Thread: Decisions, Decisions

We are leaning towards the 10-day San Fran to Alaska RT in summer of 2007 assuming the Golden Princess takes over that itin from the Regal. I have noticed a couple of differences in the itins and figured I would ask some experts.

Skagway vs Sitka - White Pass Railroad is one of the things we want to do and that is at Skagway stop...I hear it is wonderul, true? Also are there restrooms on the White Pass Railroad?

What is the diff between Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm Fjord - do they both have equally good scenery?

Icy Strait Point - have not heard of that before will need to do some research.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Lisa! Alaska, my all time favorite subject to talk about!!!! Ok, I'll try to answer your questions 1 at a time... First Skagway. I loved loved loved the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. I have been to Skagway twice and Sitka once. I beleive that the big difference between the two cities is that in both cities you get a feel for the history of Alaska, but in Skagway you get true Alaskan history, with the gold miners, and in Sitka you get the history of the Russian immigrant population to Alaska and the effects or the lures of fur trade. The WP&YR is amazing. You have many many options as far as train rides. You can take a roundtrip train ride to the White Pass Summit. You can take the train one way and a bus back the other way or vice versa. You can bike one way and train one way. You can take all day train trips that take you into Carcross and the Canadian side of the rockies. If you like nature and scenery then this is one trip you won't want to miss. Along the ride a guide tells you all of the history of the Gold Rush Era and how the train was built to transport prospectors from Skagway up into the Yukon for gold. You can see the trail as it existed before the train was built and marvel at how it was possible for prospectors to walk this trail through the mountains. I was going to post some pictures, but appears that with this upgrade that option isn't available right now. When it starts working again, I'll post pictures for you to see. In Sitka the main draw is its Russian heritage and how it has influenced this city and all of Alaska. The Russians crossed the Bering Strait in search of fur and found it in abundance in this seaside town. They settled here and have been living here for ages. There is Russian influences all around. Also you can take the sea otter tour and hear more about the Russian fur trading business. It is a small town and easily walkable. You can see some great architecture in the form of Russian orthodox churches. Personally, I like Skagway better, but Sitka is a bigger town with more to do. Sitka is also one of the least visited of the Alaskan ports of calls. So its not as touristy.

Alright... with this new upgrade, I just realized that I am typing in paragraphs, but it is condensing everything into one long paragraph... I apologize.. when the program is fixed, I'll go back and edit.. I'll continue with my report on the difference between Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay in my next post.

Thanks jstducky...sounds like Skagway is more what we want to do. you always give great info. Just one more question, what is the restroom situation on the White Pass Train?

Ok Glacier Bay vs. Tracy Arm Fjord. Let me preface this by saying I've been to Glacier Bay twice, Hubbard Glacier once and have not yet been to Tracy Arm Fjord. Tracy Arm Fjord is home to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Once you get to the head of the Fjord, you'll see the twin Sawyer glaciers. One will be to the left of the ship and the other one to the right of the ship. The main problem with Tracy Arm Fjord is ice conditions and weather. Since the glaciers are at the head of the narrow canal, when one or both of the glaciers calve a lot it creates a lot of ice in the water. Ice which is too dangerous for a ship to sail through, therefore preventing many ships from getting too close or even getting in far enough to see the glaciers. More than any other glacier stop, this stop seems to get hampered by ice conditions and weather conditions. There are times when bad weather and low laying fog just prevents ships from getting too close. There have been numerous complaints that people get to Tracy Arm and they either only see one glacier or they see no glaciers and nothing but icebergs floating in the water. Glacier Bay on the other hand is one place I would recommend anyone going to Alaska to go and visit. Its really gorgeous and its HUGE! Its one of the biggest National Parks in America. When you get there, an National Park guide will board the ship and escort you throughout the day giving lectures and then coming over the ships PA system to given you insight into the land, the history and the scenery you are viewing. There is great chance for wildlife viewing, including seals, humpback whales, bears, puffins, bald eagles... The highlight of Glacier Bay is Marjerie Glacier and John's Hopkin's Glacier. They are both spectacular. Marjerie Glacier is huge, but not as big as the Grand Pacific Glacier right next to it, but the Grand Pacific is often considered "ugly" because it is completely covered in dirt that it has brought down the mountain with it, therefore most people never even notice it because they think it is this brown barren land mass. Marjerie is pretty active, but not extremely active. Seeing calving is likely, but very active calving with huge chunks of ice is hit or miss.

Originally Posted by LisaH

Thanks jstducky...sounds like Skagway is more what we want to do. you always give great info. Just one more question, what is the restroom situation on the White Pass Train?

Ahh, sorry I forgot the restroom question earlier... The WP&YR is made up of many many diffrent train cars. Once you choose a train car, then you must remain on that car as you can not travel from car to car. Each car has one bathroom on it. Its very nice, well maintained and clean. I used it and didn't have a problem with it all. If you have any other questions about Alaska, please feel free to ask. I could talk to you about Alaska until you turned blue in the face!

The Tracy Arm Fjord weather situation is a bummer because the itin with Skagway has Tracy Arm and Sitka has GBNP. BUT the good news in all of it is Juneau - we can always go see Mendenhall Glacier...

Thanks again - your info is soooo helpful

no problem. feel free to ask more questions and i'll do my best to help you out.

OR, we decide what is more important - glaciers or other scenery. I may lean towards the Sitka and Glacier Bay National Park - who knows. Must consult with hubby.

Hi there - with our first Alaskan cruise approaching in June, I really appreciate your advice!

We are going to do the White Pass railroad in Skagway - is it best to do the RR both ways? RR one way and bus in the other direction? How do those excursions work?

Thanks.

George