I am a train buff.  The bride is not but put's up with me to an extent.  There are three different train execursions offered.  I like the train up, eat BBQ lunch at the Lake and train/motorcoach back....but it is 8 Hrs!!

There also is a train recommended for wheelchair bound passnegers that says "goes to the summit"  Is that enough?  This excursion is 3-1/2 hrs.  no meal.

 What experienced Alaska cruiser has a recommendation?

Thanks,

Tom

Going Northbound on 6/10/09. This is our 1st time to Alaska. We're are going on the 3 hr. White Pass & Yukon Railroad.  Also booked  the 3 day land tour after the cruise. We'll have lots of time on a train.

Just back yesterday.  What a great tour!  $400 for the two of us but well worth it!  The bus into Yukon Territories was well worth it, lunch was great and saw Carcross & it's desert!  The bus returns over an interesting suspension bridge built to stand up to ground shifts caused by earthquakes.  We got back to town with two hours before the ship departed, the bride shopped and I toured the static train displays and geocached.

Hello,  

We just got home from the May 20th Carnival Spirit Southbound cruise.  It was awesome by the way.  We took the 3 hour train ride to the summit and spoke to some people who did the 8 hour.  We were more than happy with the 3 hour tour.  The scenery was incredible and still gave us some time in the town.  You don't need a whole lot of time as Skagway is pretty small.  The people that went on the 8 hour said they could've done with the 3 hour and been happy.  They said it was great, but didn't really care to see desert in Alaska, LOL. 

Hi,

I was on the same cruise.  My mom and I did the 4-5 hour train ride/gold panning combo.  I felt that we should have done the gold panning in Juneau; i think it would have been more genuine there since no gold was actually found in Skagway.  but the train ride was really cool.  the scenery was great!