These ships were built with tourists and true exploration in mind; they range from simple to comfortable, but are not luxurious. Most have shallow drafts and ice-hardened hulls to push through sea ice. They feature Zodiacs for exploration and shore landings. Onboard programs are educational with a focus on natural and cultural history.

Highlights: Excellent naturalists, kayaking, whale watching in Fredrick Sound, Petersburg and Glacier Bay National Park.

Summary: In Southeast Alaska — a land of fjords and islands teeming with wildlife – you can wake to the cry of a soaring eagle, watch tons of ice thunder from the face of a glacier, walk in a spruce forest, and observe lunge-feeding whales. Since 1982, this Alaska tour has explored the magnificent Inside Passage with a small number of guests in the company of naturalists. Walk forest trails to cascading waterfalls, bird watching and identifying wildflowers as you go. Enjoy Zodiac and kayaking forays, and learn about Alaska’s rich Native American heritage. A full day is spent in Glacier Bay National Park.

• Brown bears (Ursus arctos) occur throughout Alaska except on a few islands. Although brown and grizzly bears used to be thought of as separate species, they are now considered to all be Ursus arctos. They are commonly known as brown bears along the coasts, and as grizzlies inland. There are 35,000-45,000 brown bears and grizzlies in the state.
• Kodiak bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi) are a subspecies of the brown bear, larger than the average brown bear. There about about 3,000 Kodiak bears, living exclusively on the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago.
• Black bears (Ursus americanus) occur in most forested areas of Alaska, though they are occasionally seen beyond treeline. Although they are usually black in colour, they may be any colour from black through shades of brown to a creamy white (known as the Kermode bear). There are over 50,000 black bears in Alaska.
• Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) occur along the coastlines of northern Alaska. there are 4,000-6,000 polar bears in Alaska.

Even a short visit to Ketchikan, during a cruise ship port call or stopover en route to another destination, provides many opportunities to sample our wonderful array of activities.

Guided Tours

Let the local experts help make the most of your available time. Most local tours and attractions can be enjoyed in four hours or less.  Ketchikan offers a tremendous variety of tours to see the major highlights of our town via sightseeing tours, harbor cruises and float plane “flightseeing” trips.

Guided Activities

Another option if you like a more hands-on approach.  The possibilities include sportfishing charters, kayak expeditions, bike rides, snorkeling, boating and hiking adventures; or jump in and drive a jeep, mountain buggy or a Harley Davidson.

Ketchikan Walking Tour

Pick up a map at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau’s visitor information center and follow the numbered signs posted along the route to learn about the history and culture of our community.  Several popular attractions are located along the route, which starts downtown, including local museums, Creek Street, native cultural attractions, as well as plenty of shopping and restaurants.  The route can be walked in as little as 60 minutes, but plan extra time to appreciate the sights and for entering attractions along the way.

Inside Passage

This is the classic Alaska cruise itinerary. Sailing round-trip from Vancouver, you’ll typically stop at three or four port towns, like Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and either Sitka, Haines, or Victoria, B.C. These cruises usually spend a day in Glacier Bay or another glacier area and 2 days at sea.

Gulf of Alaska

These cruises usually sail northbound or southbound between Vancouver and Seward. You’ll likely hit many of the same stops that the Inside Passage cruise does, but because it’s a one-way, you’ll also get to go to Valdez, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, or another town in the gulf.

Enjoy the extra day of unscheduled time built into more cruisetours than ever. And don’t miss an amazing array of optional activities. Like flightseeing to Mt. McKinley and landing on a glacier. Each adventure reflects our long relationship with Alaska’s most respected adventure operators and our unwavering commitment to making this the vacation of your dreams.

For Thrill-Seekers
Soar in a helicopter above Denali National Park. Watch for moose, sheep, caribou and bear and marvel at massive icefields. Land on a glacier to see ice falls, moraines, ice bridges and glacier streams. This is a life-changing experience you’ll be talking about for years.

For the Adventurous
Here’s your chance to paddle class III and IV rapids through breathtaking Canyon Run. You’ll bond with your expert guide and your raft-mates as the Nenana River takes you on a wild ride through breathtaking wilderness.

For the Outdoor Enthusiast
Saddle up for a wilderness horseback adventure. Or ride a jet boat along the Nenana River, visit a trapper’s work camp, pan for gold.

Skagway is a great place to check out it’s wacky history, which resembled a town in the old west, with saloons, brothels – the whole nine yards. One of the best things though, is that there is still a lot of gold there! A lot of tourists will actually come try their luck at finding gold, and it’s not impossible to find some. While some people walk away with nuggets worth $20,000, others will find small pebbles that they keep as a souvenir, so this is a worthwhile excursion if you can try it.