Juneau excursions from royal caribbean ships

[vadersprincess12]

Hello Everyone ~ considering two excursions in August from Explorer of the Seas and wanted to get some feedback from those who may have taken them.

 

Discover the Mendenhall Glacier ~ this says that when you are ready to return to your ship you can walk the short distance or catch the shuttle at the Mount Roberts Tramway. So, is there motorcoach transportation back to the ship after the excursion or are you on your own to return? Personally, we'd like more time to explore the trails around the glacier so would probably take the shuttle back but just want to be sure.

 

Mendenhall Glacier and Gardens ~ same thing here, is there motorcoach transportation back or do we have the option of sticking around and taking a shuttle back.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Edited April 14, 2016 by vadersprincess12

[Budget Queen]

Hello Everyone ~ considering two excursions in August from Explorer of the Seas and wanted to get some feedback from those who may have taken them.

 

Discover the Mendenhall Glacier ~ this says that when you are ready to return to your ship you can walk the short distance or catch the shuttle at the Mount Roberts Tramway. So, is there motorcoach transportation back to the ship after the excursion or are you on your own to return? Personally, we'd like more time to explore the trails around the glacier so would probably take the shuttle back but just want to be sure.

 

Mendenhall Glacier and Gardens ~ same thing here, is there motorcoach transportation back or do we have the option of sticking around and taking a shuttle back.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

Is this one tour that includes Mendenhall Glacier, Glacier Gardens and Mt Robert's tram?

 

With Glacier Gardens- there is NO "shuttle", you will be taking the transportation back that took you there at their assigned time. IF you want to stay, then a cab is an option, that you would have to call and pay for.

 

Mt. Robert's, is on the dock, walkable from all the docks, except AJ- which runs its own shuttle to the tram parking lot.

 

IF you book a Mendenhall ship tour- I haven't seen any that offer flexible return buses? In the past, you could always exit the tour, and take a shuttle bus back at your expense.

 

 

Are you in port 12+ hours? Renting a car- would work a whole lot better, IF you want the glacier and gardens. Could also add the hatchery, brewery etc.

[vadersprincess12]

This doesn't include the Tramway, not sure I want to do that!!! Thanks for your response.

[Budget Queen]

This doesn't include the Tramway, not sure I want to do that!!! Thanks for your response.

 

 

So it is a Mendenhall Glacier, Glacier Garden combo tour? This is going to be on a fixed schedule, and only if Mendenhall Glacier is visited last, would you be able to exit the tour, and return on a shuttle bus, again, at an added expense.

[hapster85]

Discover the Mendenhall Glacier ~ this says that when you are ready to return to your ship you can walk the short distance or catch the shuttle at the Mount Roberts Tramway. So, is there motorcoach transportation back to the ship after the excursion or are you on your own to return? Personally, we'd like more time to explore the trails around the glacier so would probably take the shuttle back but just want to be sure.

 

Excursions pickup and dropoff at the lot near the visitor center. If your ship is docked at the downtown piers (B thru E on map), you simply walk back to it. Very short walk. If your ship is at the AJ pier (A on the map), you'll catch the shuttle at the tram. I believe the shuttle was $8/person round-trip. It's only a 5 minute ride. While you could walk, I don't think there's a sidewalk, making it a bit dangerous. I could be wrong on that. It was 4 years ago that we were docked at that pier. We were downtown on our last visit. HTH