An all-you-can-eat salmon and prime rib lunch buffet is also included. The quiet waters mean Salmon are available all year long, as is Halibut. After about an hour in the water, you'll head back to the dive shop, where a hot beverage caps a perfect day. The musher will give a talk and give you a chance to meet any puppies they have in the camp that day. Alaska shore excursions give you an up-close view of this wild, beautiful state. Top 10 Alaska Cruise Excursions | Alaska Shore Excursions The White Pass and Yukon Route reopened in 1988 as a tourist attraction and now operates solely as a means of sightseeing. Top Wheelchair Accessible Shore Excursions for an Alaska Cruise The itinerary starts in Vancouver and ends in Whittier, Alaska, with calls in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway and scenic cruising in Glacier Bay and College Fjord. You'll also have free time at the end to browse a gallery and to shop for souvenirs. Soaring above the forest below (at certain points, you are 300 feet above the forest floor), you might also catch views of Port Frederick, Icy Strait and your cruise ship. The Best "Non-Excursions" in Port During Your Alaska Cruise Cruisers with disabilities can also enjoy the Skagway train ride as the train cars come equipped with a wheelchair lift and other accessibility features. In the end, youll enjoy a salmon dish with fresh greens, and homemade ice cream. tips on choosing Alaska cruise excursions, how to make the most of one day in Skagway, Skagway vs Haines: The Differences Explained, 3. Accordingly, passengers can opt in for a version of the excursion that includes a post-tour motor coach transfer to Anchorage hotels and its airport. Sitka is where the land transfer agreement was made and signed that made Alaska part of the United States. Those who book will ride along on Aleutian Ballad, a fishing boat featured in the second season of "Deadliest Catch.". Tiny in size but big on preservation, Skagway offers an authentic glimpse of the Gold Rush era. The Best Excursion for First-Time Cruisers to Skagway From the helicopter, you might also view bears, moose, mountain goats and other wildlife. THE 25 BEST Cruises to Skagway, AK 2023 (with Prices) - Cruise Critic Consider this excursion if you'd like to see a glacier up close without spending the money on a helicopter tour. Spread your arms, and you'll feel on top of the world. Alaska Shore Excursions - Princess Cruises Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! After a narrated bus ride along the Haines Scenic Byway, transfer to the glacially carved Chilkat River on a flat-bottom boat where you will traverse a remote section of the renowned Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. You then head to Saxman Totem Park, home to one of the largest collections of authentic totems in the world, where your guide will help explain the stories and meanings behind the poles. While sailing the calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage (as opposed to the more treacherous fishing ground of the Bering Sea), you'll witness part of a day in the life of commercial fishermen, as they haul in their latest catch of Alaskan king crab, halibut, octopus, prawn and more. Given how many cruise companies offer a number of interesting and unique shore excursions in Skagway, it was hard to choose which ones to recommend. Ferry to Haines: If you've been to Skagway many times before, the town of Haines is a quick passenger ferry ride away. This three-hour tour pairs you up with a local photographer to explore the whole region. In any case, this particular one caught my eye, as its got a lot of things going for it: first, youll transport up the Klondike Highway to Summit Lake, which sits high in the White Pass this gives you ample opportunity to enjoy the incredible scenery of this area. 9 Best Alaska Cruise Tour Destinations - Cruise Critic You might also see the cascading Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier, the floating Dead Branch Glacier or the river-like East Twin Glacier before landing on Norris Glacier, home to a mushing camp. Without exaggeration, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You travel in the comfort of old-fashioned rail cars, and the route takes you up the 2,865-foot summit of the White Pass, through tunnels and over sky-high trestles, past remote valleys and such sights as Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch -- so named because so many miners lost their horses there. In between "zips", you'll land on wooden platforms in the trees, and make your way over four swaying suspension bridges. You then head to Saxman Totem Park, home to one of the largest collections of authentic totems in the world, where your guide will help explain the stories and meanings behind the poles. If you catch a fish, you can have it packaged and shipped home for an additional fee; note your catch will not be permitted back onboard the ship. Skagway, Alaska is known for its beautiful scenery and historic setting as the epicenter of the Klondike Gold Rush. Sightsee in Skagway. Add in beautiful scenery and opportunities for outdoor adventure, and Skagway is a unique place thats well-worth exploring during your port stop on an Alaska cruise. Its also a 45-minute fast-ferry ride from Skagway. Who Offers This Shore Excursion in Skagway? A ride into the mountains on this narrow-gauge railroad is the tour everybody takes when visiting the Gold Rush town-turned-tourist hub. During this excursion, youll be transported by boat from Skagway to Burro Creek Lodge and learn about this rustic off-grid accommodation. Haines is a small Alaskan community with Native Alaskan roots and plenty of its own unique history. Call it the iconic attraction of Skagway, Alaska. Go Beyond the Town. Who Offers This Skagway Shore Excursion? Dog Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing: This combo tour is a budget-buster, but it's a unique way to experience the glaciers. Skagway Fish Co., near the Railroad Dock, offers terrific seafood as the name would suggest (get the fish and chips), along with marina views. Thats why this Food Science Tour, which admittedly isnt offered by many of the cruise companies, makes my list. The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler - The Points Guy The White Pass and Yukon Route train was first established at the turn of the 20th century as a narrow gauge railroad. Therefore, you'll board a type of customized sled with wheels, rather than a traditional sled that's designed for snow.) How It Works Order Status About Us Contact Us FAQ Blog Toggle navigation Juneau Tours Skagway Tours Ketchikan Tours Icy Strait Tours You'll begin this trip with a 35- to 40-minute bus ride to the remnants of the nearby ghost town of Dyea, which was Skagway's biggest competition during the gold rush days. You can also try your hand at making a few stampede-era cocktails (including one with edible gold!) As I mentioned, Skagway is a destination for history lovers so its no surprise that a history tour tops the list. Juneau - overall best Alaska cruise port! How do I spend a day in Skagway Alaska? Skagway's White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, built too late for the Gold Rush, was re-purposed in the 1980s to serve visitors off increasingly large cruise ships, and a new gold rush was born. Ketchikan - runner up for best overall + best shopping. 