Denali

The largest tidewater Glacier in Alaska, Hubbard Glacier is an incredible natural structure. It’s furthest source is 76 miles away. In the October of 1986, the dam of the glacier gave way. As a result the second largest glacial lake outburst on record occurred. The outburst had the equivalent flow of 35 Niagara Falls. Hubbard Glacier is a scenic port on your itinerary and although you won’t be able to get off the ship, the view along the cruise there is more than enough to sate your taste for adventure. The glacier rises up out of the sea some 40 stories in a mixture of enchanting blue hues and in the background you’ll see commanding snowy peaks. Due to the size of the glacier, sometimes icebergs the size of 10 storey buildings will dislodge into the water below - make sure to bring your waterproofs!

This unique little town really is quite a wondrous place. It’s managed to hold onto its old town charms of decades gone by and you can almost imagine how lively the place must have been during the Klondike Gold Rush. Between 1896 and 1899, an estimated 100,000 prospectors travelled through Skagway to reach the Yukon river which would then take them to the Klondike. Skagway is a picture perfect town, much of it has been restored and you’ll still find wooden walkways and false fronted buildings which look reminiscent of old-western saloons.

Sprawled along the bottom of the mountainside and surrounded by water, Juneau is perhaps one of the most unusual state capitals in the US as visitors can only reach it by air or sea. Residents of the city have a third option for travelling in and out of the region - boat or birth canal. Despite this unique aspect, there’s no doubting that whilst Juneau might be the most unusual capital, it’s potentially also the most beautiful.

Juneau was put on the map back in the 1880’s during the gold-rush, it became one of the main mining camps for the region. Today the town is just as lively, despite its remote location. At the Alaska State Museum you can learn more about Juneau’s history as well as that of the rest of Alaska, discovering more about how humans and nature have developed here.

Juneau is your chance to explore the wilderness! There are plenty of outdoor excursions available in Juneau including Zip Lining and Wildlife Safaris where you can get the chance to spot bears, eagles, dolphins and whales! If you’re looking for the best view of the area, then heading up Mount Roberts on the Tramway is a good idea. It’s conveniently located near the cruise ship dock and it rises some 1800ft through the forest to the Mountain House at the top where you can steady your legs and grab a hot coffee.

One of Juneau’s most popular outdoor attractions is Mendenhall Glacier. It’s one of the easiest glaciers to reach on your cruise, so it’s worth taking the opportunity whilst you can. The glacier is 13 miles from downtown Juneau and you can reach it by car (you can book local excursion companies to take you here also). The glacier is 13.6 miles long and is part of the Tongass National Forest. It’s a simply breathtaking part of the world and you might find the stretches of white ice and snow marbled with blue to look quite surreal. The glacier also has a visitor centre and here you’ll be able to learn more about the glacier and surrounding locations whilst you warm up with a hot beverage.

Much like Skagway, Ketchikan has retained an old-town charm. Colourful store fronts, vintage-esque signs and wooden boardwalks make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Ketchikan is a fantastic mix of both cultural and outdoor pursuits. For those with an open mind, a visit to the museum at Dolly’s House shows a fascinating look at the more risque ways of life as a frontier in years gone by - in fact the history it showcases is as recent as 1953 which is the year the red light district here was shut down! But there’s more to Ketchikan than red lights. There’s also one of the largest collections of Totem Poles at Totem Bight State Park. For generations natives have used carving as an art form to sculpt cedar wood into representations of historic legends.

One of the most exciting opportunities for you in Ketchikan is the chance to visit the Misty Fjords National Monument. Whichever way you look is like a scene from a postcard; midnight blue lakes lined with lush, green forest that give way to vast mountains dusted with snow. There’s three ways for you to explore the Fjords, seaplane, boat and kayak.

You might want to make sure you pack your raincoat for this port - it’s reportedly the rainiest town in Southeast Alaska!