Skagway
If you like a sense of turning back to the end of the 19th century and old narrow gauge rails, you’ll like Skagway. More than 20,000 gold prospectors built the town overnight and turned it into a rough and tumble “old-west” in 1898. They were on their way to make their fortunes in the Klondike.
When you disembark, walk the shops and take the White Pass & Yukon Route train for terrific scenery (not for people who avoid heights.) This is the place to buy a replica of the famed White Pass Engine if you have a train buff at home.
Glacier Bay National Park
Cruising into Glacier Bay with its nine tidewater glaciers (they empty into the bay) is unforgettable.
Put on the jacket and go on deck. You will see glaciers calving (breaking off of a chunk of ice). Listen for a roar and get the camera ready. Here you will also see icebergs and sea lions. Our ship stayed in the bay all afternoon and moved close in to the glaciers to see deep blue crevices, cracks and caves.
More information at Skagway
More information at Glacier Bay National Park
Coming Next: Haines and College Fjord
My father-in-law visited Skagway last August on his first cruise ever at the age of 85. As a train-fan he was thrilled with the White Pass train ride. Now my husband is intent on us doing this as well. Great article!
Skagway was my favorite town in Alaska – as for the White Pass RR, I don’t scare easily…well, it was worth the fright.