We just returned from an Alaskan Cruise on the Sun Princess on 7-2-06. We booked the White Pass & Yukon Scenic Rail excursion through our ship. The cost was $100 each but it was worth every penny. The scenery was spectacular. I live in east Tennessee and we have several scenic railway excursions in the mountains but nothing that can compare to this. If you go to Skagway and don't do this you will kick yourself later!!

I booked through Norwegian Cruise Lines a side trip called The Ultimate Yukon and White Pass Railroad Adventure at $175 per head. It may have been less costly if booked on shore, however I have no regrets for booking on board as everything went off like clockwork. Got off the NCL Star to a waiting sign for the tour. There was no one on the tour not booked on board. It went via the road into Canada and towards Whitehorse, Yukon Territory for about 70 miles to Carcross, Yukon. It stopped several times on way up and again on way back to Fraser, BC where we picked up the White Pass RR back to Skagway which was spectacular. Along the trip we saw pristine mountains and lakes and even a group of black bears. Stopped for lunch at Carcross Trading Post. It looked like a tourist trap, and probably was, BUT the lunch was superb. After lunch got to play and pet with sled dog puppies and wander around. Granted we are not very active and this was a "lazy tour" but it really was extremely pretty.

My husband and I took the train to a whistle stop at mile 14 where you can hike in to a glacier. (If you want you can reserve a Forest Service cabin two miles up the trail.) You start out in forest with the Skagway River's rapids roaring beside you as you go up the mountain. For our hike the forest floor was covered with dogwood and lupine just starting to bloom. When you get out of the woods you can see the begining of the valley that is filled with snow and ice. You continue up a glacier boulder field with the sound of the glacier melt beside you. You weave your way among boulders left by the retreating glacier and here and there in the glacier flour you find fireweed growing. You can actually walk to a place where you can touch the toe of the glacier. The glacier appears white under all the dirt and boulders it is carrying. This is a way to enjoy the wilderness. I have lived in Alaska 31 years and this was an awesome experience!! Note: The train drops you off at 9:00 am and you have to get a train back to Skaway at 3:00.

You can't visit the Yukon without taking the Whitepass railway tour from Skagway! It was just gorgeous! Breathtaking scenery and wonderous history. What stampeders went through to build a better future for themselves is nothing short of amazing. This ride is a must