Woohoo, just booked shore extrusions

[InTheCruisingYearsOfLife]

Pleased to see the shore dispersions for our Alaska cruise (end of July 2010) have become available. Woohoo! Booked Skagway for the White Pass Railroad and Laughton Glacier Deathmarch. Booked Ketchikan for the Musty Ford Discovery jet-cat. In Juneau (the day before the death march), gonna do our own thing (i.e. not pre-book), and hitch a ride on the Mt. Roberts cable-dangle. In Victoria at the end of the trip (with its 6PM to midnight gratuitous touchdown in a furrin' kuntry) just gonna go walkabout 'round town, and mebbe blow the few remaining rubles for tea at the Empress.

As I said earlier, woohoo!

(Anybody care to second-guess the wisdom of any of these choices. I'm all ears (metaphorically speaking)).

Cruisin' O'Life

[noreddye]

We were also excited to learn that they finally posted our shore excursions for our Alaska May cruise. Unlike you, we have not booked a shore excursion.

[DMH15]

Dear OP-

I have taken many NCL excursions and was pleased with them. However, on the advice of others, just got off the ship in Skagway, walked to the Depot and bought a ticket on the White Pass. No need to pay NCL a premium for this simple DIY excursion.

[InTheCruisingYearsOfLife]

Originally Posted by DMH15

Dear OP-

I ... just got off the ship in Skagway, walked to the Depot and bought a ticket on the White Pass. No need to pay NCL a premium for this simple DIY excursion.

I agree with the sentiment and that's why we did NOT book the Mt. Roberts tramway through NCL -- save ten bucks per body by just walking over to it and buying passage on the spot. But for the White Pass rail, we are combining it with the 8 mile hike up to the Laughton Glacier, and so for that I think we need it more up-front arranged. Anyone know differently?

Cruisin' O'Life

[DMH15]

Sorry, did not understand it was a combo excursion. You will love the White Pass, so scenic and it rocked me like a baby.

[InTheCruisingYearsOfLife]

Originally Posted by DMH15

You will love the White Pass, so scenic and it rocked me like a baby.

Yep. First rode the White Pass Railroad when I was seven years old, after my family paddled kayaks down the Yukon from Whitehorse to Dawson. If I recall correctly, we took a night bus back to Whitehorse, and then rode the rails to Skagway and then the car ferry down to Seattle.

Back then, the rail went all the way into Skagway, but I think it still stops short of that nowadays because of a bridge that went down and was never rebuilt. Also, back then, the highway hadn't been built; I think it was in process. I think the rail's mainstay was logging at the time, and then it went out of business when the highway opened up. Tourism has brought it back to life.

Also back then, I distinctly remember the train stopping somewhere, and the entire passenger load having a really good feast, served family style in a big mess hall. Fresh salmon, and lots of other good stuff.


I've been back only once, five years ago, at age 48. We took the rail uphill and rode bikes back down to Skagway. There are memories about the railroad and about Skagway itself that are as vivid as if my first visit had been the week before.