Alaska Cruise Ports Guide: Juneau, Skagway & Ketchikan Excursions and Tips (Holland America Review)

🦅 Alaska Cruise Port Guide: Eagles, Glaciers & Epic Adventures That'll Blow Your Mind

Spoiler alert: Alaska absolutely ruined me for all other destinations (in the best way possible)

Hey wanderlust warriors! Ready for the tea on Alaska's most incredible cruise ports? After spending a week sailing through some of the most jaw-dropping scenery on planet Earth, I'm literally STILL processing what I witnessed. Like, my camera roll exploded and my heart is forever changed. Let's dive into the ports that made this trip absolutely legendary!

🏔️ Juneau: Where Eagles Outnumber the People

Fun fact that'll blow your mind: Juneau has almost as many bald eagles as people - we're talking 32,000 eagles vs 35,000 residents!

Our DIY Adventure (Because Sometimes You Gotta Go Rogue)

Juneau is also known for whales but instead of booking the typical whale watching tour (growing up in New England so been there, done that), we went full rebel mode and rented a car through Turo. The app is super easy to use and communicate with the owner through, and while finding the car was a mini treasure hunt, it was parked walking distance from the terminal.

Pro tip alert 🚨: There are cars available with pre-loaded GPS tours that give you all the historical deets! This was sold out (book early, people!), but I'm totally doing this next time.

The Mendenhall Glacier Experience

Y'all, the moment we started driving, BALD EAGLES were just casually chilling on street lamps like it's no big deal. Welcome to Alaska vibes!

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center was our first stop. Here you will find information and photos of the falls throughout the years, a short movie you can watch, and a vendor or two selling merchandise. After grabbing photos of the glacier, we walked a short flat hike about 1 mile each way to Nugget Falls. Nugget Falls was a highlight, It was incredible to be that close to the falls I'm talking get-so-close-you-can-feel-the-spray kind of close. It's absolutely surreal standing next to this massive waterfall with a glacier as your backdrop! You don’t need a lot of time here but enough to get your pictures and walk around on the beach for a bit.

Hidden Gems We Discovered

The National Shrine of Saint Therese: It’s about a 25 min drive from Mendenhall Glacier. We drove here hoping to spot orcas (no luck, but hey, more eagles!). Even without the whales, this place is pure magic - gorgeous gardens, a stunning church, and views that'll make your soul happy.

Eagle Beach: Honestly? This was a miss for us. We couldn't find the trail and just chatted with some lovely campers before heading back. Sometimes adventures don't go as planned, and that's totally okay! We probably weren’t in the right area.

Reality check moment: We stopped at a pharmacy for Mucinex and it was $33! THIRTY-THREE DOLLARS! Pack your meds, friends. Alaska prices are no joke.

Some alternative Epic Juneau Adventures (For Your (and mine) Next Trip!)

• Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Tour (already on my bucket list!) This one looks good!

• Glacier Gardens (looked absolutely dreamy)

• E-bike rainforest tours (perfect for my adventure-loving fit squad) Check this out!

• Goldbelt Tram to Mount Roberts (can hike this area or just admire the views for DAYS) Try this one

• Whale watching (because duh, it's Juneau!) Here's one to try

• Why not combine both Mendenhall Glaciers and Whale Watching? This one gives you enough time to do Nugget Falls too

🏔️ Skagway: The Stop That Stole My Heart

This was my favorite stop! The beauty of this area was unmatched and unlike anything I’ve seen, and I just soaked it all in. I’m still in awe!

Why This Tiny Town is Everything

Picture this: 900 residents, 4 high school graduates this year (seriously, where do these kids find love?!), and the most stunning mountain backdrop. Downtown Skagway is a cute old timey town with the mountain backdrop looking straight out of an old western film. It is a remote area, with no nearby metropolitan areas with a high cost of living.The community vibe here and throughout the Yukon is incredible though - maybe it's the remoteness, but these people genuinely look out for each other. Goals, honestly. Although I thought Skagway itself was cute what made this my favorite stop was the bus tour we took through the Yukon.

The Yukon Adventure That Changed My Life

Okay, dramatic much? But seriously, our bus tour to the Yukon with Chilkoot Charters & Tours was PHENOMENAL. Originally wanted to do a train/bus combo but it was sold out - and I'm SO glad we did the bus-only option! Not only was the scenery just drop dead gorgeous but it was so interesting how different the terrain is in the 90 min drive. We went from cold to hot temperatures, from desert areas, to beautiful lakes to spots where the winter is so rough the trees are destroyed.

I also really enjoyed being on the bus because we could get out and stop. I also liked that it was a mini-bus so the number of people wasn’t’ overwhelming.

Seating hack: Sit on the RIGHT side heading to Yukon (I was told the opposite and was basically heartbroken the entire ride because all the good stuff was on the other side)..

