White Pass Scenic Railway questions/times

Theresa · #1 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2002, 08:13 PM

I have 3 times available - we are visiting on a Tuesday:

8:20
12:45
4:30

Which time would you choose? We are in the port from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Lisa mentioned possible fog in the morning route. How much is fog an issue in Alaska - I had not even thought about this.

I originally choose this time (8:20) so that I could shop and goof off in the city in the afternoon.

Should I switch to 12:45?

Are the shops open in Skagway in the morning or in the evening? Does anyone know the times. Is it easy enough to make it back to the ship from the stores - could I shop in the morning and make the 12:45 train. The train ride is 3.5 hours.

I don't want to do the 4:30 because it would be the second time during the trip that I will miss dinner.

Thanks!
Theresa

Lisa · #2 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2002, 08:28 PM

Stores are open in the morning by 9:00 am - it is an easy walk from the pier just a couple of blocks straight into town on the main drag.

Lisa · #3 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2002, 08:30 PM

I guess I should also say that where you dock depends on how many ships are in port that day - when I was there three ships were in port and we were lucky that we were at the dock closer to the main drag.

#4 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2002, 10:54 PM

Just a comment, Skagway is a nice little town but definitely not a city!!!!

I would take the White Pass Railroad at 8:20 am, it is a very scenic run.

Have a great time.

Nanatravel · #5 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2002, 09:10 AM

We did the early morning round trip on the train. We returned in plenty of time to walk the one main street and peek into a few shops. We had lunch on board ship then went for our afternoon Flight tour over the glaciers and into Haines. I believe this option has been eliminated from RCI cruises. Fog happens more than I realized in Alaska. It rains a lot and gets warmer, thus creating fog. We took the helicoptor tour and landed on the Mendenhall glacier out of Juneau. It was raining pretty hard but about 50 degrees. With everyone wearing yellow slickers and moon boots we all looked a like on a very slippery icey glacier. It was scarey. Our return flight was safe, but flights after ours were stranded on the glacier as the fog became too thick for the coptors to return to pick up passengers. They were stranded on the glacier for several hours. I still recommend this tour as a once in a lifetime experience.
Bon Voyage