Alaska

Seward is 120 miles (about a two hour drive) south of Anchorage, and is one of the Anchorage area's two major cruise ports. The trip south is one of the most scenic in Alaska, with the waters of Turnagain Arm on one side and the Chugach Mountains on the other.

There are many small turnouts along the way that are photo-perfect. The small community of Girdwood is a great spot to take a quick hike or a ride up the aerial tram. Seward itself is a great spot for ziplining, sled dog kennel tours, kayaking and glacier and wildlife day cruises.

Off the coast of Yakutat - 200 miles North West of Juneau - Hubbard is certainly gigantic: it's more than 9km/6mi wide where it meets the ocean. The face is over 100m/350ft tall, and icebergs 3 to 4 stories in height aren’t uncommon.

Granted, most of that ice is below water, but the ice can be so thick that cruise ships can’t get too close. In the right conditions, however, your ship might be able to get within 1km/0.5mi of the face. The strong currents and riptides that flow between Gilbert Point and the face of the glacier cause calving to occur on a daily basis, sending massive chunks of ice crashing into Disenchantment Bay.

But don't be fooled, Hubbard Glacier stands strong and is advancing so fast its earned the title "The Galloping Glacier".

Icy Strait Point, near the Tlingit village of Hoonah, blends adventure with Alaska's heritage. Whale watching is unparalleled here, with frequent sightings of humpbacks and orcas. The world’s largest zip line offers breathtaking forest and ocean views. Explore restored cannery buildings housing exhibits, local crafts, and fresh seafood. Guided tours delve into Tlingit culture, highlighting storytelling and traditional dances. Nature trails reveal serene coastal beauty and diverse wildlife.

Endicott Arm, a narrow fjord 80km/50mi southeast of Juneau, sits within the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness area and spans over 48km/30mi in length, with one-fifth of it draped in ice.

Witness the grandeur of tidewater glaciers, including the Dawes Glacier, at the fjord's head, where colossal ice chunks calve into the waters during the summer. Ships gracefully navigate this glacial wonderland, surrounded by icebergs of various sizes.

Protected by the Tongass National Forest, Endicott Arm shelters diverse wildlife, from bears and deer to seals and seabirds. Glide through the fjord, encountering lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains, offering an immersive snapshot of Alaska's untamed beauty.

Skagway was Alaska's largest town with a population of about 20,000 during the gold rush in 1898. Hotels, saloons, dance halls and gambling houses prospered. But when the gold dwindled, so did the population.

Today, Skagway has less than 1,000 residents and it still retains the flavor of the gold rush era.

Top Things to Do in and around Skagway:

• steam train from Skagway aboard the "Scenic Railway of the World"
  
• excursion to the Klondike Summit
  
• gold panning & dog sledding

Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage -  the canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Indians, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture.

Top Things to Do in Ketchikan:

• visit Totem Bight State Park
• venture past the town limits into Tongass National Forest
• visit Ketchikan's own Saxman Native Village
• a myriad of outdoor adventures from fishing to zip-lining!
  

Enjoy a four-course meal and a great bottle of wine. Or grab a burger hot off the grill. Dress up. Dress down. Sit with your friends or make new ones. Dine inside or Oceanside along The Waterfront. Only Norwegian offers the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Dining, which means no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating. So follow your mood, not a schedule.

Alaska's Inside Passage offers breathtaking views of glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife , making it one of the most scenic cruises in the world and one of the few locations where deep-draft ships can sail close to steep mountain walls. Stretching from Puget Sound in Washington to the Alaskan Panhandle, this coastal route provides stunning natural scenery. Expect to see orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions from the deck, while eagles soar overhead.

Massive tidewater glaciers, forest-clad islands, ice-carved fjords, and charming coastal towns such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Haines and Skagway await you here. On small ship cruises, you’ll visit even more intimate ports of call. Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier are highlights.