Skagway

Skagway is a Gold Rush-era town frozen in time — literally, in some cases. The main street looks like a Western movie set, and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad is one of the best excursions in all of cruising. The port is small, the town is walkable, and the history is genuinely fascinating.

The catch: Skagway has a year-round population of about 1,100 people. When four cruise ships show up on the same day bringing 10,000+ visitors, the town-to-tourist ratio gets absurd. The "charming" shops on Broadway are almost entirely cruise-passenger-targeted gift shops run by seasonal workers. The authentic Skagway experience requires getting past the first two blocks.

Safety is a non-issue — this might be the safest port in all of cruising. The weather can be cold and wet even in summer, but when the sun comes out, Skagway is legitimately one of the most beautiful places you'll ever see. Worth the gamble.