Has anyone done the White Pass railroad in Skagway?
in [Cruise Ship]
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From: Charles on 13 Jun 2010 14:44 > Hope this helps more than muddies the waters! Thank you for posting the link to the cruise ship schedule. I see the ship we are on will be at the railroad dock. The only ship in Skagway that day. Diana Ball Austin, TX -- Charles
From: Becca on 13 Jun 2010 15:53 On 6/13/2010 12:38 AM, Marcia R. wrote: > Which time did you go? My friend said she took the early train, and > it was a little too foggy to see all the sights. I'd prefer the 12:45 > train, anyway but will there be any time to look through the shops? > The ship leaves at 5:00 but I'm sure they want you back on board long > before that. How close are they to the train, and how close is the > train to the ship? The train was close to the ship, I want to say the train tracks were parallel but I am not exactly sure. Our walk to the train took about 5 minutes. We went last year in May, we took the early train, about 8:00am and there was not any fog or rain. We were lucky that week, I hear it rains often. To walk to the shops from the ship, it takes about 15 minutes, depending on where your ship is docked. We were on Princess and HAL was docked closer to the shops than we were. On the way back to the ship, the train will let you out at the shops, if that is your choice. Many people chose to go shopping. Becca
From: Marcia R. on 13 Jun 2010 16:15 Becca wrote: > On 6/13/2010 12:38 AM, Marcia R. wrote: >> Which time did you go? My friend said she took the early train, and >> it was a little too foggy to see all the sights. I'd prefer the 12:45 >> train, anyway but will there be any time to look through the shops? >> The ship leaves at 5:00 but I'm sure they want you back on board long >> before that. How close are they to the train, and how close is the >> train to the ship? > > The train was close to the ship, I want to say the train tracks were > parallel but I am not exactly sure. Our walk to the train took about 5 > minutes. We went last year in May, we took the early train, about > 8:00am and there was not any fog or rain. We were lucky that week, I > hear it rains often. To walk to the shops from the ship, it takes about > 15 minutes, depending on where your ship is docked. We were on Princess > and HAL was docked closer to the shops than we were. > > On the way back to the ship, the train will let you out at the shops, if > that is your choice. Many people chose to go shopping. > > Becca > We were thinking of doing the shops before the train and taking the later one. I found a list of the shops but not the times they open in the morning. Does anyone here know? We just have to figure out our timing, so we can get back to the ship to drop stuff off, grab something in the buffet...if it's open...and get to the train that we are booking through Princess. Then we can just relax and get back on the ship after the train.
From: Charles on 13 Jun 2010 16:19 "Marcia R." <Marcia(a)spamlessinlasvegas.net> wrote: > We were thinking of doing the shops before the train and taking the > later one. I found a list of the shops but not the times they open in > the morning. Does anyone here know? We just have to figure out our > timing, so we can get back to the ship to drop stuff off, grab > something in the buffet...if it's open...and get to the train that we > are booking through Princess. Then we can just relax and get back on > the ship after the train. Likely the shops will be open in the morning. They are there to milk us cruise ship passengers...,,, -- Charles
From: Jean O'Boyle on 13 Jun 2010 16:27
"Marcia R." <Marcia(a)spamlessinlasvegas.net> wrote in message news:Q8_Qn.72492$Gx2.50556(a)newsfe20.iad... > Jean O'Boyle wrote: >> "Marcia R." <Marcia(a)spamlessinlasvegas.net> wrote in message >> news:V6ZQn.12461$3y2.10212(a)newsfe11.iad... >>> I have a few questions that I'll save until I know some of you have >>> actually taken the train ride. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> Marcia >> >> We have, Marcia. >> >> --Jean > > OK, thanks. You know I over think stuff, but here I go. LOL. Princess > offers the train as a shore excursion. For some reason, the price isn't > listed, but I printed the info out a while back and then it cost $125. The > railroad quotes $110 per person. Is there any advantage to booking it > through the ship, in case the ship is late or the train is? Which time > did you go? My friend said she took the early train, and it was a little > too foggy to see all the sights. I'd prefer the 12:45 train, anyway but > will there be any time to look through the shops? The ship leaves at 5:00 > but I'm sure they want you back on board long before that. How close are > they to the train, and how close is the train to the ship? Can we do the > shops in the morning and drop anything we buy off at the ship before > getting on the train? I'll breath now. LOL. As it turns out, I'm > sailing with my niece so we don't want anything more complicated than > taking the train. I've seen stuff online about people driving and doing > other things, but we just want the train. > > Thanks, > Marcia Hi Marsha, Looks as if you have gotten many helpful answers since I answered you after midnight! We took the 12:40 excursion and were glad that we did as some of the people we spoke with that took the early morning one complained about visibility because of the fog. You do not have to worry about which side you choose as you are seated on one side going up and then the seats reverse coming back so you see both sides of the pass that way. Many years ago (I think 2004) we took a HAL ship and it docked on a Sunday, so we decided to go to early Mass and then buy tickets at the railroad station for the afternoon White Pass excursion...Much to our disappointment when we got to the railroad station, we were told there were no tickets to be had. They told us that the cruise line buys up all the tickets ahead of time. So you might think about that when making your decision...If you able to book tickets on line with the railroad, find out if they are dated and if so, for the right day and time. On our last cruise on the Star Princess, in May of 2009, we bought the tickets online from Princess to be sure that we got them and for the 12:40 timetable...There were little shuttle busses at the pier that dropped us off at the train. Can't remember if it cost us a dollar or we each tipped a dollar for that short ride.. Coming back, we must have ended up closer to the ship as we walked back because it was a short distance. There were little shuttle buses that took us into Skagway town for shopping, if we wanted to go. There is a souvenir shop (a car of the train) where you can do some shopping, too! Notice the cute pot-belly stoves that are used to heat the railroad cars! When you board, they give you a complimentary, "All Board Magazine" which has a map of the entire White Pass and points of interest. I think you are right about sticking with the train both ways, You can go outside between the cars while it is moving for better photo opportunities and to breathe that wonderful fresh air! I don't know what time your ship docks in Skagway so I can't tell you how much time you have to do shopping in town. There are several docks and it depends where the ship ends up as to the distance to town. You might even have a few minutes to stop in the infamous and historical Red Onion Saloon! ;-) http://www.alaskaportreviews.com/Skagway.htm#Reviews I know you will love Alaska...we are hooked and have taken five cruises and one land visit and never tire of the beautiful scenery. Have a great cruise and if you have any other questions, ask away! --Jean |