All aboard to the 49th U.S. State. Summertime Alaskan cruises are ideal for seeing this rugged landscape. As passengers glide by, the scenery is amazingly close with its bald eagles and unspoiled coastline. Though with so many cruise lines and different itineraries, it is hard to decide where to go. Here are the Top Alaskan Cruise Ports of Call to help you decide where to visit on your Alaskan cruise.
What to Do on an Alaskan Cruise
Seattle, Washington
Vancouver, British Columbia
Ketchikan, Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
Skagway, Alaska
Hubbard Glacier
Sitka, Alaska
Icy Strait Point. Alaska
Victoria, British Columbia
Seward Alaska
Glacier Bay
Seattle, Washington
Some cruise lines depart from Seattle, Washington, before stopping in Canada and Alaska. With its walkable downtown area, cruisers will find lots of top attractions in the area, from the original Starbucks to the Space Needle.
The Original Starbucks
Love it or hate it, this is the birthplace of the worldwide coffee brand. Get a cup of coffee along with a souvenir mug.
Located at 1912 Pike Place. Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Public Market Center at Pike Place Market
With nine acres of prime Seattle real estate, this market is a must for a trip to Seattle. It offers over a hundred vendors and shops, and it is the oldest continuously running market in the U.S.
Visitors can grab a bite, find a unique souvenir, along absorb the atmosphere. It’s still shopped daily by residents and businesses for its produce, along with a fish market.
Located at 85 Pike Place. Open daily at 7 a.m. for breakfast, later for shopping.
Seattle Aquarium
Opening in 1977, the Seattle Aquarium offers three buildings with six main exhibits. This is a must while in Seattle.
Located at 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission based on age.
Seattle Great Wheel
See, or ride, the 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel with spectacular views of downtown Seattle and the waterfront
Located at 1301 Alaskan Way. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Admission based on age.
Space Needle
The iconic 605-foot-tall tower is a symbol of Seattle. You can ride an elevator to the top.
Located at 400 Broad St. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Admission based on age.
Museum of Pop Culture
Founded by one of the Microsoft founders, the MoPOP features exhibits covering contemporary music, like local bands Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Also featured, the MoPop offers galleries with exhibits on science fiction, indie games and film.
The building was designed by Frank Gehry and clad in aluminum.
Located at 325 5th Avenue North. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission based on age.
Pacific Science Center
With an IMAX theater, a planetarium and a butterfly garden, this Pacific Science Center is all about discovery.
Located at 200 2nd Ave. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. General admission, plus activity fees.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
For art lovers, the Chihuly Garden and Glass offers an outstanding collection of his work. It is a must for art lovers in Seattle and features an indoor and outdoor space.
Located at 305 Harrison St. Open Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Advance based on age.
Top Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington
Vancouver, British Columbia
As a large port for western Canada, the majority of cruises depart or arrive at Vancouver. The city features a major international airport with shuttles to the cruise ship port downtown. There are lots of hotels within walking distance of the seaport, and find places to rent bikes close by if you want to explore.
Vancouver pulls its cultural influences from around the Pacific Ocean. So sample the rich and diverse food scene with tastes of Asia, like Chinese dim sum or Japanese ramen, while in town.
Top Places to See in Vancouver Before or After a Cruise
Canada Place
This is the building in which you will board, or disembark, for your cruise. It features sail structures on its roof and an icon of Vancouver. It offers several interpretive areas to explore if you have some time before your cruise.
Located at 999 Canada Place.
Fly Over Canada
Experience Canada like you are flying over it with your feet dangling in an immersive ride.
Located at 201 – 999 Canada Place. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission based on age.
Stanley Park
Bike or walk through Stanley Park for totems, food carts and lots of people watching. There’s a tea house in Stanley Park along with the Second Beach Swimming Pool.
Bike rentals are located downtown during the summer. Vancouver offers bike lanes.
Located on the western edge of Vancouver. Free to enter.
Lions Gate Bridge
Opening in 1938, Lions Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the Burrard Inlet. Visitors can see it from several points in Vancouver, and while you depart from Vancouver on your cruise.
Vancouver Aquarium
See over 65,000 animals at the Vancouver Aquarium. It also features a 4-D theater.
Located at 845 Avison Way, Vancouver. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission based on age.
Museum of Anthropology
Walk through to learn more about the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, both in Canada and the U.S. Also, visitors will see the art and culture of groups and communities from across the globe.
