Best Alaska Cruise Ports (Through a Photographer’s Eyes)
When you picture your Alaska cruise, you’re probably not remembering the deck plans or dining times. You’re imagining the moment the ship glides past snow-dusted peaks, the first glimpse of a tiny port town tucked into the mountains, the way the light hits the water when you finally step onto the dock. The ports you choose shape those memories more than almost anything else.
As a photographer who calls Alaska home, I think about ports a little differently. I’m always asking: Where does the light fall beautifully? Where can you feel the character of the place in a single frame? Which stops give you both the classic “postcard Alaska” and the quieter, more intimate moments most visitors miss?
This guide is meant to help you answer a very practical question—which Alaska cruise ports should I choose? through a more soulful lens. We’ll talk about scenery, excursions, and must-see highlights, but also where you’ll find the best vantage points, the most photogenic streets, the small details that make a port unforgettable in your photos and in your memory.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser piecing together your dream itinerary or returning to Alaska and wanting to see it more deeply, my goal is to help you choose ports that feel right for you—the kind of places you’ll still be thinking about long after your suitcase is unpacked.
Let’s start with one of the biggest decisions most travelers face: Skagway vs. Ketchikan.
Skagway vs Ketchikan: Which Alaska Port Fits Your Style?
If your cruise calls on both ports, you’re spoiled. If you need to choose one hero day, here’s the local photographer’s take - what each port does best, how to plan for weather, and where to find those can’t-miss shots.
Choose Skagway if you love gold-rush history, mountain rail panoramas, and big-vista photography.
Choose Ketchikan if you want rainforest vibes, totems, salmon runs, and better rain-day backups.
For most first-time cruisers, I recommend [Skagway + Juneau + Ketchikan] – here’s why, plus how to photograph each port like a pro.
Skagway vs Ketchikan: Quick Comparison
Skagway
Best for: Historic railroad experiences and sweeping alpine views.
Signature tour: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.
Weather backup: Visit the local museum or enjoy short scenic hikes.
Crowds: Higher concentration near the train and main street area.
Photo highlights: Mountain passes, bridges, and iconic train curves.
Family friendly: Great for families — easy rail rides and short walks.
Ketchikan
Best for: Rainforest culture, totem heritage, and salmon runs.
Signature tour: Misty Fjords flightseeing or visiting the totem parks.
Weather backup: Excellent—totem parks, museums, and covered boardwalks make it ideal on rainy days.
Crowds: More spread out across the town and nearby parks.
Photo highlights: Deep greens, cascading waterfalls, eagles, and colorful totems.
Family friendly: Ideal for kids — totem parks, the salmon hatchery, and the lumberjack show.
What Skagway Does Best
When you visit Skagway, you feel like you stepped back in time. The Main Street is lined with shops, restaurants and it has a beautiful rhythm to it. It boosts rail-day magic, glacier-carved valleys and swinging bridges. Photo tips: 1/1000s for train motion, wide at 16–24mm for curves, window glare hack: lens hood against glass.
Top 3 in Skagway
White Pass Railroad (half or full)
Dyea area + Chilkoot Trail first mile
Scenic shuttle pullouts toward the pass
What Ketchikan Does Best
Ketchikan is known as the ‘Salmon Capitol’ of the world. It has a more adventurous vibe to it and there’s a lot of totem poles there. If you’re someone who is more drawn to culture, history, etc., Ketchikan is most likely your place! Old-growth rainforest, Tongass mood, totem artistry. Photo tips: embrace overcast; greens pop. Bring a lens cloth. 1/250s+ for eagles.
Top 3 in Ketchikan
Totem Bight or Saxman Native Village
Creek Street + salmon ladder (in season)
Misty Fjords by floatplane (weather permitting)
If It’s Raining
Ketchikan wins: totems, museums, covered boardwalks.
Skagway: lean into rail + Klondike museum; add short forest walks.
Tip: If you’re the kind of person who wants to bring a small piece of Alaska home, I also craft Alaska-inspired teas over at Alaska Tea Co. I drink a refreshing Mint Glacier Medley when I’m sorting cruise photos from long summer days.
Photography Tips (both ports)
Polarizer for glare, microfiber for mist, stabilize against rail windows, shoot RAW for rainforest dynamic range. I would highly consider bringing camera rain protection along with you as a lot of Southeast can be rainy.
If you wanted my top port recommendation to my friends, I would recommend Skagway. The views from the rail experience are breathtaking. Just saying ;).
Calling all photographers
Photographer Consideration: If planning this cruise lights you up, keep an eye out for my small-group photo retreats in Alaska where we slow down, drink tea, and actually live these moments off the ship. For more information, click the button below.