Four Alaskan cruise ports

Vuk Malobabic,

general manager on board Norwegian Spirit, says it’s worth going beyond the glaciers in Alaska. Here are his favourite destinations to visit.

Juneau

Whenever I’m in Juneau I like to wander along Seward St. My favourite boutique stores to visit include Rainy Retreat Books, Concept Cafe and Urban Eskimo. Tracy’s King Crab Shack dishes up some of the best king crab in all of Alaska, and if you’re looking for a great drinking hole, Red Dog Saloon is legendary.

Skagway

The small town of Skagway harks back to the cowboy era with its ‘spaghetti western’ vibe. With its retro styling, the Red Onion Saloon is a great spot for a drink and a few cheeky photos. Just across the street, you’ll find my favourite store in all Alaska, Taiya River Arts. This is the perfect stop for those who love acquiring unique items from their travels. The Skagway Fish Company has delicious halibut and chips, and you’ll find the best icecream in town at Kone Kompany.

Ketchikan

One of the highlights of a day in Ketchikan is the Lumberjack Show, where you can watch teams compete with chainsaws and axes, balancing on floating logs. Right next door, Alaska Fish House has some of the best local halibut and salmon around, while Burger Queen, across from the main port, is a well-known secret among cruise ship crew.

Sitka

Sitka was once the capital of Russian Alaska. Today it’s a great town for foodies and wildlife fans. Fortress of the Bear is a shelter for Alaskan bears and a great destination to get close to these majestic animals. The Alaska Raptor Center is an inspiring shelter for injured owls, bald eagles and more. Finally, Sitka National Historical Park is a fantastic location to see Indigenous American carved totems.