We were lucky enough on our most recent trip to see a baby whale frolicking on the water while his mother dove to feed and returned to check on him before diving again. Most of these excursions guarantee whale sightings. For families, the latter is far more affordable. For other excursions though, shuttles from the port to the smaller docks where the whale watching vessels wait are included and the experiences vary from exclusive charters to larger groups. They’ll often be right on the dock as you leave the ship and easily to book through vendors with stalls on the dock if you opt to do your own excursion planning. There are many private and cruise-ship-official excursions here in Ketchikan though. This is especially true if you dock in Ward Cove but find a charter out of Ketchikan itself. We always recomend that you select an off-site excursion connected to your cruise ship since mechanical issues can often result in you being stranded. Dolly was a “madam.”Īnother option, and our favorite, is to find a whale watching charter. But be aware that it may not be entirely kid-friendly. ![]() We recommend making sure you see Creek Street and visit Dolly’s House Museum for a bit of local flair. Including items from native culture and made by the Tlingits that populate the area. Lots of things made from sea glass, carved wood, and more abound in the local shops. It’s almost all local and definitely fun to wander the streets of this town and find the crafts and unique gifts and souvenirs here. ![]() For the more well-heeled families, flightseeing from float planes and helicopters is also a great option but can add up quickly depending on the size of your family. Tours, shuttles, and small boats are plentiful as options for getting to these destinations. There are gateways to exploring the Tongass National Forest and the Misty Fjords National Monument as well. The more adventurous can kayak, fish, or hike at several locations around the town. Ketchikan itself though offers a host of options for families. If you select a cruise with Ward Cove on the itinerary, make sure to check the current shuttle schedule as well as confirm details at the port so that you don't get stuck at one of the various stops while your boat sails away without you.Īt this point, Ward Cove is in very early development and so you should plan to select an excursion that departs from this location if that is the port that your cruise ship will be docking at.ĭespite this, Ketchikan or Ward Cove is an excellent cruise port to visit on a family cruise to Alaka. From here, you will be able to access Ketchikan via a complimentary shuttle bus that runs every 20-minutes. The second is a newer dock developed by Norwegian Cruise Line that opened officially in August of 2021. The first and primary location is directly downtown and provides easy access by foot to all of the major attractions in town. One thing that makes a cruise stop in Ketchikan a bit confusing is that there are actually two different harbors that cruise lines will stop at here. This port offers numerous activities that are perfect for families, including the Alaska Lumberjack Show to walking tours and even fishing as well as whale watching expeditions. ![]() It occupies a 10-mile stretch of waterfront along the Tongass Narrows. Situated as the southernmost city on the Inside Passage, this town of about 13,000 people started life as a fishing and logging community that morphed into a tourist destination. The town of Ketchikan is often the first or last port for most Alaska cruises.
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