things to do in ketchikan Archives - Northern Viking Explorer

September 22, 2026September 22, 2026

MSC Poesia Alaska Cruise Day 3: Exploring Ketchikan & Creek Street 🚢

Day 3 of our 7-night Alaska cruise aboard the MSC Poesia brought us to our first port of call, Ketchikan, Alaska. Ketchikan is known for its rain, but we ended up with an absolutely beautiful sunny day, which made it perfect for exploring on foot.

After breakfast and coffee aboard the ship, we headed ashore and spent most of the day simply walking around town. Ketchikan is one of our favorite Alaska cruise ports, and if you choose not to do an excursion, there is still so much to see within walking distance of the cruise docks.

Watch our full Day 3 MSC Poesia Alaska cruise vlog here: https://youtu.be/RJ1kKnUGL6U

🚢 Exploring Downtown Ketchikan

We were docked close to downtown, making it easy to start exploring almost immediately. Several other ships were in port that day, including Anthem of the Seas and Queen Elizabeth, so Ketchikan was definitely busy.

One of our first stops was the Knob Hill Overlook, located above the tunnel near Front Street. There are quite a few stairs to reach it, but the views over the harbor, downtown Ketchikan, and the cruise ships make it worth the climb.

Downtown Ketchikan, Alaska with Anthem of the Seas docked at the cruise port on a sunny day. — A beautiful sunny view over downtown Ketchikan with Anthem of the Seas docked along the waterfront.

From there, we continued walking through some of the streets above downtown before making our way toward the salmon ladder and Married Man’s Trail.

🐟 Salmon Ladder & Married Man’s Trail

The Ketchikan Salmon Ladder is an easy stop to add while exploring the area, especially during salmon season. We could see plenty of fish in the creek during our visit.

Ketchikan salmon ladder with visitors watching salmon in the creek near Married Man’s Trail. — The salmon ladder in Ketchikan is a beautiful short walk from the downtown area and Creek Street.

From the salmon ladder, we followed Married Man’s Trail toward Creek Street. The trail and surrounding boardwalks were very busy that day, but it is a scenic walk and a fun way to approach one of Ketchikan’s most famous areas.

🏘️ Walking Creek Street

We always enjoy visiting Creek Street, and this visit didn’t disappoint. We walked along the wooden boardwalk, browsed some of the shops, and spent plenty of time looking down into the creek.

Historic Creek Street boardwalk in Ketchikan, Alaska on a sunny day. — Exploring the historic Creek Street boardwalk during our day in Ketchikan, Alaska.

One of the fun things about Creek Street is that you never really know what you might see. During our visit we spotted lots of salmon and even watched a seal swimming around looking for an easy meal. We also saw a bald eagle later in the day.

The funicular up to Cape Fox Lodge was closed for maintenance during our visit, but there was still plenty to explore around Creek Street and the surrounding waterfront.

🌊 Walking the Ketchikan Waterfront

After Creek Street, we continued toward Thomas Basin and the viewing platform, walked along the waterfront, and then made our way back through downtown Ketchikan.

There are lots of signs throughout town explaining the local history, salmon, boats, and other parts of life in Ketchikan, which makes simply walking around a lot more interesting.

Eventually, we made our way back toward the ship and the large eagle sculpture near the tunnel, which was right around the area where the MSC Poesia was docked.

Eagle sculpture near the tunnel and cruise dock in downtown Ketchikan, Alaska. — The large eagle sculpture near the tunnel was just a short walk from where the MSC Poesia docked in Ketchikan.

After a late lunch aboard the ship, we actually headed back into town again for another walk. This time we tackled one of the very steep hills above downtown before taking a more gradual route back toward the waterfront. It was a good way to get some exercise after lunch and enjoy a little more of Ketchikan before leaving port.

🌅 Back Aboard MSC Poesia

Sail away from Ketchikan was beautiful. The sunshine continued as we left the dock and sailed past the mountains, trees, islands, and other ships making their way out of port.

That evening, we enjoyed dinner at Il Palladio Restaurant before heading to Teatro Carlo Felice for the Mother Nature production show. The show featured plenty of dancing and acrobatics, with the aerial performances and other acrobatic acts being some of the highlights for us.

