cruise ships in juneau, alaska today

Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. The agreement is a shift from an at-times adversarial relationship that culminated in 2016 with the cruise association suing the city over its collection and use of cruise passenger taxes. Ruby Princess cruise ship won't depart San Francisco until Sunday after Wandering over to Tracy's King Crab Shack, which can be packed with lines out the door when a few cruise ships are in town, I was able to walk right in and place an order. The return of Serenade of the Seas on Friday -- and the coming arrival of other cruise ships that are restarting Alaska cruises in the coming days -- is a lifeline for Juneau, a town of just 33,000 people that has been struggling mightily since COVID-19 brought tourism to a halt. April 19, 2023 2 min read The City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska and major cruise lines that call there have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to help manage visitor volume in the popular. Im just excited for being busy all the time.. This itinerary includes two full days in Glacier Bay National Park, including active exploration in the outback. It's often the first port of call for cruise ships heading north from Canada, and it's the Totem pole capital of the world. And meals at the cafeteria, the one venue available to me, were not included in the cost of my ticket as they often are on mega ships. "You get to get that shot of yourself at the glacier with no one in the background, or you're the only one on the tram. Also, yes. Because I was on a commuter ferry and not a cruise, our first stop in Petersburg was short. * Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person. Stop by the informative visitor center, then follow a hiking trail around the stony shores of Mendenhall Lake. I certainly hope to cruise again, but only on a vessel like the Matanuska. Accessible only by air or sea, Alaska's capital city entices travelers with its beauty, tranquility and outdoor activities. Sometimes it can be pretty hectic but today has been pretty easy to handle.. City Assembly members Wade Bryson and Carole Triem were both at the pier to welcome the ship. no road connections to the rest of North America. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. While Seattle cruises to Alaska often allow Americans to find cheaper airfare (and the Seattle airport can be easier to deal with on a busy day than Vancouver), the itineraries that leave from the U.S. don't give you nearly as much time in Alaska as the others. Police calls for Wednesday, July 5, 2023 Some cars were completely empty. I reserved a two-berth space online a week in advance and paid $138 for a standard ticket to board the ferry, plus an extra $144 for my own two-berth cabin with a private bathroom for a total of $282. She says the first ship of the season is symbolic. The first large cruise ship to dock in Juneau since 2019 arrived Friday morning. There was just one big difference: There was a rarely seen, almost blissful lack of crowds. After disembarking, I checked into my hotel and later walked into town. Martinson said she was in tears on Friday morning when a local news outlet came to interview her soon after the first cruisers arrived. If its 3,000 people were super excited, McDonnell said. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, could appear over 17 U.S. states on July 13. Ruby Princess cruise ship remains in San Francisco port after hitting Listen to this story: It was a typical Juneau spring day rainy. It was surreal, really. All rights reserved. The Serenade of the Seas arrives in Juneau early Friday morning. Theres been a few customers coming through and I really appreciate that theyre mostly masked up, Korpela said. Its more about the showmanship when the tourists come in. It's possible to purchase a ticket to sleep in a chair on one of the various decks where there are also public showers and reclining sun-loungers, however, I wanted the comfort of a proper bed. 'Smacked into the dock': Cruise ship hits pier while arriving in SF Juneau International Airport (JNU) is a major gateway to the city, allowing people to connect with their Juneau cruise. Sometimes it can be pretty hectic but today has been pretty easy to handle.. Russ and Kacy Radigan walked off the ship around 10 a.m. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. 100 years ago Juneau got its first visit from a U.S. president less than three weeks before his death, Tram expected to reopen Saturday after closing for several days for repairs, Unprecedented visitors at Mendenhall Glacier rapidly outpacing allowed capacity, Suspect arrested following fatal shooting in Mendenhall Valley, Dunleavy signs two pharmacy bills into law during Soldotna ceremony, Juneau police 9-1-1 system experiencing technical issues, Mid-season passenger numbers show large cruise ships at or above 100% capacity, New grocery store breathes new life into Pelican, Hot dogs, box cars and pie mark the Fourth of July in Douglas. We are happy to send you the visitors guide in the mail or you can view the latest guide online. Juneau Cruises | Activities and Itineraries JUNEAU, Alaska The city of Juneau has signed an agreement with the major cruise lines that visit Alaska's capital city that is based on recommendations from a local tourism task . It was pretty busy this morning, said Mya Pecson, working at Kindred Post. After leaving Juneau, the Serenade of the Seas is scheduled to dock in Ketchikan before stopping in Sitka for a second time on Wednesday. Juneau residents have mixed feelings about the ships arrival amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases. Acting City Manager Robert Barr said he has faith in the COVID-19 port agreements Juneau made with cruise lines, like the requirement that 95% of passengers would be vaccinated. Passenger Randy Vance of Pueblo, Colorado, said