36 Underrated Cruise Ports Around the World to Explore in 2025

34. Sitka, Alaska: Russian Roots and Rainforest Trails

Unlike the more tourist-trodden Alaskan ports, Sitka feels personal. Once the capital of Russian America, Sitka’s onion-domed churches sit beside Tlingit totem poles, reflecting centuries of cultural layering. Explore Sitka National Historical Park’s rainforest trails lined with carved totems, visit the Fortress of the Bear sanctuary, or kayak among sea otters in the Sitka Sound. The surrounding Tongass forest and volcanic backdrops make this stop feel like a true frontier—rich in heritage, surrounded by wildness.