DIY Shore Excursions on an Alaskan Cruise: The Ultimate 7-Day Northbound Itinerary

If I’m being honest, I’ve always been a bit skeptical of cruises offering an authentic Alaskan experience – but this trip proved me wrong! Planning DIY Alaska shore excursions is your golden ticket if you want to combine the ease of a floating resort with the absolute freedom of independent travel. Booking cruise-line shore excursions for every single port can easily cost a small fortune to be in crowded mega-bus tours with a mass of people.

With a little bit of strategic planning, you can completely DIY your Alaskan cruise excursions, save hundreds of dollars, dodge the massive tour groups, and experience the Last Frontier entirely on your own terms.

We took the 7-day northbound Celebrity Cruise from Vancouver to Seward, continuing our adventure overland down to Anchorage. Here is our exact itinerary that we loved!

Always fly into your departure city a day or two early. It protects you against flight delays and lets you explore without cruise-jetlag.

• Where to Stay: Firenze Tower in downtown Vancouver (Keefer Place) is ideally situated. We stayed in a lovely Airbnb here. 
• The Highlights: Grab morning coffee at Propaganda Coffee or Revolver. Rent bikes from Spokes Bicycle Rental and ride through Stanley Park & the Seawall—make sure to catch the Totem Poles at Brockton Point, views of the Lions Gate Bridge, and Siwash Rock. Cycle all the way over to Granville Island for public market treats and a celebratory pint at Granville Island Brewing. You can also take the free bus from Canada Place to check out the stunning Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (cost about $55 per adult). 
• Foodie Tip: Make a reservation at The Mackenzie Room for dinner. Their shared tasting menu is a group-dining dream (you need 4 people), but you’ll definitely want to book weeks in advance.

On departure day, stroll down Cordova Street toward Canada Place Pier to board the Celebrity Summit for your send off!

Port-by-Port DIY Alaska Shore Excursions Guide

1. Ketchikan Port Guide: Culture, Creeks, and Lumberjacks

• The DIY Strategy: Ketchikan is one of the most compact, walkable cruise ports in Alaska, making it tailor-made for independent exploring.
• Morning: Start early at Creek Street and the Salmon Ladder (around 8:00 AM) to beat the heavy crowds and watch the salmon fighting their way upstream.
• Midday: Catch the pre-booked Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show (located at 420 Spruce Mill Way)—book this direct online ahead of time and arrive early since unreserved seating fills up fast. Cost is $43 per adult.
• Afternoon: Skip the bus tours to Totem Bight if you’re short on time; instead, wander downtown’s historic boardwalks, check out local totem poles, and soak in the harbor town energy before getting back on the ship by 2:00 PM. (Note: If you’re traveling with active family members, you can climb Deer Mountain first thing in the morning before the show!)

Tip: There are only a handful of restaurants in town and with so many cruisers, they will always be busy. This is not a bad spot to get back on the ship for lunch since you’re docked right downtown. 

3. Juneau Port Guide: Glaciers, Breweries, and World-Famous Crab

• The DIY Strategy: Renting a car in Juneau is the ultimate travel hack for total freedom.
• Morning: Tender ashore and walk (or take a quick Uber) to the Avis rental office right by the cruise port (111 Mill St).
• Mid-Morning: Drive straight to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (try to arrive before 9:00 AM to beat the massive cruise tour buses). Pay the $5 parking fee, hike the flat 1-mile Nugget Falls trail right up to the roaring waterfall, check out the visitors center, and explore the Steep Creek boardwalk.
• Afternoon: Take a scenic drive out to the National Shrine of St. Thérès—a peaceful, gorgeous, and completely free hidden gem. Grab lunch at Forbidden Peak Brewery in Auke Bay, snap a photo with the Whale Project statue on the waterfront, and finish your day with the legendary king crab legs at Tracy’s Crab Shack. Pro Tip: Go to Location 2 (closer to the Whale Project) instead of the port-adjacent location to avoid insane lines. Return your rental car and head back onboard.

Post-Cruise Land Extension Part 1: Seward & Kenai Fjords

Don’t just end your cruise at the port terminal—the Alaskan land extension is half the magic, and Seward is where it begins! My one MUST-DO recommendation is the Classic Kenai Fjords National Park Tour (~$169pp). 

• Morning Arrival & Town Strolling: When you disembark your cruise in Seward, you’ll likely step off the ship earlier than your official Kenai Fjords tour departure time at 12:00p. Use this morning window to wander around the charming port town, check out the Alaska SeaLife Center or the national park visitor center, and grab a cozy cup of coffee and a snack. Logistics are a breeze here: local tour operators will happily collect your luggage right outside the cruise terminal and transfer it directly onto the evening Alaska Railroad train for you.
  • Pro Tip: If you have time – walk over to the Alaskan Railroad before the cruise and pick up your tickets so you have a smooth transition over after the cruise. 
• The Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise: This was easily the coolest part of our entire trip! The 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM cruise is phenomenal. Pro tip: Line up about 45 minutes early before boarding to snag a prime spot on the boat. Once you’re out on the water, the views are out of this world. You’ll witness actively calving glaciers crashing into the sea, spot adorable puffins, and—if you’re lucky—catch breaching whales.
• The Alaska Railroad Experience: Make sure to book your tickets well in advance online. You’re going to take the Coastal Classic Train, for about $130pp. We booked Adventure Class. I don’t think you need the GoldStar class since there are open dome cars you can go check out. After your fjords tour wraps up, a quick shuttle takes you right to the depot for the 6:00 PM scenic train from Seward to Anchorage. It’s a jaw-dropping, incredibly relaxing way to travel through towering mountain passes, cascading rivers, and deep green valleys.