White Pass Railway excursions in Skagway

[GrandmaOhio]

My hubby and I would like to do a WPR excursion in Skagway.  Holland America has many to choose from.  We’re wondering if it is worth the added expense to do the tour that includes Bennett Lake.  Anyone done any of the WPR tours willing to offer their opinions?

Thanks in advance!🙂

[oaktreerb]

  We have visited Bennett Lake as part as a HAL Yukon cruise tour and it is one of my favorite experiences.  (This is no longer included in the cruise tours).  If you are interested in the Yukon Gold Rush history you will be aware that the Chilkoot Trail from Dyea in Skagway ended at Bennett Lake where the miners built their boats on which they would continue their journey to Whitehorse and Dawson City.  There is a Church on the hill overlooking the Lake and there is now a historical museum.  It is a long excursion by train that not many experience.  The area is very scenic and only available by train or by foot.  The train trip is narrated and a box lunch is included on the train.

 

Hopefully some who have taken the round trip excursion from Skagway will respond.   

[Ashland]

Can you book it directly or do you have to do the ship offered excursion?

We have in the past booked directly with Chilkoot...they provide a great option.

[don't-use-real-name]

If it is offered as a shore excursion by the cruise line of course you can book it there -

Otherwise -

LINK you can book it with the WPYRR -  Book Alaska Shore Excursions with White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (wpyr.com)

Note if you book it with the RR watch your schedule and timing to be back on the ship before sailing !

 

 

[oaktreerb]

The price may be the same whichever way you book it.  If you book it through the cruise line you will board the train directly from the ship (no walking to the train station).  The ship will not leave without you when you are on a ship excursion.

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, oaktreerb said:

The price may be the same whichever way you book it.  If you book it through the cruise line you will board the train directly from the ship (no walking to the train station).  The ship will not leave without you when you are on a ship excursion.

Hmmm Just how can you board the train directly from the ship...wouldn't the ship have to shuttle you to the train ?? 

As far as the ship leaving without you..many will be with you that have booked with the ship so they won't leave you either.

[oaktreerb]

2 hours ago, Ashland said:

Hmmm Just how can you board the train directly from the ship...wouldn't the ship have to shuttle you to the train ?? 

As far as the ship leaving without you..many will be with you that have booked with the ship so they won't leave you either.

HAL will most likely be at the railroad dock and the train cars pull up alongside the ship.  A ship excursion will take you back to the ship unless you want to stay in town.

[GTJ]

The White Pass Route offers several excursions that all travel the same route from Skagway to White Pass. Most excursions turn-back at White Pass, and only a handful continue beyond, either to Fraser, or further on to Carcross. Excursions to White Pass depart both from the railroad's station within Skagway (a short walk from the cruise ship docks), and can purchased directly from the railroad; and from the cruise ship docks themselves, available for purchase through the cruise line tour desk. It is possible that separate trains to Fraser and to Carcross could be operated from the cruise ship docks, but more likely these longer excursions will accommodate both directly-booked and cruise line tour desk-booked passengers on the same trains. The decision to go beyond White Pass is probably best decided on whether one is a railfan or not. For the non-fan, the White Pass excursion traverses the most scenic part of the route, and is probably sufficient to satisfy the urge to "ride a train." The true railfan will most likely want to ride as far as possible, if not just for the scenery but for the train ride itself, making the extra cost worthwhile. Note that the White Pass Route is now owned by Carnival Corp. & plc, which also owns most of the cruise brands visiting Skagway (including Holland-American Line and Princess Cruises). Thus, there is close coordination of schedules, and so the railroad will be attentive to the vessel's schedule even if you book directly with the railroad (at least if you book a train that will operate entirely within the vessel's visit to Skagway!).

[Elaine5715]

On 9/17/2021 at 4:09 PM, Ashland said:

Hmmm Just how can you board the train directly from the ship...wouldn't the ship have to shuttle you to the train ?? 

As far as the ship leaving without you..many will be with you that have booked with the ship so they won't leave you either.

The train tracks are about 50 ft from the ship