Silver Streak Posted September 11, 2006 #1 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I will be sailing on the Sapphire Princess southbound next July. One of our ports of call will be Skagway. I would like to take a ride on the White Pass and Yukon RR. I was wondering if I should take the round trip from Skagway to the Summit on the train or take the train one way and the bus the other way? What would some of you veterans of Alaskan cruises recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LonghornKJK Posted September 11, 2006 #2 Share Posted September 11, 2006 If you're more interested in seeing the scenery than riding on the train, you might consider renting a car from Avis and driving. That's what we did last month and it was absolutely beautiful! We were parallel to the train much of the way, then continued into the Yukon past where the train stops (though I understand on some combination excursions, you can ride further on the bus.) We loved being able to stop and take pictures whenever we wanted and we didn't have to worry about having good seats. :) One of our members, Yukon, has written a mile-by-mile guide of the road trip so you get as much information as a guided tour. His site is at: http://www.explorenorth.com/library/roads/sklondike-photos1.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraftyDD Posted September 11, 2006 #3 Share Posted September 11, 2006 We were there last month on Carnival Spirit. We took a bus up - did some kayaking and took the train down. Others took the train up and bikeroad down and had a blast. There are usually many options - you just need to decide which one is for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatemom2 Posted September 11, 2006 #4 Share Posted September 11, 2006 We booked through a company called Chilkoot Charters. We took the train up and then our driver met us and drove us even further into the Yukon all the way to beautiful Emerald Lake. We then stopped at a great place called Caribou Crossing for a BBQ lunch. There is a museum there and they raise Siberian Huskies. My kids loved petting and playing with the puppies. Our driver then drove us back to Skagway stopping at scenic points along the way. It was a great excursion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker1 Posted September 11, 2006 #5 Share Posted September 11, 2006 We did the round trip rail this August. At the summit, passengers changed sides, so that everyone had a chance at the best seats for viewing. If you do it one way, try to sit on the left side of the train going up, right coming down. Once outside of Skagway city limits passengers are allowed to stand on the platforms between trains. Great place to take photos, but the platforms only hold a couple of people, so people have to take turns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtpnk Posted September 11, 2006 #6 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Hi Karatemom, one question for ya.. we are leaving this sunday 17th, for seattle on the star, and are taking the Ultimate whitepass RR and yukon tour, which is through NCL, which does the RR, and the museum and to see the dogs.. do you know if this tour also goes to Emerald Lake??? id hate to miss that.. thanks for any info you may know. diane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisymae253 Posted September 11, 2006 #7 Share Posted September 11, 2006 We booked through a company called Chilkoot Charters. We took the train up and then our driver met us and drove us even further into the Yukon all the way to beautiful Emerald Lake. We then stopped at a great place called Caribou Crossing for a BBQ lunch. There is a museum there and they raise Siberian Huskies. My kids loved petting and playing with the puppies. Our driver then drove us back to Skagway stopping at scenic points along the way. It was a great excursion! We did this very same thing........and it was great....the tour guide gave 100% in explaining all the landmarks...also she stopped along the way and we made bunches of pics...my vote all the way:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatemom2 Posted September 12, 2006 #8 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi Diane, I wish I could tell you, but since we booked directly with Chilkoot Charters I am not sure if the tour through NCL is the same. We did not see any of the tour buses at Emerald Lake although we did see them at Caribou Crossing and other scenic stops. Emerald Lake is past Caribou Crossing and I am not certain if the tour buses go all the way there or just stop when they get to Caribou Crossing. Maybe someone else here knows the answer. You are going to love the Star!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lthomas Posted September 12, 2006 #9 Share Posted September 12, 2006 When are you going SilverStreak? We are on the Southbound July 7 and this is a tour we are very interested in as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Streak Posted September 12, 2006 Author #10 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Ithomas, We are also taking the southbound Sapphire Princess on July 7. We are also taking a land tour before we take the cruise. This is our first cruise ever and we are very excited about going. I have doing a great deal of research so that we can do and see as much as we can. I just thought that by taking the White Pass and Yukon RR one way and taking the bus back we could see some different scenery. Several years ago my husband and I took the Durango to Silverton roundtrip RR excursion and we wished we had only gone up on the train and that we had taken the bus back. I just wondered if the White Pass and Yukon trip would be the same way. The Chilkoot Charters package sounds very interesting. Maybe we will see you there. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtgirl Posted September 12, 2006 #11 Share Posted September 12, 2006 We booked through a company called Chilkoot Charters. We took the train up and then our driver met us and drove us even further into the Yukon all the way to beautiful Emerald Lake. We then stopped at a great place called Caribou Crossing for a BBQ lunch. There is a museum there and they raise Siberian Huskies. My kids loved petting and playing with the puppies. Our driver then drove us back to Skagway stopping at scenic points along the way. It was a great excursion! Could you please tell me how much they charged per person? