What is dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier like? — featuring Happily Ever After, Etc.
In this video: Helicopter Ride and Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau, AK (Alaskan Cruise)
Happily Ever After, Etc. · 3 years ago
Is this tour suitable if I've never been on a helicopter?
Yes. The video shows a first-time helicopter rider with an inner ear disorder managing the experience well with preparation. The flight is smooth throughout except during the final landing approach, which is brief.
What this video answers
Is this tour suitable if I've never been on a helicopter?
How long is the actual dog sled run?
What happens if I'm concerned about my balance or physical ability?
Helicopter Ride and Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier: What to Expect
This helicopter tour departs from Juneau, Alaska as a shore expedition for cruise passengers on the Carnival Luminoso. The experience combines a scenic 15-minute helicopter flight to the Mendenhall Glacier with an actual dog sled run across the glacier itself, followed by time to meet and pet the sled dogs. The video documents a first-time participant managing motion sickness concerns and a father who was a former helicopter pilot—showing that the tour welcomes riders of different comfort levels and experience.
This excursion suits adventure seekers who want an unforgettable Alaskan experience but don't have unlimited time in port. It's ideal for cruise passengers with 2.5 hours available, families willing to accommodate different mobility needs, and anyone curious about glacial landscapes and working sled dogs. If you're prone to motion sickness, the video demonstrates that proper preparation (seasickness patches, medication) can make the flight manageable, though the final landing approach is noticeably the roughest part of the ride.
Key Moments
Highlights of This Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sledding Adventure
Helicopter flight with views of snow-capped Alaskan mountains and arrival at the glacier dog camp
Hands-on dog sled run where you can choose to sit or stand, with a trained musher managing the team
Close interaction with 35 working sled dogs, including petting and learning about their training and daily rotation
Post-run photo opportunity with puppies (Batman and Buttercup featured in the video) available for purchase
Return helicopter flight with the same scenic views in reverse
Dock-to-dock timing that allows pre-tour exploration of downtown Juneau
What You Need to Know Before Booking This Tour
Duration: 2.5 hours total, including 15 minutes each way by helicopter and safety briefings; the actual dog sled run is shorter than some travelers expect for the price
Motion sickness prep: The helicopter ride is generally smooth except during landing; consider seasickness patches and medication if you're sensitive to motion
What to bring: Only binoculars, glasses, and cameras are permitted on the helicopter; all other bags are locked in boxes at the dog camp
Gear provided: Glacier boot covers are supplied to protect your shoes on the ice
Physical flexibility: You can sit on the dog sled or stand, depending on balance and comfort; the musher provides clear instructions on leaning during turns to prevent tipping
Port logistics: The Carnival ship may dock mid-port or use a water taxi system; excursion groups meet in the ship's theater and depart via organized transfer
Photo costs: Professional photos with the dogs are available at $1.30 for one or $2.50 for two
Frequently Asked Questions About This Glacier Dog Sled Helicopter Tour
Is this tour suitable if I've never been on a helicopter?
Yes. The video shows a first-time helicopter rider with an inner ear disorder managing the experience well with preparation. The flight is smooth throughout except during the final landing approach, which is brief. Having a knowledgeable pilot and taking motion sickness precautions beforehand makes a significant difference.
How long is the actual dog sled run?
The video doesn't specify an exact distance or duration, but the creator notes the sled run was shorter than expected for the overall tour price. Most of the 2.5-hour experience is spent on the helicopter ride and safety briefings, with the dog sled itself being the centerpiece but a smaller portion of total time.
What happens if I'm concerned about my balance or physical ability?
The tour offers flexibility: you can sit on the dog sled for the entire run rather than standing. The musher provides clear instructions on how to lean to balance during turns. The creator, who has a balance disorder (Meniere's disease), chose to sit throughout and still had a positive experience.
Can I interact with the dogs?
Yes. After the sled run, you have time to pet all the dogs in the team. You can also meet puppies at the dog camp, though photos with them are a paid add-on ($1.30–$2.50). The musher, Caitlyn in the video, is knowledgeable about the dogs and explains that she personally manages 35 dogs, rotating teams every three tours so the animals stay fresh.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear sturdy shoes (glacier boot covers will be provided). Binoculars, glasses, and cameras are the only items allowed on the helicopter; everything else goes into locked boxes. If you have motion sickness concerns, wear a seasickness patch and bring any medication before boarding.
This video is genuinely helpful because it shows the full flow of a cruise shore excursion—from meeting in the ship's theater, through port logistics, to the actual activity—and honestly assesses both the highlights and the pricing. The creator manages real concerns like motion sickness and mobility, making it relatable for travelers who worry about whether they can handle a helicopter ride.
