Alaska Cruises

Ketchikan, Alaska is a quaint town near the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage. If your Alaskan Cruise begins in either Vancouver, Seattle, or San Francisco, odds are, your first stop will be in the island town of Ketchican.

On my first Alaska vacation, after two days cruising along the beautiful Vancouver Island and the Canadian coast, I was more than ready to get out and explore this incredible region when our ship docked at Ketchikan.

From the docks, it is a short walk to the downtown area known as Creek Street, where historic wooden shops overhang a crystal-clear stream.

If you arrive in late summer, the stream will be teaming with huge salmon on their way to spawn.

This is truly an amazing sight, as the creek is so crowded with salmon that you could literally step from one to another.

From the docks, it is a short walk to the downtown area known as Creek Street, where historic wooden shops overhang a crystal-clear stream.

If you arrive in late summer, the stream will be teaming with huge salmon on their way to spawn.

This is truly an amazing sight, as the creek is so crowded with salmon that you could literally step from one to another..

If you are like me, the one day you have to spend in Ketchikan on your cruise will be just enough time to wet your whistle, and you will want to return to this amazing area again to explore more and take advantage of all this area has to offer.

If you do return, a great way is to take a ferry from Washington State.

The Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System originates in Bellingham, Washington, a short drive north of Seattle. These ferries provided the easiest access to Ketchikan and all of the Alaskan Inside Passage.