Alaska is the reason people fall in love with cruising. Every other cruise destination has beaches and sunshine, but Alaska gives you humpback whales breaching alongside your ship, glaciers calving house-sized chunks of ice into the sea, bald eagles circling above fishing villages, and mountain ranges that stretch to the horizon in every direction.
The shore excursions in Alaska aren't just nice add-ons to the cruise. They're the main event. What you do at each port determines whether you come home with good photos or life-changing memories. Here's the definitive port-by-port guide for 2026.
Unigear Waterproof Dry Bag with Whistle
- Waterproof dry bag with included emergency whistle
- Multiple size options
The included whistle adds a safety element for open-water excursions
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G4Free Lightweight Packable Daypack
- Folds into its own pocket for zero suitcase space
- 20L capacity fits water, snacks, camera, and sunscreen
Packs flat in your suitcase, expands into a full daypack for excursions
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Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack
- Ultra-lightweight design weighs just a few ounces
- Folds into a compact pouch
At just a few ounces, there is zero excuse not to bring a daypack
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Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch 2-Pack
- IPX8-rated waterproof phone pouches that float
- Full touchscreen access through clear window
Pool deck, snorkeling, rain on excursions — your phone needs waterproofing
View on AmazonPlanning an Alaska cruise? Browse current Alaska cruise deals on Cruisebound. See live pricing on every major line sailing the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska.
Juneau: The Capital of Alaska Cruise Excursions
Juneau is the excursion capital of Alaska cruising. Accessible only by air and sea (no roads connect it to the rest of the state), this compact city packs more world-class excursion options per square mile than any other Alaska port.
Whale Watching
The must-do excursion. Juneau's whale watching tours operate in Auke Bay and Stephens Passage, where humpback whales gather in large numbers from May through September to feed on herring and krill.
Sighting rate: 95-98% during peak season
Duration: 3-4 hours
Cost: $150-200 through the ship, $110-160 independently
What you'll see: Humpback whales (breaching, tail-slapping, bubble-net feeding), orcas (less common but possible), Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles
Best operators: Allen Marine Tours, Juneau Tours & Whale Watch, Gastineau Guiding Company
Pro tip: Book a small-boat tour (12-24 passengers) rather than a large catamaran (100+ passengers). You'll get closer to the whales and have a more intimate experience. The price difference is typically $20-40 more for the small boat. Worth every penny.
Mendenhall Glacier
The most accessible glacier in Alaska, Mendenhall Glacier is 12 miles from downtown Juneau and visible from multiple vantage points.
Visitor center approach ($40-60): A shuttle or bus takes you to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, where you can view the glacier from a distance, walk short trails, and visit the exhibit hall. This is the budget-friendly option, but the glacier has retreated significantly and you're viewing it from across a lake.
Canoe or kayak to the glacier ($150-250): Paddle across Mendenhall Lake directly to the glacier face. You'll float among icebergs, hear the glacier crack and groan, and experience the scale in a way the visitor center cannot convey.
Ice cave exploration ($200-350): When conditions allow (typically June-October), guided tours take you to ice caves formed beneath or within the glacier. These are stunningly blue, otherworldly caverns. Availability depends on ice conditions and is never guaranteed.
Helicopter Glacier Landing
The premium Alaska experience. A helicopter takes you from the Juneau airport over the Juneau Icefield, one of the largest non-polar ice fields on Earth, and lands on a glacier where you walk on ice that's hundreds of years old.
Duration: 2-3 hours (including transport and briefing; about 25-40 minutes of flight time, 30-60 minutes on the glacier)
Cost: $300-500 per person
Weather dependency: Flights cancel 15-20% of the time due to low clouds or rain. Full refunds are standard for weather cancellations.
Operators: Temsco Helicopters, NorthStar Trekking, Coastal Helicopters
Dog sledding on a glacier ($500-650): The ultimate combination. Helicopter flight to a glacier, then a dog sled ride across the ice with a team of Alaskan huskies. This excursion books out months in advance. Reserve early if this is on your bucket list.
Gold Panning at Gold Creek
A family-friendly option where you pan for gold at a historic mining site. You keep what you find (small flakes, typically). Duration is 1-2 hours, and costs $40-70. Not the most exciting excursion for adults without children, but kids love it.
HEETA 20L Waterproof Dry Bag
- Roll-top 20L dry bag keeps everything waterproof for snorkeling, kayaking, and beach excursions
- Shoulder strap for easy carrying
Essential for water excursions — protects electronics and dry clothes on the boat
View on AmazonKetchikan: Rainforest, Totems, and Floatplanes
Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska's Inside Passage and bills itself as the "Salmon Capital of the World." The town is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. The largest national forest in the United States.
Misty Fjords Flightseeing
The signature Ketchikan experience. A floatplane takes you over the Misty Fjords National Monument. A landscape of sheer granite cliffs, waterfalls, and emerald-green fjords that's inaccessible by road.
