First, stay off the cruise ships, they are a floating definition of industrial tourism at it's worst. Take the state ferry system instead, they go the same places that the cruise ships go with much more flexibility in scheduling and at considerably less cost. Less chance of ruining your vacation with a case of norwalk virus!
I would recommend a loop of the road system to see Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali and the Kenai peninsula. As far as off the roads and away from the rest of the tourists, nothing beats a trip to Katami/KIng Salmon for wildlife and fishing or to Dillingham for hunting season. Any fly-out fishing on the Alaska peninsula will be the best you will ever experience, bar none!
Best advice I have heard yet. Thanks. Can you tell me about Kokiak Island? Fishing and hunting? And finally, how would you defend against/shoot a bear?