The Best Alaska Cruise Excursions Worth Booking!

Table Of Content

• Klondike Highway vs The Skagway Train
• What to Pack For Your Alaska Cruise
• Zodiac Boat Adventure

Consider this excursion if you'd like to see a glacier up close without spending the money on a helicopter tour. This combo tour in Juneau includes both a helicopter tour and glacier trek. On this adventure, you'll check out the local terrain from above with a helicopter flightseeing experience.

Klondike Highway vs The Skagway Train

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The Carnival Legend offers several shore excursions and my favorite happens to be one that happens on the water. We were able to experience the Dawes Glacier/Endicott Fjord due to the normal excursion route still being iced over in early June. If your Alaskan cruise route includes a stop in Juneau, don’t miss taking a whale watching tour with Alaska Tales Whale Watching. You’ll be sharing the water with incredible and majestic humpback whales, at a respectful and safe distance of course. The company is so sure that you’ll see wildlife that they’ll guarantee your money back if you don’t see a whale.

What to Pack For Your Alaska Cruise

From the serene beauty of rainforest walks to the heart-racing excitement of helicopter rides, each excursion offers a unique way to experience the wonder of Alaska. This guide aims to ensure your cruise is not just a trip but a collection of memories that will last a lifetime. The White Pass & Yukon Route in Skagway offers a historic train ride, taking you through some of Alaska's most breathtaking landscapes.

Zodiac Boat Adventure

Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint. If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north. You can read more about each of these in my guide for how to choose Alaska cruise excursions; then you’ll see why I picked each of the best Alaska cruise excursions in the cruise port below. I’ve spent ages reviewing each of the cruise companies’ websites and the excursions they offer in different Alaska cruise ports and terminals.

Skagway Sled Dog and Musher’s Camp

If you book an excursion with a private tour company, though, you are essentially on your own to get to the ship on time. If you miss the departure because of the tour arriving late, you will be responsible for catching up with the ship at the next port of call. That could be a considerable distance if they are at sea for two days, and some of the Alaska cruises have several consecutive days at sea. On this guaranteed whale sighting tour, jump on a high-speed catamaran to cruise the very active feeding ground of the humpback whale. Return to shore for an often bumpy ride to the Spasski River for a guided drive in search of brown bear, black-tailed deer, and bald eagles.

You’ll have a little bit of time to walk around the city before saying goodbye to this storybook town. Once you reach the lake, you’ll discover that the surrounding mountain peaks and forest trees are perfectly reflected in the water. Your guide will take a moment to share more about the history of the area as you take in the breathtaking view over the glassy water. And you won’t want to miss the opportunity to experience a traditional salmon bake where you can savor freshly cooked Alaska salmon.

Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour (The "Deadliest Catch" Tour)

For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dog-sled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau. Going on an Alaska cruise – a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see one of the world’s beautiful natural destinations. It’s an unforgettable experience, and even tops my Alaska bucket list! Trust me that I know how popular Alaska cruising is – I get questions about it all the time!

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The excursion started with a 20-minute drive through town and out to Douglas Island. We then boarded tandem kayaks (Hannah went with a guide) and luckily the rain let up for us to enjoy the fog and mist it left behind. We saw marine life including seals and eagles, but unfortunately couldn’t make it close enough to see the Mendenhall Glacier through the fog as they sometimes can. Since my husband has wanted to go on a float plane since watching Fantasy Island as a kid, we knew a float plane excursion had to be on our list. The Neets Bay bear-watching adventure from Taquan Air was the perfect combination of a wildlife tour and a float plane ride. This once-in-a-lifetime experience took a surprisingly smooth 20-minute flight out to Neets Bay, flying over some beautiful scenery, before arriving at a salmon hatchery.

It also rains a lot in Alaska; it's drier in the spring than in the summer. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest – but my heart will always be out West. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge.

After a beau­ti­ful 20- or 25-minute float­plane ride, you’ll land on a remote beach. Take a short walk to the bear-view­ing area, where you can watch these mag­nif­i­cent crea­tures for hours in their nat­ur­al environment. Vis­it the gift shop, restau­rant, live bald eagle dis­play, and nature cen­ter.

