Alaska cruise itineraries can vary quite a bit, but most sailings stop at a mix of popular ports along the Inside Passage. Some are larger, such as Juneau and Ketchikan. Others, like Sitka or Haines, are a bit less on the radar. What do they all have in common? You’ve usually got just one day, and a long list of things you could do in these Alaska cruise ports.
The most common 7-day Alaska cruise itineraries include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Some longer cruises, or those sailing less typical routes, may also stop in places like Sitka, Haines, or Icy Strait Point. Even if you haven’t finalized your itinerary yet, this should give you a better idea of what the highlights are at each port.
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Most Alaska cruises include at least one day of scenic cruising to view a glacier. These days are spent sailing through areas like Endicott Arm, Dawes Glacier, or Hubbard Glacier. Glacier Bay is the longest scenic cruising day and one of the most iconic parts of an Alaska cruise. If you are a first-time Alaska cruiser, I highly recommend choosing an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay.
In this post, I’m rounding up the major Alaska cruise ports and the top things to do in each one, based on our own experiences and the excursions we looked into while planning our cruise.
Juneau: Glacier Views, Whale Watching, and a Lively Downtown
You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane, which makes it one of the few state capitals in the U.S. without road access. It’s also one of the most popular Alaska cruise ports, with no shortage of things to do right off the ship or through a booked excursion.
For many cruisers, Mendenhall Glacier is at the top of the list. You can visit independently by taxi, Lyft, shuttle, or as part of a guided tour. If you’re up for some walking, the short hike to Nugget Falls gets you face-to-face with an incredible waterfall. We visited Mendenhall on our own after our dog sledding tour was canceled and had a fabulous day, ending it with King Crab Legs.
Many travelers also book helicopter tours to go dog sledding or walk on a glacier. These are true bucket list experiences and still high on ours, but it’s worth knowing that they’re often canceled due to weather.
Whale watching is another big draw in Juneau. If it’s on your Alaska wishlist, this is the best port to do it. Tours typically depart from nearby Auke Bay and often include stops at the Mendenhall Glacier or other local highlights. We saw multiple humpbacks and even orcas (a rare sight) on our recent tour, and it ended up being a highlight of the trip.
Back near the port, downtown Juneau is easy to explore on foot. You’ll find gift shops, breweries, and restaurants serving up fresh halibut, salmon, and crab. Tracy’s King Crab Shack is one of the most well-known spots for Alaskan king crab, but we also had a delicious crab dinner at The Hangar on the Wharf, along with some of the best salmon chowder we’ve ever had. If you’re looking for something more casual (and fun), the Red Dog Saloon is worth a visit for a drink and a peek at the sawdust-covered floor.
Tour Ideas:
– 3.5-Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska [book now]
– Juneau Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk [book now]
– Juneau Helicopter Tour & Dogsledding Experience [book now]
Skagway: Gold Rush History and Scenic Rail Adventures
Skagway feels like stepping into a Gold Rush-era movie set, with wooden sidewalks, preserved false-front buildings, and stories of stampeders chasing fortune in the late 1800s. It’s a small port, easy to walk, but many of the best things to do here happen just beyond town.
The most popular excursion is the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. This historic train climbs steep mountain grades with nonstop views of waterfalls, gorges, and glacier-carved peaks. It’s a round-trip ride to the summit. Unless you’re taking a combo tour that continues into the Yukon by bus and then returns to Skagway by train. We took one of those Skagway combo excursions. We loved the variety of scenic stops along the way—Carcross Desert, Emerald Lake, and the welcome sign at the Yukon border, marking our entry into Canada. You can also rent a car and do the drive on your own.
If you’re up for something more adventurous, some tours take you beyond the Gold Rush sights. On our most recent visit, we took a boat across to the Chilkat Mountains and canoed to Davidson Glacier. It was a fun and active way to experience another part of Alaska and one of the highlights of our cruise.
If you’re interested in local history, consider visiting the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which features several restored buildings located right in town. There’s also the Gold Rush Cemetery and Lower Reid Falls, both a short walk or quick shuttle away.
