Inside passage cruises are the perfect way to experience the best of Alaska’s magnificent southeastern ports. The Inside Passage’s coast, with waters almost entirely protected and full of wildlife, is dotted with small fishing villages, fjords and glacially carved mountains.

Our seven-day roundtrip voyage aboard the luxurious msOosterdam offers premier amenities, including private balconies ideal for whale watching and glacier viewing.

Port City – Sitka

Sitka offers cruise passengers a fascinating shore excursion opportunity — the Alaska Raptor Center. The volunteer staff at the not-for-profit facility is dedicated to restoring to health birds of prey, primarily American eagles, injured in fights, accidental contact with electrical wires and even by gunshot. (It still happens occasionally, even though shooting at these magnificent creatures is against the law.) Every cruise line includes the facility in its shore excursions brochure. Many remnants of Alaska’s Russian past (St Michael’s Cathedral, the Russian Bishop’s House, the historic park in which are found totem poles and story boards commemorating the battles between the Russian invaders and the Tlingit Indians) are to be found in Sitka.

Sitka has hosted eight Morning Song Concerts, featuring Faith First, Steve Darmody, Jennifer LaMountain and more. We look forward to visiting with our friends the Autrys and the rest of the Morning Song Concerts of Sitka volunteers.

Port City – Ketchikan

Ketchikan, the salmon capital of the world, is blessed with a surprisingly gentle climate and extraordinary natural beauty. Located on Revillagigedo Island, it is Alaska’s fourth-largest city. Its calm waters offer fantastic sportfishing, along with a wide variety of other marine activities. It is also rich in Native American culture, with the largest concentration of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people in the state. You will also find the world’s largest collection of totem poles and museums and cultural centers that feature Native dance, carving and artifact exhibits.

Creek Street, which has been called “the most photographed street in the world” is the main attraction in Ketchikan. Built on pilings over the creek, it once was the city’s red light district and now is lined with funky little stores and restaurants overlooking canoeists and (at the right time of the year) leaping salmon.

Orca Beach Rain Forest Adventure | Ketchikan By Horse-Drawn Trolley | Harley Davidson Motorcycle Tour | Back Country Jeep and Canoe Safari | Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles | Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure | Misty Fjords Seaplane Exploration | Neets Bay Bear Watch | and more!

Skagway is another staple on cruise itineraries, a tiny, historically significant community at the head of the Lynn Canal. It came into being in the last part of the 19th century as the nearest port of entry for stampeders making their way into the Klondike in search of gold. Today, the narrow gauge White Pass & Yukon railroad is a must-ride for cruise passengers.

Considered by many the most beautiful capital in the nation, Juneau is geographically the largest city in the United States. The city’s terrain is hilly, and its winding, narrow streets are full of charm. However, Juneau’s small-town quaintness is mixed with cosmopolitan flair; here you’ll find interesting museums, sophisticated shops and fine restaurants.