Juneau’s surrounding beauty and natural wonders have drawn cruisers for more than a century. Tucked between the Gastineau Channel and towering coastal mountains, Alaska’s capital city is accessible only by air or sea, a fitting arrival for a destination defined by untamed wilderness.
Here, your days may be spent exploring massive glaciers, spotting whales in the icy waters of the Inside Passage, hiking rainforest trails or browsing the city’s inviting shops and restaurants. Whether you seek adventure, wildlife or a deeper connection to Alaska’s storied past, Juneau offers an experience as grand as its landscapes.
In 1880, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were prospecting for gold with the help of Native American guides when they discovered nuggets “as large as beans” at the mouth of Gold Creek. Their find sparked one of the largest gold rushes in history, with more than $150 million in gold eventually mined from the surrounding hills.
Today, that pioneering spirit still echoes through Juneau, not in the rush for fortune, but in the enduring stories and landscapes left behind.
There is so much to see and experience in Juneau, Alaska’s breathtaking capital city. Adventure seekers will find no shortage of thrills — from whale watching in the icy waters of the Inside Passage, to soaring above snowcapped peaks on a helicopter tour that lands directly on a glacier. Explore the majestic beauty of Mendenhall Glacier, hike scenic rainforest trails or try your hand at dog sledding atop ancient icefields.
Wildlife encounters are unforgettable here, with opportunities to spot humpback whales, bald eagles and even bears in their natural habitat. After a day of exploration, savor fresh Alaskan seafood like wild salmon and enjoy the welcoming charm of this historic Gold Rush town.
Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime on these guest-favorite excursions.
Savor Juneau’s local flavors during this delightful tasting tour and cooking demonstration in Alaska’s capital city. As a prelude to the culinary immersion, you will drive a few miles out of town to the Mendenhall Glacier. It’s a great place to enjoy panoramic views of Mendenhall, the only glacier in southeast Alaska accessible by road. Back in Juneau, you will visit the Alaskan Brewing Company and discover how the brewery uses local ingredients to produce distinct ales and seasonal beers. A tasting of several beers follows. Then, it’s off to a local Alaskan restaurant. Here you can snack on authentic Alaskan dishes while enjoying the view.
Experience Juneau’s wild beauty from water level on a guided sea kayaking adventure near North Douglas Island. After a brief orientation and paddling tips from your expert guide, you’ll set off in a stable two-person kayak, gliding across calm, crystal-clear waters with panoramic views of Mendenhall Glacier in the distance.
As you paddle along the shores and into protected areas near the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge, your guide will share insights into the region’s natural history and the Indigenous cultures that once navigated these same coastal waterways. Scenic highlights such as Smugglers Cove add a touch of local lore, while the surrounding rainforest and mountain backdrops create an unforgettable setting.
Keep watch for porpoises, harbor seals, sea lions, and even whales surfacing nearby. Overhead, bald eagles often soar against the dramatic Alaskan sky. After time on the water, enjoy a light snack before returning to the cruise pier.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure into Alaska’s breathtaking wilderness with a family-owned, Tlingit-operated company that has proudly shared Southeast Alaska’s waters with guests for more than 50 years. Cruise into the pristine seas surrounding Juneau, one of the best places to witness humpback whales feeding before their winter migration south.
Settle into a spacious catamaran designed with oversized viewing windows and open-air decks for exceptional wildlife viewing as you navigate the island-studded waters of Stephens Passage. Framed by snow-capped peaks and distant glaciers, an onboard naturalist will share fascinating insights into the behaviors of the region’s marine life.
Watch for humpback whales breaching spectacularly or lifting their flukes high as they dive. You may even witness bubble-net feeding — a remarkable cooperative technique in which whales release spirals of bubbles to corral fish for an easy meal. Other commonly sighted wildlife includes orcas, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoises, and bald eagles soaring overhead.
Step back into Juneau’s Gold Rush era and try your hand at panning in the very creek that sparked a 60-year rush for fortune. Accompanied by a costumed prospector, you’ll visit historic Last Chance Basin, where Joe Juneau struck gold in 1880, forever shaping the future of Juneau. After a lively demonstration, you’ll sift through the water yourself… and whatever gold you find is yours to keep.
As you explore the area, your guide will share stories of the city’s early mining days, pointing out remnants of the original operations that once bustled in these hills.
The adventure continues with a true Alaskan tradition: a feast at the renowned Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Enjoy freshly caught wild Alaskan salmon grilled over an open fire, along with a generous spread of hearty sides and classic favorites in an all-you-can-eat setting. Save room to roast marshmallows by the fire, stroll to a nearby waterfall, and soak in the rustic atmosphere that perfectly captures Juneau’s frontier spirit.
You can reserve your Juneau shore excursions online 180 days before your Regent voyage. However, if you are sailing in a Concierge-level Suite or above (or are a Silver-level Seven Seas Society member or above), you enjoy the perk of priority reservations and may begin booking shore excursions 210 days before sailing.
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises® has consistently delivered ultra-luxury travel experiences with the very best value for over thirty years. Aboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet®, enjoy unrivaled onboard space, unforgettable shoreside excursions, incomparable culinary experiences, and exceptional Heartfelt Hospitality™.
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