Cruise passengers likely only have a day or two in the park, thus picking the right shore excursion is key. Our best day spent in Denali National Park was on the Backcountry Adventure offered by Pursuit. Once we arrived at the Skagit River, our family of 4 and my mother-in-law were given life jackets and instructions about how to get on and off the raft. While on the raft, we saw plenty of bald eagles, beavers, birds, and even a moose wading on the shore. This is a nice family-friendly activity for those who do not want anything too adventurous or for a gentle scenic float through the Alaskan wilderness. In addition to fly fishing, we visited two wonders of the inner passage.

This railroad was built during the Klondike Gold Rush and is a testament to human engineering and perseverance. The journey provides spectacular views of mountains, gorges, waterfalls, and the untamed wilderness of the North. This excursion is ideal for history buffs and nature lovers alike, offering a comfortable yet thrilling way to experience Alaska's rugged beauty.

7 Alaska Cruise Excursions That Are Worth The Money

Table Of Content

• Tours to Haines from Skagway
• Rainforest Canopy and Zipline Adventure
• Glacier Bay National Park Scenic Cruising Day
• Alaska's Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Trail: Small-Group Experience
• Top 10 Alaska Cruise Excursions
• 🦪 Best for Foodies: Ketchikan Pub Crawl
• Scenic cruising

Setting off from the Juneau harbor in a whale-watching boat, you'll cruise to nearby areas to see not just humpback whales but harbor seals and sea lions, too. Indeed, in some cases, the cruise lines own the tour operators in Alaska ports, or at least a piece of them. For instance, the parent company of Princess Cruises and Holland America is a part-owner of Skagway's big attraction, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

Tours to Haines from Skagway

If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield. Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages might also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement. Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer.

Rainforest Canopy and Zipline Adventure

Holland America Line serves sustainable wild Alaskan seafood, with park rangers and local Indigenous tribe members often boarding for presentations. Gawk at one of North America’s most spectacular glaciers and learn about glaciers’ remarkable force in a compelling visitor center. Ride to Auke Bay and board a water-jet-powered expedition vessel designed for superior wildlife viewing. When sailing Stephens Passage—renowned as a summer breeding ground for humpback whales—you may well get close enough to hear these giants breathe. Unlock a world of adventure with Discovery at SEA™, our exclusive partnership with Discovery™ and Animal Planet™. But since dog sledding is a winter activity, cruise ship visitors in the early days never had a chance to experience it.

Glacier Bay National Park Scenic Cruising Day

In that case, you should definitely consider booking the Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer excursion (or others similarly named) for your time in port in Ketchikan. There are dog sledding options in many ports, including Juneau, Skagway, and Anchorage. Each excursion typically includes a helicopter ride and dog sledding on a glacier. Floatplane trips include views walls of granite, lush forests, and more. Along the way, you’ll see cascading waterfalls, majestic fjords, and abundant wildlife. The highlight is landing on an alpine lake or remote fjord and stepping out onto the pontoon to enjoy the fresh mountain air and dramatic scenery.

Alaska's Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Trail: Small-Group Experience

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The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers.

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These gastronomic delights provide a perfect break from your explorations, allowing you to savor the local flavors and enjoy a culinary adventure. Guided tours offer a blend of serene nature walks and educational insights into the region's ecology and history. It's a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the soothing sounds and sights of the forest.

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The minimum age is 2 years old, making it accessible for most family members. Some cruise lines include all excursions in the cost of your cruise passage, allowing you to choose the ones that suit your desires. Others include no excursions, which helps keep the initial cost of the cruise low, but you may find your onboard charging slipping higher than you expected. Still other cruise lines offer a hybrid option, where the basic tours are included and there is an upcharge for the higher-priced options. There you have it – my take on the best Alaska shore excursions in Ketchikan. Have other questions about visiting Ketchikan, taking an Alaska cruise, or choosing Alaska cruise excursions?

