Alaska › Inside Passage › Juneau
Juneau, Alaska
Alaska's capital you can't drive to — your ship docks right downtown, with a glacier, humpback whales, and a rainforest tram all within reach of the pier.
Alaska's capital you can't drive to — your ship docks right downtown, with a glacier, humpback whales, and a rainforest tram all within reach of the pier.
Easy port: ships dock right at downtown berths and most are an easy walk into town. No tender — you just walk off.
💡 Pro move: Book a Mendenhall + whale-watching combo to hit Juneau's two signature sights in one efficient half-day, then keep the rest for downtown on foot.
Juneau has multiple downtown berths and ships rotate between them; all are walkable to town. On very busy days an overflow ship may anchor and tender. Confirm your berth in the daily program.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Princess / Holland America | Franklin Dock / AJ Dock (downtown) | Dock |
| Royal Caribbean / Celebrity | Downtown cruise berths | Dock |
| Norwegian / Carnival | Downtown cruise berths | Dock |
| Smaller / expedition ships | May anchor & tender on busy days | Tender (occasional) |
Juneau is one of Alaska's most excursion-rich ports. Pick one big anchor activity, or stack two short ones with downtown time. These are the keepers.
The must-see for first-timers. Visitor center, easy trails, the walk to Nugget Falls, and canoeing on the lake. Steep Creek nearby is prime bear viewing during the late-summer salmon run.
Find glacier tours →Juneau is one of the best humpback spots on Earth; tours depart near the port and often guarantee sightings. Expect orcas, sea lions, and bald eagles too.
Find whale tours →Fly onto a glacier and mush a dog team across the ice. Unforgettable but premium-priced and weather-dependent. Land-based dog camps are a cheaper backup.
Find helicopter tours →Right at the dock — rise 1,800 ft for panoramic Gastineau Channel views, a nature center, summit trails, and a gift shop. The easiest big payoff in town.
Get tram tickets →Juneau is a walker's dream straight off the ship — capital sights, a glacier-fed trail, and a rainforest summit. Each route links to a map.
From the dock, follow the Seawalk past the bronze whale sculpture and totems, up to the State Capitol, the Alaska State Museum, and the Red Dog Saloon. Flat and fully self-guided.
🗺️ See route in MapsJuneau's historic gold-mining trail up Gold Creek canyon — waterfalls, wildflowers, and mountain walls. Trailhead is a short ride or long walk above downtown.
🗺️ See route in MapsIf you make your own way to Mendenhall, this flat gravel path leads to the thundering 377-ft falls beside the glacier face. The best free view in Juneau.
🗺️ See route in MapsClimate normals for Juneau, Alaska (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F / 0°C | 27°F / -3°C | 21 |
| Feb | 30°F / -1°C | 23°F / -5°C | 16 |
| Mar | 35°F / 2°C | 27°F / -3°C | 18 |
| Apr | 43°F / 6°C | 34°F / 1°C | 18 |
| May | 54°F / 12°C | 41°F / 5°C | 14 |
| Jun | 60°F / 16°C | 49°F / 9°C | 19 |
| Jul | 64°F / 18°C | 54°F / 12°C | 18 |
| Aug | 63°F / 17°C | 53°F / 12°C | 20 |
| Sep | 57°F / 14°C | 47°F / 8°C | 21 |
| Oct | 47°F / 8°C | 38°F / 3°C | 21 |
| Nov | 36°F / 2°C | 30°F / -1°C | 21 |
| Dec | 32°F / 0°C | 25°F / -4°C | 22 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Juneau, Alaska. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.