1. For a snack between sightseeing, stop in at Klondike Doughboy, offering a local sweet treat called fry bread. Most shops are on one street: Broadway. What is the Back-to-Ship-Guarantee? Your hands will likely hurt from hitting the handbrakes so much. Also keep in mind that weather could affect visibility. Onboard seats are padded benches with two people on each bench. Once there, you'll board an all-terrain vehicle called a Unimog, which will take you up a rugged mountain road to where the mushers keep their dogs. The 10 Best Skagway Shore Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023 Description. Alaska Shore Tours Top-Rated Shore Excursions Best Skagway Excursions & Tours | Alaska Shore Excursions The seaplane will also briefly land on water within the park to give you a taste of the serenity down below. Sitka is a fantastic Alaska cruise port for hiking and exploring on your own! Your Guide to the Best Alaska Cruise Ports, visitor numbers dwindle due to rock slides, Discuss this topic at our Cruise Boards >, Free daily cruise updates to your inbox >, Subscribe for daily cruise news on YouTube >, It's time to check today's cruise deals right here >, Damaged Ruby Princess to Depart on Revised Itinerary, Cruise Line Unveils New Features for Its Largest-Ever Ship, Disney Cruise Line Expanding New Wearable to Another Ship, Six Costa Cruise Ships to Sail More Enhanced Longer Itineraries. After about an hour in the water, you'll head back to the dive shop, where a hot beverage caps a perfect day. Top 10 things to do in Skagway, Alaska | Royal Caribbean Blog Skagway offers year-round fishing. Skagway, Alaska Shore Excursions. Newsletter Write a Review Adventure Park and Zip Lines (3 - 3.5 hours) Walk on harrowing balance beams, cross exciting suspension bridges and soar on a series of exhilarating zip lines. A local fisherwoman/"wilderness chef" will lead a demo on fish filleting, then bring you outside where you can learn to grill the day's catch over a large wood grill. One of the best Skagway cruise excursions is a city tour that shows you the best parts of this small Alaskan community. Plus, it leaves plenty of time for further exploration in Icy Strait Point. I mean, theres like a whole generation of people who have transformed the restaurant industry with that preference. At the end, you'll have newfound culinary knowledge to take home as a souvenir. Best Cruise Excursions in Alaska - Sitka. (If you want to do Skagway on your own, I recommend checking my guide for how to make the most of one day in Skagway!). You're not likely to see any scenery prettier than this, and you'll stand a good chance of spotting wildlife including eagles, bears, mountain goats, deer and wolves. End by enjoying a champagne toast in the Red Onion Saloon, whether youve seen a ghost or not! Be aware that once you are above the trees, there is no getting off the track. The Best Alaska Excursions For Your Alaskan Cruise Therefore, you'll board a type of customized sled with wheels, rather than a traditional sled that's designed for snow.) The uncertainty surrounding the situation threatens to cause widespread disruption to the plans of cruise guests, who look forward to the iconic train journey as a highlight of their Alaskan adventure. Skagway, Alaska | Information for Cruise & Independent | ALASKA.ORG Once you land, your guide will take you on a dogsled ride over the snow-covered glacier and describe the 1,000-mile Iditarod race from Anchorage to Nome. The Best hike in every Alaska cruise port - Ordinary Adventures As such, this is an excursion that's also limited to participants who are sailing on back-to-back cruises to/from Seward if you buy through the line. During my most recent trip, I picked an excursion to ride the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad, then spent the rest of my time just exploring the historic downtown. Last, but certainly not least, heres one more new Skagway shore excursion that makes my list this one is much like some experiences you might be able to have in other Alaskan ports, but I love that Burro Creek Lodge has an incredible waterfall that you can get up close and personal with. (There are six cables side by side, so up to a half-dozen participants can do the ride at the same time.). Join a Skagway madam for an alleyway tour of Skagways saucy former tourism industry then tour the citys brothel museum. The stand-off between WPYR and SMART-TD has created an unfortunate scenario that threatens to tarnish what is typically a peak period for Alaskan tourism. Screaming is de rigueur. And just when you think, "Wow, I've done it," you have to rappel down a rope to reach the ground. This tour is ideal for anyone who wants to take a short excursion and still have enough time left in the day to explore Sitka on his or her own. On this 2.5-hour excursion, you'll walk through the small city of Sitka, once known as the "Paris of the Pacific," with a guide, stopping at various art galleries and artisan ateliers along the way. If you catch a fish, you can have it packaged and shipped home for an additional fee; note your catch will not be permitted back onboard the ship. this is a perfect Skagway excursion for your whole group. Or, it might kick off across the Canadian border in Fraser -- about a 45-minute ride by motorcoach. Historic Tour of Skagway: Pick up a map at the Skagway Visitors Center for a self-guided walking tour. On your 40 mile round trip journey, you'll climb 2,888 feet in elevation from sea level in Skagway to the Summit of the White Pass. The White Pass Railroad Summit is our most popular excursion in Skagway, one of the best Alaska train tours, and a trip highlight for many Alaskan cruisers. Have you figured out the theme of many Skagway excursions? Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Finally, I added up the metrics to come up with a final score.