, and ships spend most of the day cruising the bay.
Hubbard Glacier. It's the longest tidewater glacier in North America, with a face almost 7 miles wide and more than 400 feet high. Chunks of ice the size of buildings break off and crash into the water.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Your ship winds through a 30-mile fjord lined with waterfalls to reach the mile-wide Dawes Glacier. Watch for harbor seals resting on the floating ice.
Listen for the "white thunder" as the glaciers crack and calve. It's a sound you'll never forget!
Tips for Your Alaska Port Days
Pack layers and a rain jacket. Southeast Alaska is a rainforest, and the weather can change quickly.
Bring binoculars. You'll want them for whales, eagles and bears, on shore and from the ship.
Book popular excursions early. Helicopter tours, floatplanes and the White Pass railway often sell out.
Keep your camera ready on glacier days. Find a spot on deck early, or enjoy the view from your balcony.
Ready to See Alaska for Yourself?
Every Alaska itinerary is a little different, so the ports and glaciers you visit depend on the ship and the route. I'd love to help you find the Alaska cruise that fits what you're dreaming of. CLICK HERE, and let's start planning your adventure!