Located at 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 p.m. on Thursday). Admission based on age.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Walk over an old-growth fir forest on a wood-planked suspension bridge. As a bonus, there’s a free shuttle from Canada Place.
Located at 3735 Capilano Road in North Vancouver. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission based on age.
Where to Earn a Junior Ranger Badge on an Alaskan Cruise
Cruising the Inside Passage
All Alaskan cruise itineraries include at least one sea day, sometimes two. Spend the day on a deck using binoculars to catch glimpses of lighthouses, bald eagles or fishing boats at work.
Sailing in the Inside Passage is unique since glaciation made a deep channel between the mountains. The deep waters allow for deep-draft vessels to sail close to the mountains. You can almost see into the windows of the lighthouses.
A bonus for first-time cruisers, the waters of the Inside Passage are relatively calm compared to open ocean cruising.
Best Alaskan Cruises for Families
Ketchikan Alaska
Ketchikan is a popular Alaskan cruise port of call. It features a walkable downtown area, lined with shopping, galleries and restaurants and pubs. Most cruise ships dock at the edge of downtown, and it is the canned salmon capital of the world.
Cruise passengers can arrange a flightseeing tour to witness the majesty of the Misty Fjords National Monument, located nearby. The aircraft departs from the water nearby.
As you walk the streets of Ketchikan, learn about the symbolism used on the totems, like the plants and animals of the temperate rainforest. Or better, arrange for a hike in the rainforest to see its animals, like the black bear.
Tongass National Forest Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
Find the official visitor center for the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S., in Ketchikan. The Tongass runs all the way to Skagway along the Alaska Panhandle and includes two ice fields, Stikine and Juneau.
Did you know that national forests offer Junior Ranger programming, too? Yes! So visit the Tongass National Forest’s Southeast Alaska Discovery Center on Ketchikan’s Main Street for an overview of the largest national forest in Alaska. Kids will learn about the unique plants and animals of the temperate rainforest, like the banana slug. Walk through the interpretive area to learn more about salmon and watch the park film. It’s a must for families.
Located at 50 Main St., visitors can walk from the cruise ship dock. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer season (May 1 to September 30.) Admission is $5 for 16+ and free for kids.
Juneau, Alaska
As the state capital of Alaska, it’s a small city. Juneau also offers a real airport. Juneau is less touristy, and the downtown area is a mix of shopping and municipal buildings.
Mendenhall Glacier
During most cruises, the itinerary includes a tidewater glacier viewing. Since Mendenhall Glacier is not on the water, it’s a mountain glacier. A trip to Mendenhall Glacier is worth the effort.
As a National Forest site, Mendenhall Glacier offers several hiking trails, like the .25-mile Photo Walk, suitable for most. The Nugget Falls hiking trail is a one-mile trail that leads to the falls close to the glacier.
Kids can explore the area, then fill out a booklet to earn a National Forest Ranger Badge, a special Mendenhall Glacier badge. This badge is only available at the Visitor Center located on-site.
Mendenhall Glacier is located about 13 miles from the cruise ship docks. To get there, you must take an excursion, find a tour operator that offers a shuttle service to the glacier or take a cab. Open from 10 am to 5 pm Sunday to Friday, and closed Saturdays. The grounds are open 6:00 a.m. to midnight year-round. Adult admission is $5 for a day pass and kids 15 and under are free.
Mt. Roberts Tramway
With the tram station located steps away from the dock, the Mt. Roberts Tramway is an easy DIY excursion. Take the tram car up 1,760 ft to a fantastic view (if the weather is clear).
At the top, find a nature center with an interpretive area. In the Chilkat Theater, see an 18-minute film covering the region and its people. There is three hiking trails at the top of Mt. Roberts, from the 2-mile Mount Roberts Trail to the 7-mile Granite Creek Trail.
The Timberline offers a menu focused on the seafood of the region along with a selection of beer, wine and cocktails.
Located at 490 S. Franklin St. Open May to September with varying hours. Admission based on age.
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure
For plant lovers, explore Glacier Gardens for a guided one-hour tour of its gardens aboard an open-air shuttle. See the plants of the temperate rain forest along with a creek that runs through the property.
Located at 7600 Glacier Highway, 7 miles away from the cruise ship docks. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 to the end of October. Admission based on age. Transportation to Glacier Gardens is not included.
Bucket List Excursions in Juneau
For cruisers wanting to check off some bucket list items, Juneau offers some unique excursions. The helicopter tours to guided glacier trekking, to dog-sledding excursions seem thrilling.
