'Once in a lifetime experience not to be missed': This was the absolute highlight on a visit to Alaska

Alaska is one of those places that's impossible to visit just once. I've barely returned from my first taste of this untamed beauty and already I'm planning my next trip.On our Norwegian Cruise Line 7-Day Alaska Round-Trip, we spend a week cruising and touring Alaska's famed Southwest region taking in the ports of Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Dawes Glacier, and Ketchikan.Here is your guide on what to see, what to do, and skip in the Last Frontier state.READ MORE: Perfect way to avoid the crowds in the Northern TerritorySitkaOnce Alaska's first capital city, this dreamy town pretty much jams the best of Alaskan experiences into one place. Spawning salmon jumping upstream, check. Bears catching said salmon, check. Remote and stunning fjords. Check.Check.Check! I booked myself on tour here to ensure I got the most out of my time. First we visited the Fortress Of The Bears, a sanctuary for orphaned brown and black bears. This is a popular tourist spot as you are guaranteed to see their resident bears.READ MORE: 'How a trip to Cambodia completely changed how I holiday'After this close encounter, we cruised along the silent and glassy inlet waters to Silver Bay homestead where we feasted on S'Mores and hot chocolate as we learned about the local area and history. We were also lucky enough to see a bear near the local salmon hatchery fishing from the shore. What a privilege to see these magnificent creatures in the wilderness.Be sure to leave yourself enough time to wander through town too and do the totem pole walking tour through the Sitka Historical Park. For some added spice, there are regular "beware of bears" signs to keep you on your toes and on the lookout!For movie buffs, I hate to break it to you, but Sandra Bullock's rom com hit, The Proposal, was "based" here, but was actually filmed in the United States. Our bus driver told us a few aerial shots may have been used, but that was about it.And if you are at the cruise ship terminal you HAVE to try the roasted nuts from a local store aptly named Sitka Nuts. We barrelled through two bags of cashews and almonds. A must!JuneauJuneau is the capital of Alaska. It's both a mountain town and a coastal city surrounded by incredible beauty, wildlife and with a deep Native American history. As soon as you step off your ship, there's a dizzying array of tours on offer, the highlight of which is a trip to the famous Mendenhall Glacier about 15 minutes out of town by shuttle. While the tourist centre was packed, we had a drizzly day, so the trails to the glacier lookout and the nearby waterfall are relaxed and easy to navigate. I'd give yourselves about two hours out here, unless you're up for a longer hike.Back in town, there's a long line out the front of tourist hotspot Tracy's Crab Shack and it's standing room only at the Red Dog Saloon. Line up early if they take your fancy. We took photos out the front and instead spent our time strolling around town.We made a beeline for their famous fudge shops (this will be a common theme throughout this article!), bought some great souvenirs in the Alaskan Brewing Co and I can highly recommend Jellyfish Donuts. Also, the shuttle drivers in Alaska are the absolute best. Full of knowledge, hilariously bad jokes, and pride for their hometowns.Endicott Arm and Dawes GlacierThis was the highlight of our trip to Alaska. The weather gods were smiling as we made our way down the glacier carved fjord of Endicott Arm. This is National Geographic worthy. Sheer granite cliffs that tower above our 20 deck ship. Water so green you keep taking your sunglasses on and off to ensure it's not a trick of the lenses. Chunks of glaciers float by. Can this be real? Am I actually here?Then after miles and miles of quiet cruising, you see her. The Dawes Glacier. 600 feet tall and half a mile wide. Even from a distance she's magnificent. Rug up and grab a spot on the upper decks to truly appreciate nature in all her glory.This is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed. KetchikanKetchikan is the southernmost entrance to Alaska's famed Inside Passage and is everything you hope an Alaskan city will be. Famed for its beautiful scenery, its world famous salmon and Native American history.If your time is limited, stroll around Creek Street and the downtown historic district. There are also more than 80 totem poles dotted around Ketchikan. And yes, more fudge to be consumed too!When we docked, we opted for the George Inlet Fjords Safari. Now this is an action packed day! Start your engines as you drive your own UTVs through the Alaskan wilderness. The scenery is stunning. You may even spot a bear or two on your adventures. You then board a sightseeing vessel that will deliver you to the charming George Inlet Lodge where you'll sit by the water as you feast on fresh Dungeness crab and sample local craft beers. I am not normally a seafood eater, but the crab chowder was irresistible. So were the beers!These Alaskan cruise stops are just a sample of what awaits on your journey to the Last Frontier. I'm already planning to return to explore more and maybe buy some more fudge.This writer travelled as a guest of NCL. The cruise line offers four ships (Bliss, Encore, Joy, Jade) from three departure ports – Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier - to explore the region, with an extended season from April to October, providing the opportunity to see Northern Lights.