When people book an Alaska cruise, it’s not just for the itinerary. It’s for the experiences on their Alaska cruise bucket list. The ones you hear about in Facebook groups or see in vacation recaps. Spotting a whale from your balcony. Eating fresh king crab legs in port. Riding the White Pass train into the mountains.
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These are the experiences that make the trip feel like Alaska.
Some are big-ticket excursions. Others are simple yet memorable, such as watching the scenery from the hot tub or lining up for the Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan. And a few, like seeing the aurora borealis or spotting a moose, are rare enough to feel like a big win. So I turned them into a bingo card.
Think of it as a fun way to track the Alaska cruise experiences people always talk about. How many have you checked off?
Alaska Cruise Bucket List Bingo Card
An Alaska cruise comes with its own set of must-do moments, so many that it starts to feel like a bingo game. So I made one.
Save it to Pinterest, to your computer, share it with friends (we always appreciate a tag!), or just keep track of it for fun. How many can you cross off by the end of your cruise?
24 Alaska Cruise Bucket List Experiences
1. Spot a whale
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You can book a whale watching excursion, but you can also spot a whale right from the cruise ship. Humpback whales are the ones most people see on an Alaska cruise. On rare occasions, you might even spot orcas—we got lucky and saw them during our whale watching tour in Juneau.
2. Watch a glacier calve
It’s one of the most unforgettable sights and sounds on an Alaskan cruise. The thunder-like crack, the splash, the sheer scale. You must be there to appreciate the magnificence truly.
3. See a wild bear
You might spot a bear from a trail, on a guided tour, or even from the deck of a small boat. Most people hope to see black bears or coastal brown bears. Late spring through late summer is usually the best time, especially in places where salmon are running.
4. Spot a bald eagle
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You’ll see them perched on poles, high up in trees, and soaring near the water, especially where there’s food around. Once you spot one (look for the white heads), you’ll start seeing them everywhere.
5. See sea otters or seals
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Otters often float belly-up, swimming along beside the ship or hanging out at the nearby marinas in port, sometimes peeking their heads up like curious tourists. They can be pretty playful. Keep your camera ready.
6. Spot a moose
They’re not easy to spot near the cruise ports, but it does happen, especially on excursions that go inland or into more remote areas. Moose are massive and surprisingly quiet, which makes it surreal when one appears. It’s not the easiest animal to find, but that’s what makes it such a memorable Alaska cruise bucket list moment.
8. See the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
It may be touristy, but cruisers love it. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is a high-energy competition with axe-throwing, log rolling, and a lot of cheesy humor. It’s a Ketchikan staple.
9. Have a drink at the Red Dog Saloon
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Red Dog Saloon is a historic bar in Juneau that dates back to the gold rush days. It’s known for its swinging doors, sawdust-covered floors, and strong drinks with a side of rowdy fun.
10. Ride the White Pass & Yukon Route train in Skagway
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The White Pass & Yukon Route is one of the top things to do in Skagway, and it’s easy to see why. This historic narrow-gauge railway takes you on a breathtaking ride past waterfalls, gorges, and mountain peaks, retracing the path stampeders once followed during the Klondike Gold Rush. It’s scenic, a little dramatic, and belongs on your Alaska cruise bucket list.
11. Walk around Creek Street in Ketchikan
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Creek Street was once Ketchikan’s red-light district, but now it’s one of the most visited walking areas in town. The boardwalk winds along the creek, lined with shops, galleries, and totem poles. If you’re there in late summer, you might catch salmon jumping as they head upstream. It’s easy to explore Ketchikan on foot right from the port or after you’re dropped off downtown Ward Cove—and yes, it’s also a National Historic District.
12. Visit Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau
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One of the most accessible glaciers on an Alaska cruise, Mendenhall is just a short drive from downtown Juneau. You can walk to several scenic viewpoints or take the trail to Nugget Falls, which offers an up-close look at the glacier. Bears have been spotted near the creek during salmon season. You might also see the glacier from the water on some boat tours, especially during whale watching excursions.
13. Take a helicopter or floatplane excursion
One of the pricier shore excursions, but a bucket list item for a reason. Helicopter and floatplane tours range from sightseeing flights to glacier landings, where you can even walk on the ice. Nothing compares to seeing Alaska’s vast landscapes from above.
