Ketchikan is a great stop
I am new to DIS, infact have never made any posts before. I have been getting tips and info for our family's upcoming WDW trip and noticed the Alaska cruise posts. So, I thought since I live in Ketchikan, one of the ports of call, I could be of some help. I had a whole list of suggestions, but having trouble getting them to post. If this goes through I will try again.
Okay.
Tours: the lumberjack show is fantastic and great for kids. It's high energy and the seats are covered for those rainy days. The arena is just a short walk from the docks. Tickets run $35 for adult and $17.50 ages 3-12.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman Tour is also a must do. My family loved it. We got to see seals and eagles and the kids got to touch 3 different types of crabs. It's a little pricey at $159 for adult and $99 ages 5-12, but well worth it. It should be noted that children must be 5yrs or older for this tour, and those with motion sickness may need something as the tour goes on rain, wind, or shine. It's a 3 1/2 hr tour on a former working crab boat that was featured on Deadliest Catch. The boat takes you out and will show how to launch a pot and retrieve it. Contents of the pot are placed in a glass tank for viewing. Seats are tiered so everyone should be able to see and it is partial covered. Rain jackets are available if necessary. Snacks and drinks are provided.
The Totem Parks are also fun. Totem Bight is my favorite because it's located on the water. Chances are good for wildlife view. We have great whale pics from the beach there. A nice little loop trail through the forest takes you to the totem poles and is accessible by wheelchair. On the Potlatch Park side there is a model of a native villages as well as the totem carving viewing. A greyhound style bus takes you to and from and is about a 10 mile drive north of downtown. The tours last about 2hrs cost is around $35 adult, $20 children.
Other possible excursions are the Duckboats land/sea tours- again kid favorite(they love the duck whistles)
Mistyfjords float plane tours -Great family outing
The Rainforest Sanctuary tours that offer a wild life walking tour and the zip-line tour through the forest. Here is the best place to see black bears. There is a salmon spawning stream next door. I have personally seen bears while fishing.
Other things are: a Discovery Center downtown that is great for kids and is only$5 person easy walk from the dock. Horse drawn trailer rides, through downtown, old fashioned trolley rides that even stop at the local grocery store(there's a good view from there). All tours have booths right on the dock the minute you get off the ship or at the main visitors center in the green building located on the dock. Most tours still have space the day you arrive, if you like to play things by mouse ear.
Food, I would highly recommend the sea food chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Annabelle's. It's located across the street from Tongass Trading Company, which by the way is a great one stop trinket shop. Depending where your ships docked you maybe able to see it from your window. For fish and chips I recommend The Fish House. It's right next to the lumberjack show and a short walk from the docks. Make sure you get the Halibut. For King crab legs try in the Salmon Landing building next to The Fish House. The name of the restaurant escapes me, but it's the only one in there.
Creek street is also highly advertised. It may appeal to adults, but my kids are only interested walking there when the salmon are running, and boy are they now. The smell downtown is wonderful. It's a collection of unique Alaskan gift shops built on a dock over the creek. It's a nice walk on a sunny day, but may or may not be when it's raining.
As you have read the weather in Ketchikan is rain, rain, and more rain. So my best advice is to invest in a nice water proof jacket and pair of shoes, and may you never have to unpack them.
, I just can't swing it. I'm very disappointed but it is what it is... 
You did so well before, you'll get back there again. 
