Going on an Alaskan cruise? Get Your Shopping Guide for Alaska!

Going on an Alaskan cruise? Shopping Guide:

When you first arrive in an Alaskan Port on your Cruise. You will be blown away by how quaint the boutiques are. I was blown away when I started working on Holland America’s Old Noordam in 1996. When I stopped working on cruise ships, my first job was for a Jewelry boutique in Alaska. This is your ultimate Shopping Guide to Alaska.

The best shopping ports in Alaska are Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Sitka is a great place for Alaskan galleries, walking and sightseeing. Click this link for direct port information and maps.

View of downtown Juneau, Alaska - Cruise Shop Save

1. Check your Alaska Cruise Schedule so you can plan your shopping times.

Plan your days ahead of time. It’s surprising how many cruise ships only have half-day calls. If you are on tour, you will not have much time to shop. Whichever port you are docked at the longest is the port you should plan to shop at. See below for where to shop in each port

2. Your Alaska Shopping Guide Top Tips.

Ketchikan: You will find everything in Julie’s Fine Jewelry. A wide variety of Alaskan Art and handmade totem poles, made by local Alaskan Artists. One-of-a-kind Orocal Gold Quartz pieces, gold nuggets and quartz specimens. Scanlon Art Gallery, South East Alaskan art located right next door, is Arctic Gallery, providing Northwest Coast art, Scrimshaw, Qiviut and Jewelry.

Creek Street, Ketchikan, Alaska.

Juneau: One of the not-to-be-missed locations in Juneau is Caribou Crossings. They represent over 60 Alaskan Artists. The locally-owned store showcases unique handmade crafts from all over the state. For fifteen years, this company has been nurturing artists’ talents. Caribou Crossings prides itself on providing the opportunity to shop locally and buy Alaskan.

Skagway: Broadway Jewelry is a third-generation family-owned business that manufactures and designs one-of-a-kind fine jewellery using natural gemstones. An array of MADE IN ALASKA PRODUCTS from locally made jewellery to art and prints. Fused and blown glass, Ulu knives, and Eskimo dolls. Locally sourced honey and smoked salmon.

3. Know where your Ship is docking in Alaska.

Ask onboard where the ship will be docked or tendered (anchor offshore, guests must get small boats arranged by the cruise line to get into the port, which can take up more of your time).

Skagway dock or tender, if the ship docks, it is within easy walking distance no matter where the ship docks. Download your Skagway Map here.
Ketchikan can dock or tender. Check onboard; if the ship docks, you can rest assured that you are within easy walking distance of the shops. Download your Ketchikan Map here.
Juneau can dock or tender; most docks are within walking distance. Except for AJ Dock, quite the walk into town, most cruise lines will provide shuttle service. Ask front desk personnel onboard your ship where the ship docks and ask them to mark it on the map. Download your Juneau Map here.

Mount Roberts Tramway Juneau Alaska

4. Indigenous Alaskan Shopping, you won’t want to miss.

Alaska has some amazing shopping opportunities. The best thing to shop for is the traditional Alaskan Art in one of the many Art Galleries. Items only found in Alaska are Ulu Knives, Baleen Baskets, Skrimshaw, Alaskan Coins and Gold Nugget jewellery.

For recommended shopping, set up a call with me. I worked on ships for 25 years and recommend the shopping to guests. I know which retailers you can trust and which ones to steer clear of.

5. Only have time for a Power Shop on your Alaskan Cruise

Here is my go-to Power Hour shopping list for each port. These are the items you can’t leave Alaska without:

Power Shopping in Juneau, Alaska

Caribou Crossings has some amazing Jewelry made by local Artists, Christmas decorations, and so much more. It is a one-stop shop for everything amazing in Alaska. A visit to Juneau isn’t complete without a visit to Del Sol, colour change T-shirts, Apparel, socks and Nightwear.

Quick shopping recommendations for Ketchikan

Visit the wonderful Julie’s, a one-stop shop for everything Alaskan, fabulous Alaskan Art, and hand-carved Totem Poles. Beautiful gold nuggets and Gold and Quartz jewellery. Scanlon and Arctic Galleries are next door to each other. So, all of the Galleries mentioned here are plotted clearly on the maps.. Click this link and get more information on Alaskan ports, maps and shopping coupons.

Skagway so convenient shops to hit

Visit Broadway Jewelers for your all-important Ulu knives, so useful in the kitchen. Fabulous jewellery, beautiful blown glass art wear. Find cookbooks, spices, rubs and honey to take a bit of Alaska home with you. Download your Skagway Map here.

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