Nestled proper within the coronary heart of Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes and coastlines is Skagway Cruise Port. The cruise port’s very best location alongside Alaska’s Inside Passage makes it one of many major gateways to Alaskan journey, historical past, and pure magnificence.
Resulting from this strategic location and its proximity to a few of Alaska’s most alluring sights, there’s a good probability you’ll cease in Skagway if in case you have booked an Alaskan cruise. That will help you get probably the most out of your time there, this complete information will clarify all the pieces you must know.
From exploring the port’s location and terminal services to a extra normal take a look at issues to do and the area’s historic significance to the Gold Rush Period, this information will be certain that your go to to the Final Frontier is the journey of a lifetime.
So, whether or not you’re a historical past buff, an out of doors fanatic, or only a curious traveler eager to know extra about a spot earlier than you go to, it’s time to discover all the pieces the Skagway Cruise Port has to supply!
Port Location and Accessibility
Skagway, Alaska, is located alongside Alaska’s southeastern coast, nestled on the northernmost level of the Inside Passage. The city sits above the highest of a glacier-fed fjord, with the Skagway Cruise Port sitting alongside its southern coast.
Whereas the cruise port is comparatively small, it has a number of docks able to dealing with full-sized cruise ships. Most cruise ships dock on the Broadway Dock, situated at Broadway Avenue’s very edge. Two different docks are additionally used for cruise ships – Railroad Dock and Ore Dock, situated on the southern fringe of city on the finish of Essential Avenue.
Regardless of which dock your cruise ship stops at, all three are only a brief stroll to Skagway’s procuring, eating, and the city’s Gold Rush Period historic websites. The space from the port to the city’s downtown core is lower than a mile, so cruise passengers can stroll roughly 18 minutes or take one of many good shuttle buses, which can take you anyplace on the town in lower than 10 minutes.
Distance from the Airport
In case your cruise ship is departing from Skagway, reasonably than stopping there as a part of its itinerary, there’s a good probability that you’ll want to catch a commuter flight from considered one of Alaska’s bigger cities.
Not like these in Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska, the Skagway Airport doesn’t have the runway services wanted to take care of bigger planes. This is without doubt one of the important the explanation why most Alaskan cruises record Skagway Cruise Port as a port of name reasonably than their authentic departure level.
With that mentioned, for those who do depart from Skagway, the most well-liked strategy to journey to the city is to take a roughly 45-minute commuter flight from Juneau, Alaska. Some can even select to fly into Whitehorse, Canada, then drive the 110-mile journey alongside the Alaska Freeway.
Should you fly into Skagway Airport, it is only one mile from the Port of Skagway by way of Alaska Avenue and Broadway Avenue.
Cruise Strains and Terminals in Skagway
As a result of it’s a fjord, the deep waters of Lynn Canal enable full-size cruise ships to go to Skagway. For the reason that city provides a lot historical past and close by pure magnificence, it’s a standard vacation spot for among the world’s hottest cruise traces.
Along with others, a number of main cruise traces all have itineraries that contain stops at Skagway Cruise Port, together with Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Worldwide, Holland America Line, Superstar Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line.
As talked about, Skagway Cruise Port options three distinct docks, every with a number of terminals. The terminals throughout all the port characteristic comparatively restricted services, however yow will discover a number of public restrooms and merchandising machines. Sadly, the port doesn’t provide free Wi-Fi as of but, however because of the port’s proximity to downtown Skagway, you shouldn’t have any drawback discovering an Web connection for those who want it.
Every terminal and pier can also be wheelchair accessible, so passengers with mobility wants is not going to encounter any points navigating the port. These needing help reaching the Skagway downtown space can take a round-trip shuttle service from the port’s drop-off and pick-up zone. The shuttle operates year-round and solely prices 5 {dollars} for an all-day go.
Seasonal Climate Circumstances in Skagway
Like all of Alaska, Skagway is topic to some pretty harsh climate and important seasonal fluctuations in temperature. That will help you pack and put together for a cushty expertise throughout your go to to Skagway, right here’s a primary breakdown of seasonal issues:
Summer season (June – August)
Since Skagway is situated extra south than a few of Alaska’s different cities and cities, temperatures are comparatively gentle. Common daytime summer time temperatures vary from 50° to 70°F. Count on lengthy daytime, in addition to occasional rainfall. Pack gentle, snug clothes, however be sure you carry a rain jacket simply in case.
