Our very first taste of Alaska on our 7-night cruise with Holland America was state’s capital, Juneau. Situated on the Gastineau Channel in the Alaskan panhandle (southeast region), this city was the birthplace of the Alaskan gold rush in 1880. Most people aren’t aware this is the second largest city in the United States (by area), making it larger than Delaware! But the only way to access it is via plane or boat. TRAVEL ALASKA.