Each excursion typically includes a helicopter ride and dog sledding on a glacier. Excursion Tips. This tour gets you to key historical points as well as to a top local attraction -- the Alaska Raptor Center, where you get to view birds of prey that include bald eagles, close-up. We also booked the excursion to famous Butchart Gardens, a former barren rock quarry that has been transformed into a floral paradise, in Victoria. Baranof Fishing Excursions offers classic Alaska fishing experiences from their private marina in downtown Ketchikan. Skagways location at the end of the Lynn Canal makes it a prime location for hiking and getting back to, Juneau helicopter tour options are numerous, and they make for some of the absolute best excursions in Alaska! Juneau Guided Tours will not be operating in 2020. There are ms Amsterdam Alaska shore trips in these cities as well as in the large cities of Juneau and Anchorage, with the Alaska city trips offering a lot of shopping for local souvenirs, locally made jewelry, and other handicrafts. It's impossible to do and see everything, so we looked for kid-friendly excursions that gave us the most bang for our buck. The train isan This 5-hour, high-speed catamaran trip runs out of Whittier into the wilderness of Prince William Sound. Best Sitka Excursions & Tours | Alaska Shore Excursions 01 of 07 Explore Alaska With Holland America Cruises Kevin Smith/Getty Images Each year Holland America sends about a half-dozen ships to Alaska, with cruises embarking in Seattle, Vancouver, or Anchorage (Seward). The following year, hundreds of gold-seekers flocked to Skagway to begin their journeys North. Find your cruise vacation today with Holland America Line on one of our award-winning cruises to Alaska, Europe, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mediterranean, and more. And remember, you can simply reach out to us with any questions and expect to hear back from us shortly! Introduce yourself to your bus driver; Carry water, but leave snacks on the bus; Bring a watch, small bills and your room key; and. Don awetsuit, mask, fins and snorkel and get an up-close look at the unique sea creatures of the 49th state: urchins, sea stars, crabs, sea cucumbers, andwhats thata humpback whale swimming nearby?! Experience kayaking in Alaska away from the crowds with unique Ketchikan paddling tours that make you feel likea. Take the five-minute tram ride from the cruise ship pier to the Mountain House, 1,800feet up Mount Roberts,, Take afive-minute ride from the cruise ship pier to the Mountain House,1,800 up Mount Roberts, where the Chilkat Mountains, the Gastineau Channel, downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, and Admiralty Island spread out before you. Take ashort walk to the bear-viewing area, where you can watch these magnificent creatures for hours in their natural environment. Kein Verkauf und keine Weitergabe meiner personenbezogenen Daten. While you listen and cook, nibble on salmon and halibut dishes, as well as local veggies. Choose from morning or evening tours driving an ATV a 2021 Can-Am Trail Maverick side-by-side in Fairbanks with Midnight Sun ATV tours. St. Michael's Cathedral 3. For similar reasons, we don't publish our names on this website because we don't want special treatment at the resorts in which we stay. The 3-hour trip includes 25-30 minutes of flightseeing via helicopter and 1 hour at the dog sled camp. Der Ort bietet nicht nur eine ppige Landschaft und eine faszinierende Tierwelt, sondern auch einen einzigartigen Einblick in die Geschichte Alaskas. You are hauled up a mountain in a 4x4, geared up with a harness, gloves and a helmet, and with the direction of trained guides, sent to glide down a mountain on a zipline that runs between platforms attached to the tops of trees. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. Top Wheelchair Accessible Shore Excursions for an Alaska Cruise Big ship or small ship? Sled World & Glaicer Helicopter Adventure, 212 Admiral Way Ste. //]]>, Points of Interest: Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Icefield, Highlights: Dog Sledding, Helicopter, Glacier. A great deal of the wildlife is marine, so any given wildlife tour is quite apt to be by boat. Also popular are Holland America Alaska shore excursions that highlight the state's colorful frontier history and rich Native American heritage. At Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp, near Skagway, enjoy afun history lesson, afeast, and the chance to, Walk the fine line between folklore and gold fever. The Best Alaska Shore Excursions | Holland America Line Kayaking offers amuch more intimate and quiet experience than other boat tours; at the same time, it is perfect for travelers who want an adventure. (Be aware that the sledding portion of this excursion takes place on land, not snow. Once there, you'll board an all-terrain vehicle called a Unimog, which will take you up a rugged mountain road to where the mushers keep their dogs. The 10 Best Sitka Shore Excursions & Alaska Tours Instant confirmations, mobile-friendly vouchers, and everything you need to prepare for your big Alaskan adventure. Season: Late April-early October $189 per person 3 hrs. