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Juneau: when your ship stops here

Mendenhall Glacier, whales in the bay, and the Capitol and State Museum on foot; check the tram is running before you count on it.

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Juneau is the capital of Alaska and one of only two state capitals in the United States with no road to the rest of the state: everything and everyone arrives by boat or plane. Above the town is the Juneau Icefield, from which about 30 glaciers flow. Rain or snow falls on about 230 days a year, so bring a rain jacket.

Source: Wikipedia: Juneau, Alaska

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Mendenhall Glacier

    A glacier about 13.6 miles (21.9 km) long, about 12 miles (19 km) from downtown, in the Tongass National Forest. The visitor center, opened in 1962, was the first the US Forest Service built anywhere. The Nugget Falls Trail, 0.8 miles (1.3 km), takes you to a waterfall beside the ice, and boardwalks above Steep Creek are for watching salmon and bears.

    Tip: The glacier has pulled back 1.75 miles (2.8 km) since 1929, so it is farther from the visitor center than old pictures show. Walk the Nugget Falls Trail to get closer.

    Source: Wikipedia: Mendenhall Glacier

  2. 2. Whale watching

    Humpback whales feed in the waters around Juneau; off Auke Bay they come close to shore and feed by blowing nets of bubbles. Boat trips to watch them are a usual outing for cruise visitors, and Travel Juneau says wildlife is best from April through November.

    Tip: Dress warm, even in July: the boats are out on open water.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Auke Bay, Juneau; Travel Juneau (the city's visitor bureau): Things to do

  3. 3. Downtown on foot: the Capitol and the State Museum

    The Alaska State Capitol, built in 1931 as the Federal and Territorial Building, is in downtown Juneau. The Alaska State Museum reopened in 2016 in a new, larger building, with the arts of Alaska's Native peoples and objects from the Russian years.

    Tip: The historic district is a small walkable stretch, so this is the easy choice for a rainy day.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Juneau, Alaska; Wikipedia: Alaska State Museum; Travel Juneau (the city's visitor bureau): Things to do

What to skip

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Juneau

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Juneau, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 1, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Juneau

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