Our Epic Stops (Because Every Single One Delivered)

Here are the stops we took, although it probably varies depending on the driver and weather conditions:

🌊 Bridal Veil Falls: Legend says if you touch the water, you'll get married. I'm not saying I did... but I'm not saying I didn't 😉

🏔️ Tormented Valley: The landscape here withstands BRUTAL temperatures, and hearing about gold miners crossing this terrain with a half-ton of supplies? Absolutely wild. Respect level: maximum. There were also some beautiful lakes here with reflections of the mountains in the water and you couldn’t tell where water began and mountain ended.

💎 Lake Tutshi: Quick stop but lakes + majestic mountains = never gets old

🍗 Caribou Crossing: Lunch was decent BBQ chicken potato, coleslaw and donuts (with a veggie curry lentil option!). You could also purchase snacks, ice cream or other treats and there was a store with lots of cool Alaskan gifts and treats. Plus they had a wildlife museum, small petting zoo, and Alaskan dog racing that you could participate in for $50. The whole setup was pretty cool!

💚 Emerald Lake: THE reason I booked this entire excursion. Those blue-green waters with mountain reflections? Chef's kiss Worth every penny and every minute of travel.

🏘️ Carcross: Unexpectedly became one of my favorite stops! Cute town with shops, a scenic railway bridge, beautiful views! What more can. You ask for? Needed way more time here.

Welcome to Alaska and Welcome to Yukon signs- of course we had to make the photo opp stops at both signs

Food Alert: Klondike Doughboy = Life Changing

DO NOT leave Skagway without trying a Klondike Doughboy (aka elephant ears)! These things are MASSIVE but so good - we got one for three people and immediately regretted not getting two. Learn from our mistakes, people!

Some other Skagway Must-Dos

• White Pass Bennett Lake train ride (can also take train to Yukon)

• Helicopter tour to walk on glacier fields (ultimate bucket list item)

• Gold rush era tours with actual gold digging

  • Here's one that combines gold rush with scooter tour

  • Here's one that combines it with DOGS

• Ferry to Haines for rafting and native village visits

🐻 Ketchikan: Salmons and Bears oh my!

Ketchikan is known as the salmon capital of the world with over 75,000 returning salmon per year and at least 5 species of salmon. Ketchikan is also known for the abundance of bears as there is almost 2x as many bears as residents with about 15,000 bears.

The Good: Creek Street & Salmon Ladder

Exploring Creek Street and watching salmon swim upstream was unexpectedly fascinating! Right after entering Creek street you will see the salmon ladder and if you are lucky you might see a bear having lunch. Creek st is full of cute shops and restaurants built on stilts over the river with serious charm. Honestly? We should've skipped our tour and just hung out here all day.

Pics- creek st sign, green/pink house on stilts, salmon jumping

The Not-So-Good: Our Tour Experience

We booked the "Highlights of Ketchikan" tour through Shore Excursions and... yikes. Our guide was knowledgeable but spoke so softly we could barely hear him. Plus, zero clear instructions about stops, timing, or what to expect.

The stops breakdown:

• Eagle Point Education Center: This was a brief lecture from a local explaining what we were going to be seeing and doing on the tour. The education center had a few preserved local animals but honestly this stop felt like filler content. 60 minutes of our 2.5-hour tour gone before we'd traveled 5 minutes.

• Rotary Beach: Advertised for whale watching but saw zero whales. Guide took SOME people across the street to see bears (which they did!) but didn't include everyone. As someone who booked specifically for bear spotting, I was pretty bummed. We did see some bald eagles here and it was peaceful.

• Saxman Native Village: Beautiful totem poles and significant Tlingit cultural site, but hard to hear the guide with all the crowds. Note: some tours include a dance and song performance but ours didn’t.

Verdict:Cannot recommend this particular tour. The potential is there, but the execution was lacking.

Better Ketchikan Options (Next Time!)

• Herring Cove for bear sightings

• Dedicated bear encounter excursions

• Lumberjack shows (because Alaska!) Here's one that adds a Crab feast

• Deadliest Catch boat tours

• UTV/ATV adventures

• Customize your own private tour

🧊 Glacier Bay National Park: When Words Literally Fail You

Okay friends, I need you to sit down for this one because Glacier Bay National Park isn't just a destination - it's a spiritual experience. I'm not even being dramatic here.

The Setup That Changes Everything

OMG! Words cannot even describe the experience of stepping outside and seeing these majestic mountains up close – so close it feels like you can reach out and touch them. You'll witness tiny icebergs floating around with bald eagles perched on top, sea lions playfully diving in the crystal-clear waters, snow-capped peaks gleaming under bright Alaskan sun, and glaciers stretching as far as the eye can see.

But first, let me back up. Glacier Bay isn't technically a "port stop" – your ship slowly cruises through the entire national park over the course of the day while National Park rangers come aboard to educate guests and help spot wildlife. The ranger program was absolutely incredible! They kept everyone engaged while pointing out various glaciers (like the stunning Lamplugh Glacier) and wildlife throughout the journey. We were lucky enough to spot eagles, whales, and sea lions – basically the Alaskan trifecta!