Downtown Skagway is compact and easy to explore before or after your tour. There are souvenir shops, local art, and places to grab coffee or a bite to eat. If you’re looking for something with character, consider stopping by Skagway Brewing Company or checking out the Red Onion Saloon, which was once an actual brothel during the Gold Rush days and still pays homage to its history. Make sure to stop by Klondike Doughboy’s for the fry bread—it’s like a flat, pastry-style donut covered in cinnamon sugar, and easily one of the best treats we’ve had in Alaska.
Tour Ideas:
– Glacier Point Wilderness Safari [book now]
– Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure [book now]
Ketchikan: Creek Street, Salmon Runs and Totem Runs
Ketchikan is often one of the first or last stops on an Alaska cruise. Most ships are only in port for part of the day, so you may not have as much time here as you do in other ports. We spent our visit in Ketchikan walking around town, checking out shops, and grabbing something to eat. We lucked out with sunny weather once, but that isn’t always the case since Ketchikan is known for being the rainiest cruise port in Alaska.
The most popular spot to visit is Creek Street, a historic boardwalk built on stilts over the water. It was once the town’s red-light district, and now it’s lined with shops, small museums, and signs sharing its layered history. If you’re visiting during salmon season, look down—you can usually see salmon swimming upstream through the creek. We’ve even spotted seals hanging out, waiting for an easy meal.
Downtown Ketchikan is easily explored on foot and seamlessly blends into Creek Street. You’ll find shops, galleries, and casual spots for seafood. We had some of the best fish and chips and chowder at Alaska Fish House, and they also serve crab legs if you still need to get your fix before the cruise ends.
Some cruisers book tours to Saxman Native Village or Totem Bight State Historical Park to see incredible totem poles and learn more about the area’s Indigenous culture. Others head out on floatplane tours to Misty Fjords, which can be stunning when the weather cooperates.
Another popular option is the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour, run by actual crab fishermen who take you aboard their working vessel. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at life on the water and has become a favorite among Alaska cruisers. If you’re more in the mood to eat crab than catch it, George Inlet Lodge is known for its all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab meals.
One of the most unique tours offered in Ketchikan is snorkeling in Alaska, which surprises many cruisers. We haven’t tried it ourselves yet, but we’ve only heard rave reviews from others who have. While many water-based tours in Alaska run rain or shine, this one can occasionally be canceled if conditions are less than ideal, so it’s best to have a backup plan.
Tour Ideas:
– Lumberjack Show and Harbor Haus Crab Feast [book here]
– Misty Fjords National Monument Floatplane Tour [book here]
– Ketchikan Shore Excursion: Eagle Island Sea Kayaking [book here]
Sitka: Wildlife Encounters and Cultural Landmarks
Sitka isn’t on every Alaska cruise itinerary, but if your ship stops here, it’s worth getting off early and making the most of the day. This port has a very different feel from places like Juneau or Ketchikan. It’s smaller, less commercial, and has strong cultural roots that tie back to both the Indigenous Tlingit people and the Russian settlers who once occupied the area.
One of the top places to visit in Sitka is Sitka National Historical Park, where you’ll find a scenic walking trail lined with totem poles, plus a visitor center that shares the story of the 1804 Battle of Sitka. Nearby, the Russian Bishop’s House and St. Michael’s Cathedral are reminders of Sitka’s time under Russian rule.
This is also a great port for wildlife experiences. Many cruisers book excursions that include a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center, which rehabilitates injured bald eagles and other birds of prey. There are also small-group boat tours where you can spot sea otters, whales, and even puffins if you’re lucky.
Sitka’s downtown area is small and easily walkable, featuring a handful of shops and places to grab a bite. It doesn’t feel as built up as the other ports, but that’s part of what makes it stand out. If you’re looking for a low-key experience, the Sitka Sound Science Center, situated right by the water, makes for an easy and educational stop.
