Princess Cruises South America: 20 nights from San Francisco with Ruby Princess
Jun 12, 2026

Ketchikan

Wrangell

Tracy Arm

Juneau

During a stop in Juneau, the capital of Alaska, you will have the opportunity to experience unforgettable experiences in an extraordinary natural environment. One of the main attractions is the Mendenhall Glacier, easily accessible and perfect for hiking or kayaking among glacial waters and spectacular waterfalls. You can also take a cable car to Mount Roberts for a breathtaking panoramic view of Juneau and its fjords. For a complete immersion in the wildlife, a whale watching tour in the Stephens channel is an unmissable experience. The historic center of Juneau, with its colorful buildings and local culture, will offer you a fascinating mix of history and modernity in the heart of Alaska.

Juneau's climate is a mix of oceanic and subpolar, leading to cool summers and mild winters, a rarity for its northern latitude. This climate supports a lush temperate rainforest, adding to the city's mystique and natural beauty. While rain is common, it enhances the verdant landscapes, making outdoor adventures in places like the Tongass National Forest unforgettable. Juneau's weather, with its misty days and clear, crisp nights, adds to the enchanting atmosphere of Alaska's capital.

The natural wonders surrounding Juneau are breathtaking, with the Mendenhall Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjord standing out as highlights. The city serves as a gateway to outdoor activities, including glacier hiking, whale watching, and kayaking among icebergs. For a bird's-eye view of the stunning landscapes, the Mount Roberts Tramway offers panoramic vistas. Juneau's rich cultural heritage is also on display at the Sealaska Heritage Institute, celebrating the art and traditions of the indigenous peoples of Southeast Alaska, making it a compelling destination for travelers and cruisers seeking both adventure and cultural enrichment.

Juneau's culinary scene is a testament to its rich natural resources, with fresh seafood taking center stage. The city's restaurants boast dishes featuring salmon, halibut, and crab, sourced from the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Pacific. Local breweries and distilleries add a modern twist to the dining experience, offering craft beers and spirits that incorporate Alaskan ingredients. The blend of traditional Alaskan dishes with contemporary culinary techniques provides a unique tasting journey through the region's flavors.

As a popular port of call and departure point for cruises, Juneau is the perfect start or finish to an Alaskan cruise adventure. The city's natural beauty and cultural depth enrich the cruise experience, offering travelers the chance to explore glaciers, rainforests, and wildlife before setting sail. With unique itineraries that take in the awe-inspiring Inside Passage and beyond, starting or ending your cruise in Juneau promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of Alaska's wilderness.

Skagway

Glacier Bay

Hubbard Glacier

Valdez

Anchorage

During a stop in Anchorage, you will have the opportunity to explore the most authentic Alaska, between breathtaking landscapes and local culture. Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to discover the traditions of the indigenous peoples through exhibitions and traditional dances. Nature lovers can venture along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a scenic route that offers spectacular views of the sea, the surrounding mountains and local fauna, such as moose and eagles. For a unique experience, take a trip to the nearby Chugach National Park, where you can admire glaciers and unspoiled forests.

Embracing the Anchorage Climate

Despite its northern latitude, Anchorage enjoys a surprisingly moderate climate due to its coastal location, with mild summers and cold, snowy winters. This climate allows a range of outdoor activities, from hiking and biking in the summer to skiing and dog sledding in the winter. The phenomenon of the midnight sun offers extended daylight hours in summer, while winter provides opportunities to witness the spectacular Northern Lights, making Anchorage a unique destination in every season.

From the vast, untamed wilderness of Chugach State Park to the bustling streets of downtown, Anchorage is a city of contrasts. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail offers stunning views and wildlife spotting opportunities right from the city's edge. Cultural sites like the Anchorage Museum blend the art, history, and traditions of Alaska into a comprehensive narrative. For wildlife enthusiasts, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center or a flightseeing tour over Denali National Park reveals the state's natural majesty. Anchorage's strategic location makes it a gateway for adventures into the broader Alaskan wilderness.

Anchorage's culinary scene mirrors the city's diversity, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients taking center stage. Seafood, particularly salmon, halibut, and king crab, is a staple, reflecting Alaska's rich marine resources. Indigenous recipes, Russian influences, and the flavors brought by recent immigrants enrich the city's dining landscape. From food trucks serving reindeer sausages to fine dining establishments with mountain views, Anchorage offers a dining experience as varied and vibrant as the city itself.

While Anchorage itself is not a cruise port, it serves as a critical hub for travelers heading to cruise departures in nearby Seward or Whittier, just a scenic drive away. Starting your Alaskan cruise with a stay in Anchorage allows for an immersive exploration of Alaska's urban and natural landscapes before embarking on a sea journey. With its unique blend of culture, history, and adventure, Anchorage offers the perfect preamble to the breathtaking cruise experiences that await in the wilds of Alaska.

College Fjord

Sitka

Icy Strait Point

Prince Rupert

San Francisco

San Francisco, considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, has become an essential destination on the itinerary for all those who love to travel, architecture, cuisine and the good life. Its breathtaking landscapes and mild climate do the rest...

San Francisco is located on the coast of California about 400 miles north of Los Angeles. It is located on the shores of a large bay protected by the coastal mountains of California. The city is famous for its steep streets, with panoramic views of the beautiful San Francisco Bay and the surrounding mountains. It has a very moderate climate, the breezes from the Pacific Ocean coast make summers warm and winters cold, but without extreme temperatures.
Founded in 1776 by a Spanish friar and developed in 1848 thanks to the "gold rush", San Francisco today has more than 800,000 inhabitants and is one of the most important tourist destinations in the United States.
The territory is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects San Francisco with a mountainous peninsula called Marin, the island of Alcatraz, an abandoned prison located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, and the Twin Peaks hill, which enjoys incredible panoramic views over the entire area. The unique character of the city has emerged thanks to the cultural mix of native Indians, Spanish settlers, and many Asian immigrants.
In this city, you can get to know some of its most exclusive neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Japantown, Mission District (Hispanic neighborhood), North Beach (known as the Italian neighborhood), Financial District (the financial heart of the city), Castro District (the largest gay community), or the Haight Ashbury area (the cradle of the hippie movement). Culturally open, the city is also reflected in the imaginative cuisine found in the many fabulous restaurants in the area. Here everyone finds their place.
San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Its steep streets lined with Victorian houses, a huge turquoise bay surrounded by low mountains, and vintage cable cars pulled by cables that still carry passengers up and down the hills of the city, all this makes San Francisco one of the most picturesque places in the United States.