Gold Rush Town

Today we arrived in Skagway. We were scheduled to dock early in the morning, and to be honest, between Juneau and Skagway, this was the port we were most excited to return to. Skagway has its commercial side, but it still feels more authentic to Alaska than Juneau.

White Pass Railway

Today was our White Pass Railway Skagway Alaska experience. It was one of our favorite excursions from our first cruise and was a must-repeat this time around. We arrived early and were among the first passengers scheduled to debark.

In the months leading up to the cruise, we reviewed the available time slots for the White Pass Railway Skagway Alaska excursion and chose the earliest one so we could explore town afterward. The other option was to walk around Skagway in the morning and take the train later, but booking early allowed us to make the most of our day.

Everyone joining the White Pass Railway Skagway Alaska excursion met in the Colony Room on deck seven. Each group was assigned a number, and groups were called to debark in order. Passengers with disabilities could leave first. Because of my dad’s back issues, he and my mom left with that group, while the rest of us waited our turn.

Debarking Challenges

While waiting, we realized we should have joined the early group too. With two small kids and a stroller, there was no practical way to carry everything down multiple flights of stairs. Even if Benson walked on his own, one of us carrying Molina while the other handled the stroller would have been impossible.

The elevators were almost as challenging. If there was one thing we didn’t like about the ship, it was the elevators. There just weren’t enough of them, and when one finally arrived, it was usually packed. We learned a small trick: press both the up and down buttons. Sometimes it meant riding the elevator in the wrong direction first, but it usually worked faster and made things less stressful.

Once we were off the ship, passengers who could walk made their way to the train boarding area, while those needing assistance took a shuttle. Unfortunately, there was only one shuttle. Whether there were more people needing help than expected or just not enough vehicles, the delays were significant. It was clear that the transportation setup for guests with disabilities could use improvement.

The wait felt endless. We were trying to stay patient for my parents to arrive, but Benson was convinced the train was going to leave without them. His anxiety only added to the stress as I tried to calm him down. Dawn finally pointed out that if we didn’t board soon, we might not be able to sit together. We went ahead and boarded, which of course made Benson certain we were leaving my parents behind. There was no winning that moment.

White Pass Train Ride

Once the White Pass Railway Skagway Alaska train pulled away, everything changed. The ride was just as amazing and memorable as our first trip. I filmed much of the journey, only pausing for a few photos. The lower elevations offered the best views, while higher up the visibility dropped, but it was still breathtaking. Molina, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as impressed. I eventually took over holding her as she fell asleep in my arms.

Exploring Skagway

Four ships had made port in Skagway that morning, and the number of people in town was unbelievable. A light drizzle began to fall, and though the covered walkways helped, the crowds made navigating with a stroller difficult. By lunchtime, the combination of hungry kids, long restaurant waits, and cold rain tested our patience.

Despite our water-resistant jackets, we were soaked, and our jackets lacked hoods, so water ran down our necks. We decided to call it a day and head back to the ship to change, eat, and decompress.

Originally, I planned to help Dawn and the kids back on board and then return to town, but mentally, I just couldn’t. We ate, put the kids down for a nap, and enjoyed some much-needed quiet time.

As the ship departed, I hoped to photograph the well-known lighthouse visible on the starboard side after leaving Skagway, but the weather wasn’t on my side. Hopefully, next time in Alaska, I’ll have better luck photographing it.

Stay tuned as we share more from our adventure at sea! To read about day six of my Alaska adventure, visit Day 6: 2025 Family Cruise to Alaska or Day 8: 2025 Family Cruise to Alaska. Also explore the whole story at 2025 Second Alaska Cruise.

What to know more about historic downtown Skagway? Visit them online to explore its rich history. You can also learn more about the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or plan your own White Pass & Yukon Route Railway adventure.