Glaciers

It sounds like it might be the area east of Prince of Wales Island near Whale Pass and to the west of Zarembo Island as you sail through.

The shuttle runs continuously throughout the day. It drops at the tram area which is central to where most of the tours pick up. It’s about a 15 minute walk to the museum from there, a flat walk. In the past, the shuttles have been a standard bus and not the school bus type so seating is good. There can be some lines at times if you head out first thing. Walking map, points of interest. https://t.ly/HDOkV

Arctic Roadrunner on Old Seward Hwy would work. It’s a 10 minute drive from the airport and on your way out of town. It’s a favorite locals spot.

We’ve rented a car during a Whittier b2b. Besides Avis there is Alaska Auto Rental. In addition to the Wildlife Conservation Center, it would allow you to include a drive up to Girdwood and take the tram if the weather is good. Although they are not always there, occasionally there are dall sheep at Windy Corner at mile 106 and also occasionally beluga whales in Turnagain Arm. Also, a bore tide if your timing is good. Look at the bore tide schedule to see if you may be there when one comes through. https://girdwood.com/bore-tide-schedule/

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. "Starting in 2026, Juneau will have a cap on the number of daily passengers that come off cruise ships: 16,000 people on most days and 12,000 people on Saturdays. Currently, Juneau can see up to 21,000 visitors on its busiest days." https://www.ktoo.org/2024/05/31/with-cruise-tourism-booming-juneau-has-negotiated-a-limit-on-how-many-passengers-can-come-off-ships/

The whales weren't there yet when we went through so we got massages at the Sand Bar.

I did read a review from someone who also noted the vessel they were on was a bit dated. We’ve been out with them twice as well as UnCruise and didn’t notice much of a difference between the two. I’m not familiar with vessels in general so maybe Alaskan Dream’s are older? Not sure you can put a blanket over the entire line based on one outing. The main difference we did notice was that Alaskan Dream put more of an emphasis on Alaska Native Culture. We’d certainly go with them again but prefer UnCruise.

In your price range, look at La Quinta near the airport. They have free breakfast and shuttle to the airport. You could take the light rail into downtown to explore. You'll find nothing within that price downtown.

Unless you're looking at much smaller ships like the ones offered by UnCruise, Alaskan Dream & Lindblad, most of the main line ships including their smaller ships go to the same areas and are port intensive. The three mentioned, particularly UnCruise & Alaskan Dream spend more time in remote areas of SE Alaska. They provide an exceptional experience.

If you do find yourself with quite a bit of time at the airport. Look at this site for things to do. https://www.portseattle.org/sea-tac/things-to-do

It looks like you may be on NCL. If you’re arriving at pier 66, there is luggage storage at the pier where you arrive although the bags need to be picked up by 3pm. “On-site same day luggage storage is available at Pier 66. Cost is $5 per bag. Luggage must be picked up by 3pm to avoid late fee. Luggage storage location is in the Crew Center at the south end of cruise terminal building.” The Purple Store can be more convenient as you can store them for most of the day and it’s located next door to Pike Place Market.

We ate at 13 Coins on Tuesday. Timed it so the Mariners game had started hoping it wouldn’t be too busy. Forgot about the Stones concert on Wednesday. It was packed with elderly concertgoers who were headed to the concert the next evening. 30 minute wait.

Check the menu for 13 Coins. It's a restaurant next door to the train station and is very good. Very popular place.

It is better to go first thing in the morning although if there is another ship in port before yours, you've lost the advantage.

You've asked this question before, months ago. Previous posts indicate disembarking in Whittier is between 6:30am-7am. We were on the Royal 2 years ago and folks were walking off at 7am. No idea who your private transfer is with but hopefully it's Bear Valley Roadrunner. I believe they are the only private transfer company in Whittier. Have to imagine they would know as they probably pick folks up every cruise that arrives in Whittier. Maybe you could contact them. They should know.

Downtown was really a mess last year when the Vice President made a visit. 520, I-5 and I-90 were all blocked to traffic for about 30 minutes but the traffic problems lingered for a while after that. Plan plenty of time if you’re on a schedule.

If not the glacier tour and as someone else mentioned, the Portage Pass Trail is a good short hike. The trailhead is just over a one mile walk along the waterfront. Although the trail goes over the pass and down to Portage Glacier, just hiking to the top gives you fantastic views of Passage Canal down one side and Portage Glacier down the other.

Smith Cove, Pier 91.

With the inconvenience of having to go back to the ship after the whale watch and then to the glacier and the added expense, you might look at one of the vendors that have a combo whale watch/Mendenhall Glacier trip. Juneau Tours has them for $212.

I"m not on here enough anymore to tell a difference.

Yeah, about 30 minutes to the Market from there. Not a bad walk. Also have the monorail as an option from the Seattle Center to downtown/Westlake Station. Walk down, monorail back to avoid the hill on Lower Queen Anne. Although, not a bad hill by Seattle standards. Good idea to go early!

Yes, more go up for the view and the unique & historical décor than the bar. It ticks you boxes though.

Smith Tower Observatory Bar. https://www.smithtower.com/

@njhorseman Yes, I agree @Ferry_Watcher is a wealth of cruise information, particularly for Pier 91. This from their previous post which indicates embarking passengers are dropped at the terminal. It does seem to deviate from the Port’s website although I’d like to get a confirmation from Ferry_Watcher. It’s from 2019 so things may have changed. Did you see a more recent post from them? “The Uber/Lyft area is just used in the mornings for passengers disembarking. All passengers arriving to embark (Uber/Lyft, bus, private car, town car, etc) are dropped off in the driveway area close to the Terminal 91 building.” This map may be out of date as well but is on the Port's site but indicates the ride share lot is for pick up. https://www.portseattle.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/Terminal 91 Map.pdf

They can drop at the terminal.