Alaskan Ports -- Your Essential Guide

You typically won’t find snow on the ground near the cruise ports from May to October, but there are two ways you can get a taste for dog sledding.  

Option 1 involves flying by helicopter to a glacier and “mushing” on snow. It’s about as authentic a dog sledding experience as you can have, short of entering the Iditarod yourself. Be ready to enjoy fabulous views as your pilot narrates your flight to the top of the Mendenhall Glacier. You'll be surrounded by breathtaking views as you glide across the glacier with your furry companions, and then have a chance to chat with the musher about his or her life. A helicopter flight and a one-hour dog-sledding experience on snow will typically cost from $500 to $650.

Option 2 for a dog sledding experience involves riding in a wheeled sled at a kennel on non-snowy ground. In effect, you’ll be helping to train the dogs during the “off season.” These kennels are located closer to ports than is the glacier, meaning you don’t have the expense of a helicopter ride to reach them. Specially-made sleds with wheels are pulled by dogs around the kennel area or a short distance away. You’ll be able to chat with the mushers and kennel-owners about dog sledding and probably have a chance to meet and mingle with the huskies. This type of trip will typically run around $150.

Juneau is known for its excellent whale watching opportunities. You may be able to see whales as your cruise ship pulls into and out of the port at Juneau. For a more up-close- and-personal experience, take a boat tour and spot humpback whales, orcas, and other marine wildlife in their natural habitat. 

Harv and Marv’s Whale Watching Tours offers a 4 ½ hour trip for around $159 https://www.harvandmarvs-juneau-whale-watching.com/

Jayleen’s Alaska offers both group and private whale-watching tours starting at $195

https://jayleensalaska.com/tours/

In historic downtown Juneau, you will find unique shops, art galleries, museums, and historic landmarks like the Alaska State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion. Visit the Alaska State Museum to learn about the rich history, culture, and art of Alaska. The museum features exhibits on Native Alaskan cultures, natural history, and contemporary art.

Take a tour of the Alaska Brewing Company and learn about the brewing process while sampling their award-winning beers. The Tasting Room is open year-round and offers an off-the-beaten-path destination for visitors and locals alike to relax, meet friends and try Alaskan’s newest brews. It is located 5 miles from downtown Juneau and 3 miles from the airport.   https://www.alaskanbeer.com/

For some authentic Alaskan eats, try Tracy’s Crab Shack, https://kingcrabshack.com/

open every day 10:30 to 9:00  You can chow down on Snow and Dungeness Crab, Crab Cakes, Crab Bisque and Pulled Pork Sliders. 

Or, pop into the Red Dog Saloon, https://www.reddogsaloon.com/  where you’ll find typical saloon food, beer, and lots of souvenirs for sale.  

Another great eating spot is   

Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos. Grab a taco sampler or some fish and chips, and wash them down with a cold beverage. 

Probably the most popular excursion out of Skagway is the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway.  You’ll enjoy a wonderful panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. The ride is about a 40 mile round trip and takes 2.5 to 3 hours. The most recent costs were $142 for adults and $71 for children. For passengers arriving via cruise ship, this tour is available from your ship’s Shore Excursion Department. By booking through the cruise line, you will be able to take advantage of the dockside service and board the train on the pier alongside your ship.

Try a tour with the  Skagway Alaska Street Car. Costumed conductors in a 1927  sightseeing bus take you on a tour through the waterfront and national park historic district. You’ll enjoy the panoramic views from a scenic overlook on this 90-minute tour which departs right from the pier daily, May through September, at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. 

Explore the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which preserves the history and stories of the gold rush era. Visit the visitor center, take a guided tour, or hike the scenic trails.

At the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake you can try your hand at gold panning and experience the excitement of searching for gold, just as the prospectors did during the gold rush. The all-you-can-eat feast features  alderwood-grilled WILD Alaska salmon, Cheechako chicken, Chilkoot baked beans, Tongass wild-rice pilaf, a selection of sides, salads, beverages and homemade blueberry cake for dessert.  Recent costs for the whole tour were $109 for adults and $79 for kids, and includes the  historic exhibits, live interactive entertainment and gold panning.

For a bite to eat (and more), try the Skagway Brewing Company. All of their fish is fresh and locally caught, including beer-battered halibut and salmon dishes made with local wild fish, fresh-caught from nearby waters. They’ve got an on-site craft brewery and they produce their own greens on-site in an aeroponics botanical grow room.  

Ketchikan is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," and offers a variety of activities for visitors. Explore Creek Street, a historic boardwalk lined with colorful buildings and quaint shops. Learn about the area's history, visit art galleries, and keep an eye out for salmon swimming up the creek.

