Alaska Cruise Excursions You’ll Talk About for Years

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Stepping off your ship in Alaska feels like entering another world. Towering glaciers, whale-filled bays, and charming historic towns wait just beyond the pier. With only a few hours in each port, the right shore excursion can turn a good trip into the adventure of a lifetime. Whether you dream of riding a vintage train through the mountains, kayaking beside sea otters, or flying over ice fields in a floatplane, Alaska Cruise Excursions offer something unforgettable for every traveler. This guide highlights the best picks in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Anchorage—so you can spend less time planning and more time exploring.

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Alaska Cruise Excursions (Best ones!)

When you book an Alaska Travel Cruise, the highlight often happens off the ship. Each port along the Inside Passage Alaska or the Gulf of Alaska offers its own flavor of adventure. Think whale watching in glassy fjords, hiking trails through rainforests, or tracing Gold Rush history on a vintage train.

If it’s your first time, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to the most talked-about Alaskan Cruise Excursions—the kind of days that leave you grinning long after you’re back on board. A few are must-book early, like whale watching in Juneau Alaska or the White Pass railway in Skagway Alaska. Others, such as totem walks in Ketchikan Alaska or sea otter spotting in Sitka Alaska, are easy to plan even last-minute.

Here are a few quick highlights:

Juneau Alaska: Whale watching paired with Mendenhall Glacier.
Skagway Alaska: Ride the White Pass & Yukon Route railway into the mountains.
Ketchikan Alaska: Floatplane over Misty Fjords or explore totem parks.
Sitka Alaska: Search for sea otters and puffins on a wildlife cruise.
Icy Strait Point Alaska: Zipline thrills or humpback whale encounters.
Anchorage Alaska: Fjord cruises and glacier spotting near Seward or Whittier.

The beauty of these Alaska Cruise Excursions is variety—you can go full-adrenaline one day and cultural or family-friendly the next. No matter your pace, there’s a perfect fit for every traveler.

Juneau Alaska

Juneau Alaska is one of the crown jewels of an Alaska Travel Cruise. Surrounded by glaciers, mountains, and water, the capital offers some of the most diverse Alaska Cruise Excursions. Whether you dream of spotting whales, flying over icefields, or savoring local salmon, Juneau has it all.

Whale watching magic

Juneau is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales. Summer tours often guarantee sightings, and chances of spotting orcas are strong too. Boats range from intimate six-passenger charters to larger, family-friendly vessels. Pairing whale watching with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier gives you two signature Alaska experiences in a single outing.

Glacier adventures

For those craving adrenaline, glacier excursions are unforgettable. You can canoe across Mendenhall Lake, hike onto the ice with crampons, or soar by helicopter to land on the Juneau Icefield. Flightseeing tours sometimes include dogsledding on remote glaciers—a bucket-list experience for many on an Alaska Travel Cruise.

Rainforest trails & city gems

If you’d rather keep things simple, Juneau offers plenty of options near the pier. Ride the Goldbelt Tramway up Mount Roberts for sweeping views and easy access to alpine trails. The Alaska State Museum showcases native heritage, Gold Rush artifacts, and natural history in an engaging way. Downtown Juneau also brims with shops, galleries, and cozy cafés—perfect for a rainy day.

Foodie favorites

Juneau is a delicious stop for food lovers. Taste wild-caught salmon or halibut, sample king crab legs, or join a salmon bake excursion with live music. Pair it with a local craft beer for the perfect Alaskan treat.

Wildlife beyond whales

Eagles often soar overhead near the pier, and bears can sometimes be spotted near Mendenhall Glacier during salmon runs. Keep your camera ready—wildlife sightings in Juneau feel spontaneous and magical.

Time-smart planning

Half-day stop: Whale watching or tramway + Mendenhall Glacier viewpoints.
Full-day stop: Whale watch + Mendenhall + glacier trek or tram ride.
Rainy-day plan: Museum, local shops, salmon bake, and a scenic tram ride if clouds lift.

Handy extras

The weather can change fast—sunshine one minute, mist the next. Bring a waterproof daypack, compact binoculars, and touchscreen liner gloves for comfort. Waterproof layers are worth every ounce of space in your Alaska Cruise packing list.

Skagway Alaska Excursions

Tucked at the end of the Inside Passage Alaska, Skagway Alaska is a favorite on many Alaska Cruises. Known as the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush, it mixes jaw-dropping scenery with rich history. Whether you crave adventure or a gentle stroll, this small town delivers.

