It got its name for a reason. Loved this relaxing horse ride. It was a once in a lifetime moment and we loved every minute of it! Knows area and lots of information!!! Along the way, learn about the women who lived here and perhaps still haunt the halls of their working establishments. Kelly 3 Best Holland America Cruises for Shore Excursions Loved the dog sled experience and watching the dogs work. Horses are well cared for. Thank you, Pat! Also popular are Holland America Alaska shore excursions that highlight the states colorful frontier history and rich Native American heritage. Youll learn about fresh produce and seafood in the Skagway area, the science behind cooking those foods, plus how to prepare that food for maximum delicious-ness. I was a little disappointed that we did so much road riding, and that we spent a fair amount of time hanging out in a pasture with the horses grazing. Half-Day Skagway City Tour and White Pass Summit Adventure, Custom Small-Group Extended Yukon Drive from Skagway, Summer Sled Dogs & White Pass Summit Tour, Skagway Shore Excursion: White Pass Summit and Skagway City Tour, White Pass Summit and Yukon Suspension Bridge Tour, White Pass Summit & Yukon Suspension Bridge Tour. The bus ride to the zip location was very scenic and our driver was a wealth of knowledge about the landscape and history of the area. , Leave the crowds of Skagway behind and join a small group tour (14 maximum) to nearby Dyea. Riding through the forest and out onto the open flats was very relaxing and the scenery was beautiful. Our guide, Sarah, was totally in control and remained calm when a brown bear crossed our path just 100 ft. behind us. Great tour. Horses were very gentle, rain forest was beautiful and so nice to see from a horse. THE 10 BEST Skagway Shore Excursions - Tripadvisor 6. My eBook, Alaskas Best Cruise Excursions, will help you wade through all the excursions in each port to make the best choice for each stop on your Alaska cruise itinerary. Not quite the trail ride we expected or are used to but that was completely our fault for not asking those questions before hand. Hotels near Red Onion Saloon Brothel Museum, Hotels near Glacier Point Wilderness Safari, Hotels near Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp, Hotels near Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center, Hotels near State Street and Broadway Street, Hotels near Skagway Municipal Airport (SGY), Hotels near Haines Municipal Airport (HNS), Motels near Skagway Municipal Airport (SGY), Motels near Haines Municipal Airport (HNS), Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Skagway, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Skagway, Red Onion Saloon Brothel Museum: Tickets & Tours, Glacier Point Wilderness Safari: Tickets & Tours, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center: Tickets & Tours, Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp: Tickets & Tours, Skagway Museum and Archives: Tickets & Tours, Captain William Moore Cabin: Tickets & Tours, Arctic Brotherhood Camp No. Isnt there something so satisfying about making and then enjoying a super-healthy meal of local food? That said, different lines sometimes have different names for these tours -- and sometimes different pricing. Follow the route of the Klondike stampeders on your way to Canada. Overall, I highly recommend! As you might have noticed from the table at the top of this post, there are a number of new Skagway cruise excursions that made my list this year; this isnt a surprise since some companies didnt make it through the past few years, and new ones have started, offering new tours. Heres how I calculated the scores: Heres my list of the best Skagway excursions: Curious to learn what makes each one of these tours special enough to make my list when most cruise companies offer dozens of options? If you just stay in the towns and explore on your own, you'll miss a big part of what Alaska is all about. John was excellent! Its important to read the description for any Skagway excursions youre interested in, since they may actually occur in Haines but all of the ones on this list are actually in Skagway. Related: 14 things you should do before every cruise. Darber hinaus erwartet Sie hier ebenfalls eine lebhafte lokale Gemeinde mit einer vielfltigen Auswahl an lokalen Galerien, Souvenirgeschften und Restaurants, in denen frisch aus den nahe gelegenen Gewssern gefangener Fisch angeboten wird. Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, Regent, and Royal Caribbean. Here, we also visited the Saxman Native Village, where . For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Non-alcoholic beveragesin a closeable containters andare allowed on tour. We had one with us that had never been on a horse. