We've been to Alaska about 5 times on cruises (including 3 freebies!).
Some of the highlights for us (if you can afford some of the excusions....).
Skagway - the bus trip into the mountains (not the train) and
Liarsville. Juneau -- flying by helicopter up to the glacier and walking on it (for
those who can't afford this expensive excursion you can take public buses
to the vicinity of the glacier and then go to the public museum with a small
fee for entrance and view the glacier from windows - they have telescopes
- or walk to it if you can walk/hike over aways). Ketchikan - here you
can walk around the town and visit museums without much expense. Juneau -
this was really great - fly to Taku Lodge - fantastic view from small
planes, water landing on lake, eat fresh salmon, see the glaciers from air (even
better than the helicopter).
Be sure to take binoculars!!!!
Be prepared to dress in layers and bring an umbrella. Weather could be
warm (like the 80s) or clouded over and rainy and 50s. If you are lucky,
you'll be there on sunny (or mostly) days, and can see the mountains. But if
you are unlucky you might have a lot of rain and clouds that hide the tops
of the mountains. (We've had both).
Look for wildlife (like dolphins and whales and otters) from your own
balcony - but best place is bow of ship - best time is early in morning.
If you go to Glacier Bay - look for glaciers calving, and best place to
be is up in the bow with the park rangers or out on the rail and watch the
glacier when you are close.
Other good things to do -- salmon bakes (though it is hard to pay extra to
eat when you eat for free onboard the cruise!), walk around the small towns
and into museums, see totem poles (often in museums near the docks - you
don't need to go on special excursions if you want to save $), go whale
watching -- but be aware, those whales are going to be at a distance (take
binoculars!).
If you have the time/$ - take a cruise that lets you off in Anchorage and
go on a tour further north and spend a couple of nights at least in Denali
Park - this is where you will see a lot of animals. Ride the train and see
Mt. McKinley in the distance. That is best. Unfortunately all the NCL
cruises go back and forth to Seattle or Vancouver, so you won't get that far
north.
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