17 Best Things to Do in Juneau Alaska Cruise Port Complete Guide

Table Of Content

• Night exploring Alaska's Coastal WildernessDetails
• Final Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Visit
• Night wild Alaska Escape: Leconte Bay, Wrangell, And...Details
• Popular Juneau cruise ships Explore all cruise ships
• Pre-booked Tours and Excursions
• Mount Roberts Tramway: A Sky-High Experience
• How far is Downtown Juneau from the Cruise Port?

A visit to Alaska can be unique when compared to other cruise destinations. Generally speaking, the weather and your wardrobe go hand-in-hand. While you are out and about, take a stroll along the (little-known and newly constructed) Juneau Seawalk.

Night exploring Alaska's Coastal WildernessDetails

The tram is pricey ($55 for an all-day pass for adults and $40 for kids ages 3-12). However, the panoramic views of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel are stunning. The famous preseverance trail is a 3 mile long (one-way) trail with an elevation of 700 feet.

Final Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Visit

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With Juneau's first cruise ship of the season, what's the economic impact?.

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Enjoy a variety of activities, including a guided wildlife expedition, a private kayaking and rafting tour, or a visit to bald eagle rehabilitation center. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can enjoy one or more of the over 20 Alaskan beers available on tap. You will find many things to see and do for every budget, from pricey excursions to self-guided adventures. As statistics, CLIA revealed a record number of booked cruise passengers (~1,055 million).

Night wild Alaska Escape: Leconte Bay, Wrangell, And...Details

Popular amongst many cruise lines including Seabourn Cruise Line and Lindblad Expeditions. A rental car allows for the freedom to explore beyond the downtown core. It provides access to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, the Shrine of St Therese, and Eagle Beach. We tendered on our Cunard Queen Elizabeth cruise and found the process easy.

Most car rentals, such as Budget and Thrifty, are at the airport, 9 miles north of the cruise port. Downtown, peruse unique shops, excellent museums, and native heritage sites. Ride the enclosed tramway up the steep mountainside for spectacular views of forested islands, quiet coves, and rugged coastal mountains. Cruise ship passengers who have purchased shore excursions can meet their pre-booked tours and excursions at the end of the pier in Juneau. Tour guides wait with signs at the end of the pier, making it easy to locate your tour. When you cruise to Alaska, chances are good that you’ll visit Juneau, one of Alaska’s best cruise ports.

This day of cruising offers an array of scenic highlights as our small ship meanders the narrow channel of the Tracy Arm Fjord. Throughout the 25-mile journey, the waterway averages only about a mile wide, framed by steep vertical cliffs stretching more than 3,000 feet high. Pockets of valleys reveal views of larger, snow-capped peaks featuring mountainsides adorned with ancient forest and swaths of sparkling glaciers. Hundreds of waterfalls cascade down the cliffs and tumble into the water. The miraculous journey is further heightened as the ship arrives at the faces of the stunning twin Sawyer Glaciers that once combined to carve out this incredible waterway.

You’ll be transported by rainforest adventure vehicles, where you’ll see some of the most incredible flora and fauna in all of Alaska. The Glacier Garden and Rainforest Adventure Tour is the perfect adventure for people with mobility issues or anyone who wants to take in Alaska’s stunning botanical gardens. Alaska Pedicab Juneau is one of the best ways to see downtown and a great way to get around the city without walking. If you love the outdoors, Alaskan glaciers, adventure, and history, then this Juneau tour is the one for you.

Enjoy awe-inspiring sights as your onboard presenter shares stories about the unique aspects that make this place so remarkable. In early 2017, the Juneau Assembly proposed to exempt cruise companies from sales tax for sold goods and services while their vessels are in port. On January 11, 2017, the city's finance committee voted 7-1 to approve a motion by the Mayor to amend the tax code and formalize the exemption. The proposed ordinance has to be drafted and brought to a public hearing before being enacted. The Mayor's initiative was welcomed by the cruise industry, which customers pay nearly USD 8 million in sales tax while ships are docked in Juneau. However, it has historically not paid sales tax for any merchandise or services sold onboard the cruise ships while in port.

Today, the city’s economy depends largely on fishing and tourism. With abundant fresh seafood and a thriving culture of craft beer making, Juneau offers plenty of authentic Alaskan tastes for the gourmet traveler. King crab is king here, served in a flavor-packed bisque, as crab cakes, crab rolls, or as buckets of legs drenched in garlic butter and lemon. Take in the scenery and get away from it all, venture out in search of wildlife or soak up the breadth of culture in Alaska’s capital. A day in Juneau is always well spent with these activities on your itinerary. Alaska's capital city is easy to navigate, serving as a great jumping-off point for tours.

