Once cruisers disembark in Seward, they step right into a bustling Alaskan harbor town that’s home to attractions, shops, galleries, and restaurants. The harbor is also the starting point for glacier cruises and fishing charters as well as sea kayaking. No wonder the local motto is “Alaska starts here.”
Exit Glacier: Several hikes of varying difficulty depart daily from the Exit Glacier Nature Center in Kenai Fjords National Park. Walk on a glacier and soak in the dazzling blue wall of ice.
Alaska SeaLife Center: Right on the shores of Resurrection Bay, this facility’s two-story glass-sided tank gives visitors a glimpse of sea life above and below the water.
Seward Harbor: Seward has a substantial charter fishing fleet that goes out to catch silver salmon, king salmon, and halibut.
Kenai Fjords National Park: Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Once there, you can view many of the 40 glaciers that flow from Harding Icefield (the largest ice field in the United States) and view the abundance of marine wildlife.
Anglers: Depart on a chartered fishing boat for a truly Alaskan fishing adventure. Depending on the time of year, you can take home everything from silver salmon to black bass to red snapper to halibut.
Kayaking Adventurers: Drop in by water taxi, paddle your way to nearby tidewater glaciers, or stay close by in Resurrection Bay. Any daily outing might prove to be perfect for spotting orca whales, Dall’s porpoise, sea otters, and more.
You Have to Work for the View: To access the best view of Harding Icefield, visitors take a steep, four-mile trail from Exit Glacier. Plan on spending six to eight hours to complete the trip.
Things Book Up Fast: If you are planning on extending your time on either end of your cruise, arrange for a hotel early. Seward is getting more and more popular and hotels do sell out.