Duration: 2-2.5 hours (approximately 60-90 minutes of flight time)
Cost: $250-350 per person
What you'll see: 3,000-foot granite walls, waterfalls cascading into saltwater fjords, mountain goats, bears on the shoreline, and the kind of wilderness that makes you understand why Alaska is called "The Last Frontier"
Some flights include a water landing in a remote fjord where the pilot shuts down the engines and you float in complete silence. Remarkable.
Totem Pole Heritage Tours
Ketchikan has the world's largest collection of standing totem poles, and understanding them adds cultural depth to your Alaska cruise.
Totem Bight State Park ($50-80): A guided walk through a rainforest trail to a collection of restored Tlingit and Haida totem poles and a reconstructed clan house. The guide explains the stories carved into each pole.
Saxman Native Village ($40-70): Visit a working carving shed where Native artists create new totem poles using traditional methods. Watch carvers at work and learn about Tlingit culture.
Potlatch Totem Park ($20-30): The most accessible collection, walkable from the cruise port.
Rainforest and Wildlife
Rainforest canopy zipline ($150-200): Zip through the canopy of the Tongass National Forest on a series of platforms and cables. The forest perspective from above is unique to Ketchikan.
Bear viewing at Herring Cove or Anan Creek ($150-300): Observe black bears fishing for salmon in their natural habitat. Herring Cove is closer to town and more accessible. Anan Creek requires a floatplane but offers brown bear viewing in a remote, uncrowded setting. Peak bear viewing is July-August during salmon runs.
Kayaking in Tongass Narrows ($100-160): Paddle through calm waters with views of the harbor, forest, and marine wildlife. Suitable for beginners.
Fishing
Ketchikan lives up to its "Salmon Capital" reputation. Charter fishing excursions for king salmon, silver salmon, halibut, and rockfish are available.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Cost: $250-400 per person
What's included: Gear, guide, fishing license, and usually processing and shipping of your catch (shipping adds $2-4 per pound)
Skagway: Gold Rush History and Scenic Railways
Skagway is a town of 1,100 year-round residents that swells to 10,000+ when multiple cruise ships dock. Its restored Gold Rush-era downtown looks like a movie set, and the excursion options emphasize history and scenery.
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
The classic Alaska excursion. This narrow-gauge railroad, built during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, climbs 2,865 feet in 20 miles through tunnels, over trestle bridges, and along cliff edges with views that will make you grip your armrest.
Duration: 3-3.5 hours (round-trip to White Pass Summit)
Cost: $130-180 per person
What you'll see: Bridal Veil Falls, Dead Horse Gulch, the Canadian border, and panoramic views of mountains, valleys, and the Lynn Canal
Extended options: The railway offers a combination tour with a bus ride through the Yukon Territory to Emerald Lake ($200-280) or a connection to Carcross, Yukon ($180-250) for a longer day trip into Canadian wilderness.
Chilkoot Trail Hike
For serious hikers, a guided hike on portions of the historic Chilkoot Trail, the route thousands of gold prospectors used to reach the Klondike, is a powerful experience.
Duration: 4-6 hours (partial trail)
Cost: $100-150
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous depending on distance covered
Historical context: The trail is littered with actual artifacts from the Gold Rush. Rusted equipment, collapsed shelters, and carved trail markers
Dog Sledding (Summer Wheels or Glacier)
Skagway offers dog sledding on a summer training course using wheeled carts on trails through the forest, or helicopter dog sledding on a glacier (similar to the Juneau helicopter/dog sled combination).
Wheeled dog sled tour: $140-200 per person, 2-3 hours
Helicopter glacier dog sled: $500-650 per person, 3-4 hours
The wheeled version is fun and gives you direct interaction with the sled dogs, but the glacier version is the unforgettable experience.
Gold Rush Walking Tour
A guided walk through Skagway's historic district, including the Trail of '98 Museum, the Mascot Saloon, and the story of Soapy Smith (Skagway's legendary con man). Duration is 1.5-2 hours, and costs $20-40. An excellent complement to the railway excursion.
Sitka: Wildlife and Russian Heritage
Sitka sits on the outer coast of Baranof Island, exposed to the open Pacific Ocean. This gives it a different character from the Inside Passage ports. Rougher waters, wilder coastline, and a unique Russian colonial history.
Alaska Raptor Center
A rehabilitation center for injured bald eagles and other raptors. You'll see eagles in outdoor flight enclosures and learn about raptor biology and conservation. The center houses eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons that cannot be released back to the wild.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Cost: $15-25 admission (walk-in), $40-60 as a guided tour
Highlight: The flight training center where recovering eagles make their first flights before release
Sea Otter and Wildlife Cruise
Sitka Sound is home to one of the largest sea otter populations in Southeast Alaska, along with humpback whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and puffins.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Cost: $100-170
Sighting rate: Sea otters are virtually guaranteed; whales are common but not guaranteed
Best time: Morning tours when wildlife is most active
Russian Heritage Walking Tour
Sitka was the capital of Russian America before the 1867 purchase by the United States. The town retains visible Russian influence, including St. Michael's Cathedral (Russian Orthodox), the Bishop's House, and the Sitka National Historical Park.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Cost: $40-70
Highlights: St. Michael's Cathedral (rebuilt after a 1966 fire using original icons and religious artifacts), the Russian Bishop's House, and the Sitka National Historical Park with its collection of Tlingit and Haida totem poles along a coastal rainforest trail
Fortress of the Bear
A rescue center for orphaned brown bears (grizzlies) housed in converted former pulp mill water treatment pools. The bears are visible from elevated viewing platforms, and naturalists explain bear behavior and ecology.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Cost: $35-55
Why it's worth it: You're 20-30 feet from brown bears in a safe, educational setting
Seward and Whittier: Gateway to Kenai Fjords
Seward and Whittier are turnaround ports for one-way Alaska cruises (Vancouver to Anchorage or vice versa). If your cruise starts or ends here, you often have a day to explore.