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. Fly from Juneau to aremote wilderness location, then kayak to Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island. Then land on Mendenhall Glacierto. We could hear the thunderous roar of the glacier calving from onboard the ships deck. And at the top, 1,500feet above sea level, youll take in the sweeping vista of shimmering Chilkoot Lake, set in the stunning Chilkoot Valley. Schlendern Sie an der Zwiebelkuppel der St.Michaelskathedrale und dem russischen Bischofshaus vorbei, beide zhlen zu den National Historic Landmarks. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Phone Number: 1-888-425-9376. In Sitka, you'll also see St. Michael's, the first Russian Orthodox cathedral in America; visit the forested Sitka National Historical Park, where in 1804 the Battle of Alaska was fought between the Russians and native Tlingits (today the park houses a collection of totem poles); drive to Castle Hill, where the post-Alaska Purchase flag was first flown by the U.S. in 1867; and enjoy a performance of Tlingit stories and songs in a traditional-style clan house. We excluded food-related excursions because meals and snacks were included in our fare (plus, the Eurodam served Alaskan salmon and king crab while we were in port). Fishing Listen up, anglers (or non-anglers): There are a lot of fish in Ketchikan, so your chances of catching one here are excellent. Best Alaska Dog Sledding Tours | Alaska Shore Excursions There's good fishing off Sitka, and with this full-day, small-group excursion, you hit the waters in search of king, silver or chum salmon, as well as halibut. No problem. more, Take aTEMSCO helicopter over glacier-filled valleys, tumbling waterfalls and peak after icy peak at the north endof. But this quick stroll into Alaskas gold-fever-influenced past offers afun history lesson, as well as apleasantly short turn at panning in that icy water yourselfwith aguarantee that youll score alittle gold to take home. Thanks!" Where does the White Pass railroad go? Get an adrenaline rush on one of the largest zipline rides in the world, at 5,330 feet long and with a vertical drop of 1,330 feet. Here, we also visited the Saxman Native Village, where we were welcomed by the Tlingit people with traditional song and dance and walked through the largest collection of towering totems in the world. . more, Fly to the icefield surrounding Juneau with Northstar Trekking an experience asimple glacier walkabout or arugged climbon, Northstar Helicopters operates out of Juneau and caters to all styles of exploration. Anschlieend machen Sie eine von einem Ranger gefhrte Tour auf das Schlachtfeld, auf dem Russland gegen die einheimische Tlingit-Bevlkerung kmpfte. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Here to offer you the best Alaskan adventures at the best price. Our family took a 7-day summer cruise to Alaska aboard Holland America's MS Eurodam. No matter which option you choose, NorthStar Helicopters will guide you all the way, making sure you get the most out ofthis We live together in New York City and prefer to travel in the Spring. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation requests in writing. Why Juneau is THE Alaska Whale Watching Destination, Remember the Yukon: A Skagway Alaska Must-Do. With total area of roughly 4,800 square miles, there is much to see and do in this great Alaskan Port. Dog sledding has been a popular sport in Alaska for generations. In theory, we could have filed a $8.09 reimbursement claim for "The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show," but we missed the deadline. I havent, but Ive talked to others who have and theyve loved it. Points of Interest:Knik River Lodge, Troublesome Glacier, Highlights:Helicopter Tour, Dog Sledding,Wildlife, Bears. On this trip, you can enjoy views of Resurrection Bay and a dog sled ride on top of Godwin Glacier. Nothing on this site should be considered personal advice. Here we could visit a couple of the best-known wineries in the statethe Chateau Ste Michelle or Columbia Winery. If you need transportation from downtown Anchorage, book this version. Highlights:Dog