Visit the Totem Heritage Center to see a remarkable collection of totem poles and Native Alaskan artifacts. Learn about the rich indigenous culture and artistry of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. The Center is about a 15 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the cruise ship docks and downtown corridor. Admission is $6 and children under 17 are free.

The Lumberjack Show is one of Ketchikan’s most well-known excursions. It’s fun for all ages and located one block from the cruise ship docks, right downtown near Creek Street where the salmon run! The Lumberjack Show reflects upon Southeast Alaska’s rich logging history. Take in the one-hour show for $37 or combine the show with a trip to the rustic George Inlet Lodge for a meal featuring fresh Dungeness crab served with a romaine salad, and a scrumptious cheesecake with blueberry topping for dessert. Cost for adults is $159 and $129 for children for the combination lumberjack show, transportation to the Lodge, and the meal. 

Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour 

https://alaskacrabtour.com/

This trip  stays within the Inside Passage where the waters are calm and protected. You’ll sail by the beautiful islands and bays surrounding Ketchikan on your way to crabbing spots. As the crew begins to haul up the catch you’ll be right alongside. The tour is 3 hours long and runs $209 for adults and $129 for children under 13

Child - $129

The Alaska Fish House is just a short walk from the cruise docks. Sit and eat right beside Ketchikan’s  historic fishing fleet. The menu includes fish and chips, fish tacos and burgers, salmon or halibut bowls.

 Downtown Sitka is 5 miles away from the port but there are free shuttles that depart every 15 minutes. When you get there, you can easily walk around and discover the town's rich history or take the trails and enjoy the nature.

Explore the Sitka National Historical Park's beautiful coastal rainforest, hike its trails, and learn about the region's Native American history. Don't miss the Totem Walk, where you can see a collection of beautiful totem poles. Or you can just sit by the lake and enjoy the view. 

Sitka is known for its abundant wildlife, including whales, sea otters, seals, and various bird species. Join a wildlife cruise or kayak tour to observe these animals in their natural habitat.  There are numerous hiking trails that showcase its stunning natural beauty. You can hike to places like Harbor Mountain, Indian River Trail, or Gavan Hill Trail for breathtaking views and a chance to immerse yourself in nature.

Sitka has a rich Russian history, and you can explore it by visiting St. Michael's Cathedral, a striking Russian Orthodox church, and the Russian Bishop's House, which offers a glimpse into the region's past.

Rent an E-Bike, pick up a trail map and take your own tour of the area. Kings E-Bikes is conveniently located adjacent to the Sitka Sound Cruise Ship Terminal.  kingsebikes.com

The Alaska Storytellers Historical Dance show is a 30-minute journey through Sitka’s rich Russian history. Tickets start at $15  alaskastorytellers.com

Kayak Adventure 

You can paddle through unique areas accessible only by kayak – your guide will help identify the colorful marine life visible below, including crab, sea stars, anemones, sea urchins, jelly fish and more.  A 4 ½ hour excursion includes 1/2 hour outfitting, 3 hours kayaking, 1/2 hour beachcombing, 1/2 hour boat ride to Cruise Terminal

Price: $189.00+Tax and Fees Per Adult   $129.00 +Tax and Fees Per Child     https://www.kayaksitka.com/

Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska. It is located in the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. The port is centered around the restored salmon cannery, which now houses a museum, local arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and a mid-1930s cannery line display. 

You’ll find over 20 different shore excursions including ATVs, biking, kayaking, nature tours, a ropes course, and the world's largest and highest zipline ride. 

Icy Strait boasts the world’s largest and highest zip line at 5,330 feet long, featuring a 1,300-foot vertical drop—a thrilling ride with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and ocean. If you're looking for more relaxing mountaintop views, book a gondola ride that will whisk you up into the mountains for some leisurely hiking and awesome sightseeing. Icy Strait Point houses several restaurants where visitors can dine on freshly caught seafood while taking in the waterfront views.

Charter boat operators take clients out throughout the summer to target halibut and the five species of salmon: king, coho, sockeye, chum, and pink, which are headed to spawn in area’s rivers and streams. Expect to pay $300 - $400 for an excursion. 

Half-day whale watching tours search for humpbacks and orcas and many offer a 100-percent guarantee of whale sightings or your money back. Prices from $170

Land-based bear viewing tours travel via bus or van from Hoonah to explore the wilderness of Chichagoff Island, which has the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. Prices for a bear-watching excursion run around $140. And you don’t have to travel far to see wildlife: humpbacks and orcas are often seen right from shore and eagles are spotted regularly in town.

Most excursion slots in Icy Strait are very limited, and it’s often best to try to book through your cruise line. This site may offer availability for some excursions. 

https://icystraitpointexcursions.com/