Ketchikan

Ketchikan bills itself as the "Salmon Capital of the World," and the town delivers — Creek Street is charming, the totem poles are genuinely impressive, and the rainforest excursions are Alaska at its most pristine. The port is right downtown with excellent walkability.

The reality check: Ketchikan is the rainiest city in Alaska, averaging 150+ inches of precipitation per year. Your chances of having a sunny port day are roughly the same as winning a raffle. Seriously — pack rain gear, not sunscreen. The cruise lines show photos taken on the three sunny days per year.

When multiple ships dock (which is most days in summer), the Creek Street boardwalk becomes a slow-moving river of cruise passengers. Escape the crowd by heading to Totem Bight State Park or booking a fishing charter — both get you away from the tourist scrum and into the real Alaska experience.