We handpick every tour in order to offer only the best Alaska excursions in each cruise ship port. Its a great way to explore Alaskas capital city, with lots of scenery and history along the way. Juneau is a place to try some off-ship local options! Heres how I calculated the scores: Heres my list of the best Juneau excursions: Not everyone will agree with this list and it certainly isnt the original list I wrote back for the 2020 season (ha!). I arranged tours for our day in Anchorage and for all three port calls (Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan) with Alaska Shore Excursions (ASE). Enjoy your direct flight from Anchorage or Seattle into Juneau.Once you get settled, your first outing should be to see Alaska's capital city from above. If you are up for more of an adventure, the canoe tour or ice adventure will give you an unforgettable experience, up close to the majestic glacier. The current picks up, and soon youre bouncing through some mild, Class III rapids with ice cold water splashing in your face. Its safe and easy to learn: Your guide will teach you the basics of paddling, then set off on a 90-minute excursion where youll explore the protected bays and inlets as your guide helps interpret the ecology of this gorgeous area. The dogs were amazing and talking to the mushers and seeing where they live for months at a time was awe inspiring. You'll visit some of the most popular eateries in town and taste nine different local treats. At Nugget Falls, you can watch water spill into an iceberg-filled lake. fti. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Best shore excursions on an Alaska cruise. The excursion was worth the $$. Finally, I added up the metrics to come up with a final score. Rain gear: hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants! There are no reservations; its first come first served. Or try one of our recommended tours below. A wonderful wilderness adventure! For those of you who love an active excursion, its a great option with plenty of amazing wildlife viewing opportunities and stunning vistas. Just beyond is a series of small, remote mountain lakes that would be next to impossible to reach on foot. The best Alaska cruise. You can't miss the most delicious sightseeing excursion while in Juneau! Our business model is simple - local tours at local wholesale prices so that you don't have to look anywhere else. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Helicopter ride and dog sledding on Mendenhall glacier - DO NOT MISS THIS ONE! Another important element of the town is the logging industry, which was one of the mainstays of the Ketchikan economy through the 1990s. Note: Skagway is great for history and adventure. But no matter what, you should opt for 1. local crab, 2. anything foraged, 3. some animal you never thought humans should eat before (reindeer, mmm), and 4. local beer. Then enjoy a time-honored Alaskan traditionthe salmon bake. ), feel the mist coming off nearby Nugget Falls, and have a snack as part of the excursion. Photo by The Alaska Catch. Our ship changed their schedule so the company opened up a time slot to accommodate the ships change. Disney, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Feast while being entertained with live folk musical entertainment. Its easy to become overwhelmed while trying to choose which one to do. I also know that you can book this tour directly with Juneau Food Tours, a local operator (thats what I did after my Alaska Uncruise in 2017 and before may Alaskan Dream Cruise in 2021). Seriously, if you only have time for one excursion in Juneau, make it this one. The 9 Best Sitka Shore Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023 5 Juneau Shore Excursions - Princess Cruises Our guide Don was knowledgeable about the area and told us some good stories whilst we were paddling. And at the top, 1,500 feet above sea level, youll take in the sweeping vista of shimmering Chilkoot Lake, set in the stunning Chilkoot Valley. Escape the cruise ship salmon fishing shore excursion crowds and enjoy the unique sights of Juneau and Alaska. Mountains and water surround Juneau making it impossible to reach by car, yet it is home to the only glacier you can drive to; we offer once-in-a-lifetime excursions to the Mendenhall Glacier such as our Juneau Mendenhall Glacier Trek Excursionor our Juneau Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Adventure Excursion. Youll board a traditional Tlingit-style canoe and paddle up to the face of Mendenhall glacier; be ready to feel the cold emanating from this massive ice floe! Take a five-minute ride on the Goldbelt Tram from the cruise ship pier to the Mountain House, 1,800 up Mount Roberts, where the Chilkat Mountains, the Gastineau Channel, downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, and Admiralty Island spread out before you. For the more active Juneau adventure and sightseeing excursion guest, try this scenic helicopter flight and a ride on a dog sled across a glacier. See the Mendenhall glacier, whale watching, and Juneau's famous Gold Creek Salmon Bake! Taste unique treats such as Hog Wings, Super Tots, wild game jerky, gin caramel, kelp salsa, "Eagle Farts" and much more! Here is a post I wrote about several options for wheelchair accessible shore excursions available on Alaska cruise itineraries. If you only have a short time to check out the glacier, the Visitor Center and viewpoint will get you some great photos and history. 