Ketchikan, AK: A Mixed Bag in the Rain

Day 8 (Saturday): Ketchikan – A Mixed Bag in the Rain

Not every stop can be a favorite—and for us, Ketchikan ended up being the most underwhelming port of our journey.

From the start, the weather was working against us: a relentless, chilly rain with temps hovering around 53°F made exploring less than enjoyable. We booked an “All-in-One” tour through Viator with a local operator, hoping for a good overview. Unfortunately, the experience was lackluster. The tour vehicle had clearly seen better days, and our guide was “interesting.”

That said, there were a couple of bright spots. We stopped at Rotary Beach, where we were able to pick up starfish and small jellyfish in the tide pools—definitely a highlight and a unique hands-on experience. We also visited a gorgeous waterfall tucked away in the misty greenery, which offered a few great photo moments.

We made a quick visit to Saxman Totem Park, but it didn’t leave much of an impression—perhaps better appreciated with a guided cultural experience, which our tour unfortunately didn’t provide.

Overall, Ketchikan felt overly touristy, with block after block of souvenir shops and little that felt authentic or enriching. If we return, we’ll likely skip disembarking and enjoy a quiet day on the ship—maybe hit the spa or take advantage of onboard activities while the crowds are ashore.

One bright spot: If you’re docking at Ward Cove, the souvenir shopping is outstanding. Check out the Mill at Ward Cove for t-shirts to ornaments. The place is massive.

Every trip has its ups and downs—and even the rainy ones make for good stories. Tomorrow, we spend a day at sea cruising the Inside Passage before arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia on Monday where we’ll spend a couple of days taking in the beautiful city. Looking forward to enjoying the fjords of AK on our last full day in the state.Meer informatie