Juneau

[papa/nana]

Seven of us will be cruising for the first time on Holland America's Westerdam in September. One of our ports of call is Juneau. A friend who just visited Juneau aboard Carnival's Spirit advised that they docked 7 miles out of town so unless you book an excursion you will not be able to visit downtown Juneau proper by walking. Is this true for all ships? If so, can anyone suggest the best mode of travel (excursion or otherwise)? We are mainly interested in the glacier, hatchery and fun time at the saloon for one fiesty Grandfather.

[codyody]

Last year the Zuiderdam docked right in town.

[RuthC]

Seven miles? Are you certain that's what they said? I didn't think you could get that far out of Juneau and still be able to get to town (just kidding---I know the settled area is longer than that).

I've been to Juneau several times and have never seen any ships that far out. I've always docked right in town---the furthest out I've docked is by the entrance to the Mt. Roberts tram. Even I can walk that far.
I believe there's a dock a bit further out, but there's either a shuttle, or you can get a cab (if it's too far to walk).

Have a great time in The Great Land.

[jtl513]

Welcome to Cruise Critic and the HAL forum! :)

I believe there's a dock a bit further out, but there's either a shuttle, or you can get a cab (if it's too far to walk). The South Franklin St dock is about 3/4 mile from the tourist/Tram area, but I don't think any HAL ships dock there.

Mendenhall Glacier is about 12 miles from the downtown area, and can be reached by HAL excursion, taxi, Rent-a-Wreck car, or the city "blue" bus. I think it's about $4 each way for the bus.

[gg3]

I am about to take my 4th trip to Alaska and my 4th trip to Juneau. I have never heard of large ships docking anywhere by at the main docks, which are right down town. You walk down the gang plank and you are "in town". Do not worry. If you take a Holland America ship, you will in the midst of things. Juneau is a beautiful town, surrounded by snow capped mountains. It is great for walking and you can take a shuttle to the Mendenhall Glacier. You are in for the time of your life in Awesome Alaska. gg

[RuthC]

The South Franklin St dock is about 3/4 mile from the tourist/Tram area, but I don't think any HAL ships dock there.
I don't, either. And that 3/4 mile walk would be too much for me---so I know it would be too much for some others, too.

[Calgary North]

Pretty well every time I've looked at this webcam, the HAL ship is first in line, pointing toward the town.

http://www.kroooz-cams.com/USindex.html

Regards

[papa/nana]

:) Thanks to all who have responded and put our concerns to rest.

[jtl513]

The Blue Bus is $7 each way

MGT's "BLUE GLACIER EXPRESS" (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/Pictures/mgtdock.gif)
$14 per person roundtrip
This is our no frills experience offering direct transportation 14 miles from downtown to the Mendenhall Glacier. Transportation run every 30 minutes beginning at 9:00am till 6:30pm on most days. Let our Bright Blue Bus take you out to the "Blue Ice Cube."

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic and the HAL forum! :)

The South Franklin St dock is about 3/4 mile from the tourist/Tram area, but I don't think any HAL ships dock there.

Mendenhall Glacier is about 12 miles from the downtown area, and can be reached by HAL excursion, taxi, Rent-a-Wreck car, or the city "blue" bus. I think it's about $4 each way for the bus.

The Blue Bus to Mendenhall Glacier this year was $7 per person each way.

[jtl513]

The Blue Bus to Mendenhall Glacier this year was $7 per person each way.Guess you didn't notice my post just before yours! :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Seven of us will be cruising for the first time on Holland America's Westerdam in September. One of our ports of call is Juneau. A friend who just visited Juneau aboard Carnival's Spirit advised that they docked 7 miles out of town so unless you book an excursion you will not be able to visit downtown Juneau proper by walking. Is this true for all ships? If so, can anyone suggest the best mode of travel (excursion or otherwise)? We are mainly interested in the glacier, hatchery and fun time at the saloon for one fiesty Grandfather.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You didn't mention which date you will be in Juneau.

I checked all 4 dates for September -- all show that you will be docked at the "Cruise Ship Terminal". That is where we were docked when we were on the Westerdam in May.

It is a bit of a walk to the main part of town -- just a short distance to Mt Roberts Tramway.

