nugget falls Archives - Northern Viking Explorer

October 2, 2026October 2, 2026

MSC Poesia Alaska Cruise Day 5: Dawes Glacier & Juneau Trolley to Mendenhall Glacier 🚢

MSC Poesia Alaska Cruise Dawes Glacier, Juneau & Mendenhall Glacier Day 5 Vlog

Day 5 of our 7-night Alaska cruise aboard the MSC Poesia was one of those days that felt like we packed two completely different Alaska adventures into one. We started the morning sailing through the dramatic scenery of Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier, then spent the afternoon in Juneau on a trolley excursion out to Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls.

Watch our full Day 5 MSC Poesia Alaska cruise vlog here:

🧊 Sailing Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier

We were up early as the MSC Poesia made its way through Endicott Arm. The morning started out cloudy and a little foggy, but the scenery was beautiful, with steep mountains dropping into turquoise water, waterfalls along the cliffs, and icebergs floating around the ship.

As we got closer to Dawes Glacier, we headed to some of the forward outdoor viewing areas and listened to the ship’s naturalist provide information about the glacier and the surrounding area. The weather changed constantly, with rain, clouds, and even some sunshine breaking through, but it almost added to the atmosphere.

We ended up getting to within roughly two and a half miles of Dawes Glacier, which was one of the closer views we’ve had during our visits to the area. Between the glacier, icebergs, waterfalls, seals, and towering mountains around us, it was an incredible way to start the day.

Dawes Glacier viewed from MSC Poesia while sailing through Endicott Arm, Alaska. — Our view of Dawes Glacier from aboard MSC Poesia as we sailed through Endicott Arm.

☕ Brunch & a Little Time Aboard MSC Poesia

After heading away from Dawes Glacier, we warmed up and went to Le Fontaine Restaurant for brunch. There was a special brunch menu that morning with a mix of breakfast and lunch choices, which was perfect after spending so much time outside.

We also checked out MasterChef at Sea in the theater before getting ready for our afternoon arrival in Juneau. By then, it really did feel like we had already experienced a full day, and we hadn’t even reached port yet.

🚋 Juneau Trolley to Mendenhall Glacier

When we arrived in Juneau, the MSC Poesia was tendering passengers ashore before moving to the dock later in the afternoon. It did take us quite a while to reach shore, so if you are booking a private excursion on a tender day, we would definitely recommend leaving plenty of extra time.

Our excursion for the afternoon was the Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle Tour with Juneau Tours. We met near the Goldbelt Tram and boarded one of their trolley-style buses for a narrated drive through Juneau and out toward Mendenhall Glacier.

Along the way, our guide pointed out some of Juneau’s well-known sights, surrounding mountains, and other interesting spots around the city while sharing information about the area. It was a fun way to see more of Juneau while making our way to the glacier.

🔗 Book the Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle Tour with Juneau Tours:
https://www.juneautours.com/

Juneau Tours trolley used for our Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle Tour in Juneau, Alaska. — Our Juneau Tours trolley took us through downtown Juneau and out to Mendenhall Glacier.

🏔️ Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls

Once we arrived at Mendenhall Glacier, we had about two hours to explore. We started at the visitor center, where there are some fantastic views overlooking Mendenhall Lake and the glacier.

From there, we walked the trail out to Nugget Falls. The trail is fairly flat and easy to follow, and the waterfall at the end is impressive. Standing near the falls, you can really feel and hear the power of the water, with Mendenhall Lake and the glacier nearby.

On the way back, we stopped at some of the viewpoints closer to the visitor center for more views of Mendenhall Glacier before it was time to meet our trolley for the ride back to Juneau.

Mendenhall Glacier and Mendenhall Lake viewed near the visitor center in Juneau, Alaska. — A beautiful view of Mendenhall Glacier and Mendenhall Lake during our afternoon excursion in Juneau.

🌅 Back Aboard the MSC Poesia

We made it back to the ship in time for a beautiful evening sail away from Juneau. Since we had missed our normal main dining room time, we grabbed a late dinner at the buffet and then enjoyed some of the evening entertainment, including the Silent Disco and comedy in Teatro Carlo Felice.

It was a long day, but a fantastic one. Seeing Dawes Glacier in the morning and Mendenhall Glacier in the afternoon made Day 5 feel especially memorable, and the trolley excursion gave us a fun way to see more of Juneau along the way.

If you’re planning an MSC Poesia Alaska cruise, visiting Dawes Glacier, or looking for a Mendenhall Glacier excursion in Juneau, we hope our experience helps with your own Alaska cruise planning.

Watch the full Day 5 vlog here:

Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Adventure – Grand Princess Alaska Cruise Day 3 🐋🏔️

Grand Princess Alaska Cruise Vlog – Day 3: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Exploration

Day 3 of our Grand Princess Alaska cruise brought us to the stunning port of Juneau, Alaska – and what an incredible day it was! From calm ocean views to glacier-fed waterfalls, it was the kind of day that reminds you why Alaska is such a bucket-list destination.

