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Top Activities in Skagway on an Alaska Cruise

There are many activites to do in Skagway while on an Alaska Cruise.

If you are planning to take a cruise to Alaska in the near future, you’ll find the port of Skagway on almost any itinerary, regardless of which cruise line you sail with. It’s a small town surrounded by stunning mountain scenery which comes to life when the cruise ships roll into town. With an exciting history centered around the gold-rush era and railroads, you’ll feel like you’ve headed back in time for the day. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much there is to do here. Keep reading for some of the best activities for your next stop in Skagway on your Alaska Cruise!.

Ride the White Pass & Yukon Railroad

This is by far the most popular excursion to enjoy in the area. If it’s your first time in Alaska, it would be my top recommendation. It’s an incredibly scenic ride that you’ll board in Skagway, and then travel by vintage car twenty miles to the summit, gaining 2,865 feet in elevation. With wide windows that are perfect for admiring the sights, you’ll enjoy the narration from your local guide during the relaxing trip. You’ll retrace the original route on your journey, and admire mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and historical sites along the way.

Go Hiking

If you’ve been overindulging on your ship’s delicious food, consider going on a hike and enjoying your time in port immersed in an active adventure. Skagway offers a great selection of hiking trails, and you’ll find one to suit your fitness level. Quick to access from the downtown area, the Dewey Lake Trail System features five different trails of varying lengths. Alternatively, take an excursion to enjoy part of the Chilkoot Trail, which retraces the route of the gold seekers of the past.

Ziplining

For a fun adventure that teens and kids will love, take the whole family ziplining through the area’s incredible scenery. The Grizzly Falls ziplining adventure will take you through the Alaskan rainforest and is great for thrill-seekers and nature lovers. Your time on the course will involve a whole series of ziplines as well as suspension bridges where you can take amazing photos of you and your family.

Take an adventure boat ride

This is definitely one of the favorite activities in Skagway during your Alaska Cruise! For a unique view of the area, join Ocean Raft Alaska’s adventurous boat ride which explores Skagway’s beaches, coves and waterfalls. You’ll get up close and personal with the local wildlife during this two-hour tour. It’s a fun adventure for the whole family, and you’ll have a comfortable yet thrilling ride through the incredible scenery of Alaska.

ATV Exploration Trail

For an adrenaline-filled day out, join an ATV tour with Glacier Point. You’ll start the excursion with a boat ride down the Lynn Canal, where you should keep your eyes peeled for seals and whales. After this, you’ll be ready to hit the trails on your ATV. You’ll drive through the forest, admiring the beaches and mountains in the area. It’s a unique way to see the scenery of Skagway, and you’ll enjoy the challenge of this ATV drive on the area’s varied terrain.

Helicopter Ride

If you are looking to splurge on your day out in Skagway, consider booking a helicopter ride. While they are certainly not a cheap day out, they offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you’ll get incredible photos and memories to last forever. You’ll land on top of a nearby glacier, where you can also add on an optional dog sledding ride.

Gold Panning

The perfect excursion for all ages, head to the Klondike Gold Fields where you can enjoy gold panning and learning more about the Klondike Gold Rush Era. Staff are dressed up to recreate the times of the past, and you’ll enjoy the varied activities that are on offer here. This is one of many excellent activities for families in Skagway on an Alaska Cruise!

Dining around Skagway

If you fancy a more relaxing day out in the port or are traveling on a budget, you’ll still be able to enjoy a wonderful day walking around the downtown area. There are so many great options for local restaurants and bars to while away a couple of hours in. I’d highly recommend the historic Red Onion Saloon for a locally brewed beer, or if you are keen to try some local seafood, enjoy lunch at the Skagway Fish Co.

An Alaskan cruise offers many incredible stops on each itinerary, but Skagway is undoubtedly one of my favorites. Whether it’s your first time stopping here, or you’ve visited many times before, there’s always something new to see and do.

When you are ready to plan your next cruise to Alaska (or anywhere in the world), feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or to receive a quote.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

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Alaska

Discover the Difference of an Alaska Cruise!

