Juneau enjoys a majestic setting in a narrow fjord with Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts towering above it. To the east is the vast expanse of glacial ice known as the Juneau Icefield, and to the west are the wilderness islands of the Inside Passage. Because of the natural beauty that surrounds the city—as well as its gold-rush era buildings and many shops—this state capital is a popular tourist destination. In fact, Juneau is visited by more cruise ships than any other port in southeast Alaska.
Location
Cruise ships dock at one of six locations, labeled A-F: A for the AJ Dock; B for the Franklin Dock; C for the Intermediate Vessel Float; D for the Cruise Ship Terminal; E for the Alaska Steamship Dock at Marine Park; and F for the Seadrome Dock for smaller vessels. The docks line the waterfront from Egan Drive to the southeast end of town on South Franklin Street. If more than four large ships are in port—as is often the case in midsummer—some ships anchor in the channel and tender passengers in smaller craft to the terminals. As many as seven ships have been in port at one time, depositing throngs of visitors on the city. Downtown Juneau is within easy walking distance, but you'll need transportation (taxi, tour coach or local bus) to reach outlying attractions.
Visitor-information and tour-company kiosks are located at Marine Park and the Cruise Ship Terminal. In addition, the main visitors center is in Centennial Hall, 101 Egan Drive. Open May-September daily 8:30 am-5 pm, October-April Monday-Friday 9 am-4 pm. Phone 907-586-2201. Toll-free 888-581-2201. http://www.traveljuneau.com.
Shore Excursions
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least-expensive way to see the area, but you won't have to waste your limited time making arrangements yourself—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Shore excursions—and their prices—vary from cruise line to cruise line. Check with your ship's shore-excursion staff or your travel agent for additional information.
So many different tours are offered in Juneau—the hard part is deciding among them. The more adventurous should consider helicopter or floatplane tours of glaciers and fjords, glacier-trekking or dogsledding on a glacier. Those who prefer the water to the air might consider whale-watching, fishing for salmon or halibut, fly-fishing for Dolly Varden or cutthroat trout, or sea kayaking near seals, sea lions and whales. You can also enjoy a placid float down the Mendenhall River or a Mendenhall Lake canoe adventure. You can explore the historic sites of downtown Juneau, don hard hats while touring a historic gold mine, pan for gold or take a bike-and-brew tour of the Auke Bay area. You can tour the glacier by bus and then feast on salmon, or marvel at spawning Alaska salmon at a local hatchery. Hikes in the rain forest and rain-forest gardens are a great way to explore. Because most ships are in port eight hours or more, you can sometimes choose more than one tour.
If you have a bit more time, explore nearby Tracy Arm Fjord or Glacier Bay, home to 16 tidewater glaciers. Around Juneau, many outstanding wilderness lodges beckon sportfishing and whale-watching enthusiasts and ecotourists. Spend a day watching brown bears at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island. Fly to Yakutat for world-class fly-fishing and steelhead fishing or to surf Alaska's lost coast. Take a memorable fast-ferry day trip up Lynn Canal to Haines or historic Skagway. Ferries also go to Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Hoonah and other southeast communities, but you'll need two to three days.