White Pass railway ride

The White Pass & Yukon Route is Skagway’s most famous excursion—and for good reason. Vintage railcars climb 3,000 feet into rugged mountains along tracks carved into sheer cliffs. You’ll pass waterfalls, glacial rivers, and ghostly remnants of the Gold Rush trail. It’s one of those Alaskan Cruise Excursions that feels both relaxing and awe-inspiring.

Active adventures

Adventure travelers can pair the train with biking back down—an easy, thrilling descent with wide-open views. Other options include hiking Lower Dewey Lake or the Chilkoot Trail, where you’ll walk in the footsteps of stampeders. For water lovers, kayaking the Lynn Canal offers a wild, peaceful take on the fjords.

Cultural experiences

Skagway’s Broadway Street looks like a movie set, with restored wooden buildings and swinging saloon doors. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park brings the past alive with free ranger talks and museum exhibits. You can also join guided tours that dive into Tlingit heritage and local legends.

Wildlife encounters

Outside of town, keep an eye out for bald eagles and the occasional bear along the riverbanks. Some tours combine wildlife viewing with scenic drives into Canada’s Yukon Territory for big mountain panoramas.

Time-smart planning

Half-day stop: White Pass train loop, then explore downtown shops and boardwalks.
Full-day stop: Train up + bike down, Yukon drive, or a mix of hiking and cultural tours.

Handy extras

The weather shifts quickly in the mountains. A packable down jacket, polarized sunglasses, and a lightweight rain shell are musts. Good walking shoes also help if you plan to explore beyond the pier.

Ketchikan Alaska

Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan Alaska greets visitors with colorful boardwalks, totem poles, and rainforest scenery. It’s also the gateway to Misty Fjords, one of the most stunning landscapes on an Alaska Travel Cruise.

Misty Fjords magic

A floatplane tour over Misty Fjords is a top-tier Alaska Cruise Excursion. Towering granite cliffs, hidden lakes, and deep fjords unfold beneath your window. If flying isn’t your style, consider a scenic boat trip for a quieter but equally dramatic view of the wilderness.

Totem culture & local history

Ketchikan is rich in native heritage. Visit Saxman Totem Park or Totem Bight State Historical Park to see intricate carvings and learn their stories. The Totem Heritage Center holds some of the oldest totem poles in Alaska, a highlight for culture lovers.

Unique tours

Adventure seekers can join a crab fisherman tour on the Aleutian Ballad (famous from Deadliest Catch). Watch crab pots hauled up, meet the crew, and enjoy close encounters with bald eagles. Families often love this one for its storytelling and excitement.

Downtown & Creek Street

Wander Creek Street, once a red-light district, now home to shops, galleries, and salmon ladders. If salmon are running, you might spot them leaping upriver right from the boardwalk.

Time-smart planning

Half-day stop: Totem park + Creek Street stroll + salmon ladder.
Full-day stop: Misty Fjords floatplane or crab tour plus cultural visits.

Handy extras

Ketchikan gets plenty of rain—pack a lightweight waterproof jacket, non-slip shoes, and a compact umbrella.

Sitka Alaska

Sitka Alaska blends wild beauty with Russian history and rich Tlingit culture. Surrounded by mountains and islands, it feels more off-the-beaten-path compared to other Alaska Cruises ports.

Wildlife watching

Sitka is one of the best places for marine wildlife. The Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest often includes sightings of sea otters, humpback whales, puffins, and eagles. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly way to enjoy Sitka Sound.

Russian heritage & Tlingit culture

St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House reflect Sitka’s Russian past. Just outside town, Sitka National Historical Park combines coastal trails with towering totem poles—a scenic and cultural highlight.

Active adventures

Guided kayaking in Sitka Sound is unforgettable on calm days. You can paddle close to kelp forests, spot sea stars, and enjoy a slower pace. Hikers might try the Indian River Trail, a forested path leading to a waterfall.

Unique extras

Animal lovers can visit the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center for injured eagles. Kids especially enjoy the close-up views of these majestic birds.

Time-smart planning

Half-day stop: Totem park walk + Russian sites + coffee downtown.
Full-day stop: Wildlife cruise + cultural tours + Raptor Center.

Handy extras

Bring binoculars with a neck strap, a waterproof daypack, and layered clothing. Sitka’s weather can swing quickly from sunny to misty.

Icy Strait Point Alaska

Located near Hoonah, a small Tlingit village, Icy Strait Point Alaska is one of the best places for authentic cultural experiences and wildlife encounters. It’s also home to adrenaline-filled excursions that make it a highlight of many Alaskan Cruise Excursions.

