Cultural & History Excursions on an Alaska Cruise
Alaska's cruise ports are layered with thousands of years of indigenous Tlingit culture, Russian colonial history, and Gold Rush-era legend. Cultural excursions connect you with these stories in ways that walking past gift shops never will.
Highlights by Port
Skagway — The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is a 28-mile narrow-gauge ride through Gold Rush scenery that's been operating since 1898. Skagway's Broadway district is a preserved frontier town with restored saloons and the Trail of '98 Museum.
Sitka — Russia sold Alaska to the United States from this town in 1867. St. Michael's Cathedral (Russian Orthodox, rebuilt after a 1966 fire) and the Sitka National Historical Park (totem pole trail through old-growth forest) are must-visits.
Ketchikan — The Totem Heritage Center houses one of the world's largest collections of unrestored 19th-century totem poles. Saxman Village offers live carving demonstrations and traditional dance performances.