A team of huskies will be waiting to pull you on a dogsled across the ice. You can experience the excitement of kayaking on a glacial lake at the Mendenhall Glacier’s terminus. Several tour companies provide round-trip transfers from the cruise ports. This Alaskan city is 3,255 square miles total, including 704 square miles of water and 928 square miles of ice cap in North America’s fifth largest ice field. Cruise passengers can disembark and explore the city on foot, enjoying the shops, restaurants, and popular attractions that are clustered in the downtown area. For those looking for a work out Mt. Roberts trail is one not to be missed.

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. Despite being the capital of Alaska, it’s a really charming and quaint town.

Alaska's capital Juneau is located in the state's southeastern part, sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by a belt of islands 120 km (75 mi) wide. Forest excursions include a scenic drive to the Tongass National Forest dog camps. You’ll see a professional dog sled camp, interact with husky puppies, and even ride a “summer sled” (with wheels).

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Juneau, AK 2024 with Prices Juneau Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic

Table Of Content

• ACL-American Cruise Lines introduces new 2024 Alaskan itineraries
• What is the best time of year to visit Juneau?
• Juneau, Alaska Cruise Port Guide
• What Cruise Passengers Need to Know About Juneau Cruise Port
• Juneau Cruise Port to Mendenhall Glacier
• Helicopter Dogsledding Experience

Summer is the best time to visit Juneau for wildlife spotting, too; whale migrations mean that you’ll easily be able to spot the large sea creatures in the waters. August and September in Juneau is a prime time to spot bears fishing for salmon in the waters, often with cubs. Take a tour of the brewery, see the processes involved in making beer, and savor a glass or two of locally produced beers. Visiting Alaska State Museum - Alaska State Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the state’s history, culture, and nature. It is home to some of the most extensive and comprehensive displays and exhibits related to Alaska.

ACL-American Cruise Lines introduces new 2024 Alaskan itineraries

Grab a great burger at the Salmon Spot; see the best views from Hangar on the Wharf; and, taste the Russian dumplings at Pel-menis. The Juneau cruise port in Alaska’s state capital is conveniently located within a short walk of downtown. A wide boardwalk connects the berths and offers an accessible way to disembark and begin your explorations.

What is the best time of year to visit Juneau?

The most popular hiking routes starting in the city of Juneau are the Perseverance trail and Mt. Robert trail. Find the information on these trails at the tourist information center in town. Right next to the Juneau cruise port, you’ll find the Mt. Roberts Tramway. This tram takes you on a 6-minute ride up to over 3,800 feet in altitude on Mt. Roberts. There are two locations for Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau, but the main one is actually right next to the cruise ship terminal. If you’d like to visit, but aren’t interested in eating any king crab, they also have a shop.

Juneau, Alaska Cruise Port Guide

Compared to the cost of the Mendenhall shuttle bus it will be cheaper to take a taxi if your group is 4 persons or more.

Juneau International Airport (JNU) is a major gateway to the city, allowing people to connect with their Juneau cruise. Alaska Airlines is the regional carrier, offering direct daily flights to Seattle and Anchorage and regular services to other parts of Alaska. Sitka, Angoon, Kake, and Haines are just a few Alaskan destinations with direct flights to and from Juneau.

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Located in the southeastern part of Alaska and with a mining heritage, Juneau has been the capital since 1906. Get to know Juneau via its culinary culture in the company of a local expert. You’ll walk through the city, learning about the city’s lore and legends, stopping at some of the best cafés and award-winning restaurants. Tastings along the way include king crab bisque, salmon, Alaskan game, hog wing, and tea from indigenous plants.

Juneau cruise dock

On this tour, you will visit Overstreet Park, which features an impressive multi-million-dollar life-sized whale art installation titled Takhu. It is the largest glacier in the Juneau area, and you can see it up close and personal. Mendenhall Glacier (width 1,5 mi / 2,4 km, length over 12 mi / 19 km to Mendenhall Lake) is another tour destination.

Helicopter Dogsledding Experience

Buy everything you need at the museum and go gold panning yourself. You’ll most often find something, even though its only tiny gold flakes. Even though Juneau temperatures are warmer than the rest of the year, the summer is also their rainiest season.