Tour Ideas:
Simply Amazing Sitka Tour: Fortress of the Bear, Alaska Raptor, & Totems [book here]
Best of Sitka Land Tour l Top Attractions & Scenic Highlights [book here]
Icy Strait Point: Whale Watching and the Famous ZipRider
Icy Strait Point is one of the more laid-back Alaska cruise ports, located near the small village of Hoonah. It’s owned and operated by the Huna Tlingit, so it has a different, more community-focused feel than some of the larger ports.
One of the biggest draws here is whale watching. Tours head into Icy Strait or Point Adolphus, which is known for reliable humpback sightings. If seeing whales is high on your list, this is one of the best ports to do it.
The other standout activity is the ZipRider, which claims to be the world’s longest and highest zipline. If you’re into adrenaline, this one delivers. You’ll fly down a mountain at high speed with sweeping views of the trees and water below.
If you’re looking to get outside without booking an excursion, there are a couple of easy trails near the port. The Icy Strait Point Nature Trail is a short loop through the woods with some nice coastal views. You can also follow the boardwalk toward Hoonah, which hugs the shoreline and passes tide pools, benches, and the cannery.
Tour Ideas:
Icy Strait Village Tour and Crab Feast [book here]
Icy Strait Whale & Wildlife Endeavor [book here]
Haines: Rafting, Bears, and Small-Town Alaska
Haines is a quieter port that appears on fewer Alaska cruise itineraries and is sometimes substituted for Skagway. If your cruise stops here, you’ll find fewer crowds and a more relaxed pace with a focus on nature and wildlife.
One of the most popular things to do in Haines is a scenic float trip through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. These are calm water rafting excursions that take you through a beautiful valley known for its large population of bald eagles. Some tours also include a drive through the preserve, which is especially scenic during salmon season.
Another favorite here is bear viewing. During salmon season, bears are often spotted along the Chilkoot River or near Chilkoot Lake. There are guided tours that focus on wildlife sightings, and some are short enough to fit easily into a port day.
Downtown Haines is compact and easily explored on foot. You’ll find a handful of shops, local restaurants, and small museums. One that always stands out is the Hammer Museum, which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a strange little stop, but one people tend to remember.
Haines isn’t the place for big attractions or lots of shopping. It’s about open landscapes, wildlife, and experiencing a different side of Alaska.
The 45-minute ferry ride between Skagway and Haines operates during cruise season and is sometimes included as part of guided excursions, such as the Chilkoot Wilderness and Wildlife Viewing tour. You can also book the ferry independently if you prefer to explore Haines on your own.
Tour Ideas:
– Half-Day Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Float Tour [book now]
– Alaska Wildlife Voyageur Canoe Safari from Haines [book now]
Scenic Cruising Days on an Alaska Cruise
Most Alaska cruises include at least one scenic cruising day, where the ship sails into a fjord or bay to give passengers up-close views of a glacier. This day is one of the most magical parts of the Alaska cruise, and you don’t even have to leave the ship to enjoy it.
The most well-known is Glacier Bay National Park, which is only accessible to a limited number of cruise ships. It’s a full day of sailing past snow-capped peaks, icebergs, and multiple tidewater glaciers, including Margerie Glacier, which is known for frequent calving, and Lamplugh Glacier, with its deep blue ice and dramatic setting. Park rangers often come aboard to narrate what you’re seeing and share the park’s history.
Another popular route is through Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier, a narrow fjord lined with waterfalls and sheer rock walls. It’s not quite as long as Glacier Bay, but it feels dramatic and remote. Some ships also sail to Tracy Arm, although that has become less common in recent years due to changing ice conditions.
You might also visit Hubbard Glacier, known for its massive face and the thunderous cracks you’ll hear when the ice calves into the water. It’s one of the most active glaciers cruise ships can get close to, and when it puts on a show, it’s something you won’t forget.
Wherever your ship sails, these scenic cruising days are usually early morning events, and the best views are from an outside deck or your balcony if you have one. Our top Glacier Bay tips: Dress warmly, bring your camera or phone, binoculars, and allow yourself time to take it all in.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
