Baranof Island Alaska Cruise from Sitka to Seattle — 14 Days

Sitka, USA

Set between forested mountains and the Pacific, Sitka occupies the west coast of Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. Here, Tlingit history and Russian influence meet in a compact town reached chiefly by air or sea. Walk Sitka National Historical Park’s coastal trail among carved totem poles. The park interprets the 1804 conflict between Tlingit people and Russian forces. St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Sheldon Jackson Museum add depth, while nearby waters invite wildlife watching.

Baranof Island, USA

Baranof Island rises from Alaska’s Inside Passage, where forested mountains meet cold, island-studded waters. Sitka, its principal town, brings Tlingit heritage and Russian history together in the shadow of Mount Edgecumbe. Walk the compact center, visit Sitka National Historical Park, or watch for sea otters and eagles along the shore. Beyond town, trails and boat trips reveal the island’s wild scale.

Inian Islands Alaska (Scenic Stop)

Glacier Bay, USA

Glacier Bay is Alaska at its most elemental: a vast marine wilderness where tidewater glaciers meet the sea. Cruise ships enter this protected national park, often with a park ranger aboard to interpret the landscape. Watch for calving ice, humpback whales, sea otters and bald eagles. The bay is also the ancestral homeland of the Huna Tlingit, whose connection to this changing coast reaches back generations. Bring binoculars, and stay on deck.

Tracy Arm Fjord, USA

Tracy Arm is a 30-mile glacial fjord in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, about 45 miles south of Juneau. Its steep granite walls rise above teal water, while waterfalls stream down the cliffs in summer. At the fjord’s head, the twin Sawyer Glaciers calve ice into the water, often sending small bergs drifting past. Ships move slowly here; the best views are from deck, where wildlife may include seals and eagles.

Petersburg AK, USA

Petersburg sits on Mitkof Island, where fishing boats still outnumber tour buses and Norwegian heritage shapes the town’s character. Walk the compact waterfront to see a working fleet, seafood processors and mountains rising beyond Frederick Sound. Boat trips explore nearby LeConte Glacier, with seals and eagles often spotted along the way. On shore, forest trails and local museums offer a closer look at life in this self-reliant Southeast Alaska community.

Misty Fjords (Ask Travel Agent)

Inside Passage

Alaska’s Inside Passage is not a single port, but a sheltered coastal route threading southeastern Alaska’s islands, channels and fjords. From the ship, watch for bald eagles, whales and mountains rising straight from the water. Calls may include Juneau, Ketchikan or Skagway, each with a distinct story, from Tlingit heritage to Gold Rush history. Bring binoculars; here, the finest moments often unfold between destinations.

Alert Bay BC, Canada

Alert Bay sits on Cormorant Island, off northern Vancouver Island, where forested shores meet the sheltered waters of Johnstone Strait. Here, Kwakwaka’wakw culture is more than history: it shapes the community’s art, ceremony and public life. At the U’Mista Cultural Centre, see ceremonial regalia confiscated during Canada’s potlatch ban and later reclaimed. Around town, carved poles and the Big House offer a striking introduction to Indigenous traditions. In summer, boat trips may reveal orcas and other wildlife in the strait.

Gulf Islands Canada (Scenic Area)

Victoria BC, Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, sits at the southern end of Vancouver Island, with a harbour at its heart. From the cruise terminal, reach the Inner Harbour by shuttle, taxi, or a pleasant waterfront walk. Here, the Parliament Buildings and Fairmont Empress frame the water. The compact centre is easy to explore on foot. Browse Government Street, visit the Royal BC Museum, or head north to Butchart Gardens, about 23 kilometres away.

San Juan Islands WA, USA

Between Washington’s mainland and Vancouver Island, the San Juan Islands reward travelers who value open water, wildlife, and unhurried days. From Friday Harbor, ferries and boats connect you with forested shorelines, quiet coves, and small island communities. Watch for orcas, especially in summer, though sightings are never guaranteed. Explore by car, bicycle, or foot; finish with local seafood as evening light settles across the Salish Sea.

Seattle, USA

Seattle welcomes you with salt air, a working waterfront and mountain views. Downtown sights include Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum and historic Pioneer Square. On clear days, the Space Needle offers views of Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier and the Cascades. Make time for fresh seafood and independent shops; Seattle’s neighborhoods reveal a city shaped by water, trade and innovation.