One of the most popular cruise destinations in the world is Alaska, the last frontier. Here, guests can enjoy endless mountain landscapes, incredible land and marine wildlife sightings, delicious seafood dining, and so much more! Each port in Alaska offers a unique story, and Ketchikan is no different. This vibrant port of call is renowned for its rich Native culture, stunning scenery, and diverse wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for cruise travelers.
Norwegian Cruise Line has carefully curated an extensive list of excursion options for their guests in Ketchikan, from exploring the famous Totem Bight State Historical Park, to exciting floatplane tours, and the chance to experience the thrill of salmon fishing in the pristine waters. Here are all the shore excursion options NCL currently offers in Ketchikan:
Fishing & Wilderness
ALASKA FISHING & WILDERNESS DINING | Duration: 5 hrs 30 mins
Ideal for explorers or families seeking a tailored tour, this trip adjusts to your interests and skill level, accommodating 5-6 guests per boat.
HOOK AND COOK AT SALMON FALLS | Duration: 5 hrs 15 mins
Fish near Ketchikan on a modern fishing boat and enjoy your freshly caught fish prepared at Salmon Falls Resort.
PRIVATE HALIBUT FISHING | Duration: 5 hrs 30 mins
Fish for halibut, a large flatfish that feeds eagerly in summer.
PRIVATE SALMON FISHING IN KETCHIKAN | Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
Join a deep-sea fishing adventure with an experienced captain and crew skilled in finding the best fishing spots and techniques for catching salmon.
AUTHENTIC ALASKA FISHING | Duration: 5 hrs 30 mins
Spend the day on a modern fishing boat with an experienced guide visiting traditional Alaskan fishing areas.
KNUDSON COVE SALMON SPORTFISHING | Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
Fish for salmon in clear waters surrounded by glacier-carved bays, fjords, and the Tongass National Forest’s natural beauty.
Dining & Crab Feasts
GEORGE INLET LODGE CRAB CAKE EXPEDITION | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Travel a scenic highway to George Inlet Lodge, where a chef will demonstrate crab cake preparation for your lunch.
GEORGE INLET LODGE CRAB FEAST | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Travel a breathtaking coastal route to the historic George Inlet Lodge for a traditional Alaskan crab feast.
WILDERNESS EXPLORATION & CRAB FEAST | Duration: 4 hrs 30 mins
Explore Alaska’s wilderness by boat and enjoy a crab feast at George Inlet Lodge. Depart from the cruise ship dock with a motorcoach driver sharing sights like an old sawmill, totem poles, and waterfalls.
GEORGE INTEL FJORDS SAFARI, KRAFT BEERS, & DUNGENESS CRAB MEAL | Duration: 4 hrs 30 mins
Ride a utility task vehicle through the wilderness, then enjoy a crab meal with beer at a waterfront lodge.
ALASKA LODGE ADVENTURE & SEAFEAST | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Enjoy a scenic cruise to a lodge on secluded Grant Island for a seafood lunch.
TONGASS HIKE & TASTE OF ALASKA | Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
Join a guided tour through the Tongass National Forest and enjoy a seafood meal at a waterfront resort.
Native Culture & Totems
RAINFOREST WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & TOTEMS PARK | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
This eco-exploration includes a guided nature hike, a Native Totem Park, and a historic sawmill in a private reserve in Herring Cove’s forested mountains.
ALASKAN CULTURAL & LUMBERJACK SHOW EXPERIENCE | Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins
Discover the unique charm of Ketchikan through its Alaskan history, native culture, and culinary delights.
SAXMAN NATIVE VILLAGE & LUMBERJACK SHOW | Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
Explore the vibrant culture of Southeast Alaska’s Native Americans and enjoy an exhilarating lumberjack competition on this all-inclusive Ketchikan tour.
SAXMAN NATIVE VILLAGE | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Southeast Alaska’s Native Americans at Saxman Native Village.
TOTEM BIGHT PARK | Duration: 2 hrs 15 mins
Begin your adventure with a scenic drive along the Tongass Narrows to Totem Bight State Park, home to one of the world’s largest totem collections.
