The ultimate guide to Alaska cruise ports and attractions

An Alaska cruise is the adventure of a lifetime, offering the promise of frontier towns, impeccable scenery, cold beer, fresh seafood and a world of adventure to enjoy ashore.

If you're cruising on a big ship, chances are good you'll be stopping at the "Big Three" ports: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska. But there are a plethora of smaller — though no less interesting — ports of call that ships big and small can call on during voyages to Alaska from both Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle. If you leave from the latter, you're guaranteed to stop in at least one Canadian port of call in order to satisfy U.S. cabotage laws.

Here is our ultimate guide to Alaskan cruise ports of call.

The big-name Alaska ports

These are the go-to ports of call. The standards. The "OG" ports, as the kids say. No first-time trip to Alaska is complete without a visit to one of these mainstay ports filled with history and adventure.

Ketchikan

Sometimes referred to as "Alaska's First City" due to its location on the Inside Passage just north of the Canadian border with the United States, Ketchikan instantly charms visitors with its houses and boardwalks built on stilts along the harbor and historic Creek Street district situated not far from the cruise ships. This former Red Light district is now a tourist and photographer's dream come true. Salmon can frequently be seen spawning here in the late summer and early fall. The town's history is tied inexorably to the sea, fishing and the Tlingit Natives that have called this their land for centuries.

There are four main cruise berths in Ketchikan, all within walking distance of the main downtown area. Pack your umbrella: If it's going to rain at any point on your journey, it will be here. Rain is omnipresent in Ketchikan, even during the "dry" months. In fact, it rains in Ketchikan approximately 233 days of the year.

But Ketchikan is also home to several amazing sights, including Totem Bight State Historical Park; nearby Misty Fjords; excellent fishing and hiking; and family-friendly diversions like the always-fun "Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show."

Bring your rain gear and your sense of adventure. It's not hard to fall in love with this little seaside community, rain or shine.

Ketchikan (Ward Cove)

If you're sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises or luxury brand Regent Seven Seas, you might see Ketchikan (Ward Cove) stamped on your itinerary. And while you'll indeed see Ketchikan, you won't be docked where the other ships are.

Located seven miles west of downtown Ketchikan, Ward Cove is a new development that was inaugurated in conjunction with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in 2021. Nestled within a beautiful cove (it's one of our favorite sailaways in Alaska), ships calling on Ward Cove discharge passengers into the remains of a former cannery that now functions as a staging area for shops, quick bites, and shore excursions – some of which operate in the wilderness area close by.

Here's the downside: You're a 20-minute bus ride from downtown Ketchikan, which dramatically limits your time in town. Buses, particularly those serving bigger ships, can be hot and crowded. We've had buses break down. We've had buses without air conditioning. We've had buses without heating. You name it.

Not to mention, when other passengers can hop back on their ship in the heart of town, Ward Cove guests must line up in the sun — or the liquid sun — for their ride back to the ship.

You still get to see Ketchikan, but some preplanning is a good idea if your ship is calling on Ward Cove.

Juneau

The state capital of Alaska, Juneau is present on nearly every itinerary sailing to or from Alaska. And while it lacks the quaint charm of Ketchikan or the Klondike vibes of Skagway, Juneau is the port of call that offers more adventure, food, drinks and options for exploration than any other.

Completely inaccessible from the mainland by road, Juneau is one of the few U.S. state capitals that you can only reach by sea or air. Ships dock along South Franklin Street and all, with the exception of the southeasternmost dock, the AJ Dock, are within easy walking distance of town. (You can walk into town from the AJ Dock in about 20 minutes, but if it's raining, we don't recommend it.)

While the city of Juneau is worth a wander in its own right, most first-timers to Juneau will likely be exploring farther afield. About a 30-minute drive away, Mendenhall Glacier offers some great trails and an interpretive center. Plus, it's the base for several popular soft adventure excursions, including rafting, hiking and even helicopter landings on its pristine surface.

Other popular diversions include whale watching and exploring the Gastineau Channel and nearby Auke Bay, while hiking aficionados will find the trails accessible by the Mount Roberts Tram (situated right downtown) to be the perfect thing.

