Going on a 7 day cruise to Alaska, What would you recommend to do in Sitka,Juneau, and Ketchacan?

Question

Going on a 7 day cruise to Alaska, What would you recommend to do in Sitka,Juneau, and Ketchacan?

Answer 1

This is an excellent site with some wonderful options for you.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, most Alaskan cruise destinations have head taxes that have resulted in the ships staying in port for a very short period of time.  When they take you ashore virtually everything within walking or free shuttle distance are gift shops owned by the cruise ship industry.  No kidding- entire sections of town aren't even open unless a ship is docked and the locals never go there.  The shop owners make a good effort to make them look authentic Alaskan but it's the same property owners who own the stores near the Carribean crusie ship docks.  This phenomenon is probably less likely in Sitka because it is so tiny (you can walk far enough to reach real Alaska) but definitely in force in Juneau.  

Solution?  Go for the excursions.  In Juneau you can get bused to a glacier or flown to an ice field relatively cheap.  Get away from the docks and see real Alaska.

Answer 3

In Ketchkan we did a tour which took us to a Totem Poles park and it was really nice an interesting.

In Juneau we went to see the Mendenhall glacier and the  to a salmon hatchery.  Both interesting.  

Then in Skagway we took a bus tour up the Yukon gold rush trail which was very scenic.

If you want to spend more money and are more adventurous you can go on a dog sled ride, or land on a glacier by helicopter.  You should look at the web site for your cruise and check out the tours offered in each port.  They are available and can be booked online.

Answer 4

Sitka is great for the history, (Russian}, and Ketchacan for the fishing...