TROLLEY TO POTLATCH PARK | Duration: 1 hr 15 mins
Take an insightful trolley journey to Potlatch Totem Park to explore the symbolism and craftsmanship of totem poles.
TOTEM BIGHT STATE PARK & LUMBERJACK SHOW | Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
Discover Ketchikan’s unique history through an engaging narration while traveling along the scenic Tongass Narrows to Totem Bight State Park.
TOTEM BRIGHT STATE PARK & CANOE ADVENTURE | Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins
After leaving the pier, enjoy a scenic coastal drive to Totem Bright State Historical Park to experience Alaskan Native culture.
Wildlife & Bear Viewing
BERING SEA CRAB FISHERMEN’S TOUR | Duration: 4 hrs 30 mins
Join experienced Bering Sea fishermen aboard the Aleutian Ballad, a crab boat featured on “Deadliest Catch”, for an exceptional adventure.
LIGHTHOUSE, TOTEMS & EAGLES EXCURSION | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Cruise with an Alaskan captain and crew through the waters around Ketchikan’s stunning islands.
NEETS BEAR ENCOUNTER BY LAND & SEA | Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
Sail through Neets Bay to a bear observatory to observe these majestic creatures in their natural environment.
ALASKA BEAR ADVENTURE & FLIGHTSEEING | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Take a floatplane to a remote wilderness to watch black bears eat salmon.
BLACK BEAR & WILDLIFE EXPLORATION | Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins
Join this bear-viewing experience, beginning with a narrated eight-mile drive along the coast to Herring Cove in the Alaska Rain Forest Sanctuary.
WILDLIFE CRUISE, OYSTER FARM & TASTING | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Visit a floating farm in Alaska to explore how its frigid, nutrient-rich waters create ideal conditions for cultivating sustainable oysters and kelp, and enjoy tasting these products.
WILDLIFE SAFARI & BEACH BONFIRE – ONE-WAY | Duration: 4 hrs 30 mins
This immersive Alaska tour highlights the importance of respecting and connecting with nature.
Flightseeing & Scenic Cruises
MISTY FJORD & WILDERNESS EXPLORER – ROUND TRIP | Duration: 6 hrs 15 mins
Sail the Wilderness Explorer through Misty Fjords, a waterway carved by ancient glaciers.
MISTY FJORD FLIGHTSEEING | Duration: 2 hrs 15 mins
Enjoy stunning views of Misty Fjords National Monument aboard a DeHavilland floatplane, with your pilot describing the natural marvels.
EXCLUSIVE FLIGHTSEEING & THE TASTE OF ALASKA | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Fly over the Tongass National Forest in a floatplane and land near Salmon Falls Resort to enjoy classic Alaskan cuisine.
TALES & TIDES: ALASKA LORE & WILDLIFE CRUISE | Duration: 2 hrs 15 mins
Cruise the shimmering waters north of Ketchikan, watch for wildlife, and enjoy thrilling Alaskan tales.
COASTAL CONNECTION & WATERFRONT VIEWS | Duration: 1 hr
Sail the calm Tongass Narrows, enjoying the natural beauty to Ketchikan.
COASTAL CHEERS CONNECTION TO WARD COVE | Duration: 1 hr
Sail through the protected Tongass Narrows and enjoy the natural beauty as you return to your ship.
Kayaking & Water Adventures
HOVERCRAFT ECO ADVENTURE & WILDLIFE VIEWING | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
This 75-minute journey takes you from a lively dock to a tranquil Ketchikan beach and hidden coves rich with native wildlife and Alaskan landscapes.
KETCHIKAN DUCK TOUR | Duration: 2 hrs 45 mins
Travel in the Duck amphibious vehicle through Ketchikan’s historic streets and harbor, as the guide shares captivating stories.
CONNELL LAKE KAYAK | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Paddle a tandem kayak across Connell Lake, a serene reservoir surrounded by the Tongass National Forest.