Fall (September – November)
Temperatures in Skagway start to chill as summer time turns to fall. Count on daytime temperatures between 40° and 55°F, in addition to pretty frequent showers and fog. Pack heat however breathable clothes. Don’t overlook waterproof clothes for those who plan on spending most of your time open air.
Winter (December – February)
Unsurprisingly, winter brings ice-cold climate to Skagway. Daytime temperatures common between 20° and 35°F. Daytime are shorter, with the solar setting as early as 3:00 PM. Count on snow accumulation to affect journey plans. Pack loads of heat clothes, particularly water and windproof outerwear.
Spring (March – Might)
Spring is hotter, however it might nonetheless be fairly chilly. Temperatures can vary from 25° to 45°F, however you may as well count on a mixture of rain and snow. Whereas this time of 12 months brings the good thaw and an increase in wildlife exercise and wildflower blooms, you continue to must pack appropriately. Pack heat garments, in addition to breathable mountain climbing gear. You will have waterproof outerwear, in addition to winter gloves.
Exploring Skagway’s Gold Rush Historical past and Close by Points of interest
Regardless of its small dimension and inhabitants, Skagway has a lot to supply guests. Since Skagway as soon as served as the principle gateway to the gold deposits of the Klondike area of Yukon, Canada, the city has a really noticeable hyperlink to the Klondike Gold Rush.
In reality, all of downtown Skagway has been designated a part of the Klondike Gold Rush Nationwide Historic Park, so lots of the authentic buildings and artifacts have been preserved. As such, all the city virtually seems like a functioning museum.
Because of this cruise passengers can use their go to as a chance to view Gold Rush Period structure and revel in interactive reveals. Why not take the time to discover among the exact same buildings utilized by prospectors on their strategy to discover fame and fortune?
For these trying to soak up Alaska’s beautiful pure landscapes, mountain climbing among the well-known Chilkoot Path could be extremely memorable. Fortunately, among the important trailheads are situated simply steps from Skagway cruise port. You may as well go to Gold Rush Cemetery, the place many well-known prospectors and city residents are buried.
For these with extra time to work with, hopping aboard the White Move and Yukon Route Railroad is an unbelievable expertise. The historic prepare may even choose up passengers at their cruise ship terminal.
Transportation Choices in Skagway
Fortunately, Skagway is a really walkable vacation spot. Many standard sights are only a brief stroll from the city’s cruise port. The city’s historic streets are additionally pedestrian-friendly, so you may merely stroll the city on foot.
For these with restricted time or seeking to discover additional afield, shuttle companies and taxis can be found from the cruise port. As we’ll discover in higher element, many cruise traces additionally associate with native tour suppliers, together with transportation to and from the port.
Learn Additionally: Whittier Cruise Port – Terminal, Instructions and Data
Given the city’s small dimension, don’t count on to have the ability to summon rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft.
Cruise Line Excursions and Issues to Do Round Skagway
Visiting Skagway provides cruise passengers a variety of outside journey and exploration alternatives. Past Skagway’s small-town allure and famed ties to the Gold Rush Period, the encircling space provides breathtaking views of the rugged Alaskan wilderness.
As all the time, we suggest reserving excursions forward of time by way of your cruise line. This may guarantee that you’ve well timed transportation to and from the cruise port, plus the tour supplier may have been vetted by the cruise line forward of time.
If having fun with the good open air is excessive in your record of issues to do in Alaska, use your time in Alaska to get pleasure from among the following actions:
Go to the White Move Summit and Yukon Suspension Bridge
This 200-foot suspension bridge sits above the rapids of the Tutshi River, providing beautiful views of the encircling surroundings. Crossing it’s completely protected, however it would get your adrenaline pumping. For the reason that bridge crosses into Canada, you’ll need a passport or passport ID card.
The bridge takes about one hour to drive on the Klondike Freeway, so most cruise passengers will go to by reserving a tour tour. These guided excursions are stuffed with different stops and provide loads of alternatives to see Alaska’s iconic wildlife.