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Our tour guide was Rob and he shared a lot of fun facts and history with us about Skagway. (This is a great one if you plan to buy Alaska salmon on your trip thats one of my most-recommended Alaska souvenirs!). When your cruise ship docks in Skagway, discover the natural beauty of Canadas Yukon territory on a half-day tour. End by enjoying a champagne toast in the Red Onion Saloon, whether youve seen a ghost or not! Taking a ride. The 9 Best Juneau Shore Excursions for your Alaska Cruise in 2023 Planning your Alaska cruise for 2023? Related: The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2021. Legends & Lies: Gold Rush Saloon & City Tour, 5. A nice family friendly tour. 1: Tickets & Tours, Jeff. Lovely area panned for gold! 118 Reviews Skagway, United States Share Save to Wishlist From $159.14 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Non-refundable You will not receive a refund if you cancel. CruisesHolland America Cruise Linems AmsterdamShore Excursions. As I mentioned, Skagway is a destination for history lovers so its no surprise that a history tour tops the list. A lovely relaxed horseback ride in beautiful scenery. Your Chilkoot exploration will begin deep in the heart of Dyea Valley and bring you . This was an outstanding tour by our tour guide Billy. Given how many cruise companies offer a number of interesting and unique shore excursions in Skagway, it was hard to choose which ones to recommend. PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL TOURS LEAVING SKAGWAY. Great time exploring the scenary. Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Viking. Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean. We embarked on our cruise in Seattle and were able to book a tour as part of our arrival transfer to the ship. Thanks! First, youll board and ride the White Pass and Yukon Route, a narrow-gauge railroad that ascends the White Pass for epic views and scenery. Last, but certainly not least, heres one more new Skagway shore excursion that makes my list this one is much like some experiences you might be able to have in other Alaskan ports, but I love that Burro Creek Lodge has an incredible waterfall that you can get up close and personal with. If you're a craft beer fan, like me, you also might want to sample a Spruce Tip Blonde Ale at the Skagway Brewing Company; it's made with Sitka spruce tips picked locally in the spring. We definately would recommend your company to anyone who ask! Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion & Train Tour Holland America Alaska Shore Excursions - Destination 360 There are ms Amsterdam Alaska shore trips in these cities as well as in the large cities of Juneau and Anchorage, with the Alaska city trips offering a lot of shopping for local souvenirs, locally made jewelry, and other handicrafts. It offers an easy way to get deep into the Great Alaskan Outdoors. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. There are multiple routes up the cliffs, some perfect for beginners. Planning an Alaska cruise with a port stop in Skagway? Alaska 360 Shore Excursion. Alaska Cruise Shore Excursions: Holland America Eurodam - TripSavvy Take a Ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Rail. There wont be a charge for this ride. This 3+ hour tour is good for Alaskan adventurers 8 years and older, and starts with a drive through Skagway and up the Klondike Highway to the spot where youll learn the basics of rock climbing and rappelling. 102 helpful votes. Throughout the ride, Tanner was not only funny but also very concerned with guest safety and comfort. From the comfort of a vintage rail car, you'll get stunning views of mountains, gorges, glacial rivers and waterfalls as you climb nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass -- the headwaters to the mighty Yukon River. The tour left late and drove around looking for people not even confirmed which made it so we had to rush and not being able to do/see everything we were supposed to. I booked the wheelchair accessible "Gold Panning, Sled Dogs, and 40 Below" excursion directly through Holland America, and it was incredibly easy to arrange on the Holland America website in the . If you can advise which HAL cruise you are on, one-way or round trip, and if the latter where from - Vancouver or Seattle that would help us a little bit as you do not specify which ports your cruise docks at. The scenery is breath-taking! First time zip lining and the guides were great! Cruises to Skagway | Skagway Alaska Cruise - Holland America Line There are 40-mile round trip rides from Skagway to the White Pass Summit available. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the 20-mile route is a marvel in its own right, with improbably steep grades at times and segments that pass over soaring wooden trestles and around tight, cliff-hanging curves. The 9 Best Ketchikan Shore Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023 Alaska Cruise Excursions | Best Alaskan Shore Activities, Tips Will not be recommending it. Not sure? Products in this shelf are the top products picked from the current list and based on the existing sort, This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher, Take the ultimate Yukon experience with the Yukon Discovery Tour! You'll go from sea level in Skagway to 2,888 feet at White Pass Summit, the route's highest point. I would recommend this excursion. We saw the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan, a kind of north-country rodeo with log rolling, axe throwing, and other exciting events. Gold Rush History Strike it rich on any of our cruise excursions in Alaska where you can pan for gold like the many treasure hunters before you. As you plan your Alaska cruise and compare Skagway cruise excursions, its hard to choose one. This was perfect for her! The 2100-guest Eurodam was launched in 2008 and is one of the company's three largest and newest