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Cruises to Juneau

1,467 Reviews
Juneau (Photo:Sorin Colac/Shutterstock)

About Juneau

Juneau, often described as America's most unusual state capital, is the only center of U.S. government with no roads leading into or out of town. The city is surrounded by nature, namely towering mountains and the waters of Gastineau Channel. For most visitors, the only way in or out is by air or sea. Residents boast three routes: plane, boat or birth canal.

Gold put Juneau on the map in the 1880s, though the mining camp went by several names before prospector Joe Juneau finally wrangled enough votes to get his name to stick.

Juneau became a state capital when Alaska became the 49th U.S. state in 1959, and nearly 60 percent of the city's population works in government. The governor's mansion stands on a hillside overlooking the cruise docks, and anyone can take a walk up the hills via steep stairways.

Juneau offers a wide range of shoreside activities, from whale watching, dog sledding and ziplining to touring the Capitol building or the Alaskan Brewing Company. Its no surprise Juneau is a great starting point for any upcoming Alaskan cruise. Then, there's the state's most accessible glacier -- Mendenhall, an immense, 12-mile-long river of ice. Along with glacier viewing, there's always the chance of seeing a bear or two up close.

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council has a community calendar on its website that is jam-packed with events, so you can easily find out what's happening while you're in port.

  • More about Juneau

  • Why go to Juneau?

  • Juneau Cruise Port Facilities?

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Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Jewel

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2,323 Reviews
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Silver Shadow
Silver Shadow (Photo: Silversea)

132 Night
132 Night Expedition Cruise

274 Reviews
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Celebrity Eclipse
E C  Aerial Miami433 R

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1,892 Reviews
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Radiance of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean)

7 Night
7 Nt Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier

1,219 Reviews
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7 Night
Alaska - Northbound Whittier

1,991 Reviews
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7 Night
Alaska - Seattle

1,322 Reviews
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18 Night
Transoceanic Cruise

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7 Night
Alaskan Inside Passage

572 Reviews
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7 Night
Alaska Cruise

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16 Night
World Cruise

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9 Night
Alaska - Seattle

2,108 Reviews
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Alaskan Explorer

1,087 Reviews
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Alaskan Inside Passage

800 Reviews
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7 Night
Alaska Northbound Glacier

2,407 Reviews
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10 Night
Alaska Cruise

391 Reviews
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More about Juneau

Why go to Juneau?

Pros:

Alaska's capital city is easy to navigate, serving as a great jumping-off point for tours.

Cons:

There are some busy roads, making this port a bit less walkable than others in Alaska.

Bottom Line:

Juneau has lots for visitors to discover: wildlife, shopping, history and excellent seafood.

Juneau Cruise Port Facilities?

Your ship will arrive to any of three areas, all within walking distance of downtown. Most large ships dock along South Franklin Street near the library and Mount Roberts Tramway. Small ships dock next to floatplanes at Seadrome Dock. AJ Dock is at the south end of town. Ships might anchor and tender passengers when more than four large vessels are in port. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry docks about 7 miles outside of downtown.

Everything -- information kiosks, cafes, shops, museums, tour operators, public library -- is a short walk from the cruise ships. Tour guides meet passengers right at the docks (motor coaches line up for cruise excursions in an organized fashion), and several tourism information kiosks are available to help with additional arrangements.

Souvenir shops are located along the dock, and some -- like the Caribou Crossings store -- have ATM machines.

Good to Know?

Your visit to Juneau will most likely have a backdrop of overcast skies. Located in a temperate rainforest, the port sees an average of 220 days of precipitation a year. Poor weather can spoil your day, especially if you have your heart set on riding in a helicopter and landing on top of a glacier.

Getting Around?

On Foot: Juneau is an easily walkable town. It's a good idea to carry an umbrella if it looks at all cloudy.

By Car: Taxis gather at Marine Park. For car rentals, the usual major companies -- Avis, Hertz, Budget - are available at the airport, and they might offer pickup service at the dock.

By Shuttle Bus: A shuttle bus runs from the AJ Dock to town. Whether there's a charge for the shuttle bus depends on the cruise link docked there; some charge, others don't. Otherwise, it's fairly easy to get to key attractions beyond downtown, such as Mendenhall Glacier, without renting a car. Numerous shuttle services offer round trip rides for around $45, which includes the cost of entry to the glacier. Inquire at the tourist kiosks lined up along the cruise piers.

By Public Bus: Juneau offers a publics bus system, but it doesn't go right to the main attractions outside of town, so a shuttle would be a better option. Public buses stop at the airport and shopping center.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Currency is the U.S. dollar. ATMs and banks are readily available around town.

Language?

Residents speak English. If you want to learn a few Tlingit (Native American) phrases, take the Mount Roberts Tramway to the top and sit in on a free lesson in the auditorium.


Juneau Cruise Reviews
Juneau was very crowded with multiple super ships docked. I think Juneau needs to update their facilities at the Mendenhall glacier and the tram to accommodate the increase in passengersRead More
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crepes4
We had 4 hours here which was enough time for 1 excursion it would have been good to have 8 hours here and given us time to see JuneauRead More
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The_Dolphins
Loved Mendenhall Glacier but had to forfeit Roberts Tram because wait was too long. Juneau is a very pretty city. Wish we had more time in this port. Not enough time to explore and enjoy Did get to observeRead More
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bostonphil
Juneau has several dining opportunities near the docks. The whale watching excursion and Mendenhall Glacier excursions are well worth doing. We did both in one excursion (supplied by Gastineau Guiding Company), andRead More
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onepoorguy

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