I've been on four cruises in the last 3 years (two Alaskan cruises) and hope to go to Alaska again next year. Here's a bit of what I have learned:
...Be extra careful of jewelry stores in Alaska. Learn to just say "no" or better yet, don't go into one.
...Look for a coupon book at the boarding area of your ship in San Francisco, or look around to see if someone might be handing them out just as you board the ship. Get a couple of them if possible. If you are going to be buying gifts, these coupon books are worth their weight in gold. I think we came home from our Alaskan cruises with at least 5 "Ulu" knives to give as presents. Every gift store in Alaska sells the knives along with the "bear paw" salad spoons.
www.ulu.com
...There will be lots of vendors/tour agents/travel guides on the dock waiting to try and sign up passengers when the ship stops at each port. So if you don't have any activities lined up, you can see what is available and sign up instantly with one of them.
...Pack an umbrella for everyone.
...Pack your own pharmacy bag. The ships don't carry much in the way of OTC items other than Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Have everyone get a course of antibiotics from their doctors to take with them. Pack motion sickness pill like "Bonine". It's non-drowsy. A visit to the ship's doctor isn't cheap and they don't stock much in the way of drugs either.
...From hotels to airports (or visa versa) a limousine is usually cheaper than a taxi or a shuttle van. Look in the yellow pages to contract your own limo or ask the hotel how much a ride is before you let them book for you. Might as well go in style and comfort if the price is the same.
Astoria... not too much to see unless you want to see the school where they filmed "Kindergarten Cop".
Excellent hotel on the water called "Cannery Pier Hotel" if you want a nice hotel here.
http://www.cannerypierhotel.com/
Very nice Italian restaurant:
http://www.fulios.com
Seattle... Pike Place Market is a must see. Try and get there fairly early in the day as it gets very crowded by noon.
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=true
Dining at the Space Needle, the food is okay, price is high. If you dine at the top of the Needle, then your elevator ride ($16) to the top is free.
http://www.spaceneedle.com/
Ivar's seafood Restaurant is located down on the waterfront near the ferry terminals. World famous clam chowder.
http://www.ivars.net/
Buses in the downtown area are free to ride.
Ketchikan.... we mainly stayed downtown near the docks so can't say much about here other than don't take the "submarine" ride. It's an expensive scam. Lots of good shopping.
Juneau... Take the tram up Mt. Roberts. Excellent walking/hiking trails at the top with wildlife viewing platforms. Gift shop and restaurant at the top. Your tram ticket is good for unlimited rides for the whole day. Absolutely beautiful. You can't miss Mt. Roberts as it's right there where the ships dock.
http://www.goldbelttours.com/travel/...neau/tram.html
I also highly recommend to "ZipLine" in a rain forest:
http://www.alaskacanopy.com/
Good shopping here also.
Skagway... The White Pass & Yukon Railroad tour is a must.
http://www.whitepassrailroad.com/train
Northern Lights Pizza Restaurant (Italian, Greek, Mexican and American Food), 3rd Ave between Broadway & State.
Sitka... I'd do a van or bus tour here. Beautiful old town with lots of interesting Russian history.
Prince Rupert... not too sure why cruise lines stop here. It's an absolute waste of time. Nothing to see or do at all. If I was to go here again via cruise ship, I wouldn't get off the ship.
Victoria... wow, so much to see. Rent small motorcycles and tour the city if nice weather.
Buchart Gardens are world famous and beautiful.
http://www.butchartgardens.com
The 100 year old Fairmont Empress Hotel is very nice to wander around in.
http://www.fairmont.com/empress
Great downtown area to wander and stop in at a small bisto or cafe for a meal.
There's just too much to say about cruising so I'll stop here.