118 reviews #27 of 61 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Juneau 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Nature & Wildlife Tours Rail Tours Air Tours Kayaking & Canoeing Closed now 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM Write a review See all photos About We are a team of local Alaskans who want to share our home with you, the real Alaska, at local prices. For anyone who wants the intimate whale watching experience of a 6-passenger boat, in our opinion, there is no reason to go with anyone but Captain Steve. Guaranteed whale spotting on this cruise excursion in Alaska! Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Do they guarantee you make it back to the boat before departure. It had rained the day before so the snow was soft. 7 tasting locations with different samples! There are two great stops in Sitka to discover Alaska's wildlife up close. Youll land on the Taku River, right in front of the rustic lodge that faces Hole in the Wall Glacier. Given how many cool things there are to do in Juneau and how many cruise companies offer a number of interesting and unique shore excursions in Juneau, it was hard to choose which ones to recommend. But since dog sledding is a winter activity, cruise ship visitors in the early days never had a chance to experience it. . However, if youre looking for a wilderness or wildlife trip, choose the Chilkat float. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. Who Offers This Juneau Cruise Excursion? Youll board rafts and float on the swift current (no whitewater) of the shallow, glaciated Chilkat River through the Eagle Council Grounds, which are crisscrossed with tracks of bear, moose, wolves, otter, and other wildlife. It includes history lessons, an 8-mile bike ride, and a stop at a historic building in downtown Juneau. We only wish we had more time to be up on the glacier to watch, ride, and play with the dogs. The full cancellation policy can be found here. If a food tour is more your style, you can check out our Juneau Food Tasting Tour, which hits up many popular restaurants in the city. Alaska is known for its salmon. Best Things to Do from Juneau Cruise Port On Your Own. A salmon bake is a great way to enjoy an all-you-can-eat salmon feast with none of the work spent fishing. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier - Tripadvisor Many tour companies use photos of this lake in their promotion, though I'm not sure the excursion actually takes you all the way there. Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, and Regent. Plus, the City Museum doesnt end at the buildings walls. more, #26 of 61 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Juneau, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours Nature & Wildlife Tours Rail Tours Air Tours Kayaking & Canoeing. While Sitka may not be as popular for whale watching compared to ports like Juneau or Icy Point Strait, it still . At DIPACs Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, you can watch baby and adult Salmon, visit the aquariums, and taste smoked salmon products. However, if youre just headed to the visitor center, you can take the bus. 5 Juneau, Alaska 99801; 1-888-586-8489 . Spectacular wildlife experience! This just doesnt happen they all said before or after our interaction. Many Alaska cruise visitors ask us, "Alaska cruises offer hundreds of shore excursions-which are the best and most unique?". I had no previous canoeing experience but Don made it easy for us all. What are the best shore excursions or activities to do? No more than 6 guests per fishing excursion boat, keep it personal! Later in the summer, spawning salmon and brown bears add to the mix. The Mendenhall Glacier is just a short drive from the cruise docks in Juneau, and it offers something for everyone.Your first stop should be the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, where you can learn about the history and landscape. Theres a bike and brew tour, which includes seeing the Mendenhall Glacier as well as a tasting of Alaskan beers. Whale sightings are guaranteed! Highlights plus less visited destinations. Let me know in the comments or join me in my Alaska Travel Tips Facebook Community! Or ride your bike out to Douglas Island for a tram ride, 1,800 feet up Mt. Once there, plan to spend about an hour strolling the garden paths. My family and I will be cruising to Alaska (Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan) in August 2023 and am looking for things that a one year old toddler can do on port day. View the exhibits and watch an award-winning documentary about the city. Best Skagway Excursions & Tours | Alaska Shore Excursions Your email address will not be published. A comfortable, modern vessel and a knowledgeable captain and guide will educate and entertain you as you blend with nature, while a feast fit for a king satisfies the hungriest of appetites - King Crab! 2023 Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour - Reserve Now - Tripadvisor History buffs can add a visit to Liarsville, a re-created gold rush camp complete with Vaudeville entertainment and a salmon bake. Team members handling those excursions did a great job too. Complimentary bottled water and healthy snacks! Thanks for your comment, Melanie. Theres a great collection of Juneau whale watching tours to choose from. To get there, youll need to drive, or you can take a shuttle from the Alaska Brewing Company Depot (just a 5 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal) via our Alaskan Brewery and Tasting Tour. But if you have more time, you can enjoy a 2 mile gentle walk along a well-maintained gravel trail to Nugget Falls. Best