Sitka, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska stands apart in the Inside Passage for its living tapestry of Alaska Native, Russian, and American history set against a dramatic open-ocean backdrop. The port is unusually walkable, inviting visitors to stroll from the tidal flats near Indian River to the venerable St. Michael's Cathedral and the hillside paths of Castle Hill, then to the surrounding Sitka National Historical Park where the Tlingit and Russian stories unfold among totems and old fort sites. Signature experiences include the Alaska Raptor Center, where rehabilitating raptors soar above the visit, and the edgy history of Old Sitka, a state park and National Historic Landmark that recalls the fur trade era. Nearby, Sheldon Jackson Museum offers Indigenous and colonial artifacts that frame the town's multicultural arc. The town's enduring charm comes from its past as a major shipbuilding and ice shipping hub, a place that earned the nickname Paris of the Pacific, while continuing to thrive on fishing, government, and tourism today. For passengers, Sitka is a natural fit for expedition and small-ship itineraries, with intimate docking that makes shore excursions easy and onshore time rich with wildlife encounters, whale watching, and cultural feasts. Onboard, you will find Alaska focused cuisine featuring fresh seafood, expert naturalist lectures, and shore experiences that emphasize local heritage, wildlife, and scenery, turning a port call into a living tapestry of discovery.