Best Alaska activities & excursions guide

No two ports feel alike, but that’s part of the magic. Here’s a quick look at some of the key Alaska ports of call:

• Juneau blends access with isolation. There’s no road in or out, but seaplanes buzz overhead and trails begin within blocks of the dock. Cruises to Juneau offer a range of experiences, from glacier treks to cultural landmarks.
• Skagway still wears its Gold Rush roots with pride. Cruises to Skagway give guests the chance to ride historic rail lines and set foot on old prospecting trails.
• Ketchikan pulses with character. Cruises to Ketchikan often include visits to totem parks, strolls along Creek Street’s boardwalk or casting a line for king salmon.
• Sitka stands apart from the rest. It’s quieter than some other ports, with cruises to Sitka drawing guests into trails lined with moss-covered trees, oceanfront fort ruins and close encounters with bald eagles and bears in Alaska.
• Icy Strait Point was built for cruise travelers but stays true to its roots. Cruises to Icy Strait Point highlight Alaska Native-owned tourism and offer near-guaranteed whale sightings.

Each stop brings something new into focus: a landscape, a tradition or a sense of scale.

Juneau might be the capital, but it feels nothing like a city defined by bureaucracy. Tucked between steep forested slopes and the Gastineau Channel, it's a place where orcas sometimes cruise past the docks and glacial ice shimmers at the edge of town. Juneau’s top attractions include Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching tours and the Mount Roberts/Goldbelt Tram — three experiences that consistently rank among the most popular Alaska shore excursions.

Start with the Mendenhall Glacier Explorer excursion, where the size of Alaska’s frozen landscapes becomes hard to ignore. Located about 12 miles from the cruise port, Mendenhall Glacier is easily accessible by shuttle, taxi or organized tour. Local shuttles make it easy to reach the visitor area, but if you have the time (and good shoes), the hike to Nugget Falls offers an even greater reward. The wide, thunderous cascade feeds into a lake littered with icebergs, often close enough to touch. 

Just a short walk from the port, the Goldbelt Tram climbs Mount Roberts for an entirely different vantage. The ride up gives way to valley views and easy access to alpine trails, many of which wind through wildflower meadows or under the watch of nesting ravens. There’s also a carving studio and a mountaintop gift shop featuring local artists.

Whale watching is one of Juneau’s top-rated shore excursions, with humpbacks frequently spotted throughout the cruise season, especially during bubble-net feeding in midsummer. For many guests, witnessing this synchronized feeding behavior becomes the most talked-about moment of their Alaska cruise in September or July.

Skagway is best known for its Gold Rush history tours, drawing visitors into the dramatic story of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is one of the most popular Skagway shore excursions and a bucket-list experience for many Alaska cruisers. Wooden boardwalks still line the main drag of Skagway, and false-front buildings remind passersby of frontier ambition. For guests stepping ashore, it’s easy to picture the town as it was during the stampede of 1898, when tens of thousands arrived in search of fortune.

That story comes to life aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, a narrow-gauge train that climbs through staggering terrain once crossed by hopeful prospectors. During the White Pass Scenic Railway excursion, the railcars pass glacial rivers and sheer granite walls. 

For those more interested in walking the same ground that gold seekers once did, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park anchors downtown Skagway. The visitor center features original buildings and, in summer, ranger-led tours that bring the old saloons and depots to life. It’s free to explore and easy to reach, making it perfect for guests looking to make the most of a port day without straying far from the ship.

If you're after something more active, the Chilkoot Trail invites a different kind of connection. This former trade route turned prospector path begins just outside town and quickly dives into deep forest. While the full trail stretches to Canada, even a short out-and-back hike can be fun.

Among the many things to do in Ketchikan, visitors can explore Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Native Village, stroll along Creek Street or try their luck on a salmon fishing trip. Rain often hangs in the air, but it only sharpens the green of the trees and the scent of wet cedar. Among the many things to do in Ketchikan, visitors can explore totem parks, stroll along Creek Street, or try their luck on a salmon fishing trip.

One of the most recognizable and walkable attractions near the cruise dock is Creek Street, a wooden boardwalk perched above Ketchikan Creek. Once a red-light district, it’s now a hub of small galleries, museums and seafood spots. During salmon season, you can watch the fish push their way upstream beneath your feet, often with harbor seals nearby hoping for an easy catch. 

Just outside the city, Totem Bight State Park offers a glimpse into the cultural traditions of the Tlingit and Haida people. Set within a coastal rainforest, the park features a collection of restored totem poles and a replica clan house. Guided tours are a great way to learn about the historical context of the area. 

Fishing here is another great way to experience the region’s pulse. Local charters welcome all skill levels, and half-day trips (such as the Ketchikan Salmon Fishing excursion) make it easy to fit casting into your port schedule. You’ll be casting in one of the most productive areas for Alaska cruise fishing excursions. For guests looking to experience the best fishing in Alaska, Ketchikan rarely disappoints.

Sitka’s top attractions include Sitka National Historical Park, Fortress of the Bear and the Alaska Raptor Center — combining wildlife encounters with rich Alaska Native and Russian heritage. Sitka doesn’t try to impress, but it still quietly delivers. Set between volcanic peaks and the sea, this former Russian capital has an atmosphere all its own. Tlingit heritage shapes the community as much as the surrounding landscape.

