Alaska Cruises

I think that some of the best Alaska shore excursions are those available in Juneau.

I found Juneau to have a surprisingly Alpine feel to it.

Juneau’s location, in a valley of sorts between two steep mountains, reminded me of Innsbruck, Austria.

Of course, the major difference here is that Juneau is located on a salt water channel, so you can see orcas and sea lions from downtown - it’s really quite amazing.

What’s even more incredible is that the enormous Mendenhall Glacier is so close to downtown - in fact, it’s within the city limits.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVENTUREWith the glacier, the Juneau Icefields, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau is really an adventure seeker’s paradise.

There really are Alaska shore excursions for everyone in Juneau, from families to young adults to seniors.

No matter what your age or physical abilities, you can find several Alaska shore excursions to choose from.

These excursions allow you to get up close and personal with some of the most amazing natural scenery anywhere.

The following is a list of what I think are the best Juneau, Alaska shore excursions.

THE BEST JUNEAU EXCURSIONSGLACIER TREKS - The Mendenhall glacier is the only active glacier within the municipal limits of any U.S. city. It is a short 15 ride from the center of downtown, and numerous companies offer excursions to explore this glacier and the adjacent Juneau Icefields. Glacier treks range in difficulty from moderate to extreme, and all require a helicopter ride to a remote location atop the glacier.

MENDENHALL LAKE FLOAT TRIP - This excursion allows you to float amongst the small icebergs in the lake at the base of the 150 foot high glacier, then float down the moderate rapids of the river leading from the lake. For all ages, and equipment is included.

TRACY ARM FJORD GLACIER CRUISE - Cruise this magnificent Fjord, which rivals Glacier Bay in sheer scenic beauty. The fjord has sheer rock walls some 2,000 feet high, with hundreds of waterfalls decorating the cliffs. At the end of the fjord is the most spectacular sight of all, the massive Sawyer glacier. This is a really amazing place and a trip I highly recommend.

DOG SLED TOUR - This tour provides a rare and thrilling opportunity to ride a dog sled on snow in the middle of summer! A short helicopter ride takes you to the dog base camp, where you meet the huskies and prepare for your one-hour dog sled ride on the glacier. It’s a thrilling, amazing ride you’ll never forget.

MT. ROBERTS TRAMWAY - This might well be the cheapest tour you take on your trip. The tramway base is located right across from the cruise ship docks. The tram cars take you up some 1800 feet to Mt. Roberts, where some of the most breathtaking views in Alaska await you. You can see across Juneau and the Gastineau Channel to the surrounding snowcapped peaks. And the hiking trails accommodate people of all levels of fitness. Bring a picnic and spend an amazing day in the Alpine forest.

RAINFOREST CANOPY ZIP LINE TOUR - This is a really cool tour, especially if you have teens or young adults in your family or group. You get to experience the lush temperate rainforest from high up in the canopy on “zip lines” and rope bridges. This tour allows you to see the rainforest from a unique and thrilling perspective. Not for those with a fear of heights, but for everyone else looking for adventure, it’s a great tour.

Those are just my favorites of the literally dozens of Alaska cruise excursions and tours available in Juneau.

JUNEAU ON A BUDGETIf you are looking to just relax and do some shopping, downtown Juneau is just a short shuttle or cab ride away (or you can even walk, if you are so inclined.

But if you do stay in town, I highly recommend the Mt. Roberts Tramway.

It’s relatively inexpensive, and it will give you the best view of your cruise.

Also, cheap bus rides are available to the Mendenhall glacier. They drop you off at the visitor center and give you time to see the lake and the glacier, and likeley even a bear or two fishing in the stream below.

So there definitely are some great inexpensive options in Juneau for the budget conscuous.

However, as with all Alaska ports, if you have your heart set on a specific activity or tour, you really are better off planning in advance and booking your Alaska shore excursions before they sell out.

Tags: alaska cruises, cruise, cruises

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 at 2:03 pm and is filed under Alaska Cruise Tour. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.