Kenai Fjords National Park Boat Tour
One of the premier wildlife and glacier experiences in all of Alaska. A full-day boat tour from Seward takes you deep into Kenai Fjords, where tidewater glaciers meet the sea and wildlife is abundant.
Duration: 6-8 hours
Cost: $200-300 per person
What you'll see: Tidewater glaciers calving into the ocean, humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, puffins, Steller sea lions, and harbor seals on ice floes
Operators: Major Marine Tours, Kenai Fjords Tours (a subsidiary of the Alaska Railroad)
Exit Glacier Hike
A guided or self-guided hike to the face of Exit Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers in the national park system. Trail markers show the glacier's retreat over decades. A powerful visual of climate change.
Duration: 2-4 hours (depending on trail choice)
Cost: Free admission to the park; guided tours $75-120
The Harding Icefield Trail: A strenuous 8.2-mile round-trip hike that climbs 3,500 feet to an overlook of the massive Harding Icefield. One of the most rewarding day hikes in Alaska for fit hikers.
Independent vs. Cruise Line Excursions
This decision comes down to risk tolerance and budget.
Book Through the Cruise Line When:
The excursion involves a helicopter, floatplane, or transport far from the port
Weather could cancel the excursion (the ship handles rebooking and refunds)
You're visiting a port for the first time and want guaranteed logistics
The excursion runs close to the ship's departure time
Book Independently When:
You want smaller group sizes (12-16 people vs. 40-100)
You want to save 20-40% on the price
The excursion is close to the port (walking tours, nearby attractions)
You've visited the port before and know the layout
Reliable independent operators for Alaska:
Viator and GetYourGuide: Aggregators with reviews, cancellation policies, and competitive pricing
Shore Excursions Group: Specializes in cruise port excursions with a "back to ship" guarantee
Local operators: Many Alaska towns have excellent locally owned tour companies. Check TripAdvisor reviews before booking.
What to Wear and Bring
Alaska weather is unpredictable. Pack for every condition.
Essential gear:
Waterproof outer layer (rain jacket with hood)
Fleece or insulating mid-layer
Moisture-wicking base layer
Waterproof hiking shoes or boots
Warm hat and gloves (for glacier excursions)
Sunglasses and sunscreen (yes, even in Alaska. The sun is strong at high latitudes)
Small backpack or daypack
Binoculars (essential for wildlife viewing — the ship may lend them, but personal binoculars are better)
Camera with a zoom lens (wildlife is often at a distance)
Reusable water bottle
Don't bring:
Flip-flops or sandals (trails are muddy and uneven)
Cotton as a base layer (it stays wet and cold)
An umbrella (wind makes them useless — use a rain jacket)
Expensive jewelry to excursions (leave it in the cabin safe)
Budget-Friendly Alaska Excursion Tips
Alaska excursions are expensive compared to Caribbean or Mediterranean ports. Here's how to manage costs without missing the best experiences.
Pick one premium excursion per cruise — the helicopter glacier tour, the Misty Fjords flightseeing, or the Kenai Fjords boat tour. Spend big on one unforgettable experience and go budget-friendly at other ports.
Walk the towns for free. Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway all have excellent self-guided walking options. Juneau's downtown is walkable to the Mount Roberts Tramway ($35), Ketchikan's Creek Street is a free historic walk, and Skagway's Gold Rush downtown is a pleasure to stroll.
Use city buses. Juneau's public bus runs from the cruise terminal to Mendenhall Glacier for about $2 each way. Compare that to the $50+ ship excursion shuttle.
Book Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier on an itinerary that includes them. These glacier experiences happen from the ship itself — no excursion purchase needed. You'll stand on deck and watch glaciers calve into the sea at no extra cost. Choose an itinerary with scenic cruising for free glacier viewing.
Bring your own binoculars and rain gear. Renting or buying these in port towns costs 3-4 times what you'd pay at home.
Book excursions during early-bird sales. Both cruise lines and independent operators offer discounted booking windows 90-120 days before sailing. Prices go up as the sailing date approaches.
Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime destination for many cruisers, and the excursions are what transform it from a scenic cruise into an adventure story you'll tell for years. Choose carefully, dress warmly, and bring a good camera.
For help choosing the right Alaska cruise itinerary, explore our cruise ship tracking map to see which ships are sailing Alaska routes. And check out our shore excursion tips for general excursion planning advice.