Sledding, Helicopter, Glacier. An all-you-can-eat salmon and prime rib lunch buffet is also included. Reisen Sie heute auf einer Alaska-Kreuzfahrt nach Sitka und sehen Sie Spuren des russischen Einflusses. Every shore excursion reservation is triple-checked to ensure the timing is compatible with your cruise ship schedule! Hop on aTEMSCO helicopter for an Alaskan adventure combining aviation, sled dogs and massive glaciers. Roberts for some spectacular views. The White Pass &Yukon Route Railroad winds through stunning scenery on its way to drop you off on hiking trails that offer waterfall, mountain, and glacier views. Glacier Bay National Park with its Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier on the continent of North America, is one of these largely inaccessible sights. Accessible Whale Watching Tour in Juneau TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE All Rights Reserved On this adventure, you'll check out the local terrain from above with a helicopter flightseeing experience. Tour operators that will work with your itinerary while visiting Haines by cruise ship, Day tours from Skagway and Haines and multi-day immersions in Glacier Bay National Park, all with expert naturalist guides, Guided sea kayaking in Alaskas Southeast opens up the magical world of water-based touring. Juneau Dog Sledding & Glacier Helicopter Tour, Skagway Dog Sledding Tour & Glacier Flightseeing Tour, Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sledding and Helicopter Tour, Anchorage Glacier Dog Sledding via Helicopter Tour. Sightseeing. And even if youve never paddled akayak before, a Alaska Shore Tours Top-Rated Shore Excursions For those seeking a more active way to see the White Pass, we highly recommend you book the White Pass Train & Bike Tour. Best Juneau Excursions & Tours | Alaska Shore Excursions Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. You can also choose to hike on the glacier itself. In fact, they return to the streams around Ketchikan by the thousands. The ms Amsterdam offers wildlife tours in many of the ports, from bear encounters in Ketchikan to white-water rafting adventures and guided salmon fishing expeditions in the back of beyond outside Fairbanks. Plus, you can cuddle cute sled dog puppies! Points of Interest: Godwin Glacier, Resurrection Bay, Highlights:Helicopter Tour, Dog Sledding, Wildlife. Tours from Skagway and Haines offer an up-close experience with insights from local guides. Options include private tours ranging from 5to 7hours that explores the sights of British Columbia and theYukon, Ride aGold Rush-era train out of Skagway on your way to some of Alaskas best hiking fordose, Take the train out of Skagway to some of Alaskas best hiking. All passengers in the small aircraft had a guaranteed window seat, and we were provided headphones for the narration by an expert. Wildlife fans get an up-close look at the marine creatures that make this part of Alaska so special. Ketchikan Haines Juneau Hoonah / Icy Strait Sitka Skagway View All Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp & Salmon Bake 1 Map Website Season: Late April - early October $109 2 hrs Walk the fine line between folklore and gold fever. Go with Wings Airways and youll take off from Juneau in a10-passenger DeHavilland Otter floatplane and get alush view of the city as well as the surrounding mountains and ice fields. Our most popular dog sled tour, and one of the best things to do in Juneau,is the Juneau Dog Sledding Tour. Book your shore excursions independently. Many of the Holland America Alaska shore excursions are possible for older people and those with some physical restrictions. The ride takes only 1.5 minutes before your gentle, brake-activated touchdown on the beach at Icy Strait Point. While many companies do offer itineraries with a port stop in Sitka, plenty more itineraries stick to the calm waterways further inland and make other port stops like Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. Hop on aTEMSCO helicopter for an Alaskan adventure in Skagway, Alaska. We provide top-notch customer service with our team of tour specialists and travel agents that are eager to share their knowledge of Alaska and find the perfect tour for you. