Juneau

Juneau is the Alaska cruise experience distilled to its purest form: glaciers, wildlife, jaw-dropping scenery, and absolutely no roads connecting it to the rest of civilization. The port is right downtown, and the walkability is excellent — the Mount Roberts Tramway, Mendenhall Glacier, and dozens of shops and restaurants are all accessible without a tour.

What the cruise lines don't tell you: Juneau gets up to five ships per day in peak season, dumping 12,000+ visitors into a city of 32,000 residents. The locals have mixed feelings, to put it diplomatically. Downtown on a five-ship day feels less like "charming Alaska town" and more like "Times Square with salmon."

The safety here is excellent — this is small-town Alaska. The weather, however, is another story. Juneau averages 62 inches of rain per year, and there's a decent chance your port day will be overcast and drizzly. Pack layers and waterproof gear, and don't buy the cheap $20 ponchos from the shops at the pier.