Cruise port Alpena (MI)
Info for port Alpena (MI) on 21 Jul 2027
Port information & tips for Alpena (MI)
Kupreanof Island is an untouched jewel in the middle of Alaska's Inside Passage, offering an authentic wilderness experience far off the beaten path. The island fascinates with its dense rainforests of the Tongass National Forest and a deeply rooted Tlingit culture, which lends the region a special flair. Impressive highlights include the majestic Kake Totem Pole, one of the world's tallest of its kind, and spectacular whale watching opportunities in Frederick Sound. Cruise ships typically use the central Kake City Dock, located in the immediate vicinity of the town center, providing visitors with convenient, walkable access to cultural sights and the warm local community.
Kupreanof Island in Alaska is an exceptional destination for expedition cruises and smaller vessels. Access to this remote island, particularly to the main town of Kake, is exclusively by plane or ship, as there are no road or rail connections to the mainland and traditional cruise terminals for large ships are absent.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region usually requires long-haul flights to major US hubs such as Seattle (SEA) or Anchorage (ANC). From there, continue with domestic flights to regional airports in Southeast Alaska, primarily Juneau (JNU) or Sitka (SIT). From Juneau, Alaska Seaplanes, for example, offers flights to the small Kake Airport (KAE) on Kupreanof Island, which take about 50 minutes and operate several times a day in summer. Flight connections to Kake are also available from Sitka with Harris Air. Due to the often limited flight schedules for smaller aircraft, flexible travel planning is an advantage.
Ferry & Water Taxi
As an alternative to small aircraft, Kake on Kupreanof Island is accessible via the Alaska Marine Highway System. Ferry connections exist from Juneau to Kake, among others, and take around eight hours. Routes via Petersburg or Sitka are also possible. The ferry terminal in Kake, newly built in 2016, is located only about a quarter mile south of the town. For specific destinations on Kupreanof Island, water taxis can also be used from Petersburg on the neighboring Mitkof Island to the Kupreanof State Dock or other landing sites.
Pre-Cruise Hotel & Travel Planning
Given the long journey and the remote location of Kupreanof Island, it is strongly recommended to book a pre-cruise hotel in one of the larger travel hubs such as Juneau, Sitka, or even Seattle at least one day before the scheduled embarkation. This allows for a relaxed arrival and provides a buffer for possible flight delays. Since Kupreanof Island has no traditional cruise terminals and is visited exclusively by small expedition ships, embarkation usually takes place by tender boat from the anchored ship to the community dock in Kake. Parking facilities in the sense of "Park & Cruise" providers do not exist on the island.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: For shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
