About the Juneau, Alaska Cruise Port
Juneau is home to both the Alaskan state capital and one of the state’s busiest cruise ports, which is officially named “Port Juneau”. This port, along with Ketchikan and Skagway, comprise 80 percent of Alaska’s passenger visits, and it’s a great port to visit because downtown Juneau is pedestrian-friendly and adjacent to the port, with lots to do and see.
Free Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska
The town of Juneau is easily walkable from the cruise port, and there are several great shops, bars, and restaurants to visit on foot. The Travel Juneau organization provides a downtown map for cruisers interested in exploring on foot. There are several free activities in Juneau, many of which aren’t too far by taxi from the port, including Nugget Falls (20 minutes), the National Shrine of St. Therese (32 minutes), and Eagle Beach (38 minutes).One of the most popular Juneau destinations, Mendenhall Glacier, is free in the winter season and costs just a $5 entrance fee per person (ages 16+) during peak season. Cruisers should note that if you take a taxi from Juneau cruise port to Mendenhall Glacier, many drivers will pressure you to purchase your admission from them directly at a higher cost, sometimes upwards of $17 per person.
Cuddling a sled dog in training in Juneau, Alaska
Resist these efforts and instead purchase your admission at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The glacier is approximately 23 minutes by taxi from port and a taxi runs approximately $35 each way. Cell service in this area is spotty, so cruisers should consider making return transportation plans with their driver at drop-off.
Juneau Port Taxis
Uber is an option in Juneau, and there is a bustling taxi stand right at the port, with drivers at the ready-to-take cruisers to popular local destinations. The city sets the cost of a taxi in Juneau, with a meter drop of $3.40 and a $2.20 per mile charge. Many taxis provide shared transportation as a more affordable option, particularly to popular destinations such as Mendenhall Glacier.
Best Excursions in Juneau, Alaska
Alaska cruise excursions are generally more expensive than other itineraries. While this is a great port to explore on foot, here are some of the best things to do in Juneau, outside of town:
- Goldbelt Tram (located right by port)
- Sled Dog Discovery in Juneau
- I did this excursion, and it was amazing! We didn’t “sled” on snow but rather on muddy ground, which I didn’t expect—but it was still an amazing experience!
- Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier
- I personally toured Mendenhall Glacier, and it’s a must-stop destination if you’re porting in Alaska. It’s truly spectacular.
- Juneau Helicopter Tour
- Juneau’s Premier Whale Watching
Weather in Juneau
Like most other popular Alaska cruise ports, Juneau is generally rainy and cool with precipitation falling 230 days out of the year, so dressing in layers is advised. Juneau has a Subarctic-Maritime climate and is milder than other parts of the state. During peak Alaskan cruise season (May-September), daytime highs can range from the low 60’s to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Juneau Cruise Port Ship Schedule
Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska (CLAA) publishes the Juneau cruise ship schedule on its website.
Juneau, Alaska Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for Alaskan cruise itineraries where multiple time zone changes can occur on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when making plans for your stop at the port, especially for excursions. Juneau’s time zone is Alaska Daylight Time (ADT), which is one hour behind Pacific Time.
