Port Information
Seattle, WA
As the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle offers a wealth of attractions for visitors to explore, from the iconic Space Needle to the bustling waterfront and museums that celebrate pop culture, art, and science. From indulging in the best fresh seafood restaurants to exploring the world of coffee roasters, here’s how to make the most of your time in the Seattle cruise port.
Puget Sound
Puget Sound cruises offer incredible Pacific Northwest scenery, making Seattle a compelling choice as an Alaska departure port. Keep your eyes peeled. On Puget Sound cruises en route to the Great Land, you’ll see everything from ice-capped mountains to remote islands dotted with gigantic Douglas firs to Mount Rainier, hulking behind Seattle’s sleek skyscrapers as if to remind coffee-fueled urbanites that nature is boss. You, yourself, will soon be reminded that nature is boss as you cruise the San Juan Islands from Seattle. The San Juan Islands are a wildlife-rich archipelago and a popular vacation spot amongst locals. From the comfort of your cruise, watch for soaring eagles, harbor seals, and both humpback and orca whales. Both whale species appear to be making a comeback in recent years, and scientists are cautiously optimistic. However, dwindling salmon populations remain a concern for the Puget Sound resident orcas. Cruises to the San Juan Islands often lead to whale sightings, especially between March and October, for the famous resident orcas of the J, K, and L pods. Also look for humpback whales bubble-net feeding: Teams of whales spiral upward around prey, blowing cyclones of air. When the panicked fish crowd into a column, the predators launch toward the surface en masse—pleated throats wide open—to suck in as many as possible. Even if you don’t see whales as you cruise San Juan Islands, the beauty of the landscape is unforgettable from rocky outcrops to hundreds of forested mounds.
Stephens Passage
Stephens Passage is like the best shortcut in the world, a straight line through Southeast Alaska in a landscape that comes with very few straight lines. It’s not only people and ships that use the passage: Concentrated in and around its waters is a greatest hits of Alaskan wildlife, from humpback whales, the whoosh of their breath loud enough to be heard almost a kilometer away, to giant sea lions and their very distinctive smell—well, okay, call it a stink—that can carry just as far. The southern reaches of Stephens Passage start at the edges of Frederick Sound, one of the best whale-watching areas in the state. The sound narrows and as you are funneled into the passage, the mountains come right down into the sea, high tide licking the roots of spruce and hemlock. In tiny bays, guillemots and gulls gather; when they take off at the ship’s wake, the noise is like applause. The water of the passage is ridiculously deep, well over 300 meters (1,000 feet) in places. But in this landscape cut by the last ice age, you really have to measure to the mountain peaks for true scale: They climb to summits at 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), their slopes covered with forests, meadows that turn sunset into alpenglow, and best of all, by the purple tinge of glaciers that form the passage’s crown.
Juneau, AK
Juneau, Alaska, enjoys a majestic setting in a narrow fjord with Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts towering above it. To the east is the vast expanse of glacial ice known as the Juneau Icefield, and to the west are the wilderness islands of the Inside Passage. Because of the natural beauty that surrounds the city—as well as its gold-rush-era buildings and many shops—this state capital is a popular tourist destination. In fact, Juneau is visited by more cruise ships than any other port in Alaska. Juneau, Alaska, is situated in one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. Here you can spend your time viewing wildlife, taking the fishing trip of your life, exploring atop glaciers or enjoying the city’s shops, restaurants and artistic flare.