Almost every cruise line has a cruise that visits Alaska. That’s because Alaska is AWESOME! No really, it is. It is so different from most places. A beauty that is unmatched and begging to be explored. But, a cruise to Alaska is quited different from one to the Caribbean or other warm destination. Read on and find out the difference of an Alaska cruise!

The Alaska Cruise Difference

The weather

The rainy cold weather of Juneau is one difference of an Alaska cruise

Alaska is much colder than many travelers are used to. Plus, there is no predicting what the weather will be like when you cruise. Some years July is beautiful and August is rainy. Other years June will be spectacular and July is just so-so.

Be prepared for anything! Pack that pair of gloves and warm coat. Bring along a raincoat and waterproof shoes. You might be very glad to have them when you want to be out on the windy or rainy deck viewing the glacier.

Something to look at all the time

On Caribbean or other cruises (probably not European) you spend a lot of time looking at the wide open ocean. Miles and miles of blue sea. Not so on an Alaska cruise. Once you hit the coastal waters of Alaska there is beautiful scenery to watch go by. Sailing the inlets toward the different towns are a treat and the fjords headed to the glaciers are nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s about the ports not the ship

On an Alaska cruise it’s all about the ports. You certainly don’t want to be hanging around the ship when you could be out discovering Alaska. Each port along the way has its own character. Juneau is a thriving small city. Skagway is a frontier town. Icy Strait Point (Hoona) is a typical native fishing village on the coast. Ketchikan has a wonderful Native Alaskan flavor. Each one is too diverse to miss.

The focus on the ports like frontier Skagway is a difference of an Alaska cruise.

Every port has awesome, once in a lifetime, Alaskan experiences. Land in a helicopter on a glacier. Go halibut or salmon fishing. Ride a dog sled. Eat fresh salmon at a salmon bake. Take a flightseeing tour in a bush plane. Ride a train following the treacherous path miners hiked during the Gold Rush.

There is one thing I hate to mention but I feel I must. As much as I love Disney Cruises I am not sure that an Alaska cruise is the best time to sail a Disney ship. Especially if it is your first Disney Cruise. There is so many amazing things to experience on a Disney ship and a limited amount of time to do them on a Disney Cruise. You might find yourself torn between the ship and the Alaska port. Clearly, this is just my own experience and opinion. There are many people who would disagree with me and that’s okay!

The pool deck might be quite empty

Since the outside temperature isn’t very warm already the movement of the boat can make the pool deck downright chilly. Generally a hot day in Alaska is around 70 degrees. On a really hot day it might go closer to 80 degrees but that is rare (unless the summer is like 2019 and there were quite a few days hovering around 90 degrees). But most likely the weather you will experince on your cruise will be somewhere in the 60’s. Beautiful for walking around but on the verge of chilly on a swiftly moving ship and even chillier in a swim suit.

The pool deck is a less utilized space (well at least by swimmers and sunbathers) on many Alaska cruises. It does make a great spot to have some quiet relaxation as long as you have a warm coat or blanket. Definitely a difference of an Alaska cruise!

You will possibly have cell service

When you are on a most cruises you are always out of the country. Not so on an Alaska cruise. Now you might not have any service while in Canada. But, once you get into Alaskan waters you might get coverage once in a while. You’ll know if texts start pinging your phone. And then if you have a nationwide plan you will have plenty of coverage while in port. Three cheers for being connected!

Almost all the ports are US ports

You will probably have to tell yourself over and over again–I am in the United States. When we cruise we have a tendency to fall into the mindset of exploring other countries. Just another way an Alaska cruise is different. You are in the magnificent 49th state of the United States almost the whole time!

Alaska is not international. Alaska uses the same currency. There is no exchange rate. Alaskans speak English. Our food is American but there is probably better salmon and halibut here. You will notice houses not igloos, and cars not dog sleds (just having a little fun with you).

September cruises are an excellent time to get great deals

The cruising season in Alaska is only from May through September. In September things start winding down. Pretty soon all the tourist shops will close up and many of the people will leave for the winter. That means great sales for you! Want that special piece of jewelery at a great price? Just plan a September Alaska cruise!