What stands out is the transparency: the dog sled run is shorter than you might hope for the cost, but the dogs themselves are enthusiastic and well-cared-for, and the glacier scenery from the air is genuinely stunning. If you're cruising Alaska and want a once-in-a-lifetime sled dog experience, this tour delivers that, though budgeting it knowing the ride duration will help you decide whether it fits your priorities and cruise schedule.
Years on the front lines of helicopter tour coordination — not as a travel blogger, but as the person responsible for making every guest experience go right. Managed 2,000+ cruise guests weekly as Shore Excursions staff aboard the Pride of America in Hawaii
Personally coordinated with helicopter tour operators to confirm age, weight, and safety requirements.
Ready for our first cruise port? Today we're stopping in Juneau, Alaska and taking a water taxi to the port. Then we have a few hours to look around the port before our very first excursion: a helicopter ride to the Mendenhall Glacier to go dog sledding!
CHECK OUT THE PLAYLIST FOR THIS ALASKAN CRUISE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkYC0JwDh4CZBvxvCGCj7oNXpZxWjrzoP
CHECK OUT MY EUROPEAN CRUISE PLAYLIST:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOAigUAGE0Q&list=PLkYC0JwDh4CZVSdsn6--GvWKP6Fwe58Cs
6 Day Alaskan Cruise Itinerary:
Day 1: Embarkation Day (Seattle)
Day 2: Day at Sea
Day 3: Juneau, Alaska
Day 4: Tracy Arm Fjord (Sea Day)
Day 5: Ketchikan, Alaska
Day 6: Victoria, Canada
Day 7: Seattle
I'm Betsy, Home Decor Enthusiast, Yorkie Mama, Crafter, Blogger, Picky Eater, Chief Mess Maker, Antique Hoarder and Graphic Designer. I'm a first-time home buyer so you can generally find me working on (attacking with a paintbrush) the 3 bed, 2 bath I now call home! Let's face it... this life may be crazy but I believe that a little bit of elbow grease goes a long way... and passion makes just about anything possible.
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Video transcript for “Helicopter Ride and Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau, AK (Alaskan Cruise)” Accessibility
A full written transcript of this video, provided for accessibility. Select any timestamp to jump the video to that moment.
hey y'all it's Betsy with happily ever after Etc and welcome back to another Cruise video so as you all know we are currently on the Carnival luminoso which is in Alaska we are right outside of Juno which is going to be our very first Port of Call I'm very excited my dad's never been on
a cruise before we had a c day yesterday and he is still adapting but he's very excited to get to Alaska in his his favorite state when I was born we lived in Alaska and so he's been here way more than I have but he was in the military and he never got down to some of these places like Juno so we are actually
going on an Excursion today we're going to be taking a helicopter out to excuse me I will butcher this I'll probably learn it by the end of the day Mendenhall Glacier where we are going to go dog sledding so wish me luck I will bring you all along for as much of the ride as I can they did say
sometimes in the helicopter you're not allowed to have your cameras out but I will capture as much of the day as I can and if I can't capture it I will show you pictures and tell you how it goes but I'm very excited as you all may or may not know I have Meniere's um so I get very very motion sick I have
a seasick patch on and I have replacing that I take for motion sickness it's my first time on a helicopter I've flown with my dad when I was little and I've been on lots of little planes but never helicopter my dad was a helicopter pilot so he's very excited for that um but we'll we'll let you know
pray for me all right we're gonna go meet up with everybody else in the theater that's where all of the Carnival Excursions meet before we get off the boat and I know I can film that so let's go to the theater this is literally the view from our balcony guys there is snow up on the mountains in
June there always is in Alaska but still can you imagine living right here to the theater we're coming from the back of the ship all the way to the front number two for today and the theaters around the corner all these guys are waiting for our tickets
we'll get off the ship so let's go keep going this way thank you what you're going to do is you're going to get the elevator to deck number one and then we're going to have our amazing team there that will be able to get a reserved elevator to take you down the rest of the way so if you can't take
stairs for any reason just make sure you speak to our team and they will be able to all right we are on the ferry so the way it's working today is the boat is actually out a little bit in the pier in the support and they have a water taxi from one to four and then the boat stocking and you
can get back on directly onto the boat from the floor so Water Taxi thank you yeah but there's like there's a lot of them
[Music] here's the whole Port so we came
Pandora is back here and we got off our little water taxi down there but you can see that some of the ships when they dock just have their own Pier which apparently our ship will come dock at four maybe it's switching out with the spirit it's strange to have two Carnival ships one port
we're just gonna walk around see what there is to see walking along you can see we're directly in front of the spirit now and there is the second Pandora store the gal at the first Pandora store said there's three import here and they each have their own exclusive charms so the igloo one was theirs and that's the one
I got I like the igloo we're gonna keep walking around do you want to cross here dead or you want to go further down first we'll cross here we've got all kinds of stuff