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Sitka is noteworthy among Alaska towns for its strong Russian and Tlingit heritage. The concert Destination 360 is your friendly travel guide. Get out into the wilderness for aclassic Alaskan tradition with aserving of history at the GoldCreek. Holland America Alaska Shore Excursions - Destination 360 Its simple really, were here for you and here for Alaska. Along the way, you'll keep an eye out for marine life . For a limited time, enjoy all the benefits of our standard Have It All package, including Shore Excursion and Specialty Dining credit, plus free Crew . Recognising that the Alaska demographic is fairly broad, cruise and excursion companies offer active itineraries -- hiking, biking and kayaking -- in addition to tours for history-lovers, those. On a Sitka, Alaska shore excursion, stop by the visitor center of the Sitka National Historical park to peruse fascinating collections of Russian and Native Alaskan artifacts, and then join a ranger-led tour of the battlefield where Russia fought the native Tlingit people. Our shore excursions experts are here to share their knowledge and ensure each tour you book is right for you. more, Combine ascenic flightseeing helicopter tour with the exhilaration of dog mushing on aglacier with ateam of. While sailing the calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage (as opposed to the more treacherous fishing ground of the Bering Sea), you'll witness part of a day in the life of commercial fishermen, as they haul in their latest catch of Alaskan king crab, halibut, octopus, prawn and more. Select your cruise ship and well display only the tours that work with your You fly over the massive and impressive Juneau Icefield and see the advancing Taku Glacier up close. Always keep your eyes peeled as you might spot bald eagles in the tree-tops and Sitka black tail deer grazing on brush. Beide bieten die Mglichkeit, Alaskas Wildtiere wie Bren oder Greifvgel aus nchster Nhe, aber auf sichere Weise, zu sehen. Whether your cruise ship is docking in Anchorage, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka or Ketchikan, we offer unique experiences including accessible helicopter rides, accessible whale watching and other wonderful options that you won't soon forget. See photos from our excursion in Sitka, Alaska. If your itinerary includes Seward, you can enjoy the beauty of winter during summer on a 90-minute helicopter tourand dog sledding ride. After about an hour in the water, you'll head back to the dive shop, where a hot beverage caps a perfect day. This is one of the best known horticultural displays in the world, and it should not be missed. The White Pass railroad tour travels 20 miles, from the tidewater in Skagway to the Summit of the White Pass. The 9 Best Ketchikan Shore Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023 A2012 Readers Digest poll chose Glacier Gardens out of thousands of entries as the Most Interesting Landmark in America! The full cancellation policy can be found here. Sitka Shore Excursion Reviews - Cruise Critic Step back in time to Alaskas Gold Rush on this 90-minute tour outside Juneau; learn about gold miningand, Come on this 1hour tour outside Juneau, and youll get abig appreciation for prospectors who arrived here more than 100years ago: This water is seriously cold. Misty Fjords National Monument is a must-see, and on this flightseeing tour, you view the magnificent scenery with a bird's-eye view from the air on a seaplane. The goal of the guided boat ride is to spot as many bald eagles as you can (keep an eye out for nests in the trees) and, if you're lucky, bears, moose and other wildlife as well -- all in their natural habitat. . Enjoy some storytelling, then go on ashort nature walk through abeautiful old-growth forest. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and is known as The Gateway to Denali. Book your shore excursions direct! Cruises to Sitka, Alaska |Alaska Cruises to Sitka - Holland America Line From cruise ship excursions to all-day fishing trips, Ketchikans Finest Fishing Charters provides top-notch equipment and acustomized approach to make your trip an adventure to remember. Dog sledding on aglacier is the ultimate blend of Alaskan adventure, as you also get there by helicopter! Your destination is the Channel Islands, the whales annual feeding groundand your guides will assess where the most whale activity has been happening. Private van tours departing from Skagway into the Canadian wilderness, Skagway may be aquaint small town, but it offers abig lens into the Alaska frontier. We love flying in small planes and helicopters, so we booked as many of these ms Amsterdam Alaska shore trips as we could. Yes! Youll look eagles in the eye at this raptor rehab and education center on the edge of Tongass National Forest. Begin your tour at the Harrigan Centennial Hall. You also have the option of adding astop at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center prior to your whale watchingtour. Then explore the old trail camp and finish off your day with avisit the Fancy Goods store. Consider this excursion if