Saturday, April 13, 2024

20 Best Things to do in Skagway Alaska Cruise Port Complete Guide

skagway cruise terminal

There are also plenty of exciting outdoor activities just a short distance from Skagway’s downtown core. Most of the town’s main attractions and amenities are easily walkable from the cruise port. If seafood is your thing, don’t miss the Skagway Fish Company. Order all the Alaskan classics, like Alaskan crab legs, fish and chips, wild-caught salmon, and more. Plus, it’s located just outside the cruise port, so it couldn’t be easier to get to.

It’s One of the Most Stunning Ports You’ll See (And You Won’t Believe It Until You See It)

All of it is packed into a valley between soaring mountains that has to be seen to be believed. From all docks it's a short walk to the town's shopping, dining and historic areas. One of the best things you can do near the cruise port is to walk over to the Skagway Footbridge.

Do cruise ships stop in Skagway?

The trail starts out with an uphill climb, but quickly evens out and becomes a leisurely loop. Chances are good that you’ll spot some wildlife as you experience peace and quiet. The 33-mile Chilkoot Trail is called “The World’s Longest Outdoor Museum” because of the artifacts left behind by hundreds of gold rush miners in the late 1890s. It’s hard to describe the spectacular feeling of seeing a glacier in person. With an other-worldly blue color and colossal size, you won’t want to pass up the opportunity to see (and walk on) a river of ice.

Watch a Movie About the Gold Rush in Skagway

Feel free to explore its streets with confidence and enjoy all that this charming destination has to offer. When visiting Skagway, indulge in local cuisine and experience the best places to eat. The Red Onion Saloon is a popular choice among visitors, known for its tasty dishes and cozy atmosphere. If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, board the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway for a train ride with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. See the old graves of the famous Gold Rush characters like Jefferson Smith, Frank Reid and many more. It is situated at the Gold Rush Cemetery, 3 mile north of town.

Ore Dock, loader demolition underway - Skagwaynews

Ore Dock, loader demolition underway.

Posted: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

skagway cruise terminal

But the best option for visitors to Skagway is to book tours for the day at various places around town. You can book train rides through Alaskan landscapes, hikes along scenic trails, and more. Take advantage of the locals by joining a walking tour or signing up for a guided excursion. Because it is a fjord, the deep waters of Lynn Canal allow full-size cruise ships to visit Skagway. Since the town offers so much history and nearby natural beauty, it is a popular destination for some of the world’s most popular cruise lines. Of all the tourists (~1 million annually), roughly 3/4 are cruise ship passengers.

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Skagway, AK 2024 (with Prices) - Skagway Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Skagway, AK 2024 (with Prices) - Skagway Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:35:20 GMT [source]

Every evening you will receive a Princess Patter which will give you a list of scheduled onboard activities for the next day. If you are docked at the Railroad Dock, then you will need to take a shuttle. The Skagway city shuttles will have SMART written on the side of it. It’s also possible that you might not be docked at a pier that’s affected by the rock at the top of the hill. The small boat harbor is located between the Railroad dock and the ferry terminal dock. The fast ferries to Haines and Juneau take off from the small boat harbor, as do the fishing charter boats.

Rainforest Cycling Trip

There are many shore excursions to choose from, including the popular and historic White Pass Trail, that are accessible to cruise passengers. Skagway, Alaska is a popular cruise port with a fascinating history. Cruisers who stop in Skagway will find a town that has retained its gold rush era charm and activities and excursions that will appeal to a variety of ages and interests. The trip takes only 45 breathtaking minutes between the two beautiful USA towns of Haines and Skagway.

Skagway City Museum

Because of concern that the big rock will fall at any moment, if your cruise ship is docked at the pier closest to this big rock hill, you cannot walk the entirety of the pier. The immensely walkable -- four blocks wide by 22 blocks long -- historic downtown has also largely been restored to its roots, complete with false-fronted buildings and wooden sidewalks. But a brief walk off the beaten path of Broadway reveals fresh-faced businesses, like Skagway Spirits, offering a unique take on local business.

skagway cruise terminal

With that said, if you do depart from Skagway, the most popular way to travel to the town is to take a roughly 45-minute commuter flight from Juneau, Alaska. Some will also choose to fly into Whitehorse, Canada, then drive the 110-mile journey along the Alaska Highway. Due to this strategic location and its proximity to some of Alaska’s most alluring attractions, there is a good chance you will stop in Skagway if you have booked an Alaskan cruise. To help you get the most out of your time there, this comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know. It can be an Alaska cruise mistake to not eat or drink in the ports of call. Consider having lunch or a local beer at one of the family owned restaurants.

As mentioned, Skagway was a starting point for many as they headed to find gold in the Klondike. If you’re interested in this history (which the town revolves around), then head to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center. Operated by the National Park Service, this spot tells the history of the gold rush. There’s a museum with photos and artifacts from the era, along with a video that explains the time in more detail.

The historic train can even pick up passengers at their cruise ship terminal. Because you’ll crosses over into Canada, passports are required for adults and children over age 16. Children under 16 need to have either a passport or an original raised seal birth certificate. Skagway offers a very unique opportunity to learn about the history of dog sledding and experience an exhilarating dog sled ride.

To the left, the Carnival Spirit and Norwegian Jewel cruise ships are docked elsewhere without a need for a shuttle. Skagway consistently ranks as one of Alaska's most popular cruise ports. It's not unusual to find four ships docked there on the same day.

It’s only about 10 minutes to walk from the ship to town, and it’s laid out largely in a grid. If you dock on the easternmost docks in Skagway, then you’ll be right next to what amounts to a time capsule done in paint. It’s seemingly become a tradition for a ship to have an area painted on the rocks that rise above the pier when they come to visit. It sits at the end of a narrow channel of water, meaning in one direction is the channel and the entire rest of the spot is surrounded by mountains. Even coming in on a cruise ship — which is normally the largest structure around for miles — you are completely dwarfed by the natural landscape.

Discover the wonders of Skagway, Alaska, at its bustling cruise port. Enjoy the town’s rich history, explore the charming streets and historic buildings, and embark on exciting outdoor adventures. Are you looking to book tours and explore Skagway during your cruise stop? We have provided links to walking tour maps and scenic routes in Skagway so you can easily plan your day of sightseeing.

There was also another reminder about the water shuttle in a section on the Princess Patter, the onboard cruise entertainment schedule. 👆 Look for “itinerary” to see if there’s a water shuttle required in Skagway during your Alaska cruise with Princess. Step back in time at the museums of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Relive the good old Gold Rush days through interactive exhibits at its Visitor Centre, housed in the restored 19th-century Railway Depot.

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