Scenic cruising Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier
Endicott Arm: Alaska's Glacier-Carved Paradise Prepare to be mesmerized by Endicott Arm, a stunning 30-mile fjord nestled in southeastern Alaska's Tracy Arm Fjords Terror Wilderness Area. Carved by ancient glaciers, this dramatic waterway is a symphony of towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. At its heart lies the breathtaking Dawes Glacier, a sight you won't soon forget. The Mighty Dawes Glacier The star of Endicott Arm is undoubtedly the Dawes Glacier. This tidewater glacier is famous for its spectacular calving events, where massive chunks of ice thunderously break off and plunge into the icy waters below. The sight and sound of this natural phenomenon are truly awe-inspiring. A Wildlife Wonderland Endicott Arm teems with life! Keep your eyes peeled for: Harbor seals, lounging on ice floes Whales, breaching in the distance Bears, foraging along the shoreline Mountain goats, perched on the steep cliffs Fjord Features Fjord: A classic "U" shaped valley sculpted by glaciers, creating a deep, narrow waterway Waterfalls: Numerous waterfalls stream down the cliffs, enhancing the already dramatic scenery. Scenic Cruising: A premier destination for Alaskan cruises, offering unparalleled views and wildlife encounters. Holkham Bay Venture to the northern end of Endicott Arm to discover Holkham Bay, once home to Sumdum Village, a historical Tlingit settlement and mining town. Imagine the stories this land holds! A Glimpse into History Endicott Arm was named in 1889 by Lieutenant Commander H.B. Mansfield in honor of William Crowninshield Endicott, the US Secretary of War under President Cleveland. This area, part of the Tracy Arm-Fjords Terror Wilderness, carries the names of historical figures, including former Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Franklin Tracy and a US sailor named Ford.
Sitka, AK
A storied past mixed with jaw-dropping scenery sets Sitka, Alaska apart from other ports. Located on Baranof Island surrounded by the Sitka Sound’s icy blue water, Sitka not only boasts lush scenery and captivating wildlife, but it also offers a unique glimpse into Alaska’s history. Russia controlled Alaska from the mid-1700s until the United States purchased it in 1867, and Sitka was established as the capital of Russian America, known as New Archangel. Sail to Sitka on an Alaska Cruise today, and you’ll see vestiges of Russia’s influence. Stroll past the onion dome of St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House, both National Historic Landmarks. On a Sitka, Alaska shore excursion, stop by the visitor center of the Sitka National Historical Park to peruse fascinating collections of Russian and Native Alaskan artifacts, and then join a ranger-led tour of the battlefield where Russia fought the native Tlingit people. Surrounded by the Tongass National Rainforest, nature abounds in Sitka, Alaska. A walk up Castle Hill offers the ideal vantage point to take in Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano. Visits to the Fortress of the Bear and the Alaska Raptor Center are for any animal lover. Both provide the opportunity to see Alaska wildlife, such as bears or raptors, up close, but safely.
Ketchikan, AK
Ketchikan, Alaska, is the site of an ancient Tlingit fish camp and was a supply town during the gold rush. Ketchikan is about 3 mi/5 km long but only a couple of blocks deep. Located on the southwest shore of Revillagigedo Island, it's the first port of call into Alaska, hence its nickname, The First City. Ketchikan is considered an Alaska Native cultural center for the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes, as well as a sportfishing mecca. The town generally gets more than 150 in/388 cm of rain annually, but don't let the liquid sunshine (as residents prefer to call it) keep you inside—Ketchikan is worth exploring in any kind of weather.
Victoria, BC
A Victoria cruise delivers passengers to a charming British-influenced city plunked in the rugged Pacific Northwest. You can have high tea in an English garden and go whale watching the same day. Victoria ranks high for quality of life—you’re always a stone’s throw from a windswept beach or a pint at a convivial pub—and it’s the perfect swirl of city life and nature. The influence of the First Nations culture is also strong in Victoria, with totem poles taking a front-and-center position on the Inner Harbour and in Beacon Hill Park and extensive galleries devoted to the First People at the Royal Columbia Museum. A Victoria cruise means delicious dining is in store. Taste your way through Canada’s oldest Chinatown, sample fresh fish and chips, and gobble down heavenly Nanaimo bars. Whale-watching cruises and sightseeing floatplanes take off and return here and government buildings, museums, the Visitor Centre and the grand Fairmont Empress provide a dignified welcome. Just around the point, Fisherman’s Wharf offers working fishing boats, paddling harbor seals and busy seafood restaurants. Roam the peaceful paths of the vast Butchart Gardens and see vibrant blooms at every turn. Enjoy afternoon tea or a walk in the park or a shopping trip to Market Square or along Government Street. Whatever you choose to do on your Victoria cruise, you will be so charmed by the city, you may never want to leave.