Juneau cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

Getting to the centre: Downtown waterfront berths lead into central Juneau on foot; passengers at AJ Dock have a separate connection to the Goldbelt Tram area on South Franklin Street.

• Walk: Downtown is practical to explore on foot from the central waterfront berths. This doesn't describe the route from AJ Dock.

Juneau has municipal and private cruise docks. Ships berth alongside, but some calls use tenders. Read your ship's arrival instructions before booking an independent departure time, and note the dock or landing name before leaving.

For AJ Dock, establish your sailing's shuttle arrangements on arrival. The advertised town connection is Goldbelt Tram, with a possible charge. Find out the return pickup and final departure before taking the outbound ride. Use the arrangements announced for your call when planning a future visit.

If you're tendering, follow the ship's boarding instructions and keep its landing location with you. Leave room in your plans for the boat journey and waiting ashore.

About this port

Juneau gives you a choice between a downtown day of waterfront art and Alaska history, or a trip out to Mendenhall Glacier. The first is easy to shorten if your call is brief. The glacier needs transport and a return plan. Your arrival matters too: downtown berths, AJ Dock and a tender landing give you different journeys back to the ship.

Getting Around

Stay on foot for the downtown seawalk, galleries and museum. For Mendenhall, arrange a glacier shuttle tour or taxi and settle the return pickup when booking. The city bus leaves a further 1.5-mile walk each way to the visitor-centre area, before any walk to Nugget Falls. That makes it a poor shortcut on a short cruise call.

Things to Do

• Walk the waterfront: Follow the seawalk's Kootéeyaa Deiyí totem trail and explore downtown's public art. Travel Juneau's visitor information sites supply a Downtown Walking Tour Map. This is a flexible outing: choose how far to go, stop at galleries, and turn back when your return time approaches.
• Alaska State Museum: At 395 Whittier Street, the museum covers Alaska Native cultures, the gold rush and Alaskan art. It gives a downtown day an indoor focus when it's raining. Use the museum's current visiting information for opening days and admission before making it your main stop.
• Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls: Arrange transport for a landscape outing outside downtown. The Nugget Falls trail is two miles return from the visitor-centre area, with views of the glacier and lake. Add that walk to your travel and waiting time. Choose a trip that allows for current trail conditions and the journey back to your dock.

Getting back to your ship

Getting back: From the museum or downtown walk, head back to your assigned waterfront berth and follow the ship's reboarding instructions. For AJ Dock, return to the shuttle pickup you established on arrival and allow for the queue and onward ride. Reaching the Goldbelt Tram area still leaves that connection to complete.

If you've gone to Mendenhall, know where the excursion vehicle or taxi will leave you in town. Count back from the ship's all-aboard time to include that journey and any AJ shuttle connection. On a tender call, return to the ship's designated landing for its final tender time, leaving room for the boarding queue.

Practical Information

Juneau's rainforest climate makes a waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear useful, even for a downtown walk. Take layers if you're heading beyond town.

Goldbelt Tram's aerial service was temporarily closed when checked on 3 November 2026. Read the operator's update before planning a ride. Its lower terminal at 490 South Franklin Street remains the landmark used in AJ shuttle directions.