Glaciers Posted January 14, 2014 #26 Share Posted January 14, 2014 This is a milepost for the train from Skagway to Carcross. There will also be announcements regarding these areas as the train travels along. http://www.wpyrmediakit.com/mediakit/milepostguide.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner22aa Posted January 14, 2014 #27 Share Posted January 14, 2014 If you are a history buff at all get a copy of the book: The Sourdough and the Queen All about a man by the name of Joe Boyle. Amongst other things he surveyed the route for the Yukon Whitepass Railway which you wish to ride on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredbrot Posted January 15, 2014 #28 Share Posted January 15, 2014 This is a milepost for the train from Skagway to Carcross. There will also be announcements regarding these areas as the train travels along. http://www.wpyrmediakit.com/mediakit/milepostguide.html Glaciers, thank you very much for the website. It is a wonderful resource. I have saved a copy of the Milepost Guide and will print it out for my trip. Thank you again, it is much appreciated.http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted January 15, 2014 #29 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Glaciers, thank you very much for the website. It is a wonderful resource. I have saved a copy of the Milepost Guide and will print it out for my trip. Thank you again, it is much appreciated. You’re welcome. It is a nifty resource. I was outside on the platform at the end of the car taking photos so missed some of what was being announced so it helps. These photos are fromm their photo contest that recently ended. Beautiful trip. http://wpyr.com/explore/photossubmitted.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobbClan Posted January 18, 2014 #30 Share Posted January 18, 2014 When viewing the train's web site, the White Pass summit is $119' while HAL excursion lists it at $126.95. While this is not a huge amount of difference, for the 2 of us, $16 is lunch money! What do I need to book a tour? And just how far is it to walk to the depot yourself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger Pepper Posted January 18, 2014 #31 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I would suggest that you have a look at the Chilkoot Charters website. They will pick you up right where the ship docks and take you to the bus or train, where they usually have their own car and guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted January 18, 2014 #32 Share Posted January 18, 2014 When viewing the train's web site, the White Pass summit is $119' while HAL excursion lists it at $126.95. While this is not a huge amount of difference, for the 2 of us, $16 is lunch money! What do I need to book a tour? And just how far is it to walk to the depot yourself? The depot is about a 15 minute walk as I recall. A couple of nice things about letting HAL book it: 1. You board right on the pier. 2. If the tour is cancelled you easily get your money back from HAL. 3. You earn "cruise day" points for HAL excursions. Assuming 2 people to a cabin at $126.95 each, you earn $253.90 in points. For every $300 in points you earn/spend on a HAL cruise you get an extra "cruise day" (for both people in the cabin). Check out HAL's website for details. DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobbClan Posted January 18, 2014 #33 Share Posted January 18, 2014 So if I book myself and save $& by walking a coule of blocks, what do I need the tour for? Comentary? Does the regular tour point out features? Stop for photos on the bus back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted January 19, 2014 #34 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) So if I book myself and save $& by walking a coule of blocks, what do I need the tour for? Comentary? Does the regular tour point out features? Stop for photos on the bus back? The train commentary is the same for all tours as it is done my the train crew (on our last trip we sat in the same car as the person doing the commentary). DaveOKC Edited January 19, 2014 by DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherryf Posted January 19, 2014 #35 Share Posted January 19, 2014 So if I book myself and save $& by walking a coule of blocks, what do I need the tour for? Comentary? Does the regular tour point out features? Stop for photos on the bus back? You mentioned in a previous post that you are looking at the Summit tour. There is no bus involved in this tour, just train up to the summit and back down. The tour is exactly the same for everyone on it, except for where you get on the train. Passengers from ships docked at the two Railroad docks will get on the train right at the dock. I'm not sure about passengers from ships at the other docks. If you buy tickets direct, you would walk to the depot. There is a bigger difference in tours that involve a bus, due to varying bus/van sizes and thus larger/smaller group sizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted January 19, 2014 #36 Share Posted January 19, 2014 One plus for booking with the railroad directly and getting on at the station - the car you are in may not be as crowded as those at the ship/pier. Do not know this for certain, but in our case the three of us had an entire car to ourselves (and the commentator). We booked through Chilkoot and boarded at the downtown station. DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobbClan Posted January 20, 2014 #37 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I ended up booking with Chilkoot this weekend. It is, indeed for the summit train and bus excursion. Had a nice talk with the lady on the phone. Basically we are using them, not for the price, for it was pretty much the same as HAL, but for the small group sizes. She said since they have a small group to