Our Favourite Alaska Cruise Excursions

You’ll never hear the words “I’m bored,” while on a cruise vacation — especially not if you’re sailing through Alaska. This is largely due to the sheer volume and incredible diversity of shore excursions that can be booked at every port destination, from Juneau and Sitka to Skagway and Ketchikan. Seriously…there’s something for everyone!

To prove it, we’ve rounded up some of the best Alaska cruise excursions from some of the best cruise lines.* Read on to find out what you can experience while sailing through the Last Frontier. 

• If you want to explore glaciers and fjords
• If you want to spot whales and other wildlife
• If you want to learn about history and culture
• If you want to get a taste of the local cuisine

Alaska is home to some of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, and cruise passengers have the opportunity to see them up close and personal. You can expect bright-blue glacial waters, snow-capped mountains and majestic ice sheets at almost every turn — particularly around:

• Misty Fjords National Monument near Ketchikan
• Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau
• Taku Glacier near Juneau
• Glacier Bay Basin near Skagway 
• Hubbard Glacier near Yakutat
• Kenai Fjords National Park near Anchorage

Of course, you don’t just have to take in the beauty from your ship’s deck. Many cruise lines offer Alaska shore excursions that allow you to explore your surroundings in kayaks, canoes and floatplanes. In some cases, you’ll even be invited to trek on the glaciers — an active and rewarding experience that’s sure to leave you breathless (in more ways than one).

There are a lot of Juneau shore excursions to choose from, but we’re partial toward these two from Holland America Line.

Five Glacier Seaplane Exploration, Holland America Line
This is the only five-glacier flightseeing tour in the area. You’ll get to hop aboard a floatplane, an essential mode of transport in Alaska, and soar above the Tongass National Forest — as well as the spectacular glaciers (Norris, Hole-in-the-Wall, East Twin, West Twin and Taku) that make up the 3,900-square-kilometre Juneau Ice Field .

Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter & Guided Walk, Holland America Line
If you want to appreciate the Mendenhall Glacier from the ground and the sky, this is one of the best shore excursions on offer. You’ll not only get a birds-eye view of its icy spires, crevasses and meltwater pools during a helicopter tour, but will also get to explore the glacier’s surface with an experienced guide. Trust us: this is the place to snap a photo for your gallery wall.

Catching a glimpse of Alaska’s native species is often at the top of cruisers’ to-do lists, and it’s easy to see why. With tundra, boreal forest, coastal temperate rainforest and marine ecosystems, this American state has become known for its diverse and pristine wilderness. 

Keep your eyes peeled on the sea and the shore throughout your journey. You might get lucky enough to spot wildlife, including Steller sea lions, harbour seals, sea otters, wild Alaskan salmon, black bears, brown bears, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, wolves and bald eagles. Of course, there’s also a wide range of whales in the region. Humpback whales are the most common, but you may also come across pods of killer whales and grey whales.

Cruise passengers can join a whale watching tour or wildlife viewing shore excursion from nearly every port destination in Alaska. You can’t go wrong with any of them — especially not these options from Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest, Carnival
Is seeing a whale in its natural habitat one of your life goals? Make sure to join this amazing tour. Spotting humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, porpoises and other Alaskan wildlife is basically guaranteed. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy snacks and complimentary beverages from the warmth of a heated cabin.

Alaska Bears & Silver Bay Homestead Experience, Norwegian Cruise Line
This Sitka shore excursion will take you to a facility that cares for orphaned and displaced bears. You’ll get to view the animals and learn about why they were brought to the sanctuary. Afterward, you’ll cruise through Silver Bay in an enclosed exhibition vessel and then gather around a crackling campfire to hear stories about local prospectors.

Along with New Zealand, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, Alaska is known for its abundance of outdoor and adventure activities. Passengers can book everything from relaxing horseback rides and rigorous salmon fishing charters to thrilling zipline excursions and float trips. But of course, that’s not all there is to do on an Alaskan cruise!

Travellers who are interested in a more relaxed experience — or simply want to discover Alaska’s unique culture — also have plenty of options. The state has a rich and fascinating history that spans from the Ice Age (when people first migrated to the area) through the Klondike Gold Rush and beyond. We recommend you reserve at least one day of your journey for learning about its Indigenous communities and industries. 

Think history is boring? These interactive shore excursions from Royal Caribbean International and Disney Cruise Line will completely change your mind.

Saxman Native Totem Village, Royal Caribbean International
No trip to Alaska is complete without a trip to the Saxman Native Village and Totem Park in Ketchikan. Upon arriving, you’ll get to view an impressive collection of totem poles. You’ll then be welcomed inside the Beaver Clan House by Tlingit villagers for traditional song and dance performances.

Gold Fever & Alaskan Sled Dogs, Disney Cruise Line
History buffs (and animal lovers!) should book this Skagway shore excursion. Your experience begins with a lively city tour that will take you past saloons and galleries to a Gold Rush Training Camp. After practicing the art of gold panning, you’ll get the chance to meet canine athletes that have run in the Iditarod dog sledding race — and learn about what it takes to participate in the world-famous sporting event.

Most travellers wouldn’t assume that a destination as wild as Alaska could be a foodie hotspot, but it actually has quite an impressive culinary scene. Southeast Alaska, in particular, boasts restaurants from James Beard award winners and Michelin-star trained chefs. There are also breweries and distilleries in many of the popular cruise ports, so you can eat and drink ‘til your heart’s content.

Embarking on a food-based cruise excursion will not only give you a taste of fresh Alaska seafood and other local delicacies (don’t leave without trying fry bread or reindeer sausage), but will also provide an inside look at how chefs prepare food using traditional methods.

Whether you’re cruising with family, friends or a significant other, you’re guaranteed to have a fun and flavorful time with these Alaska shore excursions from Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Cooking in Alaska's Wildest Kitchen with Alaskan Chef, Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is known for having high entertainment value — and this shore excursion proves it. Make the most of your time at Icy Strait Point by embarking on a gastronomic adventure. You’ll spend 90 minutes learning how to prepare seafood and other local delicacies, and then get to try grilling a piece of fish (either salmon or halibut) over a wood fire. As an added bonus, you’ll also get a few recipe cards to take home with you.

Sitka Culinary Adventure, Norwegian Cruise Line
Beers made with naturally filtered glacial water, chocolates sprinkled with sea salt, chowders filled with fresh seafood — you can taste all of that and more on this culinary adventure. You’ll also get to sample pelmeni (Russian dumplings that pay homage to Sitka’s past), and learn how local vendors and restaurateurs are putting their mark on the Alaska food scene.

Alaska cruise excursions are more diverse than you think. Ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? Check out our current Alaska cruise deals or chat with a travel consultant to start planning a wild, cultural and delicious vacation at sea.

*The shore excursions mentioned in this article are not exclusive to any one cruise line; similar excursions may also be available from cruise lines not mentioned in this article.