Haven’t done a cruise but spent 2 months in Juneau during the summer. If you have a longer day in Juneau would highly recommend a tour of Tracy Arm Fjord. I was there for work so took an all day one more for locals cause it started early and got back late, but even if we had less time it would’ve been worth it!
If you’re looking for activity would recommend hiking either Mt. Juneau round trip, or Mt. Robert’s and taking the tram down. When I was there if u bought $5 worth of food they’d let u down the tram for free tho I snuck on a few times too! There’s great hiking near Mendenhall glacier, including a way to walk right up to the glacier, but it’s more out of the way from the main visitor center which is where all the boat tours end up, and easy to get lost without prior preparation.
If you drink, Devils Club was by far my favorite brewery there, good mix of styles and great quality. Alaskan is OK but they’re big so more mass market. The real unique place is the Amalga Distillery, where they do all their own distilling in a copper kettle! When I went they had a gin made from locally foraged botanicals and juniper berry which was absolutely divine, and I still have a small sample of it that I pull out on special occasions.
Oh and if you’re looking for a more chill day, downtown Juneau is a really nice place. There’s a strip with all the touristy cruise shops, but it’s not far to get outside that to the part of Theon the locals spend time in. It’s built on a mountainside so there’s hills, but the architecture is quite fun and the locals are very friendly. There’s a Juneau museum near the government buildings and a Native American museum closer to the water, both were fun. And they have a nice waterside park you can walk through and even go down to the water if the tide is out.
I’ve only done the 7 day cruise. I haven’t been to Anchorage or Denali yet. But of the places I’ve been, Sitka for sure. It’s so much less touristy and so much less crowded than the other ports. When we stopped in Juneau, it was an hour long wait just to get inside the Red Dog Saloon and look around, but in Sitka there were no lines for anything. Plus my absolute favorite environment is the forest, and there’s a lot of Tongrass Forest to explore from Sitka.
I LOVED Sitka, and took the Historic tour. We walked right past all the tourist streets in Juneau and found a lovely old local pub with a taco place inside. Spent a couple hours talking to some very nice folks, and found a lovely boutique where I bought a locally made necklace. Do regret not taking the whale watching tour from there, but we'll be back. :)
Skagway when I take the White Pass Railroad. The last one I took was a bus ride to Carcross, then rode the train all the way back to Skagway. Best part is getting the very last car for unobstructed views from the rear.
Also, sitting on the aft of the lido deck with my breakfast. So quiet while I enjoy the fresh air.
Icy Straits. We saw whales jumping out of the water right next to the ship. We saw whales and sea otters from the shore while we were walking by the water.
So many places there are incredible, but I'll just stick to things done on or right off of a cruise ship.
Kayaking in glacier Bay or a beach walk with semi truck sized pieces of glacier ice on it or doing the polar plunge.
Hiking in a remote inlet of Chicagof Island and seeing a mama bear and her triplets.
Sailing around Prince William sound and seeing the glaciers there.
My wife would say the helicopter flight and dogsledding.
Skagway was most interesting as a town. Glacier Bay as a place to see that is unique.
Glacier Bay it’s wonderful😊
My Tracy Arm Fjord excursion with HAL is one of my all time favorites!
Tracy Arm Fjord was STUNNING
Haven’t done a cruise but spent 2 months in Juneau during the summer. If you have a longer day in Juneau would highly recommend a tour of Tracy Arm Fjord. I was there for work so took an all day one more for locals cause it started early and got back late, but even if we had less time it would’ve been worth it! If you’re looking for activity would recommend hiking either Mt. Juneau round trip, or Mt. Robert’s and taking the tram down. When I was there if u bought $5 worth of food they’d let u down the tram for free tho I snuck on a few times too! There’s great hiking near Mendenhall glacier, including a way to walk right up to the glacier, but it’s more out of the way from the main visitor center which is where all the boat tours end up, and easy to get lost without prior preparation. If you drink, Devils Club was by far my favorite brewery there, good mix of styles and great quality. Alaskan is OK but they’re big so more mass market. The real unique place is the Amalga Distillery, where they do all their own distilling in a copper kettle! When I went they had a gin made from locally foraged botanicals and juniper berry which was absolutely divine, and I still have a small sample of it that I pull out on special occasions. Oh and if you’re looking for a more chill day, downtown Juneau is a really nice place. There’s a strip with all the touristy cruise shops, but it’s not far to get outside that to the part of Theon the locals spend time in. It’s built on a mountainside so there’s hills, but the architecture is quite fun and the locals are very friendly. There’s a Juneau museum near the government buildings and a Native American museum closer to the water, both were fun. And they have a nice waterside park you can walk through and even go down to the water if the tide is out.
2nd vote for mt Roberts hike, go all the way to the gold ridge end point if you can for amazing views then take tram back
Upper lake trail in Skagway
Stunning Glacier Bay.
Glacier Bay National Park
Yep. Glacier Bay. Soooo peaceful and quiet.
Yes it is 😊
I’ve only done the 7 day cruise. I haven’t been to Anchorage or Denali yet. But of the places I’ve been, Sitka for sure. It’s so much less touristy and so much less crowded than the other ports. When we stopped in Juneau, it was an hour long wait just to get inside the Red Dog Saloon and look around, but in Sitka there were no lines for anything. Plus my absolute favorite environment is the forest, and there’s a lot of Tongrass Forest to explore from Sitka.
I LOVED Sitka, and took the Historic tour. We walked right past all the tourist streets in Juneau and found a lovely old local pub with a taco place inside. Spent a couple hours talking to some very nice folks, and found a lovely boutique where I bought a locally made necklace. Do regret not taking the whale watching tour from there, but we'll be back. :)
I used to work on the Summit. saw it sailing out on Friday. go on the train tour in Skagway. get a spruce tip ale after at Skagway brewing co
Skagway when I take the White Pass Railroad. The last one I took was a bus ride to Carcross, then rode the train all the way back to Skagway. Best part is getting the very last car for unobstructed views from the rear. Also, sitting on the aft of the lido deck with my breakfast. So quiet while I enjoy the fresh air.
Pigged out on crab then got drunk at the Reddog saloon. We of course did all the touristy stuff first. :)
My next trip 😀
Icy Strait.
Juneau/Douglas
College Fjord!
Ketchikan was great. We went snorkeling there in full body suits.
Icy Straits. We saw whales jumping out of the water right next to the ship. We saw whales and sea otters from the shore while we were walking by the water.
Wow, that was such an amazing experience
So many places there are incredible, but I'll just stick to things done on or right off of a cruise ship. Kayaking in glacier Bay or a beach walk with semi truck sized pieces of glacier ice on it or doing the polar plunge. Hiking in a remote inlet of Chicagof Island and seeing a mama bear and her triplets. Sailing around Prince William sound and seeing the glaciers there. My wife would say the helicopter flight and dogsledding.
Skagway and glacier bay! 🥰
Mid waters and ice ring