So you?re thinking about taking a cruise to Alaska but cannot decipher the types of land excursions that may be offered. If this is the only thing holding you back from booking a cruise to Alaska, you will be happy to know that Alaska Cruises are one of the most rewarding in terms of land excursions.

This part of the United States is very unique and is one of the few places where tourists can fish, trail hike, glacier trek and dogsled all on the same weekend. One of the big attractions to cruising this part of the world is the beauty of unspoilt nature and the diversity of the land excursions. No matter what your interest, or why you?ve chosen to take an Alaska cruise, there is sure to be an excursion to suit every person.

Active Tours

This is an amazing opportunity for the active and energetic to get out, enjoy the fresh air and take on Alaska. With heaps of choices you may simply run out of time before getting to them all. Active tours include dog sledding in Juneau, sea kayaking in Sitka, white-water rafting, glacier trekking and snorkelling. Yes, in the town of Ketchikan, snorkelling is offered. There are also chances to fish, enjoy a float trip or ride a bike through some of the most spectacular scenery Skagway has to offer.

Cultural Tours

There are a nice variety of cultural tours being offered for those on an Alaskan cruise. Cruise passengers can take in a tour of Haines or visit Lumberjack and Saxman Village in Ketchikan. Take a train to Liarsville at Skagway, a city tour of Sitka or an exciting flightseeing and salmon bake adventure in Juneau.

Helicopter Tours and Flightseeing

Looking down at the beauty of Alaska from a plane or helicopter is another way to view this scenic area. Hop on a plane in Skagway and enjoy viewing Glacier Bay from the air, or view Misty Fjord from a floatplane in Ketchkian. In Juneau you can climb inside a helicopter to sightsee or enjoy the day on the ground on a once-in-a-lifetime dogsled tour. For the photo enthusiast there is a photo discovery tour offered to cruise passengers who are visiting the town of Haines.

Wildlife Tours

If you bought a new zoom camera and a powerful set of binoculars then you had better make sure to use them. Your ship will offer a selection of wildlife tours that could include rafting through a Bald Eagle preserve at Skagway, bear viewing or a lighthouse excursion in Ketchikan, whale watching in Juneau, sea otter quest at Sitka or general nature tours in Haines.

The more popular land excursions on your Alaska cruises include dog sledding, glacier trekking and sea kayaking. The sea kayaking tours begin at a remote floating camp where you will be guided on the basics and led out on a 90-minute excursion. The glacier trek loads passengers into a helicopter and takes them to the Juneau Icefield where they are equipped with an ice axe and crampons for their journey. Dogsledding can be enjoyed year round as snow can be found high in the mountains for this wonderful adventure.