ships. Please send an email to [emailprotected] letting us know which tours you would like to cancel as we must have all cancelation and change requests in writing. Fly in a classic de Havilland seaplane over five breathtaking glaciers flowing from the Juneau Ice Field, deep blue crevasses, snow-capped mountains and the lush Tongass National Forest. I know you have received a confirmation letter explaining our meeting spots and pick-up locations, but since then, there has been a rock slide, and the city of Skagway has had to make some changes at one of our major docks. To help, Ive reviewed all of the excursions offered by Alaska cruise companies, and have ranked the best 10. Known for its warm and friendly atmosphere, Holland America's Westerdam is sure to please while cruising to Alaska, Hawaii, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, the Pacific. A very special adventure which we will remember forever. That said, you can sometimes get discounts by calling a tour operator directly. You will meet your driver here at our office on 3rd and Broadway. It's hit-or-miss. The parent company of Princess Cruises and Holland America, for instance, is a part-owner of Skagway's big attraction, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. If there is one excursion that's most popular in Skagway, then it has to be taking a scenic ride on the railway. So much better than the train, I think. Duration: 3.5 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.). Pack your camera gear for this one! I wish that Id been informed. Add in beautiful scenery and opportunities for outdoor adventure, and Skagway is a unique place thats well-worth exploring during your port stop on an Alaska cruise. It's the ultimate Alaska selfie spot. The stations located above Fraser are reserved for cruise passengers who take a pre- or post-cruise Yukon extension and are heading down to Skagway to join their ship (or vice versa). A unique experience not available anywhere else. After all, Alaskan Natives called this area home for centuries, and most gold rushers in 1898 passed through Skagway on their way to the goldfields. Horses well cared for and so gentle, great handlers. You might even spot a killer whale or porpoises. At, We will pick you up on the dock right off your cruise ship. The trips last about four hours, including transfer time from your cruise ship to the whale-watching boat. Joe and his team took great care of us the whole ti,e. Indeed, it's one of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions. Review of: Private luxury shore excursion Skagway, AK to Emerald Lake, Yukon. White Pass & Yukon Railroad: Skagway Train Review Bring water and snacks for the humans in your party - not the wildlife. Note that there often are two versions of this tour available: One that is about two hours in a length and only includes flightseeing and a slightly longer version that includes a water landing. Even though our excursion was cancelled due to injuries to the horses. But don't let that scare you away from this 3 1/4-hour tour. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. These experiences are best for ports of call tours in Skagway: Book risk-free with fully refundable, free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Lets be real: rock climbing and rappelling arent for everyone, but this tour is truly unique and thus scores high on my list of the best Skagway cruise excursions. We had a great time. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Throughout, Travel the Klondike Highway with our one of a kind private luxury tour from Skagway to Emerald Lake, Yukon. She has been a resident of Skagway for 23 years and knew all sort of inside information that she shared along the way. Dress appropriately. Staff was waiting at the pier and provided history and commentary during the ride to the stable. Carnival, Holland America, and Princess. There were six of us and we were able to customize our day and see/do a lot more than the train would allow. I would definitely recommend this excursion. Mushers Camp and Smore Roasting Adventure, 8. I was hoping to hear and see more history of the city. Some people are mountian people and some people are water people. would recommend it over just taking the train. Billie was very informative and never tired of all of our questions! Have other questions about visiting Skagway, taking an Alaska cruise, or choosing Alaska cruise excursions? The White Pass and Yukon Route railroad offer other Alaska excursions and train rides, with most options resuming service in April 2023. The ms Amsterdam offers wildlife tours in many of the ports, from bear encounters in Ketchikan to white-water rafting adventures and guided salmon fishing expeditions in the back of beyond outside Fairbanks. We rode for over an hour and half, and enjoyed hot chocolate and refreshments around a campfire afterwards. and snack on funky Alaskan snacks (salmon quesadilla, anyone?). Required fields are marked *. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Its all about history! Linda, Although the weather was not the best, it was an awesome ride into the wilderness. One of the most popular excursions is a ride on the White Pass railway, which takes you from Skagway up into the mountains. She not only shared the beauty and history of Skagway but her life experiences. The full cancellation policy can be found here. Below, I've listed six of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions. Your credit card will only As noted above, my biggest message to anyone planning an Alaska cruise is to get out of the towns. Smiths Parlor Museum: Tickets & Tours, Skagway Centenial Statue: Tickets & Tours, Skagway Alaska Downtown: Tickets & Tours, The Best Horse Riding Experience in Gran Canaria (1 hour), Kotor cooking class with a local, lunch and visit to the old town, Small-Group Grand Canyon Day Tour from Flagstaff, Learn to Snorkel for Families w Children in San Juan, Puerto Rico, The best of San Salvador in 1 day: El Boqueron + Rainbow slide + Historic Center, All Inclusive Ultimate Circle Island Day Tour with Lunch and Waimea Waterfall, Art in Paradise, Chiang Mai 3D Art Museum, By Shore Excursion: Skagway City Tour and White Pass Summit Adventure, By Alaska Mountain Guides Adventures & Chilkat Guides, Skagway Shore Excursion: Yukon Discovery Tour, Skagway Shore Excursion: Full-Day Tour of the Yukon, Skagway Shore Excursion: Half-Day Tour to the Yukon Border and Suspension Bridge, See more ports of call tours in Skagway on Tripadvisor. A ride into the mountains on this narrow-gauge railroad is the Tour That Everybody Does when visiting the Gold Rush town-turned-tourist-hub. There are cities as well as wilderness on the ms Amsterdam Alaska itineraries, including beautiful Vancouver in British Columbia and trendy, cosmopolitan Seattle in Washington state. Top. Discover the highlights of Skagway and Alaskas gold rush history on this tour. People who know me know that I love talking about Alaska port towns. This bus tour was outstanding. Only thing to be careful of was our ship ported in Haines instead of Skagway and we had to take the $$$ fairy over. "Oh look it's a bear" she quietly said. Also popular are Holland America Alaska shore excursions that highlight the state's colorful frontier history and rich Native American heritage. this is a perfect Skagway excursion for your whole group. That's a huge chunk of change for an outing that lasts just three hours. A very good experience. What a great touch! The views along the trail. We turned just in time to see it walk past. But, in my opinion, it's well worth the money. Our 10.30 tour was cancelled & we were put on the 2.00 tour. This isn't just because I spent more than two decades writing about Alaska and other cruise destinations for major newspapers. Board a passenger mini coach to explore the White Pass (elevation, We are 100% Alaskan owned & operated - our focus is on giving you an amazing experience in Skagway on your trip to The Yukon, While in port in Skagway, discover what Alaskas exciting Gold Rush era was all about on this unique two-hour tour. Honestly we probably learned more on Alaska from that group than any other on the whole trip. She obviously loves her town and takes great pride in showing it off! A beautiful ride through the forest to the open flats. The White Pass train ride is our most popular Skagway excursion. There was one section where it was pretty and we were on a plain but it was just all right. Also keep in mind that weather could affect visibility. Horses are easy to ride and handle. We were also able to book a Mendenhall Glacier helicopter excursion, where we had the opportunity to land and enjoy a guided walk in this magical place. The five-hour, Skagway-based outing begins with a transfer from your ship to a nearby helicopter pad, where you'll find a helicopter waiting to whisk you high into the surrounding Sawtooth Mountain Range. If youre traveling with kids or just a kid at heart, in which case, I feel you! The ride is a fascinating mix of wild scenery -- waterfalls, jagged cliffs, mountains and valleys -- coupled with the incredible history of the route and stories of the pioneers who traversed its dangers on horseback in search of gold. If you somehow saw my previous list of Skagway cruise excursions, you might notice that the top tour I recommended then the Chilkoot Hike & Float tour isnt even on this years list. The staff themselves were extremely knowledgeable and friendly; however, the tour itself was sort of boring because we did not go fast and just plodded along a trail just looking at woods and getting to know the personalities and names of the horses that we were all riding (and would never meet again). You wont find a more personable, genuine, earnest or professional guide. She offered to take our picture for us at multiple stops. Once you arrive at the camp, you'll meet the dogs and their mushers, see where they live, get a quick tutorial in mushing, and then head out for a spin around the camp on a dog-pulled sled. In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the Lingt Aan (traditional lands) of the Tlingit peoples. (Note: you may cross the Canadian border as part of this excursion so you must bring your passport!). Please advise your guide if you have any injuries that require additional assistance. I apologize for your lack luster tour that tour guide has since been let go from the company and thankfully my sister who is the awesome tour guide has recovered from Covid and she is back at her post thank you. Carnival, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean. SMART buses come to all docks every 10 to 15 minutes; please jump aboard and tell the driver youre going to Klondike Tours. All reservations must be made through the website as our customer service representatives cannot take credit card information over the phone. We all felt like we hit the jackpot with our guide, Eric. Very personal experience. They have a great depth of knowledge of the horses, etc. Another way to go is to book directly with a tour operator in one of the ports. I've tried many of the major shore excursions in places such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. 