You will get the opportunity to visit a dogsledding summer training camp, take a ride on a sled pulled by specially trained dogs and you might even get a chance to meet some cute puppies. The tour is surprisingly family-friendly with even younger children being able to withstand that long drive. During the lunch break, there is an opportunity for a nature walk or to go panning for gold. It was the only successful gold panning of our entire trip and my kids were able to bring home their gold on laminated cards as a souvenir. We spotted 4 of the Denali Big 5 missing out only on the elusive wolf. When heading to Alaska, it’s imperative not to miss Denali National Park.

Scenic cruising

For even more adventure, some tours combine the Icy Straight Point zipline with an ATV ride. The Juneau zipline glides above the treetops on Douglas Island (accessed by a high-speed channel crossing from Juneau aboard an expedition craft, which is an adventure of its own). And if you dare to look down, you'll also see the flora and fauna of a rainforest and the remains of an old gold mining operation. Fed from the precipice of Mt. Deborah, which towers over the glacial valley that you'll land on. You'll truly encounter the great Alaskan Wilderness on this Denali adventure.

The region has a fascinating history tied to the fishing and timber industries. For more information about the ship, see our guide, What to Expect on a Royal Princess Alaska Cruise. Wake up early the next morning to breathe in the intoxicating views of Glacier Bay at sunrise. Once you arrive at the staging area, you’ll have a safety briefing and gear up for your adventure. Everyone will then board a Unimog, an open-air all-terrain vehicle, and take a rugged 15-minute ride up the mountain to the base of Grizzly Falls.

But the real action begins when you learn to climb up and rappel down glaciers using special equipment. The best part is that no experience is needed; a guide will instruct you in the use of the provided mountain gear, which includes boots, an ice ax and crampons. For an adventure on the water, cruise along Juneau’s Auke Bay in search of humpback and killer whales, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles, and more.

A self-guided tour can take you through historic downtown, bustling with shops, galleries, and eateries. Highlights include a visit to the Alaskan Brewing Company, where you can sample locally crafted beers. Culinary adventurers should not miss the chance to try an oxtail or ox mual burger, a unique twist on American comfort food, perfectly paired with a cold local brew. Choosing the right time to cruise to Alaska is crucial for an optimal experience. The season runs from May to September, with each month offering its unique charm.

Experience a glimpse of the life of a prospector when you join a colorful cast of characters to learn the art of gold panning. As you cruise through the park, keep an eye out for marine wildlife, including humpback whales, seals, and sea lions. You can even experience a dog sledding tour on the Mendenhall Glacier, where you’ll take a helicopter to the glacier and then mush through the breathtaking Alaska wilderness. Best of all, there are dozens of options to combine the train tour with another activity. History buffs can add a visit to Liarsville, a re-created gold rush camp complete with Vaudeville entertainment and a salmon bake.

Two other popular tours to Haines from Skagway include the Takshanuk Mountain Trail 4x4 Adventure and Steve Kroschel’s Wildlife Center. The Juneau-Douglas City Museum sits on the site where Alas­ka offi­cial­ly became a state. View the exhibits and watch an award-win­ning doc­u­men­tary about the city. From May to Sep­tem­ber, you can take walk­ing tours of his­toric down­town Juneau and the Alas­ka State Capitol.

Your small group (usu­al­ly just 4 peo­ple) will board the company’s com­fort­able boat and set off from the Ketchikan cruise-ship dock, leav­ing the big ships and the crowds behind. If it's Alaska's famous humpback whales that you want to see, you'll want to book a whale-watching tour. The waters around Juneau are particularly known for humpback whales — so much so that the operator of this excursion offers a whale-sighting guarantee. There are some cruise destinations — Barcelona, for instance, or Venice — where you really don't need to sign up for shore excursions. You can just walk off the ship and head to the major attractions on your own. When I describe Juneau in a quick synopsis to friends, I always mention glaciers and whales.

Top it all off with some time by a cozy fire, gourmet lunch and some rest before returning to the ship with timeless memories. Lying northwest of Canada, Alaska is known for its diverse terrain, wide open spaces, stunning mountain views and abundant wildlife. An Alaska cruise isn’t complete without exhilarating shore excursions.