This was the first time we have docked there. Other cruises we have been fortunate to dock at the "Alaskan Steam Clock" which is within walking distance of the Red Onion Saloon and the majority of the stores.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Guess you didn't notice my post just before yours! :)

You are right -- I was checking the port information for docks and etc for Juneau.

Sorry.

[catl331]

Check out Laffnvegas' daily itinerary for HAL ships on this board. Today, Mon., she has the OOsterdam at AJ dock. We have been on the Amsterdam and Statendam to Juneau and we always docked near the library, right in town. The Vistas seem to dock farther down and away from town but maybe that has to do with how many other ships are in town that day. Maybe Lisa can give a better idea? Lisa?

[Krazy Kruizers]

For 3 of the 4 dates that the Westerdam is in Juneau there will be 4 other ships there. The last Wednesday of the month the Westerdam is the only ship there.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Check out Laffnvegas' daily itinerary for HAL ships on this board. Today, Mon., she has the OOsterdam at AJ dock. We have been on the Amsterdam and Statendam to Juneau and we always docked near the library, right in town. The Vistas seem to dock farther down and away from town but maybe that has to do with how many other ships are in town that day. Maybe Lisa can give a better idea? Lisa?

OP is sailing on the Westerdam.

The day we were there the Zaandam got to dock at the "Alaska Steam Clock" -- she is a smaller ship.

[Ling Girl]

For 3 of the 4 dates that the Westerdam is in Juneau there will be 4 other ships there. The last Wednesday of the month the Westerdam is the only ship there.

Does this mean Westerdam will be the only ship on 8/27? We're sailing the Westerdam 8/24. Would be awesome if there're less ppl. Also I noticed you were able to check where the Westerdam will dock during the month of Sept. What about the last week of August? We're hoping it will dock right at Mt. Roberts tramway so that we could just go up after our excursions. TIA.

[GTVCRUISER]

Photo of 2 dam ships in Juneau May 12 , 2008

[Sailorgirlseattle]

I think, actually, what may be in question here is what you consider "town" for Juneau. Juneau is spread out long and narrow between the water and the mountains. The docks where the ships come in is near the older part of town, and where all the historic and tourist stuff is, plus some of the government offices. But, there's a lot more to "town" than just that area -- and I think locals tend to NOT go to the areas by the ships. We learned that when we wandered the area by the docks looking for the Alaskan Brewery, but found out that's farther north ... ended up taking a cab to get there ... yea, several miles in that case.

What is it that you want to see and do in Juneau? If it's something specific, I'm sure folks can help you figure out the best way to get there.

[jtl513]

Does this mean Westerdam will be the only ship on 8/27? We're sailing the Westerdam 8/24. Would be awesome if there're less ppl.

We're hoping it will dock right at Mt. Roberts tramway so that we could just go up after our excursions. TIA.Sorry, on 8/27 there will be 5 ships there - Westerdam, Volendam, and three non-HAL (see www.porttime.com)
You will probably be at the South Franklin St dock, about 1/2 mile from the Tramway.

Photo of 2 dam ships in Juneau May 12 , 2008And the ship you took this from was at the S. Franklin dock, correct?

[RuthC]

...within walking distance of the Red Onion Saloon ....
You mean the Red Dog Saloon.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Does this mean Westerdam will be the only ship on 8/27? We're sailing the Westerdam 8/24. Would be awesome if there're less ppl. Also I noticed you were able to check where the Westerdam will dock during the month of Sept. What about the last week of August? We're hoping it will dock right at Mt. Roberts tramway so that we could just go up after our excursions. TIA.

On August 27 the Westerdam will be docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal.

Other ships in on that day:
Diamond Princess (6:30 AM - 4 PM) - South Franklin Dock

Volendam (7 AM - 10:30 PM) - Alaska Steam Clock

Norwegian Sun (7 AM - 1:15 PM) - AJD dock

Star Princess (1:30 PM - 10 PM) - AJD dock

[Krazy Kruizers]

You mean the Red Dog Saloon.

You are right -- I am still back in Skagway!!

Thank you.

[LindaJ+]

Our dock was a 20-minute walk from the downtown area. The ship had arranged shuttle buses ... they cost a few bucks for an all-day pass.

[lsmith7823]

i was just there last week and the carnival spirit was in the front dock in a prime spot