5 Juneau, Alaska 99801. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad (Wheelchair Accessible), White Pass Rail & Klondike Highway by Bike, White Pass Rail, Klondike Highway & Liarsville Gold Camp, Gold Panning, Sled Dogs & 40 Degrees Below Zero, Kein Verkauf und keine Weitergabe meiner personenbezogenen Daten. We have since released this driver, and he no longer works for a company. Your email address will not be published. At the end of the tour you were family and you took home a total feeling of her joy and love of a life very different from yours. The knowledge of the guides on the surroundings and their knowledge of each horse's attitudes and tendencies was absolute professional. I would rate higher her than a 5* for the value we got. We took a float plane over the majestic glaciers of the 1,500 square miles of the Juneau Icefield. In 1898, Dyea boasted over 8, Leave the crowds of Skagway behind and visit Chilkoot Lake State Park in Haines. Very relaxing, they gave us lots of time for pictures. Our guides were very informative, providing historical and current information while we rode through a peaceful setting. This three-hour tour pairs you up with a local photographer to explore the whole region. Beautiful views, amazing horses, and the instructors were fantastic! Heute aber bildet der Ort einen Zugang fr Besucher mit anderen Interessen: diejenigen, die die vielfltige Geschichte, unberhrte Wildnis und unvergleichliche natrliche Schnheit Alaskas zu entdecken suchen. 212 Admiral Way Ste. 2. -- it's all arranged. be aware that we may not be able to confirm this reservation before your tour date. Those with disabilities can also enjoy the Skagway train ride as the train cars come equipped with a wheelchair lift and other accessibility features. The tidal flats were a highlight, with amazing views and open spaces. Better for seeing the sights than the train. Along the way, you'll keep an eye out for marine life . In the end, youll enjoy a salmon dish with fresh greens, and homemade ice cream. Please accept our apology. We were supposedly at the border between the US and Canada, but we could not see anything 10 meters ahead. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! On this roughly 3-hour tour, youll visit Dyea, a former gold rush town where you can meet a musher and his sled dogs today. So, yeah, bring a rain jacket. Thank you again!! Speaking of which: A bear is something you think you want to see in Alaska until you do see one. Holland America Koningsdam | Day 4 - Skagway, Alaska Haha. 15 ways that cruisers waste money on a cruise, writing about Alaska and other cruise destinations, everything you think of when you think of Alaska, The best credit cards for booking cruises, The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2021, The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line, How to plan a cruise with points and miles, 14 things you should do before every cruise, The most spectacular waterslides and watery fun zones at sea, Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The 7 best meals at sea, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I could've been anywhere riding a horse. Many of the Holland America Alaska shore excursions are possible for older people and those with some physical restrictions. These all are tours that you'll find in the tour lineups at pretty much every major cruise line that operates in Alaska. Billie a 27 yr year round resident was our guide. We were lucky that the ms Amsterdam is one of those ships, and we sailed almost up to the towering glacier. Awesome day out. The thing you need to know here is that many of the tour operators you'll find in Alaskan ports are the very same tour operators that the lines are using to operate their tours. (That means each excursion gets its own number, no ties), I gave each excursion a boost or deduction for being a good value based on the. As is to be expected on a cruise, the most popular ms Amsterdam Alaska shore trips concentrate on the incredible natural beauty of the state, as well as its diverse wildlife. The boat used for this excursion has both inside and outdoor viewing areas. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. But Alaska is not a place to skimp. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers. At Denali National Park, we visited the kennels of the famed Iditarod musher, Jeff King, where we were able to get an authentic glimpse into the rugged, rural lifestyle of Alaskans. To get the most out of an Alaska cruise, you'll want to sign up for a tour in most if not all of the ports you visit. The gold panning was a joke and we asked for a refund. They'll also offer plenty of instruction (and encouragement) plus a snack of trail mix and hot chocolate. If you just stay in the towns and explore on your own, you'll miss a big part of what Alaska is all about.