A cruise to Alaska isn't complete without amazing tours. From helicopter rides over towering glaciers to wildlife excursions and dog sledding adventures, there's no shortage of activities for all interests.
However, before making any reservations, you might wonder whether booking directly through your cruise line or through a third party is worth it.
On my recent weeklong sailing aboard Carnival Luminosa, I wasn't sure how to spend my day in Juneau. I had been before and reserved a lengthy excursion through Royal Caribbean, but I didn't have much time to explore the downtown area.
Instead, Shore Excursions Group was kind enough to arrange for me to experience the benefits of a flexible third-party tour.
The "Exclusive Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour" was perfect for me, and I'd highly recommend it for anyone who wants to see the famous Mendenhall Glacier on a budget, while still having time to grab fresh seafood in downtown Juneau.
The 3-hour tour — which costs $85 when purchased in advance through Shore Excursion Group's website — included round-trip transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, along with insightful commentary by our driver as we passed Douglas Island and other notable landmarks.
With over 600 4- and 5-star ratings, it's easy to tell the tour has become a favorite, and I knew I was in for a treat during my day in Juneau!
Editor's note: Shore Excursions Group generously gifted Cruise.Blog this tour in Juneau. However, all opinions are still our own. Additionally, we included secure booking links in this article. While it costs nothing to book through the links, we receive a commission for each reservation. Thank you for your support!
Read more: This is the best time to book a cruise excursion to Alaska, according to tour experts
The tour met underneath the Goldbelt Tram
When I visited Juneau last May, our ship docked in the heart of downtown Juneau. However, this wasn't the case aboard my recent sailing on Carnival Luminosa. The AJ Dock is about one mile from the Goldbelt Tram. While there are free shuttles, the line can be long, especially first thing in the morning.
I didn't anticipate the line, so I decided to walk to ensure I wasn't left behind. I made the trek in about fifteen minutes, but I'm a fast walker. Either way, you'll need to give yourself plenty of time to make it to downtown Juneau if you're ship docks at the AJ pier.
I found the check-in spot at the entrance to the Goldbelt Tram off of S Franklin St. The representative from Last Chance Tours, the official tour operator, was holding a bright yellow sign and standing near the two planted trees, almost directly across the street from Blue Diamond.
He traded my printed confirmation sheet for a bus ticket and a receipt, which had the tour company's phone number in case of any mishaps.
After a short wait, our group was loaded onto a comfortable bus and greeted by our driver, RJ, who had everyone laughing with his jokes before we pulled out of the parking lot.
We departed shortly after 10:05am and began the 35-minute drive to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.
On the way, RJ gave a brief introduction of himself. He had lived in Juneau for 30 years but was originally from Northern California. It was nice to have a local driving us around, as many tour operators are seasonal from the continental U.S.
He also gave insight into the downtown area. For example, though I had visited Juneau before, I didn't realize the public library had three floors of parking and just one floor of books.
Additionally, as we drove past the Gastineau Channel and Douglas Island, I learned that roughly 10% of Juneau's population resides on the 25-mile-long island.
Something I really appreciated was how well the speakers worked. I could easily hear RJ and his commentary. The previous day, I had a tour in Skagway, and it was difficult to hear my driver on the massive tour bus.
The drive felt shorter than I remembered, and we were pulling into the Tongass National Forest before I knew it.
However, before we could disembark the bus, RJ gave us a rundown of certain rules and regulations we had to abide by. For instance, we couldn't open anything but bottled water inside the park (i.e., no sugary drinks or food).
We had an hour and a half to spend at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
When I visited Mendenhall Glacier last year, my dad and I hiked to Nugget Falls. While I'd recommend it to any first-time visitors, I opted to explore other areas this time around.
Instead of heading straight to the falls, I walked the Photo Point and Steep Creek Trails. I also wandered along the lake shore, admiring the icebergs that had drifted into Mendenhall Lake from the massive glacier.
The Steep Creek Trail was a surprising favorite. It was far quieter than the bustling paths near the Visitor Center and restrooms. As such, it was more peaceful, almost as though I was hiking through a secluded area that was awaiting discovery for the first time.
However, I wouldn't have known about it if it weren't for RJ. He said it was a popular trail for wildlife spotting, especially salmon spawning in the river. I had no idea it existed last year!
Unfortunately, I didn't see much other than a few bald eagles soaring overhead. That said, RJ saw a bear crossing the street as he was driving the bus from the parking lot to pick us up near the restrooms at noon.
We returned to downtown Juneau around 12:30pm
With an all-aboard time of 2:30pm, I wanted a tour that gave me enough time to grab fresh seafood in Juneau without feeling rushed. Plus, with at least a 15-minute walk back to the AJ Dock, I didn't want to take any chances cutting it close.
Thankfully, my tour ended right where it began: in the heart of downtown. Friends on cruise line-sponsored excursions returned to the AJ Dock, where they either had to shuttle into town or walk, cutting into their limited time ashore after their morning tour.
The line at Tracy's King Crab Shack was long, so I ended up at the Alaskan Brewing Public House, where I sipped on a refreshing Alaska Ciderworks draft and enjoyed hop salt halibut bites with a view of the docked Holland America Line ships.
Read more: Alaska Cruise Guide
Booking independently through a company like Shore Excursions Group comes with benefits like competitive pricing, smaller groups, and more time to explore at your own pace
I've had a lot of luck with third-party tours. For example, I booked a great small group tour from Civitavecchia to Rome a few years ago after being disappointed with MSC's excursions.
Many times, independent operators offer more personalized experiences at a lower cost than what the cruise lines charge. Even if they're a little pricier, I've found you get more than booking through the cruise line.
For instance, Carnival charges just $55 per adult for transfers to Mendenhall Glacier, but the tour group is larger and must be crammed on a double-decker bus, whereas Shore Excursion Group caps the experience at just 30 guests.
Plus, being on a smaller bus meant faster loading times and a more engaging experience, as I learned a lot about Juneau en route to the glacier. In this case, I really appreciated being dropped off downtown, too.
Read more: From pigs to stingrays, these are the 5 things to do on a cruise that tourists can't get enough of
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
