Top 5 Favorite Alaska Shore Excursions for 2021

Posted by Cruise Bay on January 25th, 2021

A cruise holiday is complete when the itinerary has a fair amount of port calls, allowing you to simultaneously experience the on-board facilities and see new places throughout the trip. If you’re planning a cruise in 2021 to Alaska, you’ll be in for a treat. This region has some of the world’s best glaciers, mountain peaks, national parks, wildlife, and adventure and much more, that you’ll be surprised you misunderstood the territory to be all about ice and snow. With multiple itineraries, varying experiences in each season, fantastic ship offerings and myriad shore excursions to choose from, exploring The Great Land, by cruise would be the perfect thing to do.

Before you decide on the itinerary, here’s a list of the top 5 Shore Excursions on an Alaskan cruise, in no particular order:

1. Floatplane ride to see Misty Fjords National Monument from Ketchikan

Get aboard a seaplane from Ketchikan’s waterfront, and fly above the expansive Tongass National Forest, before arriving at the Misty Fjords. The sheer grandeur of seeing glistening lakes, waterfalls 1000-feet high, dramatic fjords and amazing wildlife at one place makes you think it’s no wonder the area has been christened a National Monument.

2. Whale Watching at Juneau

With multiple deep waterways, and many islands, Juneau offers some of the best spots in the world to view humpback whales as they glide in and out of the water. 

3. White Pass Summit at Skagway

You can experience alpine scenery through the White Pass train journey to the summit, while learning about the history surrounding the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. This is perfect for those who don’t want a very active tour, as it has less walking.

4. Zipline at Icy Strait Point

If you’re waiting to get that adrenaline rush, it’ll be like no other, at the world’s tallest Zipline at Icy Strait Point. It has a 1320 feet drop, and a special safety harness that allows free movement of your arms, in case you dare to film your experience. At 60mph, you’ll be flying over treetops and the Icy Strait before arriving at harbor side beach in just 1.5 minutes. Thrilling or what?!

5. Fortress of the Bear and a bit of History at Sitka

Pass through the grand Sitka National Park, while a guide enlightens you about the role that Sitka played in World War II. You will probably also learn the significance of totem poles from the indigenous Tlingit and Haida cultures. But the highlight at Sitka has got to be the Fortress of Bears, a reserve where you can get as close as 25 feet to spot brown bears frolicking in the forest.

While exploring Alaskan shore excursions, make sure you check VISA and Passport requirements in advance, as certain excursions may see you crossing over to Canadian waters. There are plenty more activities you can choose from while exploring the region from an Alaskan cruise such as scenic cruising at Glacier Bay National Park or College fjord or sled dog adventures or exploring historical fishing lodges at Juneau, among others. Yet, we think this list is bound to get you started with the planning. 

Author Bio: Kalpesh Mehta is an avid traveller who encourages his friends and relatives to pick shore excursions wisely while taking an Alaskan cruise.