that he was having a great time and looked forward to a full day of whale watching, glacier viewing and wilderness touring. This is a boon to those who love the newest style of Celebrity ships, with a more centrally located martini bar and a fully realized suite complex in The Retreat. Crew members were getting ready to tie up Royal Caribbeans Serenade of the Seas at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah on Thursday, July 22, 2021, the first large cruise ship to arrive in Southeast Alaska in over a year. Alaska Airlines is the regional carrier, offering direct daily flights to Seattle and Anchorage, as well as regular services to other parts of Alaska. Juneau's waters are a hot spot for humpback whales, and daily cruises afford the opportunity to witness these majestic creatures-a truly unforgettable experience. This is a boon to those who love the newest style of Celebrity ships, with a more centrally located martini bar and a fully realized suite complex in The Retreat. Schroeder said he and his family were planning to take a helicopter tour out to the glacier if the weather held. Even before this, there were a lot more independent travelers.. Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines that regularly operate sailings to Alaska during summers halted such trips for all of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and -- until recently -- looked likely to skip Alaska again for all of 2021 due to a regulatory issue. The ship has been through a refurbishment program, however, that made it much more modern and in line with newer Celebrity vessels. That was pretty much it. To me, my journey on the Matanuska felt like a cruise with a difference, one that was less about a mega boat and its over-the-top offerings, and more about the journey and showcasing Alaska's diverse and mystical landscapes. I saw boats and seaplanes that dotted the horizon, and wildlife was everywhere. I did take advantage of the stop, however, and stepped off the boat to absorb the sights, even if only briefly. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Copyright 2023 by Vacations To Go. After a quick cheer from the gangway, passengers slowly started to emerge from the ship. This story has been updated to include more information. I think we just wanted to get out here and like practice and remember how to do everything and it just feels really good that there are people here again because its been a long two years for sure.. Most people (aboard the ship) are vaccinated, he said. Juneau Cruise Port - What To Know BEFORE You Go | Viator But I had no trouble finding a seat. While cruise ships may have opened up Alaska's wilderness to millions, the thought of frittering away my vacation time and dollars at an onboard casino, or posing for a selfie with Mickey Mouse just doesn't quite match up with my idea of a dream holiday. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the first large cruise ship to come to Juneau since the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 cruise ship season and delayed the 2021 season. Find Juneau Cruise information and our list of activities, excursions and itineraries. If you're on this itinerary, make sure you sign up for the small excursion boat trip that takes you closer to the glacier. Instead, there were just two communal seating areas, one being an observation lounge. So we put on this getup and well have live music and well all sing along. Each one comes with pros and cons. The ship is sailing one-way trips between Vancouver and Seward, which gives you several more days in Alaska than round-trip itineraries from Seattle or Vancouver. Why visiting Alaska's busiest cruise port, Juneau, is a bit surreal Nearby, representatives from Alaska Galore tours said they were expecting 8-12 passengers who had signed up for halibut and salmon fishing charters. Yes, we have what we call our summer outfit on, said Eric Forst, one of the bars owners. But, for the most part, the feeling at the dock and inside downtown businesses on Friday was one of hope. 15 Small Ship Cruises in Juneau, Alaska - LiveAboard.com People were just slowly trickling off the ship and the booths offering whale watching and other tours were less than half full. Many local residents have jobs tied in some way to tourism, and the sales taxes and "head tax" fees brought in from tourist arrivals and spending pays for everything from the city's fire department to police service and schools. They're back: Large cruise ships return to Southeast Alaska External site which may or may not meet Still, we think the extra time in Alaska and the ports that you get on this itinerary --. As a result, I knew I was more likely to bump into locals onboard than vacationing families. We are so happy our visitors are back," she said. A cruise can also make an Alaska trip more affordable. Juneau has a population of just 32,255 (according to 2020 census data), but on a busy port day, ships can bring 10,000, 15,000, or even more passengers to the city. The opening on Monday marked the first grocery store to service the town in 15 years. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire), Warren G. Harding got a 21 discharges of dynamite salute and Mendenhall Glacier tour during visit. Most people [aboard the ship] are vaccinated, Schroeder said. