Tendering into Juneau

2023 Cunard Queen Elizabeth - 29-Day Transpacific Yokohama to Vancouver

June 15, 2023 (Thursday) Juneau

Today was kind of a day wasted on the tendering process. Even though they seemed to be organized but the whole process took way too long. This was our only tendering port during this trip and it certainly was not fun. We gathered at 9:30 and went to the theater together. All of us got the number 8 tickets, except two people but they ended up on the same tender with us. We sat and waited in the stuffy theater for two hours before being called to board the tender. People were snoring, bored, and tired even before getting on shore. 

The theater was filled with passengers waiting to get on the tenders.

Waiting too long!

Getting off the tender in Juneau.

By the time we got to shore, the sunny weather turned grey as we walked up to the vendors looking for a deal. I ended up chatting with this guy named Dallas and he told me that he can’t give me discounts on the shuttle bus ride of $45 because that’s what was set for the whole season by the city. He would sell us the city tour that usually cost $55 and he can take $5 off for that tour which will also take us to the photo point on Douglas Island and the Whale Project. For $5 more than the shuttle, I thought that would be a good deal but the bus won’t pick up until 1:30. After everyone agreed on that tour, we paid and he said he forgot to tell us about the $2.50 tax for each person, so we had to collect that again. A hand-written ticket was issued for the 20 of us and we just needed to come back to the white tent at 1:15 to get on the bus. We then separated and each went on their own way to explore the city. We went across the street to Alaska Shirt Company, did not buy anything. Then continued to the other store where I got my gloves. Shu-O and Shih-Chang bought two jackets for $60 and Christian bought an Alaska made Bear Claw salad thingy. Then we went to Alaska Fudge Co and bought 3 pounds of fudge to take home before walking across to the park for some Filipino BBQ. For $10, we got a pork skewer with rice to share and Christian just got the pork skewer and chicken skewer. It was a good treat on this rainy and cold day. Good to see that they were having good business.

Tour vendors lined the promenade by the dock.

Cute bear greeting us at the store front. The face mask was off from this bear since our visit last year.

Main street in Juneau.

Filipino Style BBQ that's near the library. Excellent treat for the day!

Then we went back to the white tent to meet with our tour. It as rainy and certainly dampened our spirit a little. We waited and then they told us that the bus would be late for half an hour. We almost went with the wrong group by mistake, fortunately, we checked with the guy and was told we were with M&M and not for the Whale’s Tale whale watching group. Our bus did show up and we boarded the orange bus with no problem. We went around the city first and then crossed the bridge to Douglas Island. Stopped there for 10 minutes so people can take pictures. Then crossing the bridge back and stopped at the Whale Project. Unfortunately, the sculpture did not spray water today but people still had fun taking pictures. The ride to Mendenhall Glacier was about 20 minutes and it was a nice, scenic ride.

QE anchored off at Juneau.

From the park across at Douglas Island.

Good spot for taking pictures with the ships in port.

We were given 90 minutes to explore before picking up the same bus back to town. For people who want to leave earlier or later, they were able to take the blue bus back.

Since it was raining, we did not plan on taking the trail to Nugget Falls so we took the group to the short trail near the lake, then some people went on another short trail to the photo spots. Only Mr. and Mrs. Lin from Vancouver walked the trail to Nugget Falls. I just went up to the Visitor Center and waited there. My legs and back are not cooperating and I couldn’t make the long walk on this day. 

Mendenhall Glacier

Photo taken from the Visitor Center.

Nugget Falls-about a mile away.

At 4:00, we went back to the bus stop and waited for the bus. There were two other buses picking up people but those were not for us. It was quite chaotic not knowing which bus we were supposed to be on but finally we figured that we should get back on the same orange bus. It came a little late but all was well, we got back in town together with no problem. This driver was really good in giving all the touristy information through the rides both ways. A pleasant experience. He is a seasonal driver from Abilene, Texas.

After we got back, we had to wait for the tender in the rain. It was getting wet and cold by now because our jackets were soaking through. It was definitely nice getting back into our warm cabin.

Dinner tonight was at the MDR, with no surprises. After dinner it was time to come back to the cabin. We were tired and going to bed sounded like a good idea.

For video of the day, please click here.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."  -- Proverbs 3:5-6