10 Spectacular Things to Do in Juneau Cruise Port + Port Guide
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To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Juneau’s glaciers produce nutrient-dense waters making the waters a prime feeding ground for humpback whales. Alaska Tales’ boats are intimate (49 passengers max), and they’re super-fast, so you’ll get out to see the whales in no time. You also have the option of adding a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center prior to your whale watching tour. A tour aboard a TEMSCO helicopter offers beautiful views of Alaska’s Capital City, and up-close exploration of Mendenhall, one of the state’s most accessible glaciers. Look out on alpine lakes, moraines, and crevasses before you land and check out the Juneau Icefield for yourself.
Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway
Think about kayaking, biking, hiking, flight-seeing, gold panning you name it. All over town and especially around the docks you will find there is a local shuttle bus offered to the Mendenhall Visitors Centre where you will have a good view over the glacier. Buy the tickets directly at the local tour operators you will find on the dock.
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The technology (by Nidec Corporation, Japan) enables docked vessels to receive electricity from the city's power grid. From the berth, vessels can plug-in directly to the grid which allows full onboard operations without using the diesel engines (being shut down right after docking). The Japanese company has installed such shore-power systems in ports Los Angeles CA, San Francisco CA, Goteborg, Travemunde, Livorno, Genoa.
Alaska State Museum
Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Keep in mind that the average summer temperatures here only reach the low- to mid-sixties. Staying dry and warm will definitely improve the happiness factor during your time ashore at the Juneau cruise port. For a $5 (cash only) entry fee, visitors will see the world’s largest air compressor and exhibits detailing Juneau’s history.
Perseverance trail
You can watch an 18-minute award-winning movie about the local Tlingit people. Afterward, you can grab a bite at the restaurant or do some light shopping. If you have extra time, there are some trails that begin at the top of the tram. Depending on how much time you have to mosey around the Juneau cruise port, there are plenty of things to do in town. Keep reading for a list of the best things to do in and around Downtown Juneau. If you have some extra time after your excursion in the Juneau area, take some time to wander around the town of Juneau.
Warm winds from the Pacific Ocean make Juneau’s summer temperatures mild and enjoyable. The average temperature during Alaska cruise season is in the upper 50s to the low 60s. The best time of year to visit is in June or early July, as precipitation continues to increase throughout the summer months. Don’t miss the unique opportunity to fly over a million-year-old glacial icefields! Juneau boasts 928 square miles of ice cap in the form of Juneau Icefield, the fifth largest icefield in North America. The visitor center has a free educational movie, thoughtful and interesting displays, and panorama windows that showcase the Mendenhall Glacier.
I don’t know if there’s anywhere else in the world where you can reach a glacier within a 20-minute drive. This Juneau cruise port guide wouldn’t be legitimate if we didn’t first talk about the best excursions to book during your cruise’s stop in Juneau. You can opt to book excursions either through your cruise line or with a third-party company right in Juneau. One of the great things about pulling into Juneau on a cruise ship is that you’ll be right in the heart of Juneau when you arrive. Walking around the town of Juneau will be super easy, especially if you’re docked at the pier and not off in the Gastineau Channel, requiring a tender to take you on shore.
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On any given summer day, you can expect cruise ships from all cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, to dock simultaneously. The Alaska State Museum is a treasure trove of Alaska’s history and cultural diversity. Featuring a comprehensive collection of artifacts, artwork, and multimedia presentations, this museum offers visitors a deep and immersive experience. From Native Alaskan art to exhibits on gold mining and wildlife, there is something to pique the interest of every visitor. For panoramic views of Juneau and its surrounding landscapes, a ride on the Mount Roberts Tramway is a must.
The best time to see whales is May-August because of the whale migration. Depending on the length of your cruise is how much time you should set aside for Juneau. However many days you spend here you will find many popular excursion options to fill your time at the Port of Juneau. It is the state capital of Alaska and it is the second largest city in Alaska after Sitka.
There’s also a small elevated boardwalk over a creek that runs near the visitor center. If the salmon are running, you might get to see black bears catching fish here. Most of the tour bus operators will tell you the Salmon Spot, a little food shack just across the street from the cruise docks, offers great burgers. The docks are able to accommodate many large ships at once and are connected by a wide boardwalk. Juneau is a vibrant city that boasts attractions catering to any kind of visitor. From breathtaking natural attractions to wildlife viewing to museums to breweries and distilleries, Juneau has it all.
These small Alaskan towns often double or triple their population on days the cruise ships are in town and become very busy. Fewer ships mean a better experience for everybody who does visit. When you cruise to Alaska, chances are good that you’ll visit Juneau, one of Alaska’s best cruise ports. Juneau has so many wonderful things to do that you’ll find it hard to fit them all into one day. This cruise port guide will help you maximize your time in the Juneau cruise port and Downtown Juneau.
If you are planning on using the tramway it would definitely save time to buy tickets on board. Each year beginning in late April, cruise ships start docking in Juneau. By mid- to late-May, it's not uncommon to have ships in port on any given day! By design, Juneau offers an incredible range of shore excursions for every activity level and any duration of time in port. We had the best time on our tour to the Mendenhall Glacier for whale watching in the Juneau Alaska cruise port.
Likewise, there are some miscellaneous closer to the cruise port, so you may not need the drive at all. Juneau offers no shortage of activities, but you can easily see the best of Juneau in one day with this port guide. The entire store is dedicated to Alaska T-shirts, hats, and other clothing items. Their store is located directly in front of the cruise ship pier and tram terminal. To book this tour, hail them down at the cruise ship terminal. The trail is about two miles round-trip and will take you directly to Nugget Falls, one of Alaska’s most beautiful waterfalls.
There are no words to describe Alaska and its spectacular beauty, especially for those of you who appreciate nature and its wilderness. If you taking a cruise to Alaska, make sure you plan each day carefully as you don’t want to miss its unique treasures and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that it has to offer. For guided tours, there is an extra fee to pay and they are available only at specific times of the year.
However, the Juneau public library at 292 Marine Way provides the service. Guests already booked can check where their ship docks through the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska. Another prime dock, the Alaska Steam Dock (AS), provides easy access to shops, restaurants, and activities on South Franklin Street.
The cruise port in Juneau places you directly downtown on Egan Drive, making this an extremely walkable port city. Most large cruise ships dock at the South Franklin Street Dock, and it’s not uncommon to have 3 to 4 cruise ships in port on a given day. The port of Juneau offers 5 different docking locations for cruise ships. Read the full Juneau cruise port guide to read about the exceptions and things to see and do.
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