DESTINATION HUB · 13 CONNECTED STORIES
Alaska,
story by story.
Ports, scenic passages, photographs, and practical adventures from the Last Frontier—collected in one place.
Discover
Alaska.
Alaska unfolds one port at a time—glacier-blue waters, misty fjords, wild coastlines, and small towns tucked beneath towering mountains.
Each stop offers a different way to spend your hours ashore, from wildlife and scenic walks to local history and unforgettable views.
Tap a pin to peek inside.
● 9 cruise ports
● 4 scenic journeys
Alaska at a glance
The dashed box is the zoomed map. Seward and Kodiak are farther west.
↓ Ships leave from Seattle and Vancouver, further south, off the bottom of this map.
A few things to know
about Alaska.
The weather
You can get sun, fog, wind, and rain in the same afternoon. Pack a rain jacket, dress in layers, and have a backup plan.
The season
Ships sail from late spring to early fall. The days are so long that even a short stop in port gives you more time than you’d expect.
Bonus: Sailing late July through September? Get your cameras ready! The nights get dark again, and you might catch the northern lights.
The distances
Alaska is huge, and every port is its own thing. Don’t try to squeeze in everything. Plan one port at a time.
The experience
Nine ports, nine different adventures. Kayak, flightsee, ride a gold rush train, or wander past totem poles. You can’t do it all, and that’s the fun of it.
Bonus: Summer is salmon season, so bears are out fishing in the streams. Book a bear-viewing tour early, since those sell out.
The timing
Pick the one thing you most want to do, keep an easy backup nearby, and work back from the all-aboard time.
The sea days
Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, and Tracy Arm are the show, and you watch it from the ship. Hubbard’s ice breaks off with a crack you can hear across the water. Dress warm, and grab a spot on deck early.
Bonus: Keep your eyes open! Humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, sea lions, and otters can pop up anywhere, so don’t wait for an announcement.
“Pick the one thing you'd be sad to miss. Anything else you fit in is a bonus.”
What sounds like you?
Thirteen stories is a lot. Start with what you’re in the mood for.
I want glaciers.
Blue ice up close. Bring a warm layer and your camera.
I want culture and totem poles.
Carved poles, Native art, and stories told by the people who live here.
I want an adventure.
Kayak, zipline, or fly over the fjords in a seaplane.
Every month has
its own thing.
May
Quiet and cool. Snow still on the peaks, and fewer people on the boardwalks.
Fewer crowdsSnowy peaks
June
The longest days of the year. Golden light well into the evening.
Longest daysWhales
July Peak
The warmest month. Whales are active and the salmon start to run.
WarmestSalmon runningWhales
August Peak
Bears are out fishing in the streams, and the nights start to get dark again.
Bears at the streamsDark nights return
September
Fall color, fewer ships, and your best shot at the northern lights. It’s wetter, so pack for it.
Northern lightsFall colorWetter
Can’t decide? July and August are the easy pick.
Pack for a day that
changes its mind.
None of it is fancy. It just keeps you warm, dry, and out on deck instead of back in your cabin.
Not an umbrella. The wind wins.
A fleece or light down jacket you can add and shed.
Wet boardwalks and muddy trails are part of the deal.
Whales, eagles, and bears all look better up close.
Cold drains batteries fast.
Yes, even in July. The deck gets windy.
Long days and glare off the water add up.
For layers, water, and snacks on port days.
Two ways to see it.
The Inside Passage
Sheltered water and a new town almost every day. Usually a round trip from Seattle or Vancouver.
Ports
Include Juneau, Icy Strait Point,Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Wrangell and Glacier Bay, depending on the cruise itinerary.
The waterMostly calm
The Outer Passage
Open ocean and bigger scenery. Sail along Alaska’s rugged coastline, with views of towering mountains, glaciers, and remote wilderness.
PortsInclude Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Kodiak and Seward, depending on the itinerary.
The waterCan get bumpy
Things people
always ask.
A passport is the safest bet. On some round-trip cruises from a U.S. port, U.S. citizens can sail with a birth certificate and photo ID, but a passport saves you if plans change and you have to fly home. Rules change, so check before you book.
Most people feel fine on the Inside Passage, because the water is mostly sheltered. The Gulf of Alaska can be bumpier. If you’re prone to it, pack remedies and book a cabin in the middle of the ship, where you feel the motion least. Many people swear by green apples, and you can buy acupressure wristbands onboard.
Spotty. Ships usually offer paid Wi-Fi, and some towns have coverage. Plan to be offline on glacier days. It’s kind of nice.
For the one thing you’d be sad to miss, yes. Bear viewing, flightseeing and the popular tours sell out, sometimes weeks ahead.
Book with the ship and it will wait for you if the tour runs late. Book on your own and it can cost less, but the ship sails on schedule, so you’re responsible for getting back in time.
Everything else you can decide when you get there.
Usually one new port most days on a 7-night trip, plus a scenic day or two at sea for glaciers and fjords.