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When we took Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas to Alaska in May of 2019, I spent hours pouring over different tours and deciding what we wanted to do with our port time. The thing is, Alaska is beautiful and the choices are endless, and not inexpensive, so figuring out how to narrow it down to two tours was a little tough. Thankfully, I had friends who had already gone, and they were able to tell me about their tours, which is how we ended up on the White Pass Summit excursion in Skagway, Alaska. (read more)
WHITE PASS SUMMIT RAIN RIDE SKAGWAY ALASKA
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WHITE PASS SUMMIT TRAIN RIDE SKAGWAY ALASKA
BOOKING
You can purchase this excursion either through your cruise line, or through White Pass directly. It's important to note that if you want to use the pier entry onto the train, you do need to book through your cruise line.
I would assume that you're not allowed onto the pier if you aren't a passenger, which makes sense, so they've likely got another entry point for those people taking the train, but not taking a cruise.
The good news is that, at least for us, the price was not different whether we booked through Royal Caribbean or through White Pass.
You will need to book in advance as space is limited and the train only runs a few days a week, as far as I know.
When we booked the excursion, Royal Caribbean somehow got our information a little messed up, so when we boarded the Ovation the first day and checked our tickets (they should be in your stateroom), we found that Royal Caribbean had booked White Pass and our Temsco helicopter tour at the same time.
A quick trip to the excursions desk was enough to get this sorted out before muster, but we did have to choose a different tour time for the train and the helicopter since the slots we'd originally booked for the train were full.
Basically we had to swap the two excursions around.
That long story is just to tell you that the train can and will book up, so don't wait until you're on board, especially not if you have a larger party. We had five people and we did all want to sit together if at all possible.
CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF THE TEMSCO HELICOPTER TOUR OF MEADE GLACIER
I would assume that you're not allowed onto the pier if you aren't a passenger, which makes sense, so they've likely got another entry point for those people taking the train, but not taking a cruise.
The good news is that, at least for us, the price was not different whether we booked through Royal Caribbean or through White Pass.
You will need to book in advance as space is limited and the train only runs a few days a week, as far as I know.
When we booked the excursion, Royal Caribbean somehow got our information a little messed up, so when we boarded the Ovation the first day and checked our tickets (they should be in your stateroom), we found that Royal Caribbean had booked White Pass and our Temsco helicopter tour at the same time.
A quick trip to the excursions desk was enough to get this sorted out before muster, but we did have to choose a different tour time for the train and the helicopter since the slots we'd originally booked for the train were full.
Basically we had to swap the two excursions around.
That long story is just to tell you that the train can and will book up, so don't wait until you're on board, especially not if you have a larger party. We had five people and we did all want to sit together if at all possible.
CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF THE TEMSCO HELICOPTER TOUR OF MEADE GLACIER
WHITE PASS SUMMIT TRAIN RIDE SKAGWAY ALASKA
GETTING TO THE TRAIN FROM THE SHIP
If you're coming off a cruise ship, you'll be able to walk to the point where you meet the train. Depending on where your ship is docked, you could be behind or directly across from the train. I don't believe the pier was long enough to have ships docked in front of the train, but it might also be that there just weren't that many ships in port when we went.
On the day we rode the train, there was only our ship and one other. You can see both in this picture and get an idea of what you're looking at.
I took this picture when we did the Temsco helicopter tour of Meade glacier.
The entry to the train was just at the front of the first ship. We were on the second ship, the one sticking out into the water.
It took us about 10 minutes to walk from our ship to the train, but there are people driving golf carts who will gladly pick you up. There are a lot of people and only a half dozen golf carts, so it just depends on what's available.
If you do choose to take a golf cart, make sure you have a few dollars on hand to tip the nice people who drove you.
CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF HIGH TEA AT THE EMPRESS IN VICTORIA, BC
On the day we rode the train, there was only our ship and one other. You can see both in this picture and get an idea of what you're looking at.
I took this picture when we did the Temsco helicopter tour of Meade glacier.
The entry to the train was just at the front of the first ship. We were on the second ship, the one sticking out into the water.
It took us about 10 minutes to walk from our ship to the train, but there are people driving golf carts who will gladly pick you up. There are a lot of people and only a half dozen golf carts, so it just depends on what's available.
If you do choose to take a golf cart, make sure you have a few dollars on hand to tip the nice people who drove you.
CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF HIGH TEA AT THE EMPRESS IN VICTORIA, BC
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WHITE PASS SUMMIT TRAIN RIDE SKAGWAY ALASKA
TRAIN AMENITIES
As I said in my video, there is a restroom in each train car. So if you're like me and the need to pee is something that cannot be ignored, know that you don't have to hold it. The restroom is nice, clean, and there's plenty of room to move around, which is more than you can say for an airplane bathroom.