14. Go dog sledding
Even in summer, dog sledding is one of those once-in-a-lifetime Alaska cruise excursions people dream about. Helicopter tours take you up to a snowy glacier, where you’ll meet a team of energetic huskies and the mushers who work with them year-round. The dogs are fast, friendly, and love to run. It’s a short ride, but one you’ll be talking about long after the cruise ends and one that earns a spot on your Alaska cruise bucket list.
15. Eat Alaskan king crab legs
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Cracked, dunked, and devoured. Alaskan king crab legs are a must-try in ports like Juneau or Ketchikan, especially if you’re a seafood fan. They’re not cheap—averaging around $75 to $85 per pound—but many cruisers consider it part of the experience, like an edible excursion. Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau is probably the most famous spot to try them, but local restaurants in other ports also serve them.
16. Try salmon chowder
PinSalmon Chowder from The Hanger in Juneau
Salmon chowder is one of the most popular comfort foods on an Alaska cruise. It’s warm, creamy, and usually made with fresh, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, the kind that’s central to the state’s fishing culture. You’ll see it on menus in every port, often with each spot putting its spin on the recipe. After a long day exploring, it’s one of those meals that hits the spot.
17. Sample fry bread or other Native food
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Fry bread is a soft, pillowy flatbread that’s often served warm, sometimes with local jam, savory toppings, or alongside soup. It has deep roots in Indigenous culture, and trying it is a small but memorable way to connect with that history. Klondike Doughboy in Skagway is a popular spot to try it fresh out of the fryer, covered in cinnamon sugar.
18. Try reindeer sausage
It’s a popular local specialty that shows up in everything from hot dogs to breakfast scrambles. Reindeer sausage is smoky, a little sweet, and usually made with a blend of caribou and pork. You’ll spot it at food carts, diners, and even on breakfast buffets in port. It’s a small taste of Alaska that surprises people.
19. Watch a salmon run in a creek or stream
If your timing’s right, you’ll see them pushing upstream in droves. Late July through September is peak salmon season, depending on the port. Ketchikan is one of the best places to spot them, especially at spots like Creek Street or the fish ladder near the downtown area.
20. Gold Panning
Gold panning is a fun way to connect with Alaska’s gold rush history. You’ll find experiences in ports like Skagway and Juneau, often paired with a visit to a historic site or mining camp setup. It’s touristy, but people tend to enjoy it, particularly when they get to keep a small vial of gold flakes as a souvenir.
21. Cruise through Glacier Bay
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If it’s not on your first Alaska cruise itinerary, it should be. Glacier Bay is a U.S. National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and cruising through it is one of the most talked-about experiences on an Alaska cruise. You’ll stop to view towering tidewater glaciers, pass through steep fjords, and see untouched wilderness, often with park rangers onboard narrating what you’re seeing. It’s a standout day, not just for the scenery but because so few ships are allowed in each day.
22. Hike an Alaska trail
Many cruisers go to Alaska hoping to get out on a trail—and yes, you can do that right from some of the Alaskan cruise ports. Places like Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, and even Ward Cove near Ketchikan have trails that are either walkable from the ship or part of a short transfer. Some are self-guided and easy, others are longer or part of a shore excursion, but they all give you a different way to see Alaska.
23. Visit the Yukon
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If you’re docking in Skagway, you might have the chance to book a full-day excursion into the Yukon Territory. These tours typically include a scenic drive over White Pass, stops at lakes and viewpoints, and a brief opportunity to explore a small town like Carcross. There’s a feeling of crossing into real wilderness—and crossing an international border too, so don’t forget your passport.
24. See the aurora borealis (Northern Lights), if you’re lucky
Most cruisers don’t plan their Alaska cruise around the Northern Lights, but some do, especially for sailings in late September or early October. Those are the shoulder season weeks when sightings are most likely—clear skies, low light pollution, and high solar activity all help. It’s rare to see them from the ship, but not impossible. A few lucky cruisers have spotted them in the middle of the night while sailing farther north between ports. It’s one of those Alaska cruise moments that people talk about for years.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.