Whale watching cruises to see the summer feeding grounds of humpback whales get you close to the majestic creatures. There’s also the opportunity for seaplane sightseeing flights over the temperate rainforest and the glaciers. Finally, all-you-can-eat seafood cookouts are favorites.
San Juan Island Getaway in Washington
Skagway, Alaska
Skagway is a favorite among cruise passengers. During my cruises, it has always been the case. The town of Skagway is a restored mining town, filled with old wooden buildings. Find lots of places to visit without taking an organized excursion, though if you have the budget, one excursion is a standout.
White Pass and Yukon Route Railway
Skagway is the home of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. The narrow-gauge scenic train trip is a stand-out for cruisers, not just families.
After blasting through rock, the first train rolled out of Skagway in 1898 at the height of the Alaska gold rush. The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway climbs 3,000 feet in 20 miles as passengers whisk by pristine mountain scenery. As a bonus, the train depot is a short walk from the cruise ship port.
Located at 201 2nd Ave. Open daily from 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the cruise season. Advance tickets are a must, or book through your cruise line.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
The Gold Rush swaggered into Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory during the 19th century. Back then, the tiny town busted with lawlessness as it turned into a boomtown.
To learn more about the history of the area, head to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. First up, watch the interpretive film to learn about the gold rush and how would-be miners climbed the treacherous White Pass Trail.
If your group has school-age kids, head to the Pantheon, a restored saloon and part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. This building is dedicated to Junior Rangers and earning a free badge. It offers several hands-on stations with iPad prompts for kids to learn how to be a gold prospector on the Alaska and Yukon frontier, along with knowledgeable rangers on-site.
Free admission for everyone. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily from May until September. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center is located at 291 Broadway in the historic White Pass and Yukon Route building and includes 15 restored buildings across Skagway.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park also has a sister location in Seattle, Washington.
Skagway Museum
Learn about the local history of Skagway at its museum.
Located at 700 Spring St. Open daily from noon to 4 p.m. (1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday).
Walk down Broadway St.
The main route for cruise passengers, walk down Broadway St. to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Site, past many shops. There’s even a shuttle if you get tired. The SMART shuttle runs every 30 minutes along Broadway St. with stops every other block from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grizzly Fall Zip Line
With a shuttle pick-up close to the cruise ship port, spend an amazing day exploring the rainforest near Skayway. With a series of 10 zip lines, riders even pass over a waterfall.
Located in nearby Dyea. Admission based on age, along with height and weight restrictions.
Mollie Walsh Playground
Skagway is an excellent town to explore on foot with the kids in tow. Find a playground along with a public restroom at 25 6th Avenue.
Guide to Washington National Parks
Hubbard Glacier
As the largest tidewater glacier in North America, it boasts a 400-foot face, it’s 76 miles long and 1200 feet deep. As your cruise ship sails into Disenchantment Bay, use binoculars to view the marine life and birds.
If your cruise itinerary includes visiting Hubbard Glacier, it’s actually part of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. And it’s the largest national park in the National Park Service system.
If exploring the Hubbard Glacier on a cruise, then a stop by the visitor center is impossible since cruise ships don’t dock at the Hubbard Glacier. However, kids can still earn a Junior Ranger badge.
One Day Itinerary to Olympic National Park
Sitka, Alaska
Most first-time cruisers are surprised to learn about Sitka’s Russian heritage. In fact, the island was under Russian control until it was transferred to the U.S. in 1867. There are several locations preserving Russian history.
Baranof Castle State Historic Site
As your ship docks, Castle Hill overlooking Sitka Sound is the spot where Alaska was transferred to the U.S. in 1867. It is now the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, though the castle no longer exists.
Traditional Folk Dancing
Enjoy a traditional folk dance with dancers in traditional Russian folk costumes at the New Archangel Dancers.
Located at 208 Smith St. Tickets required.
St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral
The St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral is a replica of the original church that was destroyed by fire. The Sitka residents saved many of the church’s artifacts during the fire. It is also a National Historic Landmark.
Located in the middle of the street at 240 Lincoln St.
Sitka National Historical Park
The Sitka National Historical Park’s visitor center offers a short interpretive film about the area. You can also walk among their collection of totems in Totem Park or see artisans at work on traditional crafts.
Visit the Russian Bishop’s House for more Russian history. It was the home of the Russian Orthodox Church from 1842 to 1869 and is one of the few examples of Russian colonial architecture in North America.