By the way, Alaskan ports have the required Dimonds International and other jewelers you find in any other cruis port destination throughout the world. In addition there are many local people who own tourist shops and tour companies. Please, shop local!

Have you been on an Alaska cruise? What did you think was different from other cruises? Is an Alaska cruise in your future for the first time or a repeat trip? Let me know in the comments below!

If you would like to explore booking an Alaska Cruise please contact me! I would love to get you started and on your way to Alaska!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

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Cruising

See Alaska By Sea–Cruising in Alaska

See Alaska by sea, Resurrection Bay out of Seward, AK.
Resurrection Bay near Seward, AK

Visiting Alaska, the Best State

In my humble opinion, Alaska is the best state to visit! There is so much to see and do and it is so different from so many places in the Lower 48. I know, I am slightly biased because I live in this great state but just go with me. Follow along with me as I introduce you to cruising in Alaska!

So, right now cruising in Alaska isn’t possible. At least not until after July 1, 2020, but as we know, that date is very fluid. If you are would like to have a little more certainty about your travel, now is a great time to put my blog from a couple of weeks ago into practice.

Visiting Alaska on a Cruise Ship

(Not just for visitors but Alaskans too)

Today I want to talk about visiting Alaska by sea, meaning from walking off of a cruise ship. Cruising in Alaska is a fantastic way to see Southeast. In fact, many people on cruise ships have seen more of this part of our state than Alaska residents. Except for Skagway and Haines we are unable to drive to this part of our state. I have lived in Alaska my entire life and only saw Juneau and Ketchikan last summer. I will say that my kids have probably seen a little more than I have since they go on roadtrips to play teams in these faraway locations. So, Alaskans you can benefit from an Alaska Cruise too. But, I digress.

Let’s talk about how you can see Alaska by sea on an Alaska Cruise whether you are a tourist or a resident!

Cruise Ship Departure Ports

Round Trip Cruise Itinerary

Round trip cruises begin and end in Vancouver, BC, Canada; Seattle, Washington; or San Francisco, California. These itineraries go up the coast through the Inside Passage and turn around stopping at Alaskan port towns on the way there and back. Round trip itineraries can be less expensive due to not having to purchase a ticket to/from Alaska.

Disney Cruise Line 7N Alaska Itinerary
Princess Cruises 7N Alaska Itinerary

One Way Cruise Itinerary

On a one way cruise (my favorite way to see Alaska by sea) you begin in Vancouver, BC, Canada or Seattle, Washington and sail up to Alaska where the cruise ends. You can also begin in Alaska and sail the other direction. I highly recommend these cruises because you also see Southcentral Alaska which is VERY different from Southeast.

The Alaskan port depends on the cruise line you choose to sail with. The possibilities are Seward, AK (most common, pronounced Sue’-werd), Whittier, AK, and sometimes Anchorage, AK. Seward is approximately 2.5 hours from Anchorage (major airport), and Whittier is about 1 hour. I highly recommend Seward as a port of call since it is a very cute little town and the drive to Anchorage is very beautiful. Whittier, while beautiful, is mainly a harbor. But, the tunnel is pretty cool and the drive along the Turnagain Arm into Anchorage is beautiful (you drive the same portion from Seward too).

Other benefits of a one-way Alaska cruise include more glacier experiences and more stops at Alaskan ports. One-way itineraries usually include scenic cruising through Glacier Bay/Hubbard Glacier. Also, you get to see more of Alaska since you stop at more ports in Alaska since ships from Seattle must stop in Canada. If you desire, you can also add a cruisetour to visit the Interior or your add your own touring days.

Cruise Lines Who sail to Alaska

Most every cruise line sails to Alaska so you have so many choices! They all know that a great way to see Alaska is by sea. The main line cruise companies have pretty standard ports of call–Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Skagway. But the Luxury lines have some amazing and unusual Alaskan ports as well as different US departure ports and even some across the Pacific Ocean.

