Monday - Juneau

TODAY'S FORECAST
Scattered Showers 55°F / 13°C

ARRIVAL 12.00 Noon
ALL ABOARD 10.00 PM

TONIGHT'S DRESS CODE
Smart Casual

WELCOME TO JUNEAU, ALASKA

Gastineau Channel from top of Juneau tramway, Alaska

Photo credit: Sam Glover (This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.)

Juneau is the capital of Alaska. It has a population of about 32,000, and is about 3,200 square miles in size.

The weather in Juneau is relatively dry, with an average of 74 inches of rainfall per year. The average summer temperature (Fahrenheit) is in the 60's and the average winter temperature is about 30 degrees.

Juneau is the only US state capital whch is not accessible by road. The city's terrain is hilly, and its narrow, winding streets are filled with charm. However you will also find interesting museums here, sophisticated shops and many wonderful restaurants.

In 1880, two prospectors - Joe Juneau and Richard Harris - led by Kowee, a Tlingit Chief - beached their canoes along Gastineau Channel at the mouth of Gold Creek. They panned for a few hours... and found gold! The discovery changed their lives and the course of history. It also changed Alaska.

Harris and Juneau taked out a 160 acre townsite on October 4, 1880. Their claim produced one of the largest finds in the history of the Alaska Gold Rush. After the loose gold in the stream beds gave out, Juneau became a centre for hard rock mining. By the turn of the century, three of the largest mining operations in the world were located in Juneau. These mines yielded over $158 million in gold between 1880 and 1944. The last of the four large mines closed down during World War II.

The city of Juneau is located between Mount Juneau (3,576 feet) and Mount Roberts (3,819 feet). This gives the city a beautifully scenic setting, as well as natural protection against the cold winds and permafrost of Alaskan winters. Three glaciers - Mendenhall, Taku and Herbert - contribute to Juneau's mild climate - but also isolate Juneau from the rest of Alaska. In 1900, the capital of Alaska was moved from Sitka to Juneau, and here it has remained ever since. Architecturally, Juneau has retained most of its original Gold Rush heritage - the city's historical district is located downtown, and is full of buildings and houses that are as colourful as Juneau's past.

IN AND AROUND JUNEAU

A walking tour of Juneau will take you past turn-of-the-century houses, museums packed with Gold Rush history, frontier saloons, hotels, and bustling shops.

Alaska boasts one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in the northern hemisphere. For absolutely the best sightings of whales, seals and bald eagles, book one of the wonderful Juneau Wildlife Cruises available through our Shore Excursions office. If you're watching from the ship, keep your binoculars trained on the upper third of old growth forest. You might also be able to spot eagle nests in old deciduous trees. These huge nests are usually five to seven feet deep and six to eight feet across - so they're fairly easy to spot.

The main attraction in the Juneau area is also one of the most popular in Alaska. The Mendenhall Glacier is 13 miles from downtown, is over 200 feet high, nearly 3 miles wide, and is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. It was discovered by John Muir in 1879 and named in 1892 for Thomas Mendenhall. The Juneau Icefield - larger than the state of Rhode Island - feeds the Mendenhall and 37 other glaciers.

Photo credit: Travel Yukon and McPhee Publications. No copyright infringement intended.

For more information about Juneau, please visit the following very informative websites:

Juneau (Wikipedia)

The City and Borough of Juneau

Travel Juneau

OVERNIGHT AND TODAY

Early this morning we sailed through the Pacific Ocean towards Chatham Strait. We entered the Inside Passage and our Alaska pilots guided us through Frederick Sound, followed by Tracy Arm. We will cruise through Tracy Arm and then continue through Stephens Passage and Gastinueau Channel to our beth in Juneau. We expect to be docked at about noon.

Click on the map to enlarge it

TODAY'S SCENIC CRUISING

5.00am - 7.00am - Frederick Sound - watch for whales
7.30am - arrival - Tracy Arm, Stephens Passage and Gastineau Channel

JACKPOT BINGO (TANZANITE GIVEAWAY)

11.30am Showcase Lounge, Deck 5, Baja
DJ Pedro will be calling the numbers and giving away cash as the jackpot continues to increase during the cruise. The Shopping Arcade will be giving away tanzanite jewellery so don't miss out on your chance to win!

JOE JUNEAU GOLDRUSH DINNER

5.30pm - 10.30 pm Lido Cafe, Deck 8
Chef Domino has prepared a special Goldrush Dinner in the Lido Cafe. This evening we have extended meal hours to accommodate passengers returning from late tours.

SCENIC CRUISING NEAR JUNEAU

Photo credit: Jim Goddard / Winona Kent