Juneau Visitor Center

Whether you use your time to see wildlife or stunning glaciers, delve into mining history, or admire Indigenous artwork, you’ll treasure the time you spent in Juneau. For a $5 (cash only) entry fee, visitors will see the world’s largest air compressor and exhibits detailing Juneau’s history. The walk to the museum is also picturesque and relatively easy. Some helicopter excursions include a dog sledding experience on top of Herbert Glacier.

Find the new Tracy’s Crab shack on the pier at the cruise terminal. This dock is about 20 minutes walk from town, but there is a local shuttle bus provided for a small fee. You’ll also find a restaurant, theater, and shop at the top of the tram. You can watch an 18-minute award-winning movie about the local Tlingit people.

Cargo flights (by the airlines Alaska Air Cargo, Empire Airlines, Alaska Central Express) link to Anchorage, Ketchikan, Seattle. Regularly scheduled passenger flights (by Alaska Airlines, Alaska Seaplanes, Harris Air) link to Petersburg/Mitkof Island, Seattle, Sitka, Anchorage, Ketchikan, Yakutat, Gustavus. Stephanie Yrungaray grew up in gorgeous Eagle River, Alaska and now calls Utah her beUtahful home. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her husband and five kids any way she can, from cruising to RV camping and everything in-between! When she’s not out exploring, you’ll find her writing about travel, finances and parenting as well as gift ideas on her website,

And, many establishments stay open for extended hours when cruise ships are docked. To explore further into Alaska, you can extend your cruise with a Cruisetour. Cruisetours include the finest hotel accommodations, a local dedicated Alaskan Tour Director, luxury transportation, and some activities.

The Mt Roberts tramway takes you straight from the dock to Mt. Roberts. Have a scenic walk here to several photo stops, see the Mt. Robert movie, visit the raptor centre or do some shopping. You might even want to leave the upper station and go hiking over the mountain tops where you will have beautiful views over the surrounding islands and mountain range. Alway be informed about the weather or anything unusual by the tourist information. Juneau has a few museums around the downtown area that are a great way to spend some extra time you have before your cruise ship departs. Rainy weather is common in this part of Alaska too, so a museum is a great way to stay busy while staying dry if it’s raining.

Navigating the Juneau cruise port is relatively easy, with most popular attractions and amenities located within walking distance. Visitors can also utilize taxis and pedicabs for further exploration. The Juneau cruise port is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Juneau. Lastly, plan your visit in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on any must-see attractions or activities.

This cruise shore excursion will give you a stunning birds-eye view of Juneau’s mountains and icefields. The pilot will then land atop a glacier, where you’ll get a guided walk and the chance to drink the freshest, tastiest ice water you’ll ever have. At the docks is the tourist information for any kind of information.

Best rooms on a cruise ship: Deck, location, & category

Table Of Content

• If You Want a Quieter Space
• Suites and Luxury Accommodations
• Types of cabins on cruise ships
• More Royal Caribbean
• The Best Cabin Locations To Book On Your Next Cruise, According To Industry Pros
• Docking Days

Both can help calm the queasiness without you having to leave the cabin. Cruisers with a sensitivity to motion and/or are prone to seasickness will do best midship (midway between front and back) and on a low deck. You want to be as close to the pivot point as possible to feel the least movement. Additionally, don’t hesitate to seek the advice of travel agents or cruise experts to get personalized recommendations based on your preferences and budget. They may provide valuable insights to help you find the perfect cabin for your journey. With a variety of options and a more budget-friendly price range, choosing a cabin at the front of the ship can be a great way to make your cruise vacation more affordable without sacrificing comfort.

If You Want a Quieter Space

Not only are cruise ship suites larger than other cabins, but they include a lot of amenities that help to justify the cost. Depending on what ship and cruise line you book with, booking a suite might include a butler, access to a special restaurant or lounge, concierge services, priority boarding, and more. Cabins on the upper decks usually cost more than those on the lower decks. Since these cabins are nearer the pool and sun decks, they are more desirable for those on warm weather cruises who plan to use these amenities.

Suites and Luxury Accommodations

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The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship.

Posted: Mon, 15 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Some ships offer cabins with direct access to the promenade deck, while the largest ships, including MSC World Europa, offer balconies overlooking an internal courtyard or promenade. Even better, choose a room that does not connect to the cabin next door because these are less sound-proof than staterooms without an extra door in the middle. Also, skip the cabins all the way forward as these can be loud when the ship drops anchor at tender ports. Plus, cabins on the upper decks are convenient to many cruise attractions, including the pool, buffet, top-deck active pursuits -- think zip lines, ropes courses, and mini-golf--, and even the spa. If you've read this guide and are still confused about choosing a cabin on a cruise, I suggest you connect with a knowledgeable cruise travel agent. They can walk you through the entire booking process — and maybe get you a great price on the cabin you ultimately select.