you'd like to see a glacier up close without spending the money on a helicopter tour. Tlingit Clan House 5. The Gold Creek Salmon Bake, atwo-hour experience out of Juneau, has been running for more than 30years. The path the miners took to seek gold would eventually create the foundation for one of the most popular Skagway shore excursions - the White Pass Yukon Railroad Summit Excursion. Picking which, Skagway is a great town to visit. Its agreat way to explore Alaskas capital city, with lots of scenery and history along the way. We used Holland Americas website to pre-book our excursions. Explore Juneau on two wheels: Take abike tour through Alaskas capital city. Without exaggeration, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. On the Juneau Mushers camp tour you can learn about the lives of sled dogs and take a ride on a custom-designed wheeled sled. (There are six cables side by side, so up to a half-dozen participants can do the ride at the same time.). Paddle all around ashimmering lake, looking for wildlife on the shore and reveling in the spectacular mountain views that surround you. Experience kayaking in Alaska the way it should beaway from the crowdswith these unique Ketchikan paddling tours that make you feel like atrue explorer. Whether you're a fan of the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" or just really like to see fishermen in action, this excursion will float your boat. Keep an eye out for other wildlife, like eagles, sea lions, seals, sea otters. Then, land on the glacier beach and walk about amile alongside the glacier, exploring as you gothere may even be ice caves to checkout. Plus, it leaves plenty of time for further exploration in Icy Strait Point. The cost is $35 for adults, $18 for children 3-12, and free for children under 3. Upon your arrival at Glacier Point, a remote beach, you'll set out on a short drive and hike, before boarding a 31-foot-long canoe for a paddle up to the face of Davidson Glacier. Easy, Worry-Free Booking Expert Local Guides Small Groups Multi-Tour Discount 5% Donated to Conservation Free Travel Planning The best Alaska shore excursions and tours in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Sitka at local prices. It's a must do in Alaska, but which port you try it in is up to you. Begin in downtown Sitka, where youll take amotorized, rigid-hull inflatable on a15- to 20-minute ride across beautiful Sitka Sound, with the massive volcano Mt. But you can win, Taku Glacier Adventure by Air, Water & Ice, Alpine Wilderness Trail Adventure by Segway, Skagway Glacier Discovery Helicopter Tour, Private Wildlife Photo Safari, Beachcombing, and More, Private Wilds of Sitka Sound Expedition by Boat, Anchorage Helicopter Glacier Dogsled & Lower Glacier Landing, Anchorage Helicopter and Glacier Dogsled Tour, Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Train Tour, 8 Things Your Cruise Ship Wont Tell You About Shore Excursions, In Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Anchorage, Icy Strait Point, & Denali. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. You were Superb! All Rights Reserved. There's a world of sights to be seen in the Great Land and our Alaska cruise excursions give you a front-row seat to it all. Eurodam at Port of Seattle: Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 W Garfield Way, Seattle, WA 98199. The captain will take you to known fishing spots where various techniques -- weather permitting -- are employed for salmon fishing and halibut fishing. This is the magic of snorkeling in Alaskaa singular experience that you can only do in the waters around Ketchikan. The, Weve all been guilty of over-packing at one time or another. more, Kayak through Auke Bay with Glacierview Sea Kayaking to enjoy views of Mendenhall Glacier, wildlife, and more. Like Whittier, Seward is most often used as an embarkation and debarkation port. Glide through amarine environment with gorgeous views in every direction, and many opportunities to spot wildlife from eagles and salmon to bears, whales and sea lions. Last Updated: Jun 07, 2023. Accordingly, passengers can opt in for a version of the excursion that includes a post-tour motor coach transfer to Anchorage hotels and its airport. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Get great views with some hands-on funcombine ascenic flightseeing helicopter tour with the exhilaration of dog mushing on aglacier with ateam of Alaskan Sleddogs! Unforgettable Fishing Experience with Ketchikans Top-Notch Charters and Guides. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. But because of its status as a cruise ship destination, many of the, Glaciers are Alaskas #1 tourist attraction, and theyre the source of some of the absolute best excursions. Keep plans flexible with our Book Now, Pay Later option. