Alaska's Inside Passage

Video compliments of the Travel Channel

Here's an inside tip: A cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage, which hugs British Columbia's western border, is unlike any other. Instead of lolling in the middle of the vast ocean, cruise ships weave their way around dozens of islands, never veering far from shore, meaning you'll not only spy Alaska's rugged terrain, but you're likely to see plenty of wild animals like eagles, bears and wolves. Majestic glaciers, dense coniferous rain forests and Alaskan Native waterfront villages round out the visual feast of the Inside Passage. Views rarely slip below spectacular—even hazy days present mystical cloud-draped mountain vistas—and that's only half the experience. Wait till you get off the ship.

Ketchikan: Your first stop, the "Salmon Capital of the World," is a treasure trove of Native American culture. In fact, the Revillagigedo Island city is home to the largest collection of totem poles in the world. Visit Totem Bight State Park and gawk at a magnificent tribal dance show on Carnival's Saxman Native Village Tour. If you're dying to taste whether Ketchikan lives up to its nickname, grab a fork and bite in to Princess' Alaskan Chef's Table, where you'll be treated to a five-course tasting menu of fresh Alaskan seafood. Or take a flight tour of magnificent fjords through a Holland America cruise. Carved by receding glaciers, the breathtaking fjord boasts towering granite cliffs, lakes and waterfalls, and scores of wildlife. If you'd rather set out on your own, head to Creek Street's boardwalk for some afternoon shopping or take in the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show where Paul Bunyon-types compete for top honors.

Juneau: Juneau is the capital city of Alaska and the largest city in the country geographically, even though its population is just slightly more than 30,000. Here you'll find a mix of cosmopolitan and outdoor activities. Let huskies pull you through Alaska's backcountry on Carnival's Dog Sled Discovery & Musher's Camp excursion, or search for whales in Steven's Passage on the Evening Whale Quest. Take in Juneau's most famed glacier on Princess' Mendenhall Glacier Explorer tour. Back in town, feed your brain at the Alaska State Museum where you can experience Eskimo life and other native cultures. Buy some gifts—or souvenirs for yourself—at Glacier Smoothie Soaps (made from skin-polishing glacier silt) or Nugget Alaskan Outfitters (in case that coat just isn't cutting it).

Skagway: In idyllic Skagway, the city's historic saloons and wooden sidewalks make Alaska's 1898 Gold Rush seem like yesterday. Become a real-life prospector on Carnival's Gold Fever Adventure where you'll pan for gold (in warm water) and take your bounty home with you. Tour the historic downtown and the famed Klondike Highway on Celebrity's Klondike Summit and Historic City Tour or get some exercise on the White Pass Train and Bike Tour. In town, order a drink from the barmaid and listen to the honky tonk piano at the Red Onion Saloon with other fellow insiders.