If you opt to stay in town, check out heavyweight tourist-approved stalwarts like Tracy's Crab Shack and Alaskan Brewing Company, or stop into The Hangar Pub to get a quick bite and watch the ships and seaplanes come and go. You'll be glad you did.

Skagway

At the end of the Lynn Canal (the deepest, longest fjord in the U.S.), the gold rush-era town of Skagway still looks much as it did in its 1898 heyday. But don't let its (often faux) Klondike appearance deceive you: This is one of the most fascinating and diverse ports in Alaska.

To start with, Skagway is charming. Sure, it's a town that exists much for tourists, but the approximately 800 or so locals who live here year-round are dedicated to offering local wares, artisanal crafts, books and more. There are two great breweries in town, plus a charming local distillery to whet your whistle. And, in terms of Alaska, Skagway perhaps offers the wildest lore, from the gun-toting bandit, Soapy Smith, who briefly reigned over the town in 1898, to the herculean feat that is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, which now serves tourists instead of tired prospectors on its steep, narrow grades.

If you're the active type, you'll want to hike or cycle to the ghost town of Dyea, just up the road. Little remains here save for some pier pilings and a half-collapsed storefront, but Dyea was once as crucial to the gold rush as Skagway.

For hikers, Skagway offers some of the best trails you'll see in Southeast Alaska, all within easy walking distance of your ship. And for those seeking a little more adventure, cruise lines often craft shore excursions that take passengers into Canada's Yukon territory to see, among other things, the Carcross Desert — a desert in the middle of a mountainous rainforest.

Alaska cruise ports: Off the beaten path

Chances are good that your cruise itinerary includes a visit to one of these more off-the-beaten-path ports of call. While some, like Sitka and Icy Strait Point, are becoming as ubiquitous on itineraries as Juneau and Ketchikan, it hasn't always been that way. Ditto for Haines, which sometimes serves as an overflow port of call for nearby Skagway but is worth visiting in its own right.

Haines

Think of Haines as Skagway's little brother. Home to less than 2,000 people, Haines is located in Lynn Canal, just a quick 60-minute ferry ride from Skagway, which makes day trips to Skagway and its attractions a reality. Likewise, some shore excursions in Skagway will visit Haines.

Haines lacks Skagway's grandeur and railroad but makes up for it with its abundant nature. Plenty of hikes, rafting excursions and backcountry treks are possible from here, and the town itself is also worth your time.

Be sure to check out the Hammer Museum at the heart of downtown — there's an enormous, inflatable hammer on the front lawn if you need a landmark. It features a "Hammer of the Month" and a seriously impressive collection of this useful tool. Stop in for a pint at one of the local watering holes, or pay a visit to Fort William H. Seward National Historic Landmark, the last of 12 gold rush-era military outposts built in Alaska.

Sitka

If you're not up on your Alaskan history, Sitka might surprise you. This quaint city on the western end of Baranof Island was under Russian rule from 1799 to 1867, when it was called New Archangel. Sitka was also the site of the Alaska Purchase from Russia in 1867 and served as Alaska's capital city until 1906, when it was moved to Juneau.

Today, cruise visitors come ashore at a brand-new, purpose-built terminal on the north side of the island, taking shore excursions or the complimentary shuttle bus into town. Smaller ships still anchor in the main bay from time to time and tender passengers ashore to the center of town.

Once in town, Sitka's Tlingit and Russian heritage is on display. St. Michael's Cathedral, the first Orthodox cathedral in the New World, still stands in the center of town (though this version is a replica built after a 1966 fire wiped out the original). The Russian Bishop's House National Historic Landmark, dating back to 1842, still stands, as does the Sitka Pioneer Home that dates back to 1913.

Also worth your time here is a bear refuge and education center called Fortress of the Bear and a spectacular raptor rehabilitation center called the Alaska Raptor Center, which has been operating for over 40 years.

Icy Strait Point

Situated on the northern end of Chichagof Island, just southeast of the entrance to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Icy Strait Point is a manufactured cruise destination. But don't let that put you off. Icy Strait Point, which began welcoming cruise ships in 2004, is a local success story that is well worth your time.

