Otaru to Seward

Sapporo, Hokkai, Japan, offers an immersion in a culture where aesthetic refinement and daily life are inseparable. Essential experiences include exploring local food markets, tasting regional specialties at intimate eateries, and visiting the surrounding temples and gardens. The port is most rewarding May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including Windstar Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Okushiri is a remote volcanic island off southwestern Hokkaido, celebrated for its legendary sea urchin, dramatic coastal rock formations, and the resilient spirit of its small fishing community. Visitors should explore the iconic Nabetsuru Rock, soak in oceanfront hot springs, and savor what many consider Japan's finest uni. The island is best visited between June and September when calm seas ensure comfortable tendering from cruise ships.

Hakodate, Japan, offers an immersion in a culture where aesthetic refinement and daily life are inseparable. Essential experiences include exploring local food markets, tasting regional specialties at intimate eateries, and visiting the surrounding temples and gardens. The port is most rewarding May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Kushiro, on Hokkaido's wild eastern coast, is Japan's gateway to pristine marshlands, volcanic lakes, and the sacred red-crowned crane. The city's legendary Washo Market offers build-your-own sashimi bowls, while nearby Kushiro Shitsugen National Park protects the country's largest wetland. Silversea brings expedition travelers to this unhurried port where Ainu heritage and untamed nature converge.

The Aleutian Islands are a 1,900-kilometer volcanic chain in Alaska where forty active volcanoes, enormous seabird colonies, and Steller sea lion rookeries create one of Earth's wildest landscapes. Must-dos include watching auklet swarms, approaching sea lion rookeries by Zodiac, and viewing the perfect cone of Mount Shishaldin. July offers the best conditions during the brief June-to-August expedition season.

Chagulak is an uninhabited volcanic island in the central Aleutians, one of America's most remote landmasses, surrounded by waters where North Pacific and Bering Sea currents create extraordinary marine productivity supporting seabird colonies and Steller sea lions. Must-do experiences include observing the seabird colonies, scanning for marine mammals in the nutrient-rich waters, and absorbing the profound remoteness of the Aleutian wilderness. June through August offers the brief summer window with longest daylight, though fog and wind are constant companions.

Chignik on the Alaska Peninsula is a remote Alutiiq village on a spectacularly productive salmon lagoon, with brown bear viewing, volcanic landscapes, and indigenous cultural traditions spanning millennia. Must-dos include watching bears fish for sockeye salmon, zodiac excursions in the lagoon, and learning about Alutiiq basket weaving. Best visited July through August during peak salmon runs.

Katmai National Park in Alaska protects the world's largest concentration of brown bears, most famously observed catching leaping salmon at Brooks Falls, alongside the volcanic moonscape of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. The must-do experience is watching bears fish at Brooks Falls in July, with autumn offering dramatic pre-hibernation feeding. Late June through mid-September is bear season, with Brooks Camp permits essential and booked months in advance.

Kodiak, Alaska's oldest European settlement and one of America's largest fishing ports, sits on an island home to 3,500 giant Kodiak brown bears—the densest concentration on Earth. Must-dos include floatplane bear-viewing at remote salmon streams, the Alutiiq Museum of indigenous culture, and sampling king crab fresh from the harbor. July and August offer the warmest weather and peak bear-viewing season.

Homer, Alaska, United States, offers an authentic North American experience where stunning natural landscapes meet communities of genuine character. Visitors should explore the surrounding wilderness and sample the honest, locally sourced cuisine that defines the region. The ideal visiting period is June through September, when long northern days and mild temperatures make exploration a pleasure. Cruise lines including Viking feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Seward, Alaska, is a captivating port known for its stunning landscapes and rich history as a gold rush supply town. Must-do experiences include visiting Kenai Fjords National Park and sampling local delicacies like halibut tacos and akutaq. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the natural beauty is at its peak and outdoor activities abound.