The top 5 (other) things to do on your Southeast Alaska cruise

There are a lot of lists out there outlining the shore excursions and activities you should not miss on your Southeast Alaska cruise. They all say the same thing. We created this list as an alternative to those other lists because maybe you like smaller crowds or enjoy tours that are more off the beaten path. Let’s get started.

The popular tours are amazing, but sometimes smaller is better

There is a “Do Not Miss” shore excursion in every port on your Southeast Alaska cruise. You may not be interested in that tour, or you may have been on the tour already during a previous cruise. Either way, you’re going to appreciate this information.

Shore Excursion Alternative for Ketchikan

What they recommend: Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour

Alternative: Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition – Crabs are great and all, but you can eat crab in any Alaskan port. Ketchikan is situated in a lush temperate rainforest, so why not go on a ziplining adventure that you will never forget? With eight ziplines and three suspension bridges, you will create incredible memories and won’t have to worry about getting crab shells all over your good shirt.

Shore Excursion Alternative for Juneau

What they recommend: Whale watching

Alternative: Juneau helicopter tour and dog sledding experience – Look, whales are great. If you haven’t seen a whale and it’s on your to-do list, then go whale watching on your Southeast Alaska cruise and never look back. However, if you’re done with whales and looking for a change, go dog sledding on a glacier and experience the thrill of a lifetime. Most ships dock in Juneau before Skagway, so if your mushing trip is canceled in Juneau you may be able to reschedule in Skagway. We can hook you up with whale watching or glacier dog mushing, so give us a call.

Shore Excursion Alternative for Icy Straight

What they recommend: Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search

Alternative: Stream fishing – Searching for bears sounds fun and all, but fishing is super fun and quintessentially Alaskan. The stream fishing tour gets great reviews online and people routinely catch trout, Dolly Varden, and multiple species of salmon. Icy Straight arguably has the best fishing on your entire Southeast Alaska cruise, so be sure to do that!

Shore Excursion Alternative for Sitka

What they recommend: Sitka Scenic Tour

Alternative: Guided kayak tour – If you’re lucky enough to dock in Sitka, you really can’t go too wrong. However, what makes Sitka truly unique is the rugged coastal geography created by the dormant volcano Mt. Edgecumbe. Kayaking around this area also gives you a great chance to see all sorts of wildlife from your kayak, and that’s pretty cool.

Shore Excursion Alternative for Skagway

What they recommend: The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad

Alternative: Ocean Raft Wildlife Adventure – The White Pass Train is an amazing one-of-a-kind shore excursion. However, you may be visiting Skagway a second time or just hate trains. The Ocean Raft Wildlife Adventure is a fast-paced supercharged wildlife tour that’s fun for anyone that loves the wind in their hair. One other thing, you are likely in Skagway long enough to go on both tours, so give us a call and let us set it up for you.