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoth Posted September 12, 2006 #12 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I did the train and bus combo and just loved it. On the return bus ride we stooped at Liersville goldrush living history camp which was lots of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatemom2 Posted September 12, 2006 #13 Share Posted September 12, 2006 It was $159 for adults and I believe it was $89 for the kids if memory serves me right. That price included all of our transportation by train and van as well as the entrance fee and lunch at Caribou Crossing. It was about a seven hour excursion. They picked us up at 7:30 a.m. and we got back to Skagway at about 3 p.m. Although it seemed expensive to me when I booked it, in retropsect I think it was well worth the investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisechick82 Posted September 12, 2006 #14 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi Diane,I wish I could tell you, but since we booked directly with Chilkoot Charters I am not sure if the tour through NCL is the same. We did not see any of the tour buses at Emerald Lake although we did see them at Caribou Crossing and other scenic stops. Emerald Lake is past Caribou Crossing and I am not certain if the tour buses go all the way there or just stop when they get to Caribou Crossing. Maybe someone else here knows the answer. You are going to love the Star!! I have read from others on here that if your tour doesn't normally stop at Emerald Lake, be sure to ask the driver if they will stop there anyway. It seems that if they have time and someone requests it, they often will drive the few extra miles to Emerald Lake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactusrose Posted September 17, 2006 #15 Share Posted September 17, 2006 We just returned on Tuesday from Alaska. In Skagway we took the excursion with Chilkoot Charters that goes to the Summit by Train and then on to Carcross and returning to Skagway by Van. This was a wonderful tour. Kerry, our guide, was fun and informative and Kathy in the office is great to work with. I had a million questions before I booked and she very patiently answered all of them. Carcross was a great stop. You won't believe what you will see in the museum in this tiny town. The BBQ lunch was good and they give you more than enough food. Then there's all the home made donuts you can eat. As if we need more food when on a cruise :rolleyes: . All in all, this was a wonderful excursion with plenty of photo ops on the way up and back. BTW if you are only riding the train one way, you will want to be on the left hand side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponcruisin Posted September 18, 2006 #16 Share Posted September 18, 2006 I just returned Saturday from our two week vacation to Alaska (1 week traveling around beforehand and 1 week cruise.) We rented a car in Skagway thru Avis and drove to Emerald Lake and back. The scenery was absolutely awesome! We had a gentleman in our group who had done an Alaskan cruise 5 years ago and in Skagway he did the Whitepass RR. This time he was in our rental vehicle and said it was far better than what the RR trip was. In fact, he even said it was number two highlight of our two week vacation. His number one highlight was the airplane ride of Mount McKinley in a five seater plane, so if you have the chance do that also. We rented a Chevy Impala (or similar) and used an Entertainment Book coupon for a free upgrade. So, for $86 rental cost with all taxes and $31 to fill up with gas, we had a Toyota Sienna (seats 7 and only had 8,000 miles on it) for the whole day. If you can, rent a vehicle.... definitely worth it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted September 18, 2006 #17 Share Posted September 18, 2006 I am excited that the WP&YR will be going all the way to Carcross, YT in 2007: http://www.wpyr.com/news/july292006.html Even though I'm not cruising on a HAL ship next June, I'm hopeful that Princess and/or Chilkoot Charters will offer a train/bus combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karatemom2 Posted September 18, 2006 #18 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Kerry was our guide as well and he definitely made the trip fun! We are very glad we took the train one way and drove the van back because it gave us both perspectives. The train ride was unique and does provide views you can't get from the road. Also, it was a treat to travel in a vintage rail car and my kids really loved it. Then we got to travel in the van which goes much further than the train and you still get all of the scenic stops going to Emerald Lake and all the way back to Skagway. I found it it be a great combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Streak Posted September 21, 2006 Author #19 Share Posted September 21, 2006 NancyIL, I talked with a person from Chilkoot Charters yesterday and he said that they were planning to add a trip next year that went along with the extended trip by RR to Carcross. He said that they would be coming out with more information on this trip as soon as they could. I haven't decided on whether to take that option or the Yukon Bus and Rail Excursion. I am sure both options will be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted September 21, 2006 #20 Share Posted September 21, 2006 NancyIL,I talked with a person from Chilkoot Charters yesterday and he said that they were planning to add a trip next year that went along with the extended trip by RR to Carcross. He said that they would be coming out with more information on this trip as soon as they could. I haven't decided on whether to take that option or the Yukon Bus and Rail Excursion. I am sure both options will be good. Great news! I e-mailed them asking the same question, but hadn't heard back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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