Begin with a walk through Sitka National Historical Park, where centuries-old totem poles stand along a coastal trail lined with spruce trees. The path follows the shoreline of the Indian River, where salmon return each summer. Inside the visitor center, you’ll find carving demonstrations and exhibits that reflect Alaska Native artistry.

Just outside of town, Fortress of the Bear gives rescued brown bears a second chance. The facility transforms a former pulp mill into a spacious bear habitat, with elevated viewing platforms that let guests watch the animals at ease. It’s both educational and deeply memorable, particularly for those curious about bears in Alaska beyond the fleeting glimpse.

Nearby, the Alaska Raptor Center offers another kind of wildlife encounter. Dedicated to rehabilitating injured birds, the center specializes in raptors like bald eagles, owls and hawks. Guests can observe these birds during flight training or meet permanent residents who help with education and outreach. 

Visit both with the Wild Alaska: Alaska Raptor Center & Fortress of the Bear excursion.

Surrounded by dense forest and looking out onto open water, Icy Strait Point is one of the only cruise ports fully owned and operated by Alaska Natives. That means the experiences here are shaped by people who call this place home.

Whale watching is the signature shore excursion at Icy Strait Point, with some of the most consistent humpback sightings in Southeast Alaska. Guests often start with wildlife tours like the Whales & Wildlife Cruise. The waters near Icy Strait are known for consistent whale sightings, especially humpbacks. You may also spot sea lions, porpoises or even a pod of orcas as you cruise the channel. For guests interested in the best time to cruise Alaska for whales, midseason sailings typically offer peak activity.

On land, adventure takes many forms. Some guests choose the zipline that descends more than a mile from the mountaintop (one of the world’s longest), while others head out on forest trails. Cultural experiences also stand out here, with dance performances, storytelling and heritage presentations offered by local Tlingit hosts.

There’s nothing quite like stepping onto a glacier and hearing it creak beneath your boots. On guided glacier treks, guests are led across blue-white expanses where ancient ice meets alpine terrain. Many glacier trekking excursions depart directly from Juneau, making it the primary port for helicopter glacier landings and guided ice hikes. These excursions often include helicopter flights that touch down on remote icefields inaccessible by road.

Mendenhall and Herbert glaciers near Juneau are popular options for guests seeking accessible treks with expert guides.

There are landscapes in Alaska that can’t be fully grasped from the ground. Flightseeing offers a chance to lift off in a floatplane or helicopter and see the region from above. Fjords stretch for miles, icefields glint in subtle shades of blue and remote valleys unfold with no signs of human presence. Flightseeing tours from Juneau often soar above massive icefields, while excursions from Ketchikan may explore the dramatic Misty Fjords National Monument.

Princess offers flightseeing excursions that explore some of the most striking corners of the state. Some itineraries include landings on remote ridgelines or alpine lakes, giving guests time to step out into silence and take it all in. Others trace the edges of Alaska glaciers, where deep crevasses and towering icefalls come into view with nothing but a windowpane between you and the elements.

The most popular wildlife viewing excursions in Alaska include bear viewing in Sitka and Ketchikan, and whale watching in Juneau and Icy Strait Point. Alaska’s wild residents are never far from view, but knowing where to look makes all the difference. Princess connects guests with guided excursions that focus on respectful, close-range encounters with the animals that define the region.

Bear viewing tours, offered from ports like Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, transport guests to observation areas where bears roam naturally. Depending on the season, you might see them fishing along salmon streams or foraging at the edge of the forest.

Whale watching is equally rewarding, especially in waters near Juneau and Icy Strait Point, where humpback sightings are frequent throughout the cruise season. Some excursions specialize in locating orcas, while others include hydrophones so guests can listen in as the whales communicate.

Port days can move quickly, and popular experiences (like glacier hikes and wildlife tours) tend to fill early. Pre-booking your preferred shore excursions guarantees your spot, while also giving you more time to plan around it.

Booking directly through Princess offers added peace of mind. Excursions are timed with ship arrivals and departures, and the handpicked operators meet Princess standards for safety and service. If a tour runs late, the ship waits — a comfort not guaranteed with independent providers. And for guests on an Alaska land and sea cruise, Princess handles the details from port to wilderness lodge so you can focus on the experience itself. Highly sought-after experiences like helicopter glacier landings and whale watching tours frequently sell out, especially during peak summer sailings, so booking early is recommended.

Not every adventure has to come with a price tag. Some of the most memorable moments in Alaska happen without booking a tour at all. Many ports offer well-marked trails, free museums or community-run visitor centers with walking maps and suggested routes. In Sitka, for example, it’s easy to stroll from the pier to historical parks on quiet paths.

Local shuttle services can also expand your range affordably. In Juneau, budget-conscious guests often use public transport or low-cost buses to reach Mendenhall Glacier, then enjoy the area at their own pace. Just remember to bring a printed map or download one ahead of time.

Alaska’s weather shifts quickly, so pack strategically:

• Moisture-wicking base layers
• Fleece or insulated mid-layer
• Waterproof jacket or rain shell
• Sturdy walking or hiking shoes
• Compact backpack
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Light gloves and hat for glacier excursions
  

Layering is essential, even in summer,  especially in coastal ports like Ketchikan.