Description
Explore the best of Southeast Alaska's two most iconic ports with the Ketchikan & Juneau Explorer package. Perfect for shorter Inside Passage cruises, this 2-port adventure pairs hands-on Ketchikan excursions with Juneau's glaciers, wildlife, and waterways. Whether you're kayaking past icebergs, watching humpback whales, or hauling up king crab pots, every tour is handpicked for guests who want to get out and explore.
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour
You may have seen this tour topping the charts for things to do in Ketchikan and with good reason. The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's tour was rated 'Ketchikan Tour of the Year' and consistently receives rave reviews. This one-of-a-kind tour puts you onboard an actual Alaskan fishing boat and right into some astounding scenery, wildlife and of course...crab!
The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour isn't your ordinary shore excursion. Load up onboard the Aleutian Ballad, an equipped fishing vessel featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. Meet your hosts - local fishing guides that are full of colorful stories from their experiences which they'll share as you begin to disembark from port. Explore the calm waters of the Inside Passage while keeping your eyes peeled for eagles, seals, sea lions and whales, which are all frequently spotted on the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour. When the time is right, you'll be part of the action as the guides start hauling crab pots and fishing gear containing anything from rockfish, stars, octopus, prawns, halibut and a variety of crab. Specimens will be brought on board the boat in holding tanks so you can actually feel and touch Alaskan king crab!
Tales from life at sea compliment the wealth of knowledge and information shared by your fishermen/guides during the tour. It's hard to believe the danger and adventure inherent in this industry through some of the stories, but unlike many fishing stories, these tales are real! The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour doesn't head out into the open ocean but stays within the calm protected waters of the Inside Passage making it a smooth sail. Ample seating on the boat allows you to sit back and enjoy the views or choose to position close to the holding tanks to become part of the action. A truly unique experience only found in Ketchikan - but be sure to book early because this one fills up quick!
Please note: If you are cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines, you will be docking at Ward Cove and will subsequently need more time between your cruise’s scheduled arrival & departure times and this tour. Please ensure you have at least 1 hour of buffer time to comfortably make this tour.
Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour
You've decided you'd like to see the magnificent humpback whales in Alaska, but which Juneau whale watching tour is right for you? With this Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour, you're getting a little more bang for your buck and ensuring you're not missing any of Juneau's highlights! This tour includes a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier visitor's center in addition to the whale watching adventure. Including all of the features of the popular Whale Watching Tour, you'll leave the waters of Auke Bay and continue with a transfer over to the famous Mendenhall Glacier.
With a convenient downtown pick-up location within walking distance of the cruise ships, a 25-minute transfer over to Auke Bay takes you through downtown Juneau while your guide narrates the journey, providing a great introduction and orientation to Alaska's capital city. Load up on the customized whale watching boat and then it won't take long to arrive at prime whale watching waters. Spend the next 2 hours in the midst of whales, sea lions, seals and bald eagles, experiencing Alaska's diverse wildlife first-hand. Upon returning to the harbor, board the bus for a transfer to the glacier. Take a self-guided stroll to the glacier viewpoint or into the visitor's center (admission is included in tour price) which provides a wealth of knowledge and information. You have over and hour to explore the area before boarding the bus back to town.
Please note: This tour may run in reverse with the glacier visit first followed by whale watching.
* Please note that the Visitor Center building will be closed on Saturdays during the 2025 season. The park area, trails, and restrooms will all remain open, still providing exceptional views of Mendenhall Glacier.
Looking for more chances to spot wildlife and experience the highlights of each port town on your Alaska cruise? We recommend Skagway's Yukon Discovery and Ketchikan's Bering Sea Crab tour, or check out all of our staff picks!