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. My goal is to shine a light on both stories of success and the cracks that need to be filled, because I believe a good education is the basis of a strong community. Royal Caribbeans Serenade of the Seas arrived around 7 a.m. carrying less than 650 guests and a little more than 800 crew members. Port Skagway (locode USSGY) is among the most popular Alaskan cruise ship stops. We wouldn't recommend booking a suite on this ship, for instance, as it doesn't have a full Retreat complex. Juneaus first large cruise ship since start of the pandemic arrived today. The upside is that you visit Hubbard Glacier instead of Dawes, which is generally easier to see from the ship, even if you don't take the extra (and expensive) small boat excursion that gets you closer to the glacier. Northern lights possibly visible in 17 US states July 13 - USA TODAY On a recent trip to Alaska, I booked a cabin on an overnight ferry to see the Inside Passage. You also stop at Dawes Glacier, as opposed to Hubbard, which is not as easy to s. ee from the ship. accessibility guidelines. Its pretty slow, Pilcher said. My overnight ferry was scheduled to depart from Auke Bay at 12:45 a.m., by which time I had picked up my room key and went to my cabin to go straight to sleep. This is quite a relief, especially for people who make their livelihood this way., I saw the ship from my window this morning, she said. To get there, I hopped on a public bus that meandered around several suburban neighborhoods before dropping me a little over a mile from the ferry terminal. I had no window, though porthole cabins were available for an extra $65. Cruise ships dock right in downtown (at Egan Drive) and you can explore on foot popular among tourists places like Red Dog Saloon, State Capitol, Governor's Mansion, Cultural Arts Park, Mount Roberts Goldbelt Tramway. Greg Pilcher was manning one of the booths for M&M Tours. Skagway (Alaska) cruise port schedule | CruiseMapper US dollar (US$), Open Mon-Fri 7am to 11pm, Sat 8am to 8pm, Sun 8am to 10pm, U.S. Central Time. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Korpela said shes glad to see travelers in the store again. There, a bartender spun a good musical soundtrack, including "Take the Long Way Home" by Supertramp, which seemed to me an appropriate ditty considering my chosen method of transportation. Planning a cruise? The world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, can carry up to 7,000 passengers. For those passengers who did not book a private cabin, recliner chairs were available in the second lounge area. The issues were resolved later that evening, police say. So Ill feel a little more comfortable after a couple of weeks, Forst said. Itinerary Ship Reviews View All Prices Fare Insight Price Tracker Opens in a new window. We passed Zarembo Island and Etolin Island, which is reported to have more elk than people. Go ashore in Haines for hiking, biking, afloat trip and history. As I saw first-hand Friday after arriving in Juneau on that first vessel back -- Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas -- the most-visited of Alaskan cruise ports has the wide-open feel of a seasonal tourist town in the weeks before its high season begins. Royal CaribbeansSerenade of the Seas arrived in Juneau around 7 a.m., carrying less than 650 guests and a little more than 800 crew members. CBJ raised the citys community risk level to Level 2-Moderate at noon Friday, which comes with reduced capacity for bars and encourages restaurants to keep distance between customers. Size-wise, the Matanuska is dwarfed by the modern cruise ships that frequent Alaska's Inside Passage. . We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. The downside is you still only visit three ports -- Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. I had a little over a half hour to explore Petersburg, a diminutive fishing port of around 3,000 people, known as Alaska's "Little Norway," with a replica of a Viking ship. BEST SELLER The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier By M&M Tours of Juneau 66 reviews Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay later Free cancellation Ages 0-100, max of 40 per group Duration: 1-8 hours Start time: Check availability Mobile ticket English What's included What to expect Departure and return The Serenade of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, berths in Hoonah on Thursday. Those were successful last season, he said, noting that last years season was an abbreviated one only 10% of the usual number of cruise ship visitors came to Juneau. accessibility guidelines, You Tube. The cafeteria was the main dining option onboard the Matanuska and it was empty when I arrived first thing in the morning. Barr said that because bar and restaurant operators are used to COVID-19 mitigation measures, he didnt expect that Thursdays change in the community risk level would have much impact on operations. Plenty of colorful displays and activities will still be available to Juneau. Thrill-seekers get their adrenaline fix while ziplining above alpine forests, and culture lovers learn about landmarks such as the governor's mansion and St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church during explorations of downtown. "This was kind of the grab bag of issues that came out of the task force that we wanted to get down on paper early, or first," the city's tourism manager, Alexandra Pierce, told KTOO Public Media. Down on South Franklin Street, the sidewalks were mostly empty, with small clusters of cruisers meandering from shop to shop. This was the first Alaska cruise opportunity that we had (since then), so we decided to take it.. Lingit Aani Kaa Kei Nas.ax Haa Yoo Xatangi, The first large cruise ship to dock in Juneau since 2019 arrived Friday morning. But Im glad that its starting slowly because I wouldnt want to see like five boats in the harbor all at once, she said. With Celebrity, you have a choice of three classes of ship for your Alaska adventure. Ovation of the Seas in Alaska. Where do cruise ships dock in Juneau (or tender) @ googlemaps Juneau Cruise Port Timezone AKST/AKDT Cruise ships in Juneau today Star Breeze Carnival Luminosa Carnival Spirit Norwegian Spirit Silver Muse Cruise ships in Juneau tomorrow Sapphire Princess Ovation Of The Seas Radiance Of The Seas Seven Seas Explorer Current Marine Traffic @ marinetraffic.com Juneau Marine Traffic

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