Alaska › Inside Passage › Juneau
Juneau, Alaska
Alaska's only road-free capital docks you right downtown — a glacier 13 miles out, humpback whales in the channel, and a rainforest tram steps from the ship.
Alaska's only road-free capital docks you right downtown — a glacier 13 miles out, humpback whales in the channel, and a rainforest tram steps from the ship.
Most ships dock right downtown — step off and you're already on S. Franklin Street. Ships assigned to AJ Dock (1.5 miles south) get a free or low-cost shuttle to the Mt Roberts Tramway area.
💡 Pro move: Book helicopter and flightseeing tours refundable — Juneau cloud cover can ground them without warning. Always have a Plan B.
Juneau has two main docking zones: the downtown Franklin/CT berths (steps from shops and the tramway) and AJ Dock ~1.5 miles south. Check your daily program for your berth — on busy days large ships are sent to AJ.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Princess / Holland America / Celebrity | Franklin Dock / CT Berths (S. Franklin St, downtown)📍 | Docked |
| Royal Caribbean / Norwegian / Carnival | Downtown CT berths or Franklin Dock📍 | Docked |
| Larger ships on busy days | AJ Dock (~1.5 mi south of downtown)📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / small ships | May anchor & tender on very busy days📍 | Tendered |
Juneau punches above its weight for excursions. Pick one big anchor activity — glacier, whales, helicopter — then keep the rest of the day for downtown on foot.
The essential Juneau stop. Visitor center, the easy Photo Point trail, and the 2-mile Nugget Falls trail with the glacier face filling your frame. Steep Creek, nearby, is prime bear viewing during the late-summer salmon run.
Find glacier tours →Juneau is one of the world's top humpback spots. Tours depart near the dock and routinely see bubble-net feeding, breaching, and fluking. Orcas, sea lions, and bald eagles are common bonuses.
Find whale watching tours →Fly over the Juneau Icefield, land on a glacier, and mush a dog team across the ice. One of the most memorable shore excursions in Alaska — but weather-dependent and premium-priced. Book refundable.
Find helicopter glacier tours →Right at the downtown dock — rise 1,800 ft for panoramic Gastineau Channel views, a Tlingit culture theater, eagle aviary, nature trails, and the Timberline Bar & Grill. The easiest big payoff in Juneau.
Get tram tickets →Paddle calm waters through rainforest scenery. Guides introduce beginners from scratch; you may see sea otters, harbor seals, and eagles. Half-day trips are ideal within a port call.
Find kayaking tours →All-you-can-eat wild salmon grilled over alder in a forest setting, followed by gold panning and a tour of the Last Chance Mining Museum ruins. A classic Juneau tradition that cruise lines and independent operators both run.
Find salmon bake tours →Juneau is a walker's dream straight off the ship — capital sights, a historic gold-rush trail, and a glacier-fed waterfall. Each route links to a real map.
From the dock, follow the Seawalk past Marine Park's bronze whale sculpture, up S. Franklin to the Red Dog Saloon, across to the Alaska State Capitol, and back via Whittier Street past the Alaska State Museum. Fully self-guided, no hills.
Juneau's most rewarding town-accessible hike. The trailhead at the end of Basin Road leads up Gold Creek canyon past waterfalls, wildflowers, and canyon walls carved by 19th-century gold miners. Extend to the Glory Hole overlook for big views.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate 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 | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F / 0°C | 27°F / -3°C | 21 | 8:32 AM | 3:42 PM |
| Feb | 30°F / -1°C | 23°F / -5°C | 16 | 7:28 AM | 4:55 PM |
| Mar | 35°F / 2°C | 27°F / -3°C | 18 | 7:12 AM | 7:01 PM |
| Apr | 43°F / 6°C | 34°F / 1°C | 18 | 5:44 AM | 8:11 PM |
| May | 54°F / 12°C | 41°F / 5°C | 14 | 4:30 AM | 9:18 PM |
| Jun | 60°F / 16°C | 49°F / 9°C | 19 | 3:51 AM | 10:05 PM |
| Jul | 64°F / 18°C | 54°F / 12°C | 18 | 4:17 AM | 9:48 PM |
| Aug | 63°F / 17°C | 53°F / 12°C | 20 | 5:21 AM | 8:41 PM |
| Sep | 57°F / 14°C | 47°F / 8°C | 21 | 6:28 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Oct | 47°F / 8°C | 38°F / 3°C | 21 | 7:34 AM | 5:50 PM |
| Nov | 36°F / 2°C | 30°F / -1°C | 21 | 7:47 AM | 3:36 PM |
| Dec | 32°F / 0°C | 25°F / -4°C | 22 | 8:40 AM | 3:05 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Franklin Dock ships are right in downtown — shops, tram, and restaurants are immediate. AJ Dock ships get a ~$5 all-day shuttle connecting to Franklin Street every 15 min.
Pre-book time-slotted tickets (Blue Bus / M&M Tours / Juneau Tours). No longer hop-on-hop-off. Sells out — book before you sail.
Glacier Taxi, Alaska Taxi & Tours, and Evergreen Taxi queue at the docks. Taxis can drop off at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (rideshare cannot).
Goldbelt Tram departs right from the waterfront — walk there from Franklin Dock. One of the best bang-for-buck views in Alaska.
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.