Skagway, Alaska

NCL Jewel 21-Day Transpacific Cruise Tokyo to Seattle

May 21, 2018 (Monday) -- Skagway, Alaska

Time in Port: 7:00 AM ~ 8:00 PM

This would be our third time in Skagway, Alaska. A small but very popular stop on cruise routes when sailing the Inside Passage. The rich history of the gold-rush era with buildings preserved as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park made this an interesting port in Alaska. Most people enjoy the train ride up to White Pass and Yukon on the vintage locomotives with dramatic views of the mountains which makes for a very special excursion.

The first time we came here 18 years ago (2000 on Celebrity Galaxy), we were able to hire a van at the port taking us on a private tour for half a day for a very reasonable price. We were hoping we would still be able to do that this time around so we had nothing planned for this port. 

We were up early and enjoyed the gorgeous views from our balcony as the ship sailed into port.

Arriving Skagway at the Ore Dock in town. The Grand Princess was already in port by then.

There were four ships in town that day, including Celebrity Millie, Grand Princess, a Royal Caribbean ship which I forgot the name of, and then the Jewel.

Weather was not the greatest, it was misty, windy, and cold.

Ore Dock, with access directly to town via State Street, Main Street and Broadway.

The TEMSCO helicopter pad.

Port workers getting ready for our arrival.

When we got off the ship in the rain, there were tours and excursion people waiting for last minute business right in port, but we found them all overpriced. The train ride up to White Pass was $149 per person, exactly the same as NCL excursion. The city tour was $62 per person and only for a couple of hours. Taking into consideration of the unpredictable weather we thought it would be best for us just explore the town on our own. The ship was close enough to town and it would be an easy flat walk to get back if the weather turns bad. 

Starting our walk on Broadway.

Skagway Centennial Statue

White Pass Railway with the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Visitor Center in the background (pink building).

It happened that we were just in time for the start of a 45-minute walking tour around town when we went inside the Visitor Center. This walking tour provided us with lots of information about the Gold Rush Era and the development of Skagway. The ranger guiding us was very knowledgeable and did a fine job explaining everything. It was an interesting tour even though it was raining as we walked around the blocks learning about the history of this small town.

Taken to a statue in town by the park ranger.

That's the Visitor Center where the walking tour started from.

Followed the leader.

Part of a museum that recreated a bar during the Gold Rush Era.

The last stop on the walking tour, the Historic Moore Homestead.

The Moore House

Inside of the Moore house.

Quite fascinating!

The log cabin on the Moore property. 

From there we separated to do our own things. There are enough souvenir stores in town ready to take money from visitors and there are stores that were giving out free gifts. I really wanted to get the Beer Chili from the Skagway Brewery, but it was still too early and they were not ready to serve food until after 11:30. We tried their chili the last time we were here and it was really delicious.

Skagway Museum

A little garden in the center of town.

ChC wanted to try the Alaskan fry bread from the Doughboy on 3rd Street, so that was where we headed next. Seemed to be pretty busy there.

The fry bread, made fresh to the orders!

Ready to be sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. Fresh and hot, making it a tasty snack on this rainy day.

$6 each, not particularly cheap, but worth a try. Oh, I didn't see the moose milk, could have tried that.

After stopping at a couple of souvenir stores we decided it was time for us to get back on the ship.

The train just came back to town from their White Pass trip.

Walking back to the ship docked at Ore Dock. It was getting really windy and cold by then.

It was good to be back in our warm and comfortable cabin.

There were a lot of people at the Garden Cafe for lunch that day. We found that there were less and less food items that appealed to us as the days went by.  We did not go hungry but it would be nice if there were better choices.

After lunch, we went up to deck 13 for a walk around. I think we only went up there a couple of times because of the cold and windy weather on this trip. 

Oh, a train was actually up near the pier.

The small town of Skagway.

It looked like they still had enough docking piers for more ships.

Yep, someone was swimming in the pool! Brrrr....!

For dinner that night, we decided that it would be 'free-style' for everyone in our group. The three of us would go to the NCL complimentary dinner in Cagney's that was arranged by Jellica. We really enjoyed our dinner there last time and requested to be back here again for another meal. This time dinner was at 7:00. 

                                       

Just loved these Wagyu Beef Sliders.

ChC liked their Iceburg Wedge.

For me, another shrimp cocktail.

Lamb Chops for me, ChC had the Bison Steak again, and MOR had his favorite Grilled Sea Bass.

The sinful Macadamia Nut Ice Cream Sandwich for dessert.

Oreo Cheesecake for ChC.

Raspberry Creme Brulee for MOR.

Another bottle of wine to go.

One great dinner at Cagney's!

Back to our cabin after dinner and the sun was still up.

We wanted to see if we could locate Haines from our balcony, a port that we visited on our first Alaska cruise in 2000.

By now, it was almost 9:00 PM.

I think this was Haines.

Although the ship map did not really match what we saw.

Time for bed. Tomorrow we will have a long day in Juneau.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. "

                                                                                                                  Matthew 6:33