A water route weaving between islands and protected coves, Alaska’s Inside Passage offers travelers calm waters, stunning scenery, and cities and towns with fascinating histories and culture. Following the Alaska Marine Highway, the majority of this coastal route sits in the Tongass National Forest and is inaccessible by car, which might explain why more travelers visit Alaska by cruise ship than any other mode of transportation.
Working on board cruise ships, I was lucky enough to spend three summers traveling through the waters along this enchanting coastline, and I’m happy to share what guests might expect when cruising the Inside Passage of Alaska.
Visit Isolated Cities and Towns
Cruises through Alaska’s Inside Passage include some well-known cities, along with some hidden gems in more remote towns. Discover Juneau, the only U.S. state capital inaccessible by road; enjoy a salmon lunch and learn about totem poles in Ketchikan; explore Skagway, known as the gateway city of the Klondike Gold Rush; experience both Russian and indigenous populations in Sitka; and connect with the Tlingit community in Hoonah, in Icy Strait.
Visit Ketchikan, Alaska’s First City
Perched over the water on wooden pilings, historic Creek Street blends Ketchikan’s colorful gold rush past with vibrant pastel shopfronts along Alaska’s Inside Passage
At the southernmost end of the Inside Passage, Ketchikan is nicknamed “Alaska’s First City,” because it’s the first entry point into the passage along the Alaska Marine Highway when traveling north. Also called the “Salmon Capital of the World,” home to five salmon species, Ketchikan is heaven for anglers and a culinary delight for those who simply enjoy some of the freshest salmon you can eat.
Home to some of the finest totem pole artists in the world, Ketchikan offers the opportunity to learn about and admire this cultural art form at Totem Bight State Historic Park, Saxman Totem Park, and the Totem Heritage Center.
Shoppers will love a stroll along the wooden boardwalk of Creek Street. The former red-light district is now home to colorful boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants.
Meet the Native People of Icy Strait Point
Icy Strait Point sits in Hoonah, the largest Tlingit village in Alaska. Created to share the culture of the Huna Tlingit people, a visit offers unique and exciting experiences for guests. Adrenaline seekers can soar 5,500 feet down a mountainside on a zipline or drive an off-road vehicle along old logging roads, catching spectacular views from high in the mountains and down into the valleys. Foodies can enjoy cooking demonstrations while learning about local ingredients and techniques. Tlingit elders share traditional songs and ancestral stories, offering insight into the culture.
Skagway: The Gateway to the Gold Rush
Old city center of Skagway, Alaska – Vintage storefronts in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park
As one of my favorite places in Alaska, Skagway basks in its gold rush history. Walking down the six-block stretch of Broadway, lined with wooden boardwalks, you’ll feel as if you should have brought your pickaxe and shovel. It is, after all, a designated National Historic District. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park manages over 20 buildings in the downtown Skagway Historic District and just outside its boundary.
Where there was gold, there were bound to be thieves, swindlers, and colorful characters. Some of their ghosts are rumored to haunt the Red Onion Saloon, a former bordello, where I spent some time searching for the spirits. Is it a little touristy? Yes, but in a fun way, since the stories are based on real-life characters.
Skagway is also the boarding point for the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Built in 1898 to transport those seeking their gold fortunes, this narrow-gauge railway now carries travelers through mountain tunnels, opening to panoramic mountain and glacier views from vintage rail cars.
Juneau: The Only U.S. State Capital Inaccessible by Road
Framed by mist-shrouded peaks and lush coastal wilderness, downtown Juneau combines historic frontier charm with the lively spirit of Alaska’s capital city
Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, has excellent shopping opportunities and restaurants serving tasty food, but the real star is the scenery.
From my first Alaska hike on Perseverance Trail, where a few of us founded a crew hiking club, to our final hike of the season up the challenging Mount Juneau Trail, Juneau never let us down. Many hikes depart straight from downtown. Wherever you hike in Alaska, it’s important to read trail information, check weather reports, and be bear aware.
For many visitors cruising the Inside Passage, Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see. There are multiple ways to view this 13-mile-long glacier, and you don’t have to choose just one. As it’s the only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road, you can take a bus tour, or even one that includes some walking. A water approach by raft or canoe is sure to, uh, float your boat. Or get the ultimate panoramic view from above with a helicopter ride above the glacier.