Types of cabins on cruise ships

Rooms at this level may also come with exclusive access to private pools, clubs and lounges with more luxurious touches and solitude than you’ll find elsewhere on the ship. Suites are the largest type of cruise ship cabin, and they come in a wide range of varieties. Minisuites or junior suites are slightly roomier versions of balcony cabins, with sleeping and sitting areas in the same space without a wall in between. Larger suites might include sleeping areas in separate rooms, dining tables, large living room spaces, multiple bathrooms and expansive private balconies.

Disney ships always sport two funnels, but only one is functional while the other is purely decorative. So when designing Disney Wish, Disney "Imagineers" decided to place the top suite inside the forward funnel. If you enjoy the leisurely routine of sipping your morning coffee on the veranda or want a private space to watch the sunset with your loved one, you might consider upgrading to a stateroom with a veranda. The Elite Ocean View stateroom features two convertible beds, a balcony facing the sea, and cozy touches to make it feel like home. Featuring two beds and a sitting area with a convertible full-size sofa bed, the Xpedition Suite is perfect for a group of three or four looking to explore the Galapagos Islands. Two beds can convert into a comfortable queen, plus creative storage solutions mean you can spread out and enjoy the space.

With a capacity to sleep up to eight, the Wish Tower Suite is certainly the happiest place at sea. Guests can also access the exclusive lounge reserved for top-tier suites. Stay in the Iconic suite and you will want for nothing, as full butler service, unlimited premium beverages, streaming Wi-Fi, laundry service, and prepaid gratuities are included. You’ll also receive unlimited dining at specialty restaurants, reserved seats in the theater, and more. Foodies may want a stateroom closer to the many incredible dining options onboard.

If you’re booking your first cruise, choosing the perfect cabin can be challenging. Choosing the right room for you is about how you like to cruise, and what you are looking to do onboard. Shorter cruises means you will likely be running around trying to see and do everything, so investing a ton in an expensive room may not make financial sense. On longer sailings, having a larger room means more space to spread out and enjoy to nap, read or watch the world go by. It's easy to assume booking a suite is like pushing the easy button for a cruise vacation.

Yes, staying somewhere toward the middle of the ship on a lower deck is the best spot to minimize the sensation of movement, but you can venture a bit off center if it means saving a lot of money. In general, many cruisers prefer mid-ship room locations on a lower deck, especially if getting seasick is a major concern. Sunworshippers might prefer an upper-deck location close to the pools and sun decks, while partiers might want easy access to midship entertainment hubs.

Docking Days

Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. If you're interested in a spa cabin, you'll want to book far in advance. The ideal cabin for a light sleeper on a particular ship, for instance, might be a room tucked away in the quietest corner of the vessel. But another passenger on the same ship who cares more about the view might be happiest with a completely different spot. With us by your side, you can easily find the perfect cruise for your needs and budget.

Do you want benefits like being the first in line to get on or off the ship? Do you want to be pampered with extra-plush linens and bathrobes, fancy bath products and in-suite coffee and booze? You can find those amenities and more in most of the upper-level suites. From size to location to view and beyond, there are many things to keep in mind when selecting your stateroom, says Gianluca Corneli, hotel director at Royal Caribbean International. “For example, consider if you would like to be near the elevator for convenience or prefer a location down the hallway with fewer guests passing by,” she says.

There are some rooms that offer obstructed views, which means you get a discount on the normal cost of the room, but something is blocking your view outside. If mobility is a concern, picking a room near an elevator towards the middle of the ship is usually the best course of action. In addition, Royal Caribbean offers special accessible room categories for those in a wheelchair. Here are some cabin-related extras you may want to pay for on your cruise.

Lines that have designated spa cabins on some or all ships include Celebrity Cruises, Carnival, Holland America, Azamara and MSC Cruises. If you're a big spa fan — the kind who can spend hours on vacation getting treatments — you'll want to get a cabin right near your ship's spa. Walking long distances across a bustling ship in your robe and slippers for a spa appointment can be a bit, well, weird. Take some time to reflect on your preferences and desires, and you’ll be well on your way to a fantastic cruise experience tailored to your unique needs. It’s important to remember that pricing can vary depending on factors such as the ship’s age, size, and destination, as well as cabin location. You can choose from a range of cabin sizes and layouts, ensuring that you find the perfect space for your needs.