There's something to be said about going to sleep in one port, and waking up to the sun shining in another, minus the hassle of packing, travelling through busy airports, loading on and off planes and all the other procedures associated with expanding your travel diary that makes cruising such a practical choice, especially for families.

Disney Wonder’s 2011 Alaska itinerary includes three ports of call, one day sailing through the majestic Tracey Arms and two full days at sea, giving guests plenty of time to explore the ship, attend or be part of the entertainment shows and sample a variety of other activities, or in my case, relax and visit the full-service Vista Spa.

Those that prefer can also take advantage of a wide array of Port Adventures, which ranges from low-activity based itineraries such as taking part in a traditional salmon bake or tempting fate by dog sledding, to more heart pounding action based adventures like kayaking and zip lining, just to name a few.

In each port, there are certain activities specifically designed to take in Alaska’s beautiful natural surroundings including helicopter rides, glacier walks, whale watching cruises, and float plane flights.  In Ketchikan, the float planes fly over the majestic Mystic Fjords so it is fitting so many chose this sold-out option.

The beauty of the float plane is of course its ability to land on water, and taking us across the Fjords hugging the mountains on either side is truly a special experience. Landing in the middle of the Fjord is just an added bonus, but standing on the sides of the float plane, guests test their balance while Captain Nick explains our beautiful surrounds.

Ketchikan is also the world-renowned port for Salmon, so it's no surprise that shops offer free tastings of various varieties of the pink fresh water fish.  Natural, smoked, sockeye salmon is the town's specialty, and as you wander around you begin to notice that each shop takes pride in their ‘own’ preparation of the fish, ranging from dips to special seasoning spreads.

While the sleepy town of Ketchikan, like many ports in Alaska, is mainly operational during the summer seasons, it is also one of the most authentic towns visited on this cruise. Laid back restaurants and pubs line the quaint streets where locals, tourists and cruisers alike gather for fresh seafood or to take in the harbour sights.