One of the MOST overwhelming parts of planning an Alaska cruise is deciding what excursions are actually worth your time and money.
And honestly? Alaska is VERY different from Caribbean cruising when it comes to shore excursions.
These are not “sit on a beach for a few hours” ports.
These are:
🐋 whale watching adventures
🚁 helicopter glacier landings
🐻 bear viewing experiences
🚂 scenic rail journeys
🛶 kayaking through wilderness
❄️ glacier exploration
🦀 authentic local seafood experiences
🏔️ once-in-a-lifetime scenery
After visiting Alaska 19 times and sailing multiple cruise lines throughout the region, I’ve spent YEARS researching, testing, comparing, and helping clients choose excursions that best fit their:
✔️ activity level
✔️ budget
✔️ interests
✔️ mobility needs
✔️ bucket list priorities
Because the truth is…
Not every Alaska excursion is worth the price tag.
And not every “popular” excursion is right for every traveler.
That’s exactly why I created these curated excursion lists.
What You’ll Find In My Alaska Excursion Guides
Inside these lists, I break down excursions by port and include recommendations for things like:
✨ Best Whale Watching Tours
✨ Best Excursions for First-Time Alaska Visitors
✨ Scenic & Relaxing Options
✨ Bucket List Experiences
✨ Helicopter & Glacier Tours
✨ Best Wildlife Viewing
✨ Family-Friendly Excursions
✨ Lower Activity Options
✨ Adventure Excursions
✨ Best Value Experiences
My Biggest Alaska Excursion Advice
You do NOT need to book the most expensive excursion in every port to have an incredible Alaska cruise.
Sometimes my favorite memories are:
🦀 wandering local towns
☕ sitting in a cozy coffee shop watching float planes
🏔️ scenic tram/train rides
🐋 simple whale watching tours
🌲 relaxing walks through nature
Alaska itself is the attraction.
A Few Things To Keep In Mind
Weather Changes Quickly
Even in summer, Alaska can be chilly, rainy, windy, or sunny all in the same day 😂
Layers are EVERYTHING.
Book Bucket List Excursions Early
Especially:
🚁 helicopter tours
🐻 bear viewing
🚂 White Pass Railway
🐋 smaller whale watching boats
These can and DO sell out.
Don’t Overbook Every Port
Alaska is exhausting in the BEST way possible.
Long daylight hours + early mornings + scenery overload = tired travelers by midweek 😅
Leave room to simply enjoy the experience.
My Curated Alaska Excursion Lists
👇 Click the guides below for each port:
Icy Strait Point / Hoonah Recommendations
Pre/Post Vancouver Recommendations
Pre/Post Seward Recommendations
Pre/Post Denali Recommendations
Pre/Post Cruise Seattle Recommendations
*affiliate links
Need Help Choosing?
This is honestly one of the biggest reasons people work with a travel advisor for Alaska.
There are SO many excursion options online that it becomes difficult to determine:
• what is truly worth it
• what fits your travel style
• what is realistically doable with port timing
• what experiences are actually unique vs tourist traps
I’m always happy to help guide clients toward the best fit based on their priorities, comfort level, and overall Alaska goals 😊
Happy Alaska planning! 🏔️🐋🚢 Request a Quote for your Alaskan Cruise