Ocean and River Rafting
Skagway sits on the Lynn Canal, North America’s longest and deepest fjord. On high of that, the city is surrounded by flowing rivers. Quite a few tour operators can present protected and guided rafting experiences.
These experiences are extremely memorable and provide loads of alternatives to take pictures of eagles, bears, glaciers, and different Alaskan icons.
Fishing
Fishing fans will already concentrate on Alaska’s repute for having among the world’s greatest salmon and trout fishing. As you’ll count on, there is no such thing as a scarcity of tour operators keen to take keen cruise passengers out for a multi-hour fishing expertise.
Learn to fly fish on the rivers surrounding Skagway, or strive your hand at fishing from a ship on the deeper waters of the Lynn Canal. Each choices are simply accessible from Skagway and require little greater than a brief stroll to an tour operator. It doesn’t matter what kind of fishing you select, you’ll benefit from the pristine backdrop of Alaska’s rugged and untamed wilderness.
Biking
Skagway has quite a few choices for bike leases and biking excursions. Among the finest choices is to cycle by way of the encircling rainforest. Whereas it could appear unusual to think about such a notoriously chilly space with a rainforest, the dense forests surrounding the city are labeled as temperate rainforests.
Trails take you alongside the forest, in addition to the close by Taiya River and numerous historic websites. Whereas we encourage you to take a biking tour to maximise the expertise, self-guided journeys alongside the paths could be simply as enjoyable!
Helicopter Excursions
Viewing Skagway and the encircling panorama from the air is an expertise not like another. Loads of helicopter excursions are perfect for cruise ship passengers, as they can help you soak up an unbelievable quantity of surroundings in a restricted time. Save time and think about the mountains, glaciers, fjords, and forests from above.
Helicopters depart proper alongside Skagway’s waterfront, so, relying on which of the three piers your cruise ship docks at, reaching the heliport will solely contain a 5-to-15-minute stroll from Skagway cruise port.
Whereas the official forex is the American greenback, most distributors are used to Canadian vacationers and can settle for Canadian {dollars} at a flat alternate fee. We suggest utilizing US forex to get the most effective deal, however most institutions settle for the main bank cards. The city has a lot to supply, so that you gained’t need to overlook your pockets on the ship!
Eating
Regardless of the city’s small dimension, its booming tourism business implies that a various array of eating choices can be found to guests. From cozy cafés that serve heat drinks and luxury meals to extra upscale eating places that reap the benefits of Alaskan seafood and different domestically sourced components, you should have loads of choices.
No journey to Skagway is full with no go to to the enduring Crimson Onion Saloon. This native landmark has been round because the Gold Rush Period. At this time, it serves basic American dishes, has a totally stocked bar, and even has a brothel museum. Situated on the nook of 2nd and Broadway, it’s simply an 11-minute stroll from the cruise port.
If seafood is your factor, don’t miss the Skagway Fish Firm. Order all of the Alaskan classics, like Alaskan crab legs, fish and chips, wild-caught salmon, and extra. Plus, it’s situated simply outdoors the cruise port, so it couldn’t be simpler to get to.
You may additionally pattern the beers at Skagway Brewing Firm, seize a slice at Northern Lights Pizzeria, or get pleasure from a caribou burger at Skagway BBQ Shack. All three are only a brief stroll from the piers!
Procuring
Skagway additionally provides procuring fans a chance to browse all kinds of distinctive souvenirs and hand-made items. Handcrafted jewellery and genuine Native Alaskan paintings each make distinctive and beautiful keepsakes. Loads of shops provide the newest outside gear and clothes, which might turn out to be useful for those who overlook something.
Regularly Requested Questions (FAQs)
Is Skagway walkable from the cruise port?
Sure, Skagway may be very walkable. A lot of the city’s important sights and facilities are simply walkable from the cruise port.
Is Skagway value seeing?
Completely! Skagway itself provides a wealthy historical past and a shocking pure backdrop. There are additionally loads of thrilling outside actions only a brief distance from Skagway’s downtown core.
Do cruise ships cease in Skagway?
A lot of North America’s high cruise traces embody a port of name cease in Skagway as a part of their Alaskan itineraries. For the reason that city has a lot to supply and journey to and from the cruise port is so scenic, it’s an extremely standard cruise vacation spot.
