Every summer from May through September, cruise lines travel to Alaska full of travelers looking to experience the "Last Frontier." The most popular Alaskan ports visited by cruises are Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Skagway. Port excursions on Alaska cruises give guests an opportunity to explore each of these ports on a guided tour.
While cruising through the Inside Passage, cruisers may be able to view Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord or College Fjord from the ship's decks. When docked, port excursions on Alaska cruises give passengers a closer look at the glaciers and include helicopter or float plane rides and guided tours by land or sea.
The Juneau ice field is one of the largest in the state and home to Mendenhall Glacier. Excursions here give guests an opportunity to explore the walking trails along the glacier's face and into the Tongass National Forest. In Ketchikan, a flight excursions over Misty Fjords National Monument provide a scenic view of the lakes, waterfalls, gorges and wildlife below. In Skagway, a canoe trip through Glacier Point provides an up-close view of the Chilkat or Davidson Glacier systems.
The summer is the best time of the year to see a wide variety of wildlife, including bears, eagles, moose, mountain goats, seals and whales. In Juneau, Auke Bay is a prime location for seeing sea lions, porpoises and humpback and killer whales. A boat excursion can be reserved to this popular site. In Ketchikan, an excursion to the Herring Bay cove area allows cruisers glimpses of an abundance of seals, bald eagles, black bears and blue herring. In Skagway, the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is a must for bird-watching enthusiasts, and the Point Adolphus area in Icy Strait Point is one of the best whale-watching excursion sites in Alaska. The area is also home to sea lions, otters, seals and eagles.
An important part of Alaska's history is the Gold Rush of 1898, and several port excursions on Alaska cruises give guests an opportunity to learn about it. In Juneau, guests can explore mines and pan for gold at Gold Creek, and in Skagway, cruisers can travel along the White Pass and Yukon Railroad to visit a historic gold-rush camp, enjoying views of mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and historic sites along the way. Another way to reach the gold rush sites is by dogsled. Excursions typically include a narrated history of the area, a visit to a dog camp and a sled ride powered by a team of huskies.
Ketchikan, which was originally an Indian fish saltery, experienced growth when it became a supply base and entry port for miners during the Gold Rush. Much of its cultural history can be seen on a port excursion to Saxman Totem Village or the Totem Heritage Center. Guided tours give cruise passengers an opportunity to see the colorful totems carved by the Alaska native Tlingit and Haida Indians and learn about their legends and totem-carving rituals. Cruisers also can visit a modern Tlingit village.
Ketchikan is the "Salmon Capital of the World," and several fishing excursions usually are available on Alaska cruises. Five varieties of North Pacific salmon can be found in Ketchikan's waters, and some tour providers will even ship the catches to the guests' homes. In Skagway, Chilkoot Lake is a prime location for catching salmon and Dolly Varden, while Icy Strait Point offers an abundance of salmon and halibut.
Guests seeking action and adventure will find several port excursions on Alaska cruises that offer kayaking, hiking, ziplining and other outdoor activities.
