The Ultimate Guide to Juneau, Alaska: Top Things to Do on a Cruise Stop
- Ashlie & Lauren
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
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If you book an Alaskan Disney Cruise, there is a good chance you will be stopping in Juneau, Alaska. This port of call is home to Alaska’s state capitol and has so much to do in a short amount of time that it almost felt overwhelming. Our family’s main goal on this trip was to see as many animals as possible, so we ended up booking two excursions this day. Even with the tight schedule, we were able to explore a lot of the downtown area, so I will share my thoughts on our excursions, as well as some quick spots to enjoy near the port.
Downtown
For our Disney Cruise, this was the only port that wasn’t super walkable from the ship. Because our first excursion was first thing in the morning, we already had access to a bus picking us up. However, there is a shuttle that will pick you up and drop you off downtown. We were told that the shuttles run about every 15-20 minutes.
Once downtown, you will find plenty of shops and places to eat. We didn’t explore a ton of the shops, but they really were more of the same you would find at the other ports.
I stand by my statement that I made in my previous post: Skagway is the superior place for souvenirs. Both Juneau and Ketchikan seemed overpriced with little variety.
As for quick breakfast spots, we loved Heritage Coffee Roasting and Jellyfish Donuts and Dumplings. Jellyfish Donuts and Dumplings had a wide variety of local and unique flavors. Plus, the staff was extremely kind, and my kids loved the decor! We did not get to try it, but people were already lined up around 10:00 am for Tracy’s King Crab Shack. We did end up eating lunch back on the ship. If you want to check out our entire day, you can watch out Vlog from Juneau below!
There is a sky gondola right near the shuttle drop-off. I wish we would have had time for it. Another fun sight is the whale statue. It is a little bit of a walk, but it does make for an adorable photo opportunity.
Excursions
We booked all of our excursions through Disney. This was a tough decision for me, as it is the more expensive option versus booking directly through the company that provides the excursion. It ultimately came down to peace of mind. Booking through Disney guarantees that the ship will not leave you if there is a delay on the excursion.
Because I wasn’t familiar enough with Alaska or how this cruise worked, and we had the kids, I bit the bullet and paid the extra money. However, you can easily use apps like Viator to book very similar experiences. My advice would just be to book something early so you’re not stressed about making it back to the ship in time.
Sled Dog Musher Camp in Juneau
There are A LOT of excursion options for Juneau, but our priorities were huskies and whales. Because we have two younger kids, I normally would not have booked two excursions in one day.
The main reason I pushed our patience pants limit is because we had booked a sled dog excursion in Ketchikan, but I had read that it gets canceled quite often (which it did). So, even though this experience was different than being with Sled Dogs in the mountains, it was guaranteed dog interaction, which was the main goal for us.
Our official booking for this excursion was Sled Dog Musher’s Camp (JU44). It was $244 for anyone ages 10 & up and $219 for anyone ages 3-9. It included a 15 minute ride through the Tongass National Forest, a walk on the suspension bridge, presentation about the Iditarod, trainer Q & A, and sled dog interaction. Bonus items can include coffee, hot cocoa, and most importantly, PUPPIES. From my understanding, puppies are not guaranteed to be at your visit. However, if they are…know that this might be the highlight of your trip, as it was for us.
Whale Watching in Juneau
Part of the excitement of a Disney Alaskan Cruise is the wildlife you might spot from your ship. I knew that there might be a whale sighting or two from our cabin or the deck, but again, I wanted to secure us a spot of seeing one without the pressure of staring out into the ocean for multiple hours of the day. We were very lucky and did spot whales and seals throughout our cruise, but I would still recommend our excursion.
We chose the Whale Watching and Wildlife Excursion (JU43) for our family of four. It was $219 for ages 10 & up and $129 for ages 3-9. We thoroughly enjoyed this excursion. To get to the port, you board a charter bus and have a guided tour along the way. It is roughly a 25-30 minute ride, but very comfortable, and we spotted MANY bald eagles along the way. The boat was very spacious and had covered indoor seating along with outdoor viewing areas. They also had a bathroom on board along with free hot cocoa, coffee, and other snacks and beverages for purchase.
Our crew was incredible, full of knowledge and patient. When they spot a whale, they stop the boat and allow you to go outside and take photos or just enjoy the moment. We spotted several whales and even some sea lions. The entire experience was magical, and even though we were lucky enough to spot whales from the Disney Wonder, I don’t regret this experience in any way. My family really enjoyed being able to learn about the whales, and the boat was extremely comfortable. Plus, the drinks and snacks were delicious!
What I Wore
The Alaskan rain lived up to its reputation while we were here. It was dreary and rainy, but not an all-out washout. I actually don’t mind this type of weather, and we were prepared with water resistant pants and shoes. It really didn’t affect our day, and as we visited in June, I would recommend dressing in layered waterproof items. We did not find that we needed a heavy coat on this stop, but hats and gloves were definitely used on the whale watching excursion.
I like to call this look my Chessy uniform, as it makes me think of the one and only Chessy from The Parent Trap. Yes, my waterproof boots were a pain to pack, but they really came in handy multiple times throughout the cruise. My pants are from Old Navy and often go in and out of stock, but I have linked similar options, as they are so comfortable and very practical for your day in Juneau. I have also linked a medium-weight jacket that could be useful for your entire trip!
Even though our day was jam packed, we loved Juneau and even wished we would have had a little more time here. Our all aboard time was early (around 4:45 p.m.), so we didn’t get to explore much, but we hope to visit again in the near future.
Do you have a favorite memory or place to visit from your cruise in Juneau, Alaska? We’d love to hear about it! Let us know in the comments below!
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