Will there be time to see Mendenhall?

[Great Sky Girl]

We dock in Juneau at 6:30 am, are signed up to go with Cpt. Larry at 8:30 getting back at noon. Our ship leaves at 4 pm, will there be time to see Mendenhall glacier and what is the best way to see it on a tour or solo?

We're on the Diamond Princess Southbound May 19.

[MercedMike]

We dock in Juneau at 6:30 am, are signed up to go with Cpt. Larry at 8:30 getting back at noon. Our ship leaves at 4 pm, will there be time to see Mendenhall glacier and what is the best way to see it on a tour or solo?

We're on the Diamond Princess Southbound May 19.

 

There are lots of shuttles at the pier that will take you to Mendenhall for about $6 pp. It is a 20 minute drive or so. The return shuttles go every half hour. So in theory you can ride out there, look at the glacier for half an hour, and ride back in about 1 1/2 hours.

 

BUT -- what about lunch? Also is that enough time to spend at the glacier? There is a great visitor center, and nice hiking trails. AND -- the return shuttles are sometimes full, what if you miss the 3:00 one?

 

More likely, it would be safer to take a taxi instead of the shuttle. Not sure how much that costs. But you would be safer as far as making it back to the ship by boarding time, which is usually half an hour before sailing.

 

If you are traveling SB, you have probably had a chance to see some glaciers before you get to Juneau. The trip to Mendenhall might not be so exciting by then.

 

Check our page below for a report of our great cruise to Alaska on Sapphire.

 

Have a GREAT cruise!

[Cruisechick82]

Check with Captain Larry, usually you can arrange to be dropped off at Mendenhall after your tour and then take the $6 pp glacier buses back into town. That will save you time, and yes 4 hours is more than enough time to see Mendenhall. I don't really see why a tour would be necessary. There is a visitor's center and some hiking trails.

[Budget Queen]

I do not recommend going back and forth to Mendenhall IF you are on a whale watch or flightseeing. Get a direct pick up or drop off from the vender or take a cab yourself. Then use the shuttle mentioned $6pp one way Mendenhall glaicer /downtown. Otherwise you are adding at least an hour in transit time that would be perhaps better used elsewhere. See if Orca Enterprises can drop off at the tour.

 

It depends what you wish to do there. If extensive hiking, then budget your time carefully. Otherwise an hour is plenty.

[Great Sky Girl]

Thanks for the tip. We contacted Cpt. Larry and they agree they will let us off. We have been on the Athabasca Glacier in BC, it was awesome!:) So do not feel we need a lot of time at Mendenhall.