What to Expect from Royal Caribbean's Helicopter Glacier Tour in Juneau
Royal Caribbean's helicopter glacier walkabout in Juneau takes you on a spectacular aerial and ground experience that, according to the video, became the reviewer's favorite excursion of their entire Alaska cruise. The experience combines a scenic helicopter flight through dramatic canyon formations with a guided walk across Mendenhall Glacier. You'll spend roughly two hours on the glacier itself, landing about 1.5 miles from the glacier's end, where you can walk on thousand-year-old ice and drink fresh glacier meltwater.
This tour suits anyone seeking to maximize limited port time in Juneau—you get only half a day in port on most Alaska cruises, and this excursion covers far more glacial terrain than land-based options. The video shows that every age group in the reviewer's party handled the walk well, making it accessible to families, solo travelers, and adventure seekers alike. At $400–$500 per person, it's one of the pricier shore excursions, but the reviewer found it worth every dollar.
Key Moments
Highlights of the Mendenhall Glacier Experience
- The helicopter flight itself through scenic canyons with stunning rock formations—described as just as spectacular as the glacier itself
- Landing on Mendenhall Glacier and walking on ice potentially thousands of years old while wearing crampons
- Drinking fresh glacier meltwater straight from the source while on the ice
- Professional guides (like Cody, Sam, and Owen in the video's group) providing detailed education on glacier formation, meteor marines, and granite spires
- Views during the flight that photos and videos do not do justice to, as the video emphasizes
- The efficiency of seeing and experiencing Alaska's glacial environment in a single half-day port visit
What You Need to Know Before Booking
- Duration and timing: You'll be picked up at the Juneau dock for a 15–20 minute van ride to the helicopter base near the airport. Plan roughly 2 hours on the glacier itself.
- What's included: Royal Caribbean collects your height, weight, and shoe size before you sail so raincoat, rain pants, boots, and crampons are fitted and waiting when you arrive. All safety equipment is provided.
- Helicopter capacity: Each helicopter holds 5–6 passengers depending on weight distribution.
- Motion sickness: The video notes the pilot was incredibly skilled with no motion sickness issues during the flight, though experience may vary.
- Weather risk: The video mentions that part of the reviewer's group was cancelled the same day due to bad weather. Royal Caribbean offers a full refund if weather cancels your flight, and the ship will wait if the excursion runs late—you cannot be left behind.
- Cost-saving tip: The video recommends booking during Black Friday deals if possible, as the reviewer saved over $100 per person by booking during a promotional period rather than at full price closer to the cruise date.
- Walking difficulty: Walking on ice with crampons isn't technically difficult but requires attention; guides provide walking poles for stability and remind you to watch for potholes and ice hazards.
- Independent vs. Royal Caribbean booking: The video stresses that booking through Royal Caribbean, rather than independent operators, provides crucial weather protection and the guarantee the ship will not leave without you.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Glacier Helicopter Tour
Is this excursion worth the $400–$500 cost?
According to the video, yes. The reviewer found it was worth every dollar and their favorite experience of the entire cruise. The cost includes the helicopter flight, glacier landing, professional guides, all safety equipment, and an educational experience that would cost significantly more if booked independently. You're also paying for the peace of mind that the ship will not leave without you and you'll receive a full refund if weather cancels your flight.
What if I get motion sickness on helicopters?
The video notes that the pilot was incredibly skilled and the reviewer experienced zero motion sickness during the entire flight to and from the glacier. While individual experiences vary, the smooth flying technique used on this tour may reduce the likelihood of motion sickness compared to other helicopter operations.
What's the physical difficulty level?
The video shows that the walking itself isn't technically difficult—every age group in the reviewer's party handled it well. However, walking with crampons (ice spikes) on your boots requires attention; you need to take higher, wider steps to avoid tripping on the spikes themselves. Guides provide walking poles for stability.
What happens if weather cancels my flight?
The video documents that this actually happened to part of the reviewer's group on the same morning. When you book through Royal Caribbean, you receive a full refund. If booked independently, you'd likely lose the money entirely. Additionally, if the excursion runs late, Royal Caribbean guarantees the ship will wait—you cannot be left behind.
Will I have time to do this if I only have half a day in Juneau?
Yes. The video emphasizes that this tour is perfect for maximizing limited port time. You get picked up at the dock, ride to the helicopter base, fly to the glacier, spend about 2 hours on the ice, and return—all within a half-day port visit. Land-based glacier options couldn't cover as much terrain in the same time frame.