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! In order to receive a refund, changes and cancellations must be made more than 7 days prior to your tour date. THE TOP 10 Sitka Shore Excursions (w/Prices) - Viator The White Pass train ride is our most popular Skagway excursion. CruisesHolland America Cruise Linems AmsterdamShore Excursions. Go with Wings Airways and take off from Juneau in a10-passenger floatplane to get alush viewof. The show is performed rain-or-shine; there is an indoor waiting area and the grandstand is covered. The seaplane will also briefly land on water within the park to give you a taste of the serenity down below. Every expedition is different as theres flexibility for some spontaneity. Youll get aclose-up look at asnowy owl, American kestrel, peregrine falcon, great-horned owl, red-tailed hawk, and even the tiny northern saw-whet owl. Fancies herself a bit of a comedian youve been warned. With excitement-inducing tours like kayaking adventures, jet boat rides, and biking excursions, opportunities are endless. Your hands will likely hurt from hitting the handbrakes so much. Das vom Regenwald des Tongass Nationalparks umgebene Sitka, Alaska, bezaubert durch eine reiche Natur. Sitka is the port stop where we booked ours, viewing large rafts of sea otters, bears, breaching whales, bald eagles, and the delightful Clowns of the Sea puffinsmy personal favorite. After a narrated bus ride along the Haines Scenic Byway, transfer to the glacially carved Chilkat River on a flat-bottom boat where you will traverse a remote section of the renowned Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Alaska Travel Adventures Historic Gold Mining& Travel along the White Pass & Yukon Route . One-to-one relationships with our Alaska travel specialists. Options include day tours for busy schedules and multi-day immersions, all under the expert guidance of naturalists who help you understand the complex workings of aunique and amazing They provide everything you need from rubber boots to expert guides, for an extraordinary fishing adventure! Dog sledding in Alaska is the most popular shore excursion. Canoe across alake to Mendenhall Glacier glacier, Keeping an eye out for arctic terns, mountain goats, and icebergs floating in the water. -- The Ginsbergs, California. It is home to the Kenai Fjords National Park which provides a great variety of tours! Also, in May and June, you need an additional $15 king salmon stamp. We took a float plane over the majestic glaciers of the 1,500 square miles of the Juneau Icefield. Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion & Train Tour Check out the views if you dare to open your eyes as you literally zip a mile down the mountain at speeds of roughly 60 miles per hour. You have up until 7 days prior to your tour date to cancel for any reason. 5 Juneau, Alaska 99801. Look out on alpine lakes, moraines, and crevasses before you land and check out the Juneau Icefield for yourself. After your sledding experience, you'll have a chance to play with sled dog puppies. Home port: Seattle. Once at the island, youll climb out on the beach, break out into smaller groups, and set off on astunning hike on aboardwalk that snakes through the rainforest. Note: The prices above are quoted from Holland America's website, however, tickets are available for a slight discount on The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show's website. Published October 14, 2019. The show takes place in a small open-air amphitheater, and there are several spaces in the front reserved for wheelchair users and their companions. This is a real adventure experience. Overwhelmed by choices? more. Iditarod mushers will take you on a a dog sled ride, tell you stories from the world-famous race, and let you cuddle with sled dogs. By 1898, Skagway's population had boomed to 8,000. The best part is that no experience is needed; a guide will instruct you in the use of the provided mountain gear, which includes boots, an ice axe and crampons. If you would like to exchange one tour for a different one, you must create a new reservation for the new tour and send us an email to cancel the other tour. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation requests in writing. Nearby mountains and wilderness provide access to the interior of Alaska. Luckily, the cruise lines make it easy with shore excursions that range from the sublime to the extreme -- from a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad to see the beautiful scenery to a hike in crampons atop a pristine glacier.