Vancouver to Seward

Pressed between the Pacific and the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is the natural gateway to Alaska's Inside Passage — a city where temperate rainforest meets glass towers and where Dungeness crab and wild sockeye salmon define a Pacific Rim cuisine that rivals any in North America. Walk the 22-kilometre Stanley Park seawall, lose yourself in the Granville Island market, then ferry across to Victoria's Edwardian splendour. Alaska cruise season peaks from May through September, making Vancouver an ideal starting point for one of the world's great ocean journeys.

Ketchikan clings to the forested shore of Revillagigedo Island in Alaska's southeastern panhandle — a town so narrow that locals joke it is three miles long and three blocks wide. Revered by the Tlingit people for millennia as a place of abundant salmon, it is today celebrated as the Totem Pole Capital of the World: the collections at Saxman Native Village and Totem Bight State Historical Park preserve the most significant concentration of these monumental artworks anywhere. Creek Street, a boardwalk of colorful historic houses built over Ketchikan Creek, should not be missed. Summer (May–September) brings the best weather, with salmon running in the creeks below.

Wrangell is one of Alaska's most authentic Inside Passage ports, where Tlingit heritage, ancient petroglyphs, and world-class wildlife converge at the mouth of the mighty Stikine River. Essential experiences include jet boating to LeConte Glacier, watching bears fish at Anan Creek, and tasting locally smoked salmon. July and August offer peak salmon runs and bear viewing.

Petersburg is an authentic Norwegian-heritage fishing town in Alaska's Inside Passage, too narrow for large cruise ships and all the more genuine for it. Must-dos include a boat trip to the LeConte Glacier—the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America—tasting fresh-off-the-boat halibut and Dungeness crab, and watching the working fishing fleet from the docks. May–September is the visiting season, with May's Little Norway Festival and September's bear-watching and whale activity as seasonal highlights.

Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska's Alexander Archipelago is a vast wilderness of old-growth temperate rainforest within the Tongass National Forest, home to bears, eagles, and the Tlingit village of Kake. Must-dos include Zodiac shore exploration, walking through ancient Sitka spruce forest, and learning about Tlingit totem-carving traditions. June through August offers the driest conditions in this lush rainforest environment.

Tracy Arm is a stunning 30-mile fjord in Alaska's Tongass National Forest, celebrated for its dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife. Must-do experiences include cruising through the fjord to view calving glaciers and enjoying local seafood like smoked salmon. The best season to visit is during the summer months when the area is vibrant and accessible.

Chichagof Island in Alaska's Tongass National Forest supports the world's highest density of brown bears — 1,600 bears outnumbering the human population on this roadless, 2,080-square-mile wilderness island. Must-dos include bear viewing at salmon streams during the summer runs, soaking in Tenakee Springs' natural hot spring, and tasting wild-caught halibut and Dungeness crab. Visit July-August for peak salmon runs and bear activity, accessed by ferry or float plane from Juneau.

Hubbard Glacier, known as the "Galloping Glacier," is a breathtaking natural wonder in East Alaska, captivating visitors with its stunning ice formations and wildlife. Must-do experiences include witnessing the glacier calving and savoring local delicacies such as Dungeness crab and reindeer sausage in nearby Skagway. The best season to visit is during the summer months when the weather is milder and wildlife is abundant.

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.

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.

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.