Whale watching

Hoonah waters are teeming with humpback whales in summer, and sightings are almost guaranteed. Tours are led by locals who share personal stories along the way, adding meaning to the experience.

Zipline thrills

If you love adventure, the ZipRider is one of the world’s longest ziplines. It’s fast, fun, and offers sweeping views of Icy Strait before landing back near the shoreline.

Bear viewing & wildlife

During salmon runs, bear-viewing tours give you a chance to see coastal brown bears fishing in rivers. Eagles and sea lions are common too, making this a true wildlife hub.

Local culture

The restored Cannery Museum and nearby shops highlight Tlingit traditions and crafts. Walking into Hoonah offers a quieter, more personal glimpse into life in rural Alaska.

Time-smart planning

Half-day stop: Whale watching or zipline + quick museum visit.
Full-day stop: Whale tour + cultural walk + bear excursion if in season.

Handy extras

Pack motion relief bands, a small dry bag, and sturdy walking shoes. The weather can swing from drizzle to sunshine in a single morning.

Anchorage Alaska

While big ships don’t dock in Anchorage Alaska itself, many itineraries end or begin nearby in Seward or Whittier. These ports open up some of the most spectacular excursions of the entire Gulf of Alaska, with endless glaciers, fjords, and mountain views to explore before or after your cruise.

Seward highlights

Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, where day cruises bring you face-to-face with tidewater glaciers that thunder as they calve into the sea. Wildlife is everywhere—sea otters float in kelp beds, puffins dive for fish, and whales often breach right beside the boat. On land, the Alaska SeaLife Center makes a perfect family stop, with rescued seals, seabirds, and interactive exhibits that kids adore. If you’ve got time, the Exit Glacier hike is a short but powerful walk that shows how ice has shaped the land.

Whittier adventures

Tiny Whittier sits at the edge of Prince William Sound, a maze of fjords, icefields, and islands. Scenic boat tours here glide past waterfalls and dozens of tidewater glaciers in calm, protected waters. Many travelers find it just as breathtaking as Glacier Bay, but with fewer crowds. For a different perspective, you can kayak the sound with a guide and paddle through serene, iceberg-dotted waters.

Road trip gems

One of the best parts of docking near Anchorage is the road trip potential. The Seward Highway, stretching between Seward, Whittier, and Anchorage, is consistently ranked among the most scenic drives in the world. Along the way, you can:

Spot beluga whales in Turnagain Arm.
Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see bears, moose, and bison up close.
Ride the Alyeska Tram in Girdwood for alpine views and easy hiking trails.
Pause at countless roadside pullouts for glacier vistas and photo stops.

Active options

If you like to stretch your legs, Seward and Girdwood offer rewarding hikes with minimal planning. Exit Glacier is a short hike with a huge payoff, while Winner Creek in Girdwood is a lush rainforest trail with a fun hand tram over a river. Both are accessible and family-friendly.

Anchorage city extras

If your cruise timing allows, spend a few hours exploring Anchorage itself. Visit the Anchorage Museum for a modern look at Alaskan history and art, or stroll the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for city views mixed with wilderness. With a little luck, you might even spot a moose grazing by the trail.

Time-smart planning

Half-day stop: Wildlife Conservation Center + Turnagain viewpoints + quick stop in Girdwood.
Full-day stop: Kenai Fjords cruise from Seward or Prince William Sound tour from Whittier, with scenic stops on the drive.
Extended stay: Add a night in Anchorage to enjoy museums, trails, and local restaurants before flying home.

Handy extras

A soft-sided duffel bag is perfect for post-cruise road trips, fitting easily into cars or trains. Bring a multi-port travel charger to keep phones and cameras powered on long days, and don’t forget a lightweight pair of hiking shoes for short trails.

Ready to plan your Alaska Cruise Excursions?

An Alaska Travel Cruise is already a dream trip—but the right shore excursions turn it into an adventure you’ll talk about for years. From whale watching in Juneau Alaska to the White Pass train in Skagway Alaska, from totem poles in Ketchikan Alaska to sea otters in Sitka Alaska, every stop offers something unique. Add in the wildlife and glaciers of Icy Strait Point Alaska and the fjord cruises near Anchorage Alaska, and you’ve got a journey filled with unforgettable moments.

Pack smart, book the highlights early, and leave space for a little serendipity—because in Alaska, surprises are part of the magic.

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