Live Your Best Lives
  1. Travel FAQs
  2. United States
  3. Alaska (AK)
  4. Juneau

dog sledding/glacier landing

We are looking at doing the combo tour on our cruise in July. The only time left is 4:10 which says return to ship at 7:40pm. We leave at 9pm so NCL says all aboard time is 8:00. Would you risk being back so close to the all aboard time??

Booking the 4:10 PM dog sledding/glacier landing combo tour in Juneau with a cruise ship departure at 9:00 PM and an “all aboard” time of 8:00 PM carries some risk. The tour’s stated return time of 7:40 PM leaves only 20 minutes before your ship’s all aboard deadline, which is a very tight window considering potential delays.

Factors to consider include:

  • Weather or operational delays: Helicopter flights or dog sledding schedules can be affected by weather conditions, even in summer. Any slight delay could push your return past the all aboard time.
  • Port disembarkation and transport: While Juneau’s cruise terminals are close to the helipad and tour departure points, you still need to account for walking, check-in, security, or waiting time after landing. Even a 5–10 minute delay can make the difference.
  • Ship policies: Cruise ships do not wait for late passengers. Missing the all aboard time can result in being left behind, which can be very disruptive and expensive to remedy.

Options to mitigate risk:

  • Book an earlier tour: If any earlier times are available, even a slight adjustment reduces stress and risk of missing the ship.
  • Confirm tour reliability: Contact the tour operator to ask how often they return on time and if they can accommodate a buffer for cruise passengers.
  • Consider a partial experience: Some operators may offer shorter dog sled or glacier experiences that finish earlier, allowing you to safely return before 8:00 PM.
  • Travel insurance or contingency plan: Ensure you have a plan in case of delays, though this is more of a last-resort safety net than a solution.

In summary, while the 4:10 PM tour is technically feasible, the margin for error is extremely small. If you choose this time, you are taking a calculated risk that could result in missing the ship. For peace of mind, selecting an earlier tour or a shorter experience is the safer choice.

More Juneau Travel Questions

Popular Destinations

Hui'an
Four buildings
Binglang River
Fenghuang Ancient Town - Shen Congwen's Former Residence

Popular Travel Questions