Trip Bacon — The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo

Juneau Alaska Port Day: Mendenhall Glacier, Whales & 4 Stops We'd Repeat

A Cruising Good Time
A Cruising Good Time
🥈Expert
👁️ 919 views📅 5 months ago⏱️ 13:58
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & Advice🥈Expert Creator
❤️ Best for CoupleAlaskaVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

Juneau is fantastic whale watching. We have had great times every time we've gone out. We have gone out on private shore excursions, we've gone out through those on the ships.

If you're on a cruise that goes to both Juneau and Icy Strait Point, we suggest doing your whale watching over in Icy Strait Point.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Do whale watching in Icy Strait Point instead of Juneau if your itinerary allows to maximize Juneau time for other activities.
Bring layers, rain gear, gloves, and ear protection for whale watching excursions due to unpredictable weather and cold water.
Check the length of time you are in port; some cruises only stay for 4-6 hours while others stay 10-12.
When visiting Tracy's, try going in the evening (7:00 or 8:00) to avoid long lines.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Walking on the glacierNote that most shore excursions to Mendenhall Glacier do not actually allow you to walk on the glacier itself.
Weather during excursionsThe weather is unpredictable; bring layers and water protection even if it is sunny at the pier.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the best things to do in Juneau, Alaska?
QWhere is the best food in Juneau?
QIs whale watching worth it in Juneau?
QHow can I see Mendenhall Glacier?
QWhat should I pack for a whale watching excursion in Alaska?

Topics Covered

Itinerary Route3½ Happy BaconExcursions4 Happy BaconPort Destination4½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Icy Strait Point4 Happy Bacon
Top: Whale Watching
Juneau4½ Happy Bacon
Top: Whale Watching
Skagway4 Happy Bacon
Top: Dog Sledding
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

Heading to Juneau, Alaska in 2026? After 4 Alaska cruises, we've figured out exactly how to spend your port day — and what's worth skipping. In this guide, Jeff and Becky break down the Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching with humpbacks, the famous king crab everyone lines up for, and how to walk downtown Juneau without wasting half your day. There are many things to do in Juneau Alaska, and we give you our top 4 we will repeat. Whether it's your first Alaska cruise or your fifth, here's how to plan a Juneau port day that's stress-free and unforgettable. 👉 Watch our full Alaska Cruise Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL94vlu75SoQ3l9ZvqwJPyZ7fcwsKLP8HB 👉 Subscribe for weekly cruise tips: http://www.youtube.com/@ACruisingGoodTime After 40+ cruises, we've figured out what separates a good vacation from the trip of a lifetime. In this Juneau Alaska cruise port guide, we break down the absolute best places to visit in Juneau Alaska so you can maximize your time ashore, cruise smarter, and save money! ⏳ Video Chapters: 0:00 - Best Things to do in Juneau Alaska 0:46 - Juneau City Walk & Red Dog Saloon 1:41 - Best Juneau Port Food 3:35 - Mendenhall Glacier Kayaking 4:25 - Mount Roberts Tramway 5:45 - Tongass National Forest and Mendenhall Glacier 7:36 - Juneau Whale Watching 10:19 - Expert Alaska Cruise Tips ⚓️ Want to cruise smarter and see the world? We are Jeff and Becky! We made the rookie mistakes so you don't have to. Subscribe to our crew for weekly cruise tips, port guides, and ship tours: 👇 More Alaska Cruise Guides: 🎬 Our Alaska Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL94vlu75SoQ3l9ZvqwJPyZ7fcwsKLP8HB 🎬 Yukon and White Pass Railroad: https://youtu.be/5sB118KOm9Y 🎒 Our Cruise Travel Gear: Shot on: iPhone 16 Pro Max, Nikon 30, & GoPro 13 Black Amazon Travel Gear: https://amzn.to/4tlrj9c Affiliate Links (we will get a small commission at no extra cost to you): Viator Excursions and Experiences: https://vi.me/BRRJd OONO Gear (Backpack): https://61cda5-3.myshopify.com?ref=a_cruising_good_time (use coupon "a_cruising_good_time" to save 10%!) #acruisinggoodtime #cruisevacation #cruisevlogger #travelvlog #cruisevlogger #juneau #juneaualaska #whalewatching The information expressed in this video is the opinion of the creators and is for entertainment purposes only. This is not professional advice. Please consult your travel professional or the cruise lines for advice specific to your booking. Copyright A Cruising Good Time LLC 2026