We started the morning onboard with a peaceful breakfast in the Botticelli Dining Room, enjoying classic cruise cuisine while watching the mountains glide by. After breakfast, we headed up on deck where we were lucky enough to spot whales 🐋 in the distance as we cruised through the Inside Passage – a truly unforgettable moment.

In the early afternoon, we arrived in Juneau. Rather than book an excursion, we opted for the local city bus 🚌, an easy and budget-friendly way to explore the area. (🚌 Check out the Juneau Bus Schedule here.)

We rode out to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, where we hiked the trail to Nugget Falls. The views of the glacier and roaring waterfall were absolutely breathtaking. To access the trails and visitor center, a fee or pass may be required depending on your visit time or the specific areas you plan to visit in the park, so be sure to check the official Mendenhall Glacier site for details.

On the way back, we stopped by the Juneau Whale Project to see the iconic whale statue before strolling through the shops and soaking up the coastal charm of downtown Juneau.

Back on the ship, we enjoyed a delicious dinner in the Da Vinci Dining Room and wrapped up the night with a fun and energetic juggling show in the Princess Theater.

🎥 You can also check out our separate video on the Goldbelt Tram Excursion in Juneau if you’re planning an upcoming cruise!

This was a day full of natural beauty, Alaskan adventure, and memories we’ll never forget. Don’t miss the full Day 3 vlog here:
📺 Watch the full Day 3 Juneau Vlog on YouTube

Coming up next: Day 4 in Skagway, Alaska!

August 9, 2024August 9, 2024

Holland America Koningsdam Alaska Cruise 🐳 Whales!! & Juneau AK (VLOG Day 3)

Embark on an unforgettable Alaskan adventure with us aboard the Holland America Koningsdam! Day 3 takes us from breathtaking whale sightings to the stunning glaciers of Juneau. Explore the enchanting city of Juneau, hike to Nugget Falls, and marvel at the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. As the day winds down, relax and indulge in a world-class dinner and show on the luxurious Koningsdam. Don’t miss this incredible journey through Alaska’s pristine beauty. Join us now for an up-close look at Juneau and the Koningsdam experience!

January 19, 2024January 19, 2024

Crown Princess Alaska Cruise: Juneau AK – Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls (Day 3 VLOG)

Embark on Day 3 of our 10-Night Crown Princess Alaska Cruise! Juneau Awaits!

Today, Alaska’s magic unfolds in enchanting Juneau. Stroll through charming downtown, hop on a scenic city bus ride to witness the mighty Mendenhall Glacier and cascading Nugget Falls. Don’t miss the iconic Tahku the Whale sculpture! As we return to the ship, savor a delicious dinner at Botticelli’s Dining Room and cap off the evening with a dazzling show. Join us as we explore the wonders of Juneau on Day 3 aboard the Crown Princess!

August 2, 2022August 2, 2022

Discovery Princess Alaska Cruise – Endicott Arm & Juneau Alaska – VLOG Day 4

Are you sailing to Alaska on the Discovery Princess cruise ship? In this Day 4 VLOG on the Discovery Princess we will be sailing the Endicott Arm to the Dawes Glacier and then visiting the city of Juneau Alaska. While in Juneau we will explore Nugget Falls, Mendenhall Glacier, Downtown Juneau, and more. So, join us for this awesome Day 4 Vlog from our trip to Alaska.

December 18, 2019December 18, 2019

Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls Shore Excursion – Juneau Alaska

In this video, we will ride the Glacier Express bus to the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls in Juneau Alaska USA. This $45 shore excursion is a private excursion that can be taken when you get to shore in Juneau. The excursion booth is located at the base of the Mount Roberts Tramway next to several other excursion booths. The Glacier Express bus took about 25 minutes to travel to the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls which is located in the Tongass National Forest. From there we hiked for about 1 mile to reach Nugget Falls. The park also has a great visitors centre that will give out tons of information about the glacier. We took this private excursion while sailing to Alaska on a cruise as it was much cheaper than the excursions on the ship. The $45 cost also included the park fees to enter the area. If you are wondering what to do while visiting Juneau Alaska this Glacier Express Excursion is a great option.

August 16, 2019August 16, 2019

Norwegian Joy Cruise VLOG – Day 4 Juneau Alaska – Dawes Glacier – Mendenhall Glacier

This day 4 Vlog is of our cruise to Alaska onboard the Norwegian Joy. In this video, we will visit Juneau Alaska, Dawes Glacier in the Endicott Arm and the Mendenhall Glacier. We will also walk the Nugget Falls Trail to Nugget Falls from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor’s Center. This cruise set sail from Seattle and visits several ports and locations in Alaska and B.C. including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria and the Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm. The Norwegian Joy is part of the Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus class and is a sister ship to the Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss. The NCL Joy is a massive ship that is 333.46 metres in length and can hold 3883 passengers and 1700 crew. The Norwegian Joy currently has itineraries to the Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast, Alaska, Bermuda, Panama Canal and the Caribbean. The NCL Joy has so many features including go-carts, laser tag, mini-golf, water slides, pools, hot tubs, buffets, restaurants, casino, theater and so much more. This Norwegian ship was truly amazing and a Joy to sail on.

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