Alaska Shore Excursions - Cruise Critic Find dog sledding, glaciers, helicopter tours, & more. To get there, youll need a taxi or ride share. To plan more of your journey, read our picks for the best things to do in Skagway, Ketchikan, Denali, Icy Strait, Anchorage, Seward, and Sitka. Having been at the Mendenhall waterfall 7 yrs prior, it was amazing to be so far up on the glacier that you could not see the lake or waterfall way down at the bottom. A zipline tour is a super fun way to soar above Tongass National Forest. Active excursions include bicycle tours (with a brewery pitstop), glacier treks, canoeing or kayaking. The scenery up on the glacier was spectacular. Get incredible glacier pictures from above Alaska! What you are saying is that if I am booked on Norwewgian and I want an excursion that the ship does not offer, I cannot get it.Ban I not get an excursion from Juneau itself once we arrive? Unlike other kayaking tours, where you begin your kayaking excursion in town or alongside a road, this tour starts with a boat ride to a remote floating camp for some sea kayaking. Tracys King Crab Shack offers some of the best King Crab in America it was even featured on Top Chef. Most folks identify Alaska with dog sledding. The Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast is a beautiful, relaxing excursion. from . Its located about 7 miles from downtown, so youll need a taxi or ride share service like Uber or Lyft to get there. May be a dumb question, but this is our first time on a cruise and to Alaska! Group of 16 people rowed in a large canoe. (From May 15mid-June and September 110, however, youll fly straight to Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary, kayaking not included.). Juneau Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Take to the skies with Alaska Seaplane Adventures. Come taste and see nature at its best! Bring your camera: you may even catch a whale lunge feeding or breaching. And while humpbacks are the highlight, you may also see orca whales, harbor seals, sea lions, and bald eagles. Car, train, or group tour. Ports of Call Tours. Take a short walk to the bear-viewing area, where you can watch these magnificent creatures for hours in their natural environment. We was ALOT of humpbacks, and even had pod of four surface literally 25 feet from the boat, talk about exhilarating! Sitkas also a great place to fish for Halibut. Whale Watching Unique to Juneau Adventure Cultural & Historical Flightseeing Off the Beaten Path Unique to Ketchikan Since cruise lines track customer satisfaction through surveys, we talked with senior Alaska cruise line executives for their thoughts on which tours consistently please their guests. See recommended whale watching tours in Juneau. It boasts the shortest rod-hour to catch ratio for King salmon in the entire state of Alaska. Juneau is the best port for whale watching, and you are 100% guaranteed to see whales. Best Things To Do From Juneau Alaska Cruise Port 2023 You'll drive your own jeep along private logging roads that wind up into the mountains, on your way to an alpine lake. I will be bringing a stroller but . Potlatch Totem Park or Totem Heritage Center, or see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Make a second landing at a different location for exploring! Best of Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake. Canoe Mendenhall Lake and walk atop Mendenhall Glacier exploring the ice caverns and glacial formations. Juneau Taku Lodge, Feast & Five Glacier Seaplane Discovery. //]]>. Paddle across the shimmering lake to a shoreline camp for a delicious snack over an open fire. (It must be scheduled in advance.) You can also see some epic views of Mendenhall Glacier and the Tongass National Forest. Whale Watching Tour 4.8 (73) 3h 30min $145 / Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour 4.8 (281) 5h 00min $165 / Icefield Helicopter Excursion 4.9 (120) 2h 30min $359 / Helicopter & Dogsled Glacier Excursion 4.9 (53) 3h 00min $629 / Helicopter Dogsledding with Extra Landing 4.9 (31) 3h 30min $749 / Taku Glacier Adventure by Air, Water & Ice Juneau Shore Excursions - ShoreExcursions.com Juneau Shore Excursion: Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk; The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier; Juneau Wildlife Whale . Also good to know, though, is that Skagway is the port in Southeast Alaska with the least amount of rainfall, so your flight is less likely to be cancelled! They all sound amazing and I am sure the their prices are equally amazing which unfortunately does not fit my budget. from . A great cultural and culinary Juneau cruise excursion! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. There are several different food tours offered by the companies. To find more, check out all of our Juneau tours. 19,413 forum posts. The historical walking tour is highly-rated by museum patrons. 3,409 forum posts. Air-conditioned and licensed round-trip transportation from your Juneau cruise pier! 5 stars. English-speaking certified Alaska shore excursion guide! Two-hour guided trek to and on the Mendenhall Glacier! Experience fresh Alaskan salmon, grilled outdoors in Juneau! Wildlife tours are available in . The gold in the area is so plentiful, that you are guaranteed to strike gold on your tour. Experience the best of the beautifulAlaskaon one of our memorable, wheelchair accessible Alaska shore excursions. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet that has something for everyone! Another way to see the Preserve is by jetboat tour, which goes up the Chilkat River into a wetland environment thats an excellent place to see moose and bald eagles. Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages! Juneau's Premier Whale Watching! Enjoy worry-free booking with our flexible cancellation and guaranteed return-to-ship policies. Sure, its expensiveits also unforgettable. Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska | Royal Caribbean Blog Mesmerizing Morning seeing Whales Frolicking in waters off Icy Strait Point AK, Alaska Shore Excursion in Icy Strait Point, Very Poor Experience with Alaska Shore Tours. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat Alaska salmon bake buffet! Some of the best Alaska shore excursions don't take place on shore, but in the skies. In fact, this excursion is often chosen by past guests as the top excursion on their whole Alaska cruise (source)! Dont forget your waterproof camera to capture memories to last a lifetime. Your email address will not be published. Hi, yes, I get this question a lot. On a flightseeing tour, soar by the impressive Mt. And if art is your thing, theres a self-guided tour for that, too. The best way to get there is via a Mendenhall Glacier tour experience, which includes transportation from the cruise ships and gives you the opportunity to get up close to the glacier. Bus Tours. Visit the gift shop, restaurant, live bald eagle display, and nature center. Thanks. Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. While in Juneau, explore the Mendenhall Lake on board a canoe and get to see the amazing beauty of the glacier and nature. The excursions themselves, whale watching in Juneau and dog sledding in Skagaway, were great and well worth the money. In August and September you have a good chance of seeing brown bear walking along the river and along the lakes shore. But if its wildlife youre afteror if you want to get away from the crowdsconsider Haines. If you have further questions please email [emailprotected] or if it is an urgent matter you can call 1-888-586-8489, Published: Apr 24, 2019 Along the ride to the Taku Glacier Lodge, youll get an unrestricted view of five glaciers. Sightseeing by kayak with Wilderness Sea Kayaking. But if yours is best, what's second best?". We offer the absolute best options for your tours and cruise shore excursions in Juneau! Since our film crews have shot more than 150 Alaska cruise excursions in the past few years, we know them intimately. Juneau Highlights | Juneau Shore Excursion | Alaskan Cruise Tours This Juneau cruise excursion is great for two reasons: its delicious and its affordable. A great whale-watching adventure and Juneau's famous Gold Creek Salmon Bake! This is just a taste of whats available in Juneau. I recommend reaching out to NCL to see what they suggest, then if youre really set on an excursion they dont/cant offer try to do it on your own. Sample the best beer, cocktails, and tasty food bites Juneau has to offer on this amazing Bites and Booze Tasting Excursion. Lena guided the front of the canoe where I had a blast . Planning your Alaska cruise for 2023? Relive the gold rush history by panning for gold and then enjoy a delicious original Alaskan salmon bake, on this Juneau Excursion! Who Offers This Juneau Cruise Excursion? You can explore old saloons, remnants of the gold mining era, historic buildings and churches, the Governors House, and more. Worth every penny we spent and I can not give them a high enough recommendation. All gear including a rain jacket, rain pants, Xtratuf rain boots, paddling gloves and a dry bag for personal items to use during excursion! Your fun and informative local guide will take you to out-of-the-way places, like Svensons Extreme Dreams Art Studio. The succulent grilled salmon attracts bears, of course, and you may be lucky enough to spot one! The tram operates May through September, rain or shine. Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn. Scenic wildlife and whale watching cruise! I also keep in mind some of the othertips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions. You start with a float in Mendenhall Lake with a view of the blue-tinged Mendenhall Glacier. What were the best excursions to take? Youll also visit the Hammer Museumthe worlds only museum dedicated to mans first tool. There are no hidden fees and no added commissions. Be among the select few to travel by canoe for an unprecedented Mendenhall lake experience near the face of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier on this Shore Excursion from Juneau, Alaska. I force-ranked the excursions by uniqueness. The big cruise companies offer Juneau shore excursions you can take during your port stop there to help you fill the time (though you can certainly spend the time on your own). Salmon fishing licenses are sold on board to save time! My eBook, Alaskas Best Cruise Excursions, will help you wade through all the excursions in each port to make the best choice for each stop on your Alaska cruise itinerary. Lake paddle near the face of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls! This one makes the list because it is worth the splurge: youll enjoy a 40-minute flight, a history lesson about living in rural Alaska, and then a meal of fresh Alaskan salmon. Better still, your professional photographer guide has the flexibility to take you where the "action" is, whether it's a field of wildflowers by the Chilkat River, brown bears feeding on salmon near Chilkoot Lake, or a juvenile bald eagle exercising its wings for its first flight.

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