Acrobatic performers during the Mother Nature production show in Teatro Carlo Felice aboard MSC Poesia. — The Mother Nature production show aboard MSC Poesia featured impressive acrobatics, aerial performances, dancing, and dramatic stage effects.

Ketchikan ended up being a fantastic first port day of our Alaska cruise. We had great weather, spotted some wildlife, walked a lot of the downtown area, and once again remembered why this is one of our favorite Alaska cruise ports.

Next up, the MSC Poesia takes us to Icy Strait Point, Alaska.

Watch our full Day 3 vlog here: https://youtu.be/RJ1kKnUGL6U

Celebrity Solstice Alaska Cruise: Day 6, Ketchikan Boat Tour & Evening Chic

Celebrity Solstice Alaska Cruise: Ketchikan Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion - Day 6 Vlog

Our sixth day aboard the Celebrity Solstice brought us to our final Alaska port, Ketchikan, after a relaxing morning at sea. We spent the morning whale spotting from the ship, relaxing in the hot tubs, and enjoying lunch in the Grand Epernay Restaurant before arriving in port. Even with a rainy forecast, we were excited for another day of exploring Alaska! 🚢🌲

🎥 Watch Our Celebrity Solstice Day 6 Vlog

Join us as we spend Day 6 of our Celebrity Solstice Alaska cruise in Ketchikan, take the Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion, and return to the ship for Evening Chic night and complimentary lobster tail.

Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion

After arriving in Ketchikan, we met our tour group at the Liquid Sunshine Gauge in downtown Ketchikan, where Lighthouse Excursions picked us up and shuttled us over to Ward Cove for the Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion. If you’re looking for a smaller, more personal excursion, this was a fantastic option. Our knowledgeable guides shared stories about the local history, Native culture, and wildlife while we cruised the scenic waterways around Ketchikan.

One of the highlights of the tour was spotting numerous bald eagles throughout the excursion. We also enjoyed views of Guard Island Lighthouse, Totem Bight State Historical Park from the water, beautiful coastal scenery, and an Alaska-inspired snack sampler while learning more about life in southeast Alaska. Even though the weather was wet, it didn’t take away from the experience, and the scenery had that classic misty Alaska atmosphere.

If you’d like to learn more about this excursion, visit Lighthouse Excursions:
https://lighthouseexcursion.com/

Two bald eagles perched on a navigation marker in the waters near Ketchikan, Alaska during the Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion. — Two bald eagles perched on a navigation marker during our Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion near Ketchikan.

Evening Chic & Complimentary Lobster Tail

Back aboard the Celebrity Solstice, it was time for our second Evening Chic night. Before dinner, we enjoyed a fantastic performance by guest entertainer Hayden Smith in the Solstice Theater.

Dinner in the Grand Epernay Restaurant featured one of the highlights many Celebrity Cruises guests look forward to, complimentary lobster tail served during Evening Chic night. It was another wonderful meal and the perfect way to end our final Alaska port day before enjoying the Shine the Night celebration and dueling pianos later in the evening. 🦞✨

Complimentary lobster tail served with rice and broccoli during Evening Chic night in the Grand Epernay Restaurant on Celebrity Solstice. — Complimentary lobster tail with rice and broccoli served during Evening Chic night in the Grand Epernay Restaurant aboard the Celebrity Solstice.

Our final Alaska port was another memorable day aboard the Celebrity Solstice. From relaxing at sea and exploring Ketchikan to spotting bald eagles and enjoying another fantastic evening onboard, Day 6 offered a wonderful mix of Alaska adventure and life aboard the ship. Next up is our final sea day before returning to Vancouver.

Crown Princess Alaska Cruise: Ketchikan AK – Creek Street (Day 9 VLOG)

Set sail with us for Day 9 of our Alaskan Cruise aboard the Crown Princess! Today, we dock at the charming port of Ketchikan, Alaska. Our adventure takes us through bustling Downtown Ketchikan, along the historic Creek Street, and onto the scenic Married Man’s Trail. We’ll explore City Park and capture breathtaking views from Nob Hill Overlook. Witness the thrill of seals chasing salmon in Ketchikan Creek before enjoying a scenic sail away. As evening falls, we’ll indulge in a delicious meal at the Crown Princess’s Main Dining Room, followed by captivating entertainment. Join us for another unforgettable day in Alaska!

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