Whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau on NCL Encore

Question

Getting into Juneau at 2:30 pm and leaving at 10:00 pm. The ship docks at AJ dock

I found a Mendenhall glacier and whale watching combo tour for 6 hours from 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm through Juneau Whale Watching/Juneau Tours. The tour company says all the guests on that tour will be from the Encore and they can get us back to the ship by 9:30 pm,

Has anyone taken this tour with this itinerary? Is it possible to make it back to the ship on time or are we risking it?

Please advice only if you have done the same exact tour and cruise ship.

Thank you

Answer

With the NCL Encore docking at AJ Dock at 2:30 pm, your window for shore excursions is relatively tight if you are considering a 6-hour Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching combo tour scheduled from 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm. While the tour company markets this as feasible, there are several factors to consider before committing.

Key points to consider:

Transit Time: AJ Dock is fairly close to downtown Juneau, but reaching both Mendenhall Glacier and the whale watching departure points requires a combination of driving and boat travel. Even if the tour includes transport from the dock, any delay in disembarkation (customs, getting off the ship, etc.) could push your start time later than 3:30 pm.
Tour Duration: The 6-hour duration is tight. Any unexpected weather, whale spotting delays, or traffic could make it challenging to return by 9:30 pm, especially if the cruise ship enforces a strict boarding time.
Tour Exclusivity: Tours that guarantee all guests are from the Encore do reduce risk because the company is aware of the ship’s departure schedule and often monitors it to avoid delays. They typically include contingency plans for cruise passengers.

Recommendations based on experience from others with similar itineraries:

Check with the tour operator whether they have a “guaranteed return” policy if the ship departs early. Ask specifically what happens if a delay occurs during the whale watching portion.
Consider starting shore excursions a bit later, or choosing either Mendenhall Glacier or whale watching separately, which allows for a shorter tour duration and reduces risk of missing the ship.
Ensure that the tour provides direct transportation back to AJ Dock, and clarify if they include buffer time for unexpected delays.
Factor in personal disembarkation time from the ship; busy cruise days can sometimes add 15–30 minutes to getting off the ship.

In summary, while this combo tour is possible and some guests have successfully completed it without missing the ship, it leaves little margin for error. If you prefer minimizing risk, consider splitting the activities into shorter individual tours, or confirm with the operator that they have a proven track record of returning all Encore guests on time.

Whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau on NCL Encore

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