The 15th largest state in the US, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest, this coastal city and seaport has numerous claims-to-fame including being the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix and grunge music. Seattle is also home to a slew of fairs, festivals, galleries and museums. Seattle’s mild, temperate marine climate allows year-round outdoor recreation, including walking, cycling, skiing, snowboarding and hiking through its lush forests. Seattle is truly a can’t miss destination on any vacation.

Icy Strait Point is a sight, alright, for eyes that hunger for the greens of the dense Tongass Forest, the azure waters of Port Frederick, and the spot where these come together. Make landfall here and find yourself in Hoonah, where the native Huna Tlingit tribe have lived for thousands of years. Not quite as old — only about 100 years young — are remnants of the local cannery, a symbol of the industry that put this area on modern maps. Hugely important then but long out of operation, the cannery today is restored and tourable, just one historical signpost in a place as well-known for its natural sights.

Astounding ice-capped mountains welcome the cruising traveler to Juneau. Alaska is called the Land of the Midnight Sun, and its capital shines with a wide selection of delicious dining and native Alaskan art shopping. But Juneau isn’t just a fun name to say, you know — Carnival cruises to Juneau transport you to one of the most beautiful capital cities in America, with once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions that include walking on glaciers, whale watching, and hikes through the country’s last old-growth forests.

Skagway is a compact city in southeast Alaska, set along the popular cruise route the Inside Passage. It’s home to gold-rush-era buildings, now preserved as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad runs vintage locomotives past the famously steep Chilkoot trail and offers sweeping mountain views during its climb toward Canada.

One of the most spectacular cruise destinations on earth, Tracy Arm Fjord is actually made up of two separate fjords. Each fjord is over 30 miles long, and a full one-fifth of their area is covered in ice. With hundreds of waterfalls, giant chunks of sliding ice and a huge variety of native wildlife, you won’t even want to blink as you cruise past this natural wonder.

For more than 100 years, Ketchikan, Alaska has been the gateway to the North. Ketchikan cruises dock along the famed historic waterfront. Check out the flourishing art scene and spectacular totem poles that have transformed this former frontier town into a popular southern Alaskan port of call. Experience the sights, atmosphere and excitement of the Last Frontier as soon as you cross the Alaska border on Carnival cruises to Ketchikan.

Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and a major tourism destination seeing more than 3.65 million visitors a year. Downtown Victoria is always abuzz with its concentration of night clubs, theatres, restaurants and pubs. It is also the perfect addition to an already amazing Alaska cruise.

The 15th largest state in the US, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest, this coastal city and seaport has numerous claims-to-fame including being the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix and grunge music. Seattle is also home to a slew of fairs, festivals, galleries and museums. Seattle’s mild, temperate marine climate allows year-round outdoor recreation, including walking, cycling, skiing, snowboarding and hiking through its lush forests. Seattle is truly a can’t miss destination on any vacation.