these are cool I like the little whale tails foreign checked out all the shops and the third Pandora store
it's right here very cute very cute so right in there we're gonna head back meet up with our tour group to go get on a helicopter wish me luck
[Music] [Music] do you see anywhere there's a clipboard please
finally made it apparently we've got some clipboard stuff to fill out and then we have to get on a helicopter so they gave us these Glacier boot covers to go on over our shoes got a whole bunch of them and then we put all our bags these big lock boxes you can only bring your binoculars
classes and your camera ready to go I guess [Music] [Music]
[Music] [Laughter]
[Music] all right so we made it to the dog camp on our helicopters it was pretty good and they started feeling dizzy at the very end so I'll take it and now we're waiting for our dog sled uh how did you like the helicopter dad
zero to Ten Ten being awesome zero being you could have flown it better oh I could have flown it better but it was awesome only reason I rode in a helicopter but at least now there's dogs so we're gonna go around I guess and uh then probably get back in the helicopter overall it said this tour was two and a
half hours but it's hard to know you know I'm sure that includes helicopter time and the safety briefings they gave us back for helicopter and here for the dogs so so far so good no ah thank you way better than
this slide from running into me there leaning um the trail is pretty good but if you feel this little tipping um One Way lean the opposite way just just and if it's a big character her turn um then I'll tell you to lean a certain way too okay that's basically it and every time we take off it's a pretty big
jolt so hold on tight and that's it all right thank you I'm gonna set up front I don't know what he's doing all right
nothing foreign
[Music]
Shuffle there but [Music] this is super excited foreign [Music]
[Music] how long does it train to teach to train on those kind of things [Music]
[Music] let's go foreign
taking some breaks man we'll go back to camp I just wanna run laughs
[Music] a lot of songs he lives up on a mountain so he gets a lot of snow I live in Alabama there's no snow
but we've lived all over so he's military [Music]
I have really bad balance I have meniere so I will just fall right over but thank you for asking I think we are done uh with the dogs you got to pet them all we're gonna go see the puppies
two pictures and it was one for 30 or two for fifty keep that in mind we have buttercup what's his name Batman of course and how old is he ten if these are tired now so we're looking
forward be a long commute to Alabama God you can't come home with another dog we already talked about this
thank you [Music]
[Music]
[Music] foreign
[Music] you're going all right boat is docked tour is over
going back on the ship it is about an hour past dinner time so we're gonna eat and then I will be back to tell y'all final thoughts see you in a second all right y'all we are back from our tour it has been a long day even though the tour was only from about three to about 5 30. it said it was two and a
half hours and it was so we had a really good time because the ship was actually over there and then moved to be ported um they took everyone off the ship via Water Taxi at one which we had about two hours to walk around and explore downtown Juneau which I was planning to do afterwards but it worked out just
fine we just had to make sure we were back at the dock by three to go take our tour I enjoyed it I was worried that the helicopter was going to be ace scarier and B really make me motion sick and definitely at the last couple minutes we were on the helicopter about 15 minutes one way last couple minutes when they
were Landing was the worst but other than that I was perfectly fine and that was with my mirrors my inner ear disorder I have a seasick patch on and I took some medicine before getting on the plane now my dad who does not get motion said it was fine the whole time so take that for what it's worth the dogs
were great though in our musher Caitlyn was very knowledgeable she said that she has 35 of the dogs up there are hers her responsibility she feeds them takes care of them she picks her own team every day they switch out the teams every three tours so that they have new dogs and I
mean if you watch the video you know they just love to run every time she stabbed them they were just ready to keep going so they were so much fun and it was a lot of fun to get to pet them and stand on the dog sled which my dad did I sat on it because your girl does not need to fall off
not a not a thing I need to experience but it was fun and I liked that they had different levels I guess you could say if you wanted to try standing or if you wanted to sit the whole time there was an option for both of you the actual dog sled uh run wasn't as long as I necessarily would
have liked for the price of the entire Excursion but it was fun we did enjoy it and then we did get some pictures afterwards so all in all it was a really fun day and a really fun Excursion for the price would have liked a little longer of a helicopter ride and a little longer of a
dog sled run but overall we were very happy so I hope this helps you if you're looking at booking this cruise we really enjoyed both the helicopter pilots and the dog sled mushers they answered all their questions and they were really nice so only stamped us we're gonna go get ready for tomorrow
tomorrow the ship is going through the Tracy arm Fjord there's only one Excursion you get off the big boat you get on a little boat and you go closer to the whales and the glaciers and the wildlife and we're doing it so we'll take you with us
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