Pandemic Cruise on NCL Encore, Round trip Seattle
September 22, 2021 -- Juneau, Alaska
Juneau is a port we are very familiar with. All the Alaska cruises stop here as a major port-of-call when sailing up or down the coast. I believe this is the sixth time we are here and it was quite a different experience with the city being heavily affected by the pandemic.
We have done bus tours, rental cars, and private tours at this port in the past. With the not-so-great weather plus Morson not getting off the ship because of his health condition, we decided to just spend the time walking around the downtown area for a couple of hours instead of doing any special excursions. One of the 'must-see' places in Juneau is Mendenhall Glacier which can be reached by bus tours or city buses (with quite a walk from the bus station to the park entrance). I personally think that to see Juneau at its best, a rental car for the day is the way to go. Here is a report from our last trip in town when we rented two vans for our group to explore this area.
As for this time around, son and I got off the ship which docked at the A-J dock, the farthest pier from downtown, and had to take the shuttle to go into town. There was no other ship in town when we were there so I am not sure why we still had to dock so far away, which is a terrible arrangement as far as being close to everything goes. It is what it is, and there was nothing we could do but go with the flow.
Weather was rainy and foggy, making it even gloomier as we rode the shuttle to town. It was about a 10-minute ride and the ride was free. We got off at the stop near the Mount Roberts Tramway station and that was exactly where our ship, NCL Jewel, docked in 1978 on our last visit here on the transpacific cruise. It was so nice that time and we were able to get on and off the ship just to do more shopping whenever we wanted. This time, we just stayed in town for a couple of hours and went back to the ship.
We are here again, Juneau!
The famous Tracy's King Crab Shack on the boardwalk next to the Mount Roberts Tramway station.
Personally, I feel they are too expensive for your money's worth.
The very empty boardwalk but still a very pretty sight.
Our ship docked far, far away.
Patsy Ann's statue on the boardwalk.
First, we checked to see if the Filipino BBQ stand was still there at the Marine park.
It was, but they were not opened.
Juneau Harbor with the Historic Merchants Wharf on the right.
This could be the wall of City Hall.
Hardly anyone in town other than the passengers from our ship.
Franklin Street, the main shopping area in town.
Red Dog Saloon that we past by every time but have never gone inside.
I suppose this is a must-shop place for tourists.
We did purchase a few things from different stores that were opened. I noticed that prices were a little higher than before. But, of course, that's comparing to three years ago.
Before we headed back to the ship, son wanted to see if the BBQ place is open and it was, even in this cold and wet weather. She is the owner's daughter who comes to Juneau every summer from Seattle to help her parents with the BBQ stand. Needless to say, business was not that great with less cruise ships in port but better than last year when everything was shut down. This was her last few days here before going home to her own family as the cruise season will be over.
If anyone will visit Juneau, make sure you stop here for the most flavorful Filipino BBQ skewers here!
Oh, so good! Now, we are happy!
We then took the shuttle back to the ship. Originally, we wanted to take the tram up to Mount Roberts but with the weather we figured that we won't be able to see much up there. There'll be a next time!
Dinner in Manhattan
It's always nice to enjoy a quiet, sit down dinner at the main dining room. We are not picky. A fine dinner that I don't have to cook will make me happy anytime. 
Next up will be the new docking facility that NCL set up at Ward Cove, Ketchikan. Something with many wondering 'WHY?'
"Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." -- Matthew 25:14
