4K 2026 EXPLORING KETCHIKAN ABOARD THE BRAND-NEW STAR PRINCESS SHIP (WALKING TOUR)

#Ketchikan #StarPrincess #cruising #Alaska #walkingtour #walking #tour #Creekstreet #Princesscruise #Princess #2026 #Portofcall Hello everybody, and welcome to Exploring with Cindy and Dan! Today we're in Ketchikan, Alaska, having arrived aboard the brand-new Star Princess. Join us as we explore this beautiful destination and share another exciting adventure with you. Today is Day 3 of our 7-day Inside Passage Alaska cruise, and Ketchikan is our first port of call. We arrived before 6:30 a.m., and all aboard was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Guests were allowed to leave the ship shortly after 6:30 a.m. Once the announcement was made that the gangways were open, passengers could proceed to disembark. Don't forget to bring your Medallion with you—it is the only item you'll need to exit and re-enter the ship. sIf you have booked a Princess-organized shore excursion, be sure to check the meeting time and location printed on your tour ticket, just as you would at any other port of call. Princess Cruises has been sailing the world for more than 60 years. Their award-winning fleet visits over 330 destinations worldwide. For us, Alaska offers some of the most spectacular scenic cruising anywhere, which is why we return year after year. Every Alaska cruise is different, with new sights, experiences, and wildlife encounters waiting around every corner. We're especially excited to be sailing aboard the Star Princess for the very first time. If you choose not to go ashore in any port, that's perfectly fine. In fact, it's a great opportunity to enjoy the ship with fewer crowds. Most onboard venues remain open while in port, with the exception of the casino and Princess shops, which must remain closed until the ship departs and reaches international waters due to gaming and retail regulations. Fortunately, the Star Princess offers plenty of activities and entertainment for guests who prefer to stay onboard. Ketchikan is known as Alaska's First City because it is the first major community travelers encounter when journeying north through the Inside Passage. Located on an island, Ketchikan began as a Native fishing camp. The name "Ketchikan" comes from a Tlingit phrase meaning "eagle with outstretched wings," a reference to a waterfall located near the town. Visitors to Ketchikan will discover a rich Native heritage, including the world's oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center. The Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian peoples have all played an important role in shaping the city's colorful history and culture. With its abundance of salmon, Ketchikan is also a sportfishing paradise and proudly holds the title of the Salmon Capital of the World. Ketchikan's modern history dates back to 1883, when a man named Snow established a salmon saltery here. By 1900, the town had grown to a population of approximately 800 residents and was officially incorporated. Ketchikan is located on the western coast of Revillagigedo Island near Alaska's southern boundary. It lies approximately 679 miles north of Seattle and 235 miles south of Juneau. The city itself has a population of about 8,142 residents, while the greater surrounding area is home to approximately 13,686 people. Ketchikan is the seventh most populous city in Alaska. Summer temperatures typically reach the low 60s Fahrenheit, and the city receives an average of 152 inches of rain annually, making it one of the rainiest communities in North America. While salmon fishing remains central to the local economy, logging also became an important industry over the years. As cruise tourism grew throughout the Inside Passage, Ketchikan became one of Alaska's most popular cruise destinations. Ketchikan is accessible only by air or sea. Most visitors arrive aboard large and small cruise ships, while independent travelers can reach the city using the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system. The area's rich salmon runs originally attracted the Tlingit people, who settled here centuries ago. During the late 19th century, the discovery of gold and copper in the surrounding mountains created a need for a regional supply center, helping Ketchikan prosper and grow. Downtown Ketchikan serves as the city's main commercial district and is home to two large harbors and several cruise ship docks. Since we arrived aboard a Princess cruise ship, we were fortunate to dock near the main harbor, just a short walk from downtown. There are two visitor information centers conveniently located in downtown Ketchikan. The main Visitor Information Center is located near Berth 2 at 131 Front Street, while a second information center can be found near Berth 3 at 417 Water Street.