Our Favorite Alaska Cruise Excursions

March 30, 2026 - Cruises - by Marco Moroy Robles

No cruise to Alaska would be complete without a shore excursion or two (or more!). Booking shore excursions in Alaska is extremely fun, but you'll sometimes have to make the hard decision of choosing between glaciers and whale watching. Though it's hard to choose a poor Alaska cruise excursion, knowing what's available will help you pick the one that best matches your interests and fitness levels.

Helicopter and Glacier Walks

Helicopter glacier landings in Juneau and Skagway cost around $350 to $500 per person, and they're worth every penny. You'll fly over impossibly large icefields, land directly on the ice, and then walk around on a glacier. The walking is quite easy and flat once you're there, so this is a family-friendly activity as long as everyone's comfortable with the helicopter ride.

These fill up fast, so it's important to move quickly. That's especially true if you snagged a last-minute cruise deal, as many helicopter tours are fully booked months in advance. Look for early-morning slots, as they tend to fill up last.

Whale Watching Tours

Juneau and Sitka both have whale-watching boats leaving right from the cruise port. Humpback whales feed here all summer, so you have a very high chance of seeing them. Three-hour tours almost always spot multiple whales, sea lions, otters, and the occasional orca. The boats are stable enough that seasickness shouldn't be an issue for most people, even those who get queasy easily. You'll also be sitting most of the time, so these tours will work for anyone regardless of skill level.

If you're visiting right in the middle of the summer, then you can skip the premium guaranteed whale sighting tours. Whales are everywhere from June to August, so captain's choice tours see just as many for a lot less money. 

White Pass Scenic Railway

Skagway's White Pass Railway goes up 3,000 feet through mountain passes into Canada on tracks that were built during the 1898 gold rush. The train crawls slowly enough to take pictures of massive waterfalls and abandoned mining equipment. This three-hour ride requires zero effort beyond walking to your seat, making it perfect for anyone with mobility limitations. It's a popular tour, though, so book it as soon as you find the right Alaska cruise deal.

Salmon Bake and Cultural Tours

Ketchikan and Sitka both have salmon bakes combined with Native Alaskan cultural demonstrations. Besides nature, observing and learning about the local culture is one of the best parts of any Alaska cruise. You'll get to see them carve totems and perform traditional dances while you learn about local customs. You'll end the educational part of the tour with fresh grilled salmon outdoors so you can taste what wild Alaskan salmon tastes like when it hasn't hit the freezer aisle of a grocery store.

Booking Strategy for Last-Minute Cruises

Booking Alaskan shore excursions directly with your cruise line may be more expensive than booking directly with tour operators, but the ship will wait for you if your official excursion is running late. Take this into consideration when booking your tours, as booking with outside operators will probably be safe and affordable if the tour is early enough and you have enough time to return to the ship before it sets sail.