The Main Event: Margerie Glacier

When you reach Margerie Glacier, the ship does a slow 180-degree turn so EVERYONE gets equal viewing time. And it’s not a quick turn, you get about 20 minutes or so per side. I literally watched the glacier calving (chunks of ice crashing into the water) and you could literally HEAR the power of nature. Goosebumps don't even begin to cover it.

The cruise line touches:

Hot chocolate and pea soup served throughout the day to keep everyone warm. But plot twist - it was so sunny in early August that I was laying poolside in my bathing suit! Alaska weather stereotypes = officially demolished.

My Secret Viewing Spot

Pro tip that'll change your life: Everyone crowds the higher decks, but the lower decks offer a more intimate, front-and-center view with way fewer people. Trust me on this one! On the Holland America Konigsdam I preferred deck 3 right outside of the Grand Dutch café.

🍁 Vancouver: The Perfect Alaska Cruise Bookend

Can we talk about how Vancouver is basically the ideal pre or post-cruise destination? This city is effortlessly beautiful, impossibly friendly, super clean, and just radiating good vibes everywhere you go.

Why Vancouver Deserves More Than a Layover

Most people treat Vancouver as just their cruise departure point, but y'all are SLEEPING on this gem! The city is spotless (seriously, where's the trash?), the people are genuinely kind, and there's this amazing energy that makes you want to extend your stay.

My Vancouver Must-Do List (Consider This Your Cheat Sheet!)

🛴 Stanley Park Adventures: Hit up Spokes for scooter or e-bike rentals right in Stanley Park, or grab them by the cruise terminal. Pro move: cruise the seawall route and make sure to check out those iconic totem poles. Reserve your e-bike or for a good ole’ fashion bike click here

🚎 Hop-On/Hop-Off Trolley: Perfect for maximizing your limited time and getting the lay of the land. Sometimes the touristy option is touristy for a reason - it works! Here is a link to book

🌊 Seawall to Stanley Park Walk: If you've got time and energy, this walk is absolutely stunning. The waterfront views with mountain backdrop? Vancouver really said "let me be extra beautiful today."

🌉 Capilano Suspension Bridge: Okay, this one's a bit touristy but honestly? The adrenaline rush is worth it. Nothing like a wobbly bridge to make you feel alive! Bridge Park Ticket or combine the bridge with a city tour Here

✈️ Check out these scenic panoramic seaplane tours: How cool are these?! I could watch them all day! Book It!

🚠 Grouse Mountain Gondola: The views from up here will have your camera working overtime. Perfect for those sweeping city shots that make everyone jealous. Get your tickets in advance

🔬 Science Museum: Great backup plan for rainy Vancouver days

🌸 Botanical Gardens: If you're a plant parent or just love pretty things, this is your happy place.

🐠 Vancouver Aquarium: Marine life lovers, this one's calling your name!

🦭 If it fits in your schedule THIS WATERFRONT SIGHTSEEING TOUR (City & Nature) looks pretty cool too and combines a lot of the suggestions from above

Game-Changing Vancouver Hacks

🚇 Canada Line Life Saver: This train line is your Vancouver MVP! Airport to downtown hotels? Covered. Cruise ship to airport? Easy peasy. Skip the expensive taxis and ride like a local.

🎒 Late Flight Luggage Storage: Here's a hack that'll change your travel game - you can store luggage at the cruise terminal and explore Vancouver all day! Book Here and make the most of every minute instead of dragging your bags around the city.

Bottom line: Don't just pass through Vancouver - experience it! Whether you're starting or ending your Alaska adventure here, give this city the time it deserves. Your travel-loving soul will thank you.

🎯 Your Alaska Port Strategy (Because Planning Matters!)

After experiencing all these ports, here's my honest breakdown:

Must-do experiences:

1. Glacier Bay National Park (obviously - it's life-changing)

2. Skagway Yukon tour (book Chilkoot Charters!)

3. Juneau car rental with GPS tour

4. Creek Street salmon ladder in Ketchikan

Skip these:

• Generic Ketchikan highlight tours

• Eagle Beach in Juneau (unless you know exactly where you're going)

Pack these essentials:

• ALL your medications (Alaska prices are brutal)

• Layers for every possible weather scenario

• Portable phone charger (you'll be snapping constantly)

• Binoculars (must have to spot all that wildlife)

• Cash for local treats and experiences (although credit card was accepted almost everywhere)

The Real Talk: Why Alaska Cruising Hits Different

Listen, I've traveled to 30+ countries and Alaska just hits different. Maybe it's the raw, untouched beauty. Maybe it's the incredible wildlife. Maybe it's the reminder of how small we are in this massive, gorgeous world.

What I know for sure is that Alaska changed my perspective on travel. It reminded me that sometimes the most powerful experiences aren't about checking boxes or getting the perfect Instagram shot - they're about standing in awe of nature's incredible power and beauty.

Ready to plan your own Alaska adventure? Drop a comment below with your biggest Alaska question, and don't forget to subscribe by signing up for emails below for more real, honest travel content that'll help you make the most of every destination!

P.S. - My Alaska photo album is INSANE and I can't wait to share more behind-the-scenes content on Instagram Stories. Follow @lilis0606 so you don't miss any of the magic!

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