unload and load at each spot on the bus, they can stop more often, yet still have the same time frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 20, 2014 #38 Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) I ended up booking with Chilkoot this weekend. It is, indeed for the summit train and bus excursion. Had a nice talk with the lady on the phone. Basically we are using them, not for the price, for it was pretty much the same as HAL, but for the small group sizes. She said since they have a small group to unload and load at each spot on the bus, they can stop more often, yet still have the same time frame. Actually, there really aren't many/any "extra" stops on the short tour you have booked. Since you aren't going into the Yukon, the stops will be similar to the ship contracted buses. Edited January 20, 2014 by Budget Queen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorey2007 Posted January 21, 2014 #39 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I ended up booking with Chilkoot this weekend. It is, indeed for the summit train and bus excursion. Had a nice talk with the lady on the phone. Basically we are using them, not for the price, for it was pretty much the same as HAL, but for the small group sizes. She said since they have a small group to unload and load at each spot on the bus, they can stop more often, yet still have the same time frame. Will they pick you up at the ship and did you give a deposit or have to pay the total amount? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobbClan Posted January 21, 2014 #40 Share Posted January 21, 2014 They will pick us up at the end of the dock. I paid in full. One less thing later. Checkout their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted January 23, 2014 #41 Share Posted January 23, 2014 They will pick us up at the end of the dock. I paid in full. One less thing later. Checkout their website. You have to pay in full when booking and the above poster is right about where they pick you up now. It's at the SHIP not the depot as it used to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tromvest Posted January 23, 2014 #42 Share Posted January 23, 2014 For those of you that recommend the Chilkoot Tour going to the White Pass Summit via the train and bus combo. Which is the best way to do it, train up and bus back or bus up and train back? Just wanting to know which way you all prefer. Thanks. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted January 23, 2014 #43 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I would go with the train up and bus down. Some people say that coming down the mountain the brakes can be noisy. DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNfamilycruiser Posted January 23, 2014 #44 Share Posted January 23, 2014 It is about $80 extra for the train and bus combo from Chilkoot vs. bus alone going to the same places.....$80 each for 4 people - is the train that much better than the bus? The views are really spectacular? We are already taking the train from Anchorage to Seward.... I am really inclined to say yes....but it appears we are really blowing the budget for tours this cruise... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobbClan Posted January 23, 2014 #45 Share Posted January 23, 2014 We are taking the train because, well, it's a train. Hubby is a total railroad man, so that's why we are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNfamilycruiser Posted January 23, 2014 #46 Share Posted January 23, 2014 We are taking the train because, well, it's a train. Hubby is a total railroad man, so that's why we are. Yes, I just asked my husband - he OKed the extra money - he has always talked about taking the train from MN out west.... I am sure there will be no comparison:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsf Posted January 23, 2014 Author #47 Share Posted January 23, 2014 For those of you that recommend the Chilkoot Tour going to the White Pass Summit via the train and bus combo. Which is the best way to do it, train up and bus back or bus up and train back? Just wanting to know which way you all prefer. Thanks. Julie You might want to check what day your in port, the routes vary by day of week, you may not have a choice of which way to take train. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNfamilycruiser Posted January 23, 2014 #48 Share Posted January 23, 2014 You might want to check what day your in port, the routes vary by day of week, you may not have a choice of which way to take train.J. Yes, we are due in port at 7 AM - train first is 7:30 AM - I am hoping we won't have a problem with that... Bus first leaves at 8:30 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted January 23, 2014 #49 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Yes, we are due in port at 7 AM - train first is 7:30 AM - I am hoping we won't have a problem with that... Bus first leaves at 8:30 AM That's our timeline as well. We're doing the train first with the dogcart ride too. I think the ship is usually on time for this port since (at least on our itinerary) it has 2 days at sea prior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNfamilycruiser Posted January 23, 2014 #50 Share Posted January 23, 2014 That's our timeline as well. We're doing the train first with the dogcart ride too. I think the ship is usually on time for this port since (at least on our itinerary) it has 2 days at sea prior. I spoke on the phone to Stacy from Chilkoot (I had a problem with the website when making my reservation). She said they never have a problem with meeting at 7:30 - the ships usually arrive at 5-6 AM and are ready to let people off at 7. It is only a few minutes from the ship to the meeting place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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