Round Trip ONLY:

  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Oceania Cruise Line (Luxury)

One-Way and Round-Trip:

  • Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruise Line
  • Holland America Cruise Line
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Celebrity Cruise Line
  • Crystal Cruise Line (Luxury)
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Luxury)
  • Windstar Cruises (Small Ship)
  • Uncruise Adventures (Smaller, more unusual adventure cruise)

One-way ONLY:

  • Silversea Cruises (Luxury)
  • Viking Ocean Cruises (Luxury)

Alaskan Coastal Towns

Most port towns in Alaska are small and quaint. You can easily walk from the ship into the town. One of the great things about ports in Alaska is the accessibility for those who have mobility issues. These towns also have transportation readily available at the dock for those who didn’t book an excursion and want to explore on their own.

Below is a list of towns you might visit on your adventure cruising in Alaska. A short description is included and soon you will be able to click on the town to get to a post with a bit more information.

Seward, AK

Seward, Alaska is the beginning or ending point for many cruise itineraries. This is a great little town to visit before or after your cruise. There is some great restaurants, hiking, and shopping. Transportation is available to take you into the town of Seward or to Anchorage.

Whittier, AK

Whittier, AK is the other beginning or ending point for a few select itineraries. This port is closer to Anchorage. Whitter consists mainly of the boat harbor and a few businesses. There are some fantastic glacier cruises out of Whittier and some beautiful hiking (one hike goes up the hill for some gorgeous panoramic views). Transportation is available to take you through the tunnel to Anchorage.

Anchorage, AK

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and the beginning and end for a very few cruise itineraries. It is a large city with tons to do. This is where you will fly in and out of for your Alaskan adventure. It may not be where you will want to spend a lot of your vacation since it is a city but it definitely has its charms.

Juneau, AK

Juneau, AK is our capital city. It is the third-largest city (but it is only a little smaller than Fairbanks) in Alaska. Juneau has some fantastic glacier excursions you can take or make your way on your own. In town, you will find plenty of shopping, restaurants, Alaska history, and even Starbucks.

Ketchikan, AK

Ketchikan is a small fishing town with lots to see and do. It looks like the town is perched on a hill and is a fantastic place to be out on the deck viewing the scenery as you come in and out (really, don’t miss this!). As the “Salmon Capital of the World”, this is a great place for fishing charters. Ketchikan is also home to some wonderful opportunities to learn more about Alaskan Native culture.

Sitka, AK

Sitka, AK is another quaint Alaskan fishing village. They have an amazing music festival here during the summer.

Icy Strait Point, AK

Icy Strait Point, AK is a tourist destination created by the people and Native corporations of Hoona, AK. Right off the boat (there is a really nice gangway) you come to a visitor’s center which has a lot of information. They can connect you with tours, excursions, and their ropes course. The town of Hoona, just a 5-10 minute shuttle ride or a 20-30 minute walk along the coast, is more typical of Alaskan towns and a little less touristy. This town has quite a different feel than the other port towns.

Skagway, AK

Skagway, AK brings you back to the Klondike Gold Rush days of old. Sprinkled among the tourist stores you will discover quite a few interesting museums with lots of information on the Alaska Gold Rush. One of the highlights of Skagway is the White Pass Railroad which follows the arduous path the prospectors took years ago.

Haines, AK

If you have a chance to take a cruise that stops at Haines seriously consider that itinerary. Haines, AK was settled in a gorgeous setting in between two waterways. Haines is similar to Skagway with it’s own Gold Rush History to satisfy any history buff. It is a small town with a small port, fitting for only one large ship and possibly a small ship too. As a result, Haines seems a lot less touristy. You also have the option of taking a 45 minute Fast Ferry over to Skagway from Haines.

Thank you for hanging in there with me and checking out how to see Alaska by sea. Alaska has something for almost every traveler–history, adventure, nature, hiking, boating, fishing, flightseeing, dog-sledding, and so much more. Here’s to putting cruising to Alaska on your bucket list!!

If you are considering seeing Alaska by sea, I would love to help you plan your adventure. You can contact me by phone (907) 952-7055, or click here to fill out a contact form (you can also click contact me above).

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!