I could not figure out how to flush the toilet, and my mom said she couldn't figure it out either, so if you're really feeling the need to flush, you might ask in advance. It's sort of a chemical toilet, so likely not something you've encountered before.
Maybe it's not even meant to flush, and I just spent five minutes keeping someone else from using the facilities...twice.
The regular train cars have padded benches that seat two people. I sat with my youngest son while my oldest sat on his own bench across the aisle. My parents shared a seat in front of him.
The car is roomy and you can get up and walk outside onto a platform that joins each car. You cannot walk between cars, but you can stand outside as the train is in motion, if you like.
You can even stand outside while the train climbs the mountain. I didn't do this as I'm terrified of heights, but my son and my mom and dad all spent a lot of time out there taking in the sights and getting some really good pictures.
HOW YOU CAN USE ROYAL UP TO BID ON ROOM UPGRADES WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN
I could not figure out how to flush the toilet, and my mom said she couldn't figure it out either, so if you're really feeling the need to flush, you might ask in advance. It's sort of a chemical toilet, so likely not something you've encountered before.
Maybe it's not even meant to flush, and I just spent five minutes keeping someone else from using the facilities...twice.
The regular train cars have padded benches that seat two people. I sat with my youngest son while my oldest sat on his own bench across the aisle. My parents shared a seat in front of him.
The car is roomy and you can get up and walk outside onto a platform that joins each car. You cannot walk between cars, but you can stand outside as the train is in motion, if you like.
You can even stand outside while the train climbs the mountain. I didn't do this as I'm terrified of heights, but my son and my mom and dad all spent a lot of time out there taking in the sights and getting some really good pictures.
HOW YOU CAN USE ROYAL UP TO BID ON ROOM UPGRADES WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN
I settled for taking pictures from inside the car, but they still turned out great, and I turned less green, which is a good compromise.
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WHITE PASS SUMMIT TRAIN RIDE SKAGWAY ALASKA
HISTORY, NARRATION, ETC.
When you board the train, an employee comes around and hands you a brochure. It has the history of the train, details regarding the route you'll be taking, and points of interest to look out for. As you pass or near each point of interest, the conductor comes over the intercom and tells you what you're looking at, just in case you aren't totally sure where you are.
There are also mile markers so you can follow along with the map in the brochure. It's all very well done and well explained.
If you're in a VIP car, you'll get all of this in addition to snacks, plusher seats, and an in car tour guide every step of the way.
You do not get off the train until the tour is done. I would have liked it if the train stopped before the turnaround so we could get off, get some food, take some pictures, etc, but since you're kind of in the middle of nowhere at that point, I don't blame them for not having a restaurant and gift shop set up.
You'll get an amazing view whether you sit on the right or left, because you go up and come back the same way. On the way up you'll get one view, on the way back you'll get a different view.
BUMPER CARS AT SEA, IT'S A REAL THING!
There are also mile markers so you can follow along with the map in the brochure. It's all very well done and well explained.
If you're in a VIP car, you'll get all of this in addition to snacks, plusher seats, and an in car tour guide every step of the way.
You do not get off the train until the tour is done. I would have liked it if the train stopped before the turnaround so we could get off, get some food, take some pictures, etc, but since you're kind of in the middle of nowhere at that point, I don't blame them for not having a restaurant and gift shop set up.
You'll get an amazing view whether you sit on the right or left, because you go up and come back the same way. On the way up you'll get one view, on the way back you'll get a different view.
BUMPER CARS AT SEA, IT'S A REAL THING!
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WHITE PASS SUMMIT TRAIN RIDE SKAGWAY ALASKA
THINGS YOU MIGHT SEE
Thankfully, the weather was perfect when we went, only clouding over for a little while, and not raining at all.
We were treated to magnificent mountain views, someone said they saw a moose, and one enterprising railroad employee has hidden good sized Sasquatch statues here and there. Try and find them all, if you can!
There are points during the trip that are very steep, especially once you begin your climb, and you will go through a tunnel twice.
If you're afraid of heights, I would recommend looking at your lap and reading your brochure. There really is a lot of information in there, plenty to learn.
You'll get to an obelisk where the US and Canada meet, and you'll get to the actual path where miners used the White Pass trail. It's still worn down enough that you can tell MANY people walked it.
We were lucky enough to have a Mountie on our cruise who gave several talks about the trails the miners used. I liked that we got to listen to him before taking this excursion, as it really added a depth I wouldn't have had before.