Those with a love of fishing can try their hand at catching halibut, trout, and a variety of salmon. Many local operators can help arrange processing and shipping, giving you a delicious reminder of your trip once you return home.
Russian and Tlingit Heritage With Added Wildlife Viewing in Sitka
Inhabited by the Tlingit for thousands of years, Sitka was claimed by Russia in the early 1800s and acquired by the United States in the Alaska Purchase of 1867. Signs of the cultures that have called Sitka home abound. Russian heritage can be seen at both St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral and inside the Russian Bishop’s House.
Visit Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska’s oldest national park, which stands on the battle site of Russian traders and the Tlingit Indigenous community. One of the finest collections of historic totem poles lines the trails in the temperate rainforest where the park sits.
A favorite of many Inside Passage cruise guests is the Alaska Raptor Center. At this rehabilitation center for Alaskan birds, visitors learn about birds of prey through guided tours and interpretive talks and are often introduced to some of its resident eagles and other birds of prey that, due to injury, can’t be released into the wild. You can even visit the Bald Eagle Flight Training Center, where eligible majestic birds regain strength and skills to fly in the wild again.
Get Your Fill of Nature and Wildlife
The majestic Hubbard Glacier showcases the monumental scale and raw power of North America’s largest tidewater glacier
While the towns and cities are enough reason to take an Inside Passage cruise, they certainly aren’t the only reason. It’s here that nature is at its best.
Spend hours out on deck mesmerized by Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in North America. Keep your eyes and ears on alert for glacier calving, when giant chunks of ice break off. Listen for the sizzle of bergy seltzer, as ancient air bubbles trapped in the ice are released.
In Alaska, wildlife encounters abound. Whether on ship, shore, or on a whale-watching expedition, keep your eyes on the water for breaching whales and other marine wildlife. Be sure to look out for bears, caribou, moose, and bald eagles on shore.
How To Get Around
There are three main modes of transportation throughout the Inside Passage.
- Ferry: The Alaska State Ferry travels the length of the Alaska Marine Highway and carries cars, motorhomes, and individual passengers. Cabins may be available for an additional cost, but this isn’t a cruise ship experience. Food options are basic, and travelers need individual reservations for ferry rides between each stop. This method of travel can also be costly.
- Floatplanes: They offer an exciting way to see the dramatic mountains, glaciers, and waterways from above, with the added thrill of taking off and landing on the water. Still, floatplanes can be as unpredictable as Alaska weather, with canceled or delayed flights common due to rain and fog. Reservations are required, and luggage weights are limited.
- Cruise ships: Cruises are one of the most dependable and comfortable ways to experience the Inside Passage. They allow guests to see more, both on the water and on land, while enjoying dining, entertainment, and the ease of waking up in a new place without needing to repack each day.
FAQs About Alaska Inside Passage Cruises
Why is the Inside Passage famous?
Navigating through mist-draped fjords and pine-covered islets, Alaska’s Inside Passage reveals serene, untouched coastal landscapes at every turn
With calm waters protected by nearby land masses, wildlife viewing, gorgeous scenery, cultural variety, and interesting towns and cities, well, of course it’s famous.
Is cruising the best way to experience the Alaska Inside Passage?
While you’ll have to decide what’s best for yourself, it’s undeniably the easiest and most comfortable way to experience as much of the Inside Passage as possible. And the time on board includes tasty food, creative drinks, and fabulous entertainment.
When is the best time to cruise the Alaska Inside Passage?
Alaska cruise season runs from May through September, with June through August offering the best chance at decent weather. Still, when cruising Alaska, guests should be prepared for all kinds of weather. Layers, rain gear, and even sunscreen are a good idea. Alaskans joke that the mosquito is the state bird, so some bug spray can also come in handy.
Which Alaska ports are commonly associated with the Inside Passage?
Inside Passage ports include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka.
What should first-time travelers know before visiting the Inside Passage?
Pictures don’t do it justice. Alaska’s smells, sights, and sounds get inside of you, and you’ll have a tough time remembering that it’s in the same country as New York or Los Angeles.
Cruising the Inside Passage Offers the Best Experience With the Most Comfort
With all of the incredible scenery to take in as you travel between unique towns and massive glaciers, an Alaska Inside Passage cruise is really the best way to see it all.
Browse Celebrity’s itineraries and discover the scenery, wildlife, and unforgettable ports of the Inside Passage on an Alaska cruise.