Free admission for everyone at both locations. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the summer. The Sitka National Historical Park’s visitor center is located at 106 Metlakatla Street. The Russia Bishop’s House is located at 501 Lincoln St., and both locations are walkable from the cruise ship’s tender dock.
Alaska Raptor Center
Learn about Sitka’s effort to rehabilitate injured bald eagles at the Alaska Raptor Center. It features several enclosures for raptors unable to return to the wild. In addition to bald eagles, there are owls, hawks and ravens.
Located at 1000 Raptor Way. Open daily during the summer season from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission based on age.
Icy Strait Point
Learn about the rich heritage of native Alaskan culture at a tribal dance. Or visit nearby Hoonah, the largest Tlingit village. Icy Straight Point is a hub for outdoor excursions.
ZipRider
Ride on the longest zip line in the world with six 5,330-foot ziplines with a descent of 1,300 feet. This zip line features a seat instead of just a harness for a more comfortable ride.
ATV Rides
Ride through the Alaskan wilderness and see wildlife in the pristine forest.
Whale Watching Cruises
On a smaller vessel, passengers get up close to pods of humpback whales as they feed in the Alaska waters.
Bear Viewing
Another must for any trip to Alaska is seeing bears in the wild. Take a guided trip along the Spasski River to see a bear along with other Alaskan wildlife.
Best National Parks for Volcanoes
Victoria, British Columbia
Stroll the charming streets of the inner harbor with its neo-Baroque style buildings and colorful flower beds along the Inner Harbor. It is walkable from the cruise ship dock, and there’s also a bus.
Royal BC Museum
Discover the history of British Columbia in the Royal British Columbia Museum. Founded in 1886, it features large interpretive displays of the First Nations of Canada as it shares the arts and culture of each.
Located at 675 Belleville St. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission based on age.
Beacon Hill Park
Walk through a 200-acre park with lush plantings and water features. Located at 200 Cook St.
Hotel Fairmont Empress
Overlooking the inner harbor, the Empress Hotel is a National Historic Site of Canada. Walk through its lobby and gardens or reserve a spot to enjoy afternoon tea in its lobby.
Located at 721 Government St. Reservations for afternoon tea are recommended.
Craigdarroch Castle
Tour the Victorian era Baronial Mansion built in 1890 by Robert Dunsmuir. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
Located at 1050 Joan Crescent, walkable from Wharf St. along Fort St. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission based on age.
Miniature World
This a must for kids and for anyone that loves miniatures. It’s not all dollhouses either, see 85 different dioramas from different time periods from across the world.
Located at 649 Humboldt St. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 0 p.m. Admission based on age.
Butchart Gardens
One of the top gardens in North America, this area was once a quarry. The gardens cover 55 acres and feature 900 varieties of plants. It’s a top destination in BC.
Located at 800 Benvenuto Ave. in Brentwood Bay. Open daily with various hours. Admission based on age. You will need to take a tour to visit, or have a car.
Seward Alaska
As a frequent point of disembarkation, Seward offers a scenic location to explore before or after your cruise. Located in the shadow of Mount Marathon and on Resurrection Bay, get a dose of rugged Alaskan landscape.
The historic downtown offers a gateway into Alaska’s past. Steward is a gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park. So, find the visitor center in the center of town or arrange a visit to Exit Glacier.
Kenai Fjords National Park
As the gateway to mainland Alaska, find the Kenai Fjords National Park visitor center in Seward. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet and tour the visitor center. Arrange a boat cruise to see the fjords up close or take a cab to Exit Glacier Nature Center for hiking.
Free admission for everyone at both locations. Kenai Fjords Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily during summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Located at 1212 4th Ave.
The Exit Glacier Nature Center is located at 24620 Herman Leirer Rd. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer.
Some cruisers arrange a land excursion to Denali National Park, home of Denali Peak, formerly known as Mt. McKinley. As the highest peak in North America, it’s 20,310 feet tall. Cruisers can take a train to train to Denali and once there, a bus is used for sightseeing since the main road is closed to private vehicles.
What Cruise Ships Sail into Glacier Bay National Park
A highlight of Alaskan Itineraries, sailing into Glacier Bay National Park offers views of the Fairweather Mountains along with up-close views of tidewater glaciers.
Since the National Park Service regulations limit the number of large cruise ships, this is a factor for would-be Alaska cruisers. Most itineraries start at the Icy Strait, and the NPS park rangers board the ships for interpretive programming for adults and kids. Cruising Glacier Bay for at least 8 hours, cruisers see marine life, like bald eagles and seals.
Comments are closed.