Developed in conjunction with Huna Totem Corporation, this former salmon cannery turned Alaska Native-owned tourist destination is staffed almost entirely with residents from the nearby village of Hoonah (which is also a pleasant and easy walk down the road on a nice day). It has two cruise piers connected by a scenic tram, a mountaintop gondola that rises 1,500 feet in the air, and the world's largest ZipRider, which is 5,495 feet long and reaches speeds of up to 60 mph.

But Icy Strait Point is also rustic and beautiful. Restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating serve cold brews made specially for Icy Strait Point, along with local salmon chowder and other eats. Visitors can purchase locally made crafts and wares and find plenty of quiet spots to sit and enjoy nature before heading out on a whale-watching excursion, where magnificent sightings are pretty well guaranteed.

The creation of Icy Strait Point has ensured the survival of this beautiful spot and the nearby town of Hoonah, making it a mutually beneficial development.

Wrangell

One of the prettiest towns you're likely to see in Alaska, Wrangell is mostly visited now by smaller luxury and expedition cruise ships after a failed attempt by Norwegian Cruise Line to turn it into a big-ship port of call back in 2004 and 2005.

There's plenty to do here, and it's all within easy reach of your ship. You can hike (a 20-minute walk, really) to nearby Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site, with its ancient rock carvings and gorgeous shoreline, or hike almost 1 1/2 miles along the Rainbow Falls Trail just outside the city limits. You can also pay a visit to Chief Shakes Tribal House, a faithful replica of the traditional Tlingit house of the Naanya.aayi Clan. You might also enjoy the authentically gritty bars and general whimsy of the town itself; our favorite sighting was a hairdresser along the main drag with the business name "I'll Cut You."

If you're looking for big shopping deals or duty-free trinkets, you should know that this is not that kind of port — and that's precisely why we're in love with it. It's an authentically Southeast Alaskan experience.

Don't forget these Canadian ports of call

If you're leaving on a cruise out of Seattle, you'll be calling on at least one Canadian port of call, thanks to U.S. legislation that requires all foreign-flagged cruise ships (most likely, yours) to call on a "distant foreign port" before returning to Seattle. That's where these little Canadian gems come into play.

Conversely, you might call on some of these Canadian ports if you're setting sail on a longer itinerary or if you've chosen a luxury or expedition cruise — smaller ships love smaller ports of call.

Prince Rupert

So close to Ketchikan you could practically reach out and touch it, the port of Prince Rupert is steadily becoming more popular with cruise ships headed to Alaska. Located in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the traditional home of the Coast Tsimshian (shim-shan) people is home to the third-busiest cargo port in Canada nestled within North America's deepest ice-free harbor.

There's plenty of natural and Indigenous history to enjoy in Prince Rupert, from hikes along the Butze Rapids Trail to the picturesque Sunken Garden right in the heart of the city. Near the port, a Japanese fishing vessel, the Kazu Maru, has been preserved for years after it washed ashore on the coast of British Columbia in 1987. Its owner, Kazukio Sakamoto, had set out for a fishing trip from the Japanese port of Owase nearly two years earlier and never returned. The vessel has been preserved in Prince Rupert ever since it was found.

Victoria

Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia, is best described as a slice of Victorian England on North America's west coast. It's filled with turn-of-the-century buildings, including the gorgeous Parliament Buildings, which are attractively lit every evening. Victoria is home to a number of world-famous attractions, including afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress hotel, which overlooks the Inner Harbour, and The Butchart Gardens, a sprawling 55-acre, 121-year-old garden in nearby Brentwood Bay.

Most big ships call here only from 8 p.m. to midnight on their way back to Seattle, but don't let the short visit put you off. Buses whisk guests from the ships to the Inner Harbour, allowing for visits to local restaurants, pubs or even the acclaimed Fairmont Empress hotel for a nightcap. If you're visiting while it's still light (or don't mind a nighttime stroll), Victoria's downtown attractions are just a 25-minute walk from the piers at Ogden Point.

Some luxury cruise brands and lines like Cunard make Victoria an all-day affair, allowing for a wide range of adventures in this charming Canadian city.