An Alaska cruise is a bucket-list trip: frontier towns, towering scenery, cold beer, fresh seafood and shore‑side adventures. Most big ships call at the “Big Three” — Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway — but many itineraries also include smaller, equally rewarding ports. Voyages depart from Vancouver or Seattle; if you sail from Seattle, U.S. cabotage rules usually require a stop at a Canadian port before returning. Below is a concise guide to the most common Alaska cruise ports and what to do at each.
The big-name Alaska ports
These are the classic ports most itineraries include — historic, scenic and packed with excursions.
Ketchikan
An Inside Passage town sometimes called “Alaska’s First City,” Ketchikan charms with waterfront houses and Creek Street’s boardwalk (once the Red Light district). Salmon are often visible spawning in late summer and fall. The town’s life revolves around fishing and Tlingit culture. Four cruise berths sit within walking distance of downtown. Plan for rain — Ketchikan averages about 233 rainy days a year — and bring waterproof gear.
Top sights and activities: Totem Bight State Historical Park, Misty Fjords excursions, sportfishing, hiking and family shows like the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.
Ketchikan (Ward Cove)
Some lines (Norwegian, Oceania, Regent) may list Ketchikan (Ward Cove). Located about seven miles west of downtown and opened in 2021, Ward Cove disembarks passengers at a converted cannery staging area for shops and excursions. It’s scenic and makes for a memorable sailaway, but it’s a roughly 20‑minute bus ride from downtown — buses can be crowded and add transit time, so plan accordingly.
Juneau
Alaska’s capital is accessible only by air or sea. Cruise docks line South Franklin Street; most are an easy walk to town. Juneau is a hub for adventure activities and the most varied port for options ashore.
Top sights and activities: Mendenhall Glacier (trails and interpretive center, rafting, guided hikes, helicopter glacier landings), whale watching in Gastineau Channel and Auke Bay, Mount Roberts Tram and trails, local dining favorites like Tracy’s Crab Shack and the Alaskan Brewing Company.
Skagway
Skagway retains its Klondike Gold Rush-era character along the Lynn Canal. The small town is filled with shops, breweries and frontier history, including the tale of Soapy Smith and the engineering marvel of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.
Top sights and activities: Ride the White Pass & Yukon Railway, hike or cycle to the Dyea ghost town, explore local trails, and book shore excursions into Canada’s Yukon (Carcross Desert tours are common).
Alaska cruise ports: Off the beaten path
These smaller ports often appear on itineraries for variety, quieter shore time or deeper cultural and natural experiences.
Haines
A quieter alternative to Skagway, Haines (population under 2,000) sits in the Lynn Canal and is reachable by a short ferry from Skagway. The town offers abundant nature activities and a small-town cultural scene.
Top sights and activities: Hiking, rafting, backcountry treks, the Hammer Museum (quirky local attraction), Fort William H. Seward National Historic Landmark, local pubs and small museums.
Sitka
Once the Russian capital of Russian America (called New Archangel), Sitka’s Russian and Tlingit heritage is visible around town. Cruise visitors disembark at a modern terminal with shuttles into the center; smaller ships may tender to town.
Top sights and activities: St. Michael’s Cathedral (replica), the Russian Bishop’s House (historic landmark), Sitka Pioneer Home, Fortress of the Bear (bear refuge), and the Alaska Raptor Center (raptor rehab and education).
Icy Strait Point
Located on the north end of Chichagof Island and developed with Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point revitalized a former cannery into an Alaska Native‑owned cruise destination. It features two piers, a tram, a mountaintop gondola and the world’s largest ZipRider (5,495 feet, up to 60 mph). The village of Hoonah is a short walk away.
Top sights and activities: ZipRider and gondola rides, whale watching (excellent odds of sightings), local crafts and food, and excursions run by local residents.
Wrangell
Favored by smaller and expedition ships, Wrangell is an authentically small Alaskan town with prime outdoor access.
Top sights and activities: Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site (ancient rock carvings), Rainbow Falls Trail, Chief Shakes Tribal House (Tlingit clan house replica), plus local bars and a genuine small‑town vibe.
Don’t forget these Canadian ports of call
Seattle sailings nearly always include at least one Canadian port. Smaller or luxury lines may call on these on longer itineraries too.
Prince Rupert
Close to the Alaska border, Prince Rupert sits in British Columbia and is traditional territory of the Coast Tsimshian people. It’s becoming more popular with Alaska itineraries thanks to its deep, ice‑free harbor.
Top sights and activities: Butze Rapids Trail, the Sunken Garden in town, Indigenous cultural experiences and local history (including the preserved Japanese vessel Kazu Maru that washed ashore in 1987).
Victoria
The capital of British Columbia feels like a slice of Victorian England on the Pacific coast. Big attractions are compact and near the Inner Harbour, making short overnight or evening calls worthwhile.
Top sights and activities: The Fairmont Empress (afternoon tea or a nightcap), Butchart Gardens (55 acres), the parliament buildings lit at night, and strolls around the Inner Harbour. Big ships often have limited hours here, but some luxury lines offer full‑day calls.
Practical tips
– Weather: Southeast Alaska is variable — pack layers and waterproof gear. Ketchikan is famously rainy. – Ship type matters: Big ships hit the Big Three and major hubs; smaller vessels visit quieter, more remote ports. – Transit time: If your ship docks offsite (e.g., Ward Cove), factor in bus transfer time. – Culture and commerce: Many stops are small towns with boutique shops, local craft sellers and small restaurants rather than big shopping centers; expect authentic, locally run businesses. – Excursions: Popular activities (heli‑glacier landings, whale watching, the White Pass railway, Icy Strait Point ZipRider) sell out — book early if possible.
Whether you stick to the Big Three or explore quieter harbors and Canadian stops, Alaska cruise ports offer a mix of wilderness, history and local culture that make every port of call a memorable part of the voyage.