There is a beautiful lake once you get into the Yukon. I wish I'd taken a picture of it because I am likely never going to see its equal.
You'll also go over a metal bridge while passing the bridge that the new bridge replaced. As you're going over the bridge, whether on the way up or on the way back (depending on which car you're in) you can get a fantastic picture of the rest of the train in the curve.
CRUISE LUGGAGE TAGS ARE A MUST HAVE
We were treated to magnificent mountain views, someone said they saw a moose, and one enterprising railroad employee has hidden good sized Sasquatch statues here and there. Try and find them all, if you can!
There are points during the trip that are very steep, especially once you begin your climb, and you will go through a tunnel twice.
If you're afraid of heights, I would recommend looking at your lap and reading your brochure. There really is a lot of information in there, plenty to learn.
You'll get to an obelisk where the US and Canada meet, and you'll get to the actual path where miners used the White Pass trail. It's still worn down enough that you can tell MANY people walked it.
We were lucky enough to have a Mountie on our cruise who gave several talks about the trails the miners used. I liked that we got to listen to him before taking this excursion, as it really added a depth I wouldn't have had before.
There is a beautiful lake once you get into the Yukon. I wish I'd taken a picture of it because I am likely never going to see its equal.
You'll also go over a metal bridge while passing the bridge that the new bridge replaced. As you're going over the bridge, whether on the way up or on the way back (depending on which car you're in) you can get a fantastic picture of the rest of the train in the curve.
CRUISE LUGGAGE TAGS ARE A MUST HAVE
HOW LONG IS THE WHITE PASS TRAIN RIDE
The train ride is approximately three hours, total. That includes getting on, getting settled, taking the trip, and then getting back off. It officially says 2.5 - 2.75 hours on the site, but for planning purposes, I would allow three hours.
I say this because it is entirely possible to do another excursion on the same day, and if you're in the market for a helicopter/glacier tour, the one we liked best was only offered in Skagway, so we did need to do two tours on the same day.
We only wanted a helicopter tour that went to the glacier and back, we weren't interested in hiking around, seeing sled dogs, etc, so Skagway was the place to make that happen.
We booked a 9:30 train tour, and a 1:30 helicopter tour, and had JUST enough time to get back on the ship, eat a quick lunch at the Windjammer, and get back out to take the helicopter tour.
We also had plenty of time (after the helicopter tour) to get dropped off in town, look around, grab some amazing fry bread from Klondike Doughboy, and take a "hop on/hop off" bus back to the pier.
The pier is absolutely within walking distance of Skagway proper, so if you don't mind a ten minute walk from town, it's not a problem at all.
THIS ONE TIME, WE STAYED IN THE ROY O DISNEY SUITE ON THE DISNEY FANTASY
I say this because it is entirely possible to do another excursion on the same day, and if you're in the market for a helicopter/glacier tour, the one we liked best was only offered in Skagway, so we did need to do two tours on the same day.
We only wanted a helicopter tour that went to the glacier and back, we weren't interested in hiking around, seeing sled dogs, etc, so Skagway was the place to make that happen.
We booked a 9:30 train tour, and a 1:30 helicopter tour, and had JUST enough time to get back on the ship, eat a quick lunch at the Windjammer, and get back out to take the helicopter tour.
We also had plenty of time (after the helicopter tour) to get dropped off in town, look around, grab some amazing fry bread from Klondike Doughboy, and take a "hop on/hop off" bus back to the pier.
The pier is absolutely within walking distance of Skagway proper, so if you don't mind a ten minute walk from town, it's not a problem at all.
THIS ONE TIME, WE STAYED IN THE ROY O DISNEY SUITE ON THE DISNEY FANTASY
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FINAL THOUGHTS
As always, I've tried to cover this excursion to the best of my ability, but if you have questions, please let me know, I am always happy to help, if I can.
I definitely consider this tour well worth the money, and if we ever go back to Alaska, it's something we would absolutely do again, which is the highest praise I can give.
As far as I know, you cannot take a train tour in any of the other ports of call, but you can take helicopter tours, etc. in the other ports, so if you want a train ride through some pristine country, White Pass is your ticket to ride.
Enjoy the train!
Ty
I definitely consider this tour well worth the money, and if we ever go back to Alaska, it's something we would absolutely do again, which is the highest praise I can give.
As far as I know, you cannot take a train tour in any of the other ports of call, but you can take helicopter tours, etc. in the other ports, so if you want a train ride through some pristine country, White Pass is your ticket to ride.
Enjoy the train!
Ty
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I'm a mom, wife, dog parent, bird parent, homeschooler, author, quilter, travel lover, and blogger. It's very nice to meet you!
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