brendanspop

Great review!  Who is the Hotel Director on board?  We've had great experiences with Kevin Thorogood in the past and really hope it's him.  THank you!

Appreciate all the suggestions and great advice. Going to stick with plan as is, and if we don't see enough in terms of whales, we will have to go again or head up to New England. Slightly different, but whales nonetheless.

We are getting 2 hours on the water with the whale watch with Juneau Tours. They are picking up at port at 4:30 and returning to port at 7:30 or so. However, since we are furnishing our own transportation, we are meeting them at Auke Bay for their 5 PM departure and 2 hours on the water. Husband and I did a whale watch in Alaska before. Figured 2 hours was about all the boys would have the appetite for after a full day of other activities. Not good enough? I will see if we can change.

Just didn't think with renting a car, trying to see Salmon Hatchery and Mendenhall, we'd be able to get to Auke Bay by 3 or 4 pm. That seemed like rushing to me.

Tamsocal - thank you again. I'm feeling reassured that WE WILL be able to see all that we desire in time, though it may feel a bit rushed and stressful getting back to the port from Auke Bay. I am concerned that despite a port time of 12-9, there might be an earlier all aboard for passengers that I can't get a straight answer on from RCCL.

Closing out the loop with my sincere gratitude to all who weighed in on my quest to show my sons as many highlights in Juneau as possible within the parameters of our port hours. We will be in port at noon and renting a car right at the port. From there we will drive to the salmon hatchery then mendenhall glacier. If possible we will grab a bite to eat at visitor center or on our way to auke bay, where we will meet up with a 5 pm whale watch cruise. If we are back in the car by 7:15, we should be able to return car at cruise port and be on ship before our 9 pm departure. I'm guessing all aboard will be around 8:30? Does that sound about right? Any recommendations on where to grab a bite to eat on the road and where we can get fuel to top off the tank? I'm trying to minimize unknowns at this point since we're trying to make the most of our hours in port.

OK here's what I'm thinking. Rent Car ASAP after 12 noon. Drive to hatchery. Explore. Drive to Glacier. Explore. Drive back to port - and return car. Then go to Mt. Roberts Tramway stop for whale watch?

Or would we drive ourselves to Auke Bay and hook up with a whale tour there?

Was able to secure a car rental (mid-size, approx. $70) for the day through Juneau Car Rental.

So plan will be to go to Salmon Hatchery, then Mendenhall Glacier then we will have to drive ourselves to Auke Bay for a whale watch. Now need to find a tour provider that we can just meet at Auke Bay. Right?

Thank you for the note about the 5 pm whale watch. Need to figure out which tour co. offers that one.

I found an evening whale watch online for 5p. on 8/27

 

my twins are almost 10- it was me and the two of them. we walked from Franklin dock to Juneau car rental and it was fine but you don't even have to walk more than just across a parking to :)

my kids love fish -- we could have easily been at the hatchery for 1.5-2 hrs but 1 hour is enough-- the tour may be boring for some kids but since they are obsessed with fish they listened attentively

Thank you, both. We are open to a car rental if it is within reasonable walking distance for a 10 year old and doesn't take too much time out of our limited day.

Latest whale watch I seem to be able to find for Sunday is 3-330.

Don't know what a salmon ladder is, but now more intrigued to see it.

Any other details I can provide? Let me know. Thanks again.

Any thoughts on early or late afternoon for the whale watch? Just want my kids to enjoy and take in as much of Juneau as possible so if we can swing the whales, hatchery and glacier, it would be so ideal.

Going in two weeks. Will be in Juneau on 8/27.

We are going to be in Juneau between 12-9 on a Sunday. Looking to do a Whale Watch, a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier and a bit of learning at the Salmon Hatchery. The catch is the hatchery closes at 5 pm on Sundays. What is the best way logistics wise to accomplish the three tours (whales, glacier and hatchery)? We are traveling with two children 12 and under so desirable transportation is important too. Thanks,

We have 9690 booked for the Voyager - how does that compare to the photos of 9390? Thanks!