Ports of Call
Spending 2 summers in Alaska during the cruise season, I made many repeat visits to the same ports of call, getting a good idea of what each town had to offer.
From mushing camps to whale watching trips, you are sure to experience the glory of Alaska simply by just entering its territory.
Taking a helicopter or flight tour is a great way to take in the aerial views where you may also choose to land on a glacier or a lake!
Alaska is an incredible destination and traveling throughout its passage via cruise ship is a great way to get a good taste of everything it has to offer.
Here you will find information and pictures from the following locations, and popular ports of call:
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JUNEAU
Also the capital of Alaska, this is a great port for wildlife viewing and an adventurous spirit.
It is highly possible to see bears, eagles, seals and whales on just one day-trip.
A hike to Mendenhall Glacier is an easy way to get up close to nature's majestic scenery, or possibly take a longer hike at the top of Mt. Robert's tram.
Note: Ice caves pictured below are from behind Mendenhall Glacier in 2014, however must be accessed via trailhead. Do proper research in advance or hire a guide in order to locate and make it there safely.
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SKAGWAY
Although this is the smallest and least populated port, it sure has a ton to offer!
The history of the Gold Rush lives on through this quaint little town (with only one main road) and you can feel the warmth of the locals as you travel about.
You may take the train deep into the Yukon, explore local hiking paths, check out a musher's camp, pan for gold, or even blow your own glass.
This is also a great port to pick up an assortment of inexpensive souvenirs from one of the many shops lining the main road.
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KETCHIKAN
An adorable and colorful fishing community with a variety of things to offer.
Hop on a seaplane for an aerial tour/lake landing, fish for king crabs via a boat featured in "The Deadliest Catch," watch a lumberjack show, go whale-watching, snorkeling, or simply explore this historical little village full of totem poles.
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HAINES
This port is so small it rarely sees larger ships, however you may take a ferry from Skagway in order to visit.
This was a place we were able to manage to take a day-trip to, however lacked adequate time to really explore.
Like all of Alaska, it is beautiful with a variety of hiking and expeditions available.
With a population of less than 2,000, it actually has more bald eagles than people and between October and February it has the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world.
KODIAK
This little fishing town is small enough to see in one day and offers the chance to see the largest brown bear in its natural habitat.
Kodiak Island is known for its large population of native Kodiak bears, significantly bigger than grizzlies and weighing up to 1,600 lbs.
SEWARD
A small fishing and import/export town at the edge of the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is a popular destination for boat tours into the fjords, hiking trails, or a visit to Exit Glacier located in Kenai Fjords National Park.
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WHITTIER
A small industrial port located at the end of the harbor, where only one tunnel allows access either via railway or vehicle.
At 2.5 miles long, it is the longest shared tunnel in North America and really gives appreciation for the efforts put forth via human engineering.
This location serves as a popular cruise destination in which passengers are then transported into Anchorage, but not before enjoying one of the local seafood restaurants, marveling at the old Army Historical District, hiking one of the many trails, or perhaps taking a glacier cruise into Prince William Sound.