EAGLE ISLAND SEA KAYAK | Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins
Paddle a tandem kayak through Tongass National Forest to Eagle Island, enjoying the tranquil waters of Clover Pass.
TATOOSH ISLANDS SEA KAYAK | Duration: 4 hrs 30 mins
Take a 10-minute van ride to the takeoff location, dress in layers, and enjoy a quick boat ride to the secluded Tatoosh Islands.
RAINFOREST CANOE & NATURE TRAIL | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Begin your journey with a scenic motorcoach ride to a remote mountain lake, where you’ll board a Tlingit-style 37-foot canoe accommodating 20 passengers.
SEA CYCLE OCEAN ADVENTURE | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Pedal a pontoon-style Sea-Cycle through Ward Cove’s estuary as the guide narrates its scenic beauty and local history.
SELF-DRIVE ZODIAC ADVENTURE | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Explore the breathtaking Tongass Narrows in a Zodiac boat, enjoying stunning coastal views and spotting iconic Alaskan wildlife.
Hiking & Rainforest Trails
RAINFOREST HIKE AND BREW | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Trek through America’s largest national rainforest, then celebrate with a beer at a nearby pub.
TONGASS RAINFOREST EXPEDITION | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Stroll leisurely through America’s largest national forest to fully appreciate its tranquility and grandeur.
TALBOT LAKE RAINFOREST HIKE | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Hike to Talbot Lake through Tongass National Forest, the largest in the U.S. Since the last pulp mill closed decades ago, the forest’s beauty has been restored, and wildlife like eagles, deer, and beavers thrive along the trail.
RAINFOREST ISLAND ADVENTURE | Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins
Begin your rainforest adventure with a thrilling cruise on a motorized inflatable Seahawk along the Clover Passage coast.
RAINFOREST E-BIKE & NATURE WALK | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Cycle on an electric bike to Connell Lake, enjoying the Tongass National Forest’s natural beauty.
Off-Road & Adventure
MAHONEY LAKE OFF-ROAD UTV SAFARI | Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins
Drive through the wilderness in an off-road Utility Terrain Vehicle and enjoy stunning views en route to Mahoney Lake.
BACK COUNTRY JEEP & CANOE SAFARI | Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins
Drive a 4WD automatic Jeep Wrangler on Tongass National Forest’s mountain routes.
ADVENTURE KART EXPEDITION | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Drive a Polaris RZR through a secluded rainforest in Alaska’s wilderness.
CHAUFFEUR-DRIVEN HUMMER | Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
Indiana Jones-style private car service starting at Ketchikan dock, fully customizable to your preferences.
RAINFOREST ROPES & CHALLENGE PARK | Duration: 3 hrs 30 mins
Take a 10-minute motorcoach ride to Knudson Cove, a secluded spot in the Tongass National Forest.
RAINFOREST CANOPY & ZIPLINE ADVENTURE | Duration: 4 hrs 15 mins
Zip across a lush rainforest canopy on nine zip-lines connected by aerial bridges between towering spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees.
Sightseeing & Entertainment
GREAT ALASKAN LUMBERJACK SHOW | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Experience the action and excitement of The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.
ALASKAN LUMBERJACK SHOW & AXE THROW CHALLENGE | Duration: 3 hrs 15 mins
Experience the vibrant logging heritage of southeast Alaska with this exciting event, offering entertainment for all ages!
KETCHIKAN PUB CRAWL | Duration: 2 hrs 15 mins
This engaging 120-minute walking tour is ideal for exploring the culture of Alaska’s First City.
LET’S TAKE A SELFIE – KETCHIKAN | Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Capture selfies at Ketchikan’s picturesque locations and iconic landmarks.
Booking Your Cruise
Now that you are ready to book your NCL cruise to Alaska, reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the ships inside-and-out, and have an amazing relationship with Norwegian. Our advisors will craft the cruise vacation of a lifetime for you, your friends, family, or group at an exceptional rate, and give you the Harr Travel signature service every step of the way.
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