Skagway, Alaska. The scenic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad.
Destinations Alaska

Alaska Shore Experiences

As we bid farewell to Alaska in 2026, Queen Elizabeth offers an unforgettable finale filled with unmissable Shore Experiences. Read on to see our top picks.

3 min 27 Apr 2026

Cunard

Author

Witness humpback whales breach in Juneau. Snorkel in the astonishing underwater world of Sitka Sound. Visit indigenous villages in Ketchikan. With a Cunard cruise to Alaska, each port unlocks a new chapter of adventure. Our Alaska Shore Experiences have something for everyone - traverse the glaciers and plains of this richly diverse land by boat, train, helicopter, seaplane, zipline, or even sled. Or perhaps you'd prefer an experience on steadier footing? You can sip, sample, and savour local cuisine, take your seat at a lumberjack show, or try your hand at mastering cherished Alaskan family recipes.

 

Whatever your preference, read on for our selection of once-in-a-lifetime Shore Experiences.

Best shore excursions in Skagway, Alaska: Eagle Preserve Rafting & Wildlife

 

This serene experience focuses on wildlife viewing, with no rapids and white water. Keep an eye out for bald eagles in their natural habitat, while moose, wolves, and bears can also be spotted here from time to time. As you explore, your naturalist guide will share their expertise on this incredible tapestry of wildlife, native culture, history, and spectacular mountain and glacial scenery to create a stunning wilderness experience. During your tour, snacks and soft drink refreshments will be served.

 

Want to add a tranquil sightseeing trip to your Alaska itinerary? Log in to My Cunard to view available Shore Experiences, or view our cruises to Skagway.

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Best shore excursions in Juneau, Alaska: Mendenhall Glacier Explorer

Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in North America and part of the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield. It’s just 12 miles from central Juneau, yet it feels like a million miles away from the everyday world. During two and a half hours close to the glacier, you can follow trails through the beautiful Tongass National Forest, including scenic Photo Point Trail, which winds along Mendenhall Lake for an unobstructed view of the glacier's face, a walk to the base of captivating Nugget Creek Falls, and entry to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. This tour offers the most time at Juneau’s marquee attraction, the Mendenhall Glacier. A narrated tour of Juneau’s downtown waterfront is also included en route to the Glacier.

 

Want to add a tranquil sightseeing trip to your Alaska itinerary? Log in to My Cunard to browse available Shore Experiences, or view our voyages to Juneau.

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Best shore excursions in Ketchikan, Alaska: Alaska Lumberjack Show & Crab

Take your seat for the rowdy Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where lumberjacks battle it out in twelve athletic events that utilise seven-pound axes, six-foot razor-sharp saws, tree climbing gaffs, and souped-up chainsaws. Your cheers will turn to roars of excitement as axes fly through the air, men free-fall from tall trees, and run atop spinning logs floating in water. Then, just a few steps away, bring your appetite for a steaming hot Dungeness crab feast, hosted by a local commercial fishing family at the Harbor Haus. Dine on fresh Dungeness crab, oriental salad, and carrot cake.  

 

For a change of pace in your idyllic Alaska voyage, log in to My Cunard to view available Shore Experiences, or view voyages to Ketchikan.

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Best shore excursions in Sitka, Alaska: Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest

Your Alaskan-built expedition vessel will cruise through Sitka Sound, home to the greatest variety of wildlife in southeast Alaska, as a naturalist on board explains the workings of this beautiful ecosystem. Observe sea otters and learn about their recovery following near extinction at the hands of Russian fur hunters in the early 1800s. You may also encounter whales, sea lions, porpoises, and harbour seals, scan the shore for brown bears and blacktail deer, or look for bald eagles overhead.  Enjoy pastries, smoked salmon, coffee, tea, cocoa, and water whilst on board the boat.   

 

To bear witness to this breathtaking wildlife for yourself, log in to My Cunard to browse Shore Experiences, or view our cruises to Sitka.

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Best shore excursions in Icy Strait Point, Alaska: World’s Largest ZipRider™ 

Take in sweeping views of Icy Strait and Glacier Bay as you ‘fly’ 300 feet over the treetops on a once-in-a-lifetime ZipRider™ cable ride descent. It’s the highest in the US, starting on Hoonah Mountain at 1,330 feet above sea level, whose steep flanks are swathed in rainforest. You’ll reach speeds of 60mph on this adrenaline-fuelled zip ride, just over a mile long, before it ends with a gentle touchdown on the beach at the water's edge.

 

A thrillseeker's dream, this Shore Experience is available on cruises to Icy Strait Point. If you've already booked your Alaska voyage, log in to My Cunard to view our Shore Experiences.

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Best shore excursions in Victoria, BC, Canada: Royal Tea At Abkhazi Garden & City

Visit the exclusive Abkhazi Garden, hidden by a hornbeam hedge. Learn about the love story behind the garden and enjoy the unique landscape design with dramatic rocky slopes and mature plants. Relax with a three-tier Royal Tea experience at the tea house, and conclude with a city tour before returning to the pier.

 

For an experience akin to our beloved Afternoon Tea on our Queens, log in to My Cunard to add this trip to your voyage to Victoria, BC.

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Unlock Alaska with a Shore Experience with Cunard

While life on board is defined by elegance and enrichment, it is ashore that the landscapes, cultures, and extraordinary moments that make each port you visit  unforgettable are revealed. Alaska is vast, untamed, and endlessly diverse, defined by once‑in‑a‑lifetime encounters, and our thoughtfully curated Shore Experiences immerse you in its raw beauty, rich heritage, and remarkable scale.

 

Our on board Shore Experience team can help you choose the best spots to visit when we head ashore, for hiking, eating, drinking, and relaxing, or help you to join one of our organised excursions to the best beauty spots. Alternatively, you can view Shore Experiences available on your voyage by logging on to My Cunard, where you can plan in advance whilst also benefitting from our 10% off pre-cruise saving.

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