Port of Call on Holland America Zuiderdam’s Alaskan Cruise: Ketchikan

On Thursday Holland America Zuiderdam docked in the port at Ketchikan, Alaska. This is a pretty town, well known for its fleet of salmon fishing boats and salmon canneries.

Port of Call on Holland America Zuiderdam’s Alaskan Cruise: Ketchikan

Ketchikan was also formerly well known for its former red light district on Creek Street, a wooden boardwalk that housed several brothels.

Port of Call on Holland America Zuiderdam’s Alaskan Cruise: Ketchikan

Check out the infamous “Married Man’s Trail”, the path to Creek Street, Ketchikan.

Port of Call on Holland America Zuiderdam’s Alaskan Cruise: Ketchikan

You can even tour Dolly’s house museum where both men and salmon came upstream to spawn, and learn a bit more about Ketchikan’s bawdy past.

I’ve been lucky on my visits to Ketchikan – not raining. Not warm either, but that shouldn’t be a shocker anywhere in Alaska. In early August the temperature barely reached 60 Fahrenheit.

Port of Call on Holland America Zuiderdam’s Alaskan Cruise: Ketchikan

I’ve taken the Ketchikan Duck Tour twice. This is an amphibious vehicle, a cross between a bus and a boat. The tour started off in town showing us totem poles and salmon spawning grounds, and then it drove into the harbour and became a boat. It’s an interesting experience seeing the wharfs and boats at sea level, compared to looking down at them from up above on the cruise ship. The Duck Tour is lot of fun, with a lively narrator telling us about Ketchikan and telling corny jokes. And one of the best priced deals on the cruise. It’s about $40 for an hour and a half tour.

Port of Call on Holland America Zuiderdam’s Alaskan Cruise: Ketchikan

We had plenty of time to wander around Ketchikan. We saw similar gift shops that we’d seen in Juneau and Skagway, selling similar souvenirs at similar prices. We walked up to Creek Street and checked out the former brothels, which now house restaurants and gift shops.

There aren’t too many activities available on the Zuiderdam while it was in dock. A camera workshop, a ping pong tournament, and a bridge tournament. Afternoon tea at 3pm.

The Zuiderdam departed Ketchikan at 5:30pm.

Ketchikan is my favorite city on the Inside Passage cruise to Alaska. What’s your favorite?

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