After leaving the port in Icy Strait Point our ship smoothly cruised through the night and when we awoke we were nearing the port of Skagway, Alaska. After breakfast in the Wind Jammer we headed down the gang plank and onto the docks at Skagway.
Early morning arrival into Skagway
Disney and Norwegian were already docked when we arrived in port
We learned from watching previous cruising videos that each ship that docks in Skagway has painted a rock up on the cliffs overlooking the cruise ship ports.
We were looking forward to our excursion of hiking the Chilkoot Trail and enjoying a float trip back into town, however, like in Icy Strait Point, our excursion was canceled. Fortunately, the excursion directors were able to get us on the White Pass & Yukon Scenic Railway, at half price and later in the afternoon!
This gave us plenty of time to explore the town of Skagway. Our first stop was the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and got a walking tour map. We enjoyed investigating the historical buildings located along Broadway Street. Our favorites included the Red Onion Saloon and the Artic Brotherhood Hall. The facade of this relic from the Klondike gold rush is decorated with over 8,800 pieces of driftwood.
Artic Brotherhood Hall
The famous Red Onion Saloon
For a mid-morning snack we shared a delicious fry bread and Dr. Pepper (had to get our fix for the day)from the Klondike Dough Boy. We continued exploring Skagway stopping to buy souvenirs before having lunch at the Bonanza Bar & Grill.
Adding cinnamon and sugar to that delicious fry bread!
Following lunch we headed back to the White Pass & Yukon Railway to board the train and head up the pass. Even though the train ride was not one of our planned excursions we felt very lucky that we managed to get tickets and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Grave site of two railroad workers and horse that were crushed by falling rocks.
It is amazing to find out that between 1898 and 1900 some 35,00 workers connected Skagway and Whitehorse by rail with 35 workers dying in the process. This railway has been designated as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, putting it i the same good company of such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the Panama Canal.
Old trestle bridge no longer in use - thank goodness!
Until you see the pass in person, one cannot comprehend the fortitude it took those seeking their fortune in gold to journey through this snow covered, steep pass.
With a great adventure through Skagway it was time for us to board our ship and sail on to Endicott Arms and the Dawes Glacier.
Captain in the helm ready to sail away from Skagway
Sea lion feeding in the Skagway Port
Passing Eldred Rock Lighthouse
Fellow cruisers enjoying the North Star out to the side of the ship
Good night from Skagway
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After a very rough day at sea and feeling sea sick for 24 hours we awoke to calm seas in the inside passage of Alaska heading to Icy Strait Point. The Quantum of the Seas docked at Icy Strait Point around 1:00 pm so we had the next eight hours to explore.
Calm seas in the inside passage of Alaska, heading to Icy Strait Point
Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village. No matter if they were working in the restaurants, gift shops, or excursions, the workers at Icy Strait Point were so friendly!
Nature hike with ship in view
Icy Strait Point is part of Chichagoff Island which is home to more brown bears than humans. In fact, as soon as we disembarked the ship we headed to a hiking trail that went from the gang plank up to the Transporter Landing (transportation between high and low areas of Icy Strait Point)and spotted fresh bear scat even though there were many tourists in the area!
Cannery building from walk to Hoonah
View of ship from walk to Hoonah
Sea lions feeding in Port Frederick near the Duck Point Smokehouse
Icy Strait Point is a place where eagles soar overhead and whales are regularly seen just offshore - we saw two and also several sea lions feeding in the area. Surrounded by towering rainforest and set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded mountains, guests can truly immerse themselves in our wilderness environment.
With over 30 exciting tours, a restored 1912 salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, and even a beach! Icy Strait Point is the port for adventure.
Cannery museum buildings
Riding the Transporter to the a higher level
We had booked an excursion to hike Chichagoff Island but it was canceled so we decided to explore the area ourselves. When we first left the gang plank of the ship we headed to a walking trail at Wilderness Landing that hugged the beach but then moved up into a rainforest before popping out at the landing for the Transporter and the beginning of the gondola.
We rode the Transporter (free that day) down to the lower part of Icy Strait Point and found Dr. Pepper on tap at the Duck Point Smokehouse Station. That made our day as we did not purchase any drink packages on our ship and had trouble getting our daily dose of Dr. Pepper!
After feeling refreshed we headed to the restored cannery, which is now a museum, to learn of the history of Icy Strait Point and shop for souvenirs.
Next we decided we would walk to into the town of Hoonah, however, after talking to some people coming back from town we learned that the walk was about 2 miles and there was not much to see or explore. We decided to ride the Transporter back up to the mountain to the Gondola ride which took us up the mountain to where the zip lining started. We did not ride the zip lines, however we did enjoy the beautiful views from the mountain and played in what snow was left (over 5 feet deep in some areas).
After riding the Gondola back down we had to take the Transporter one more time to go back down to the beach level of Icy Strait Point. We decided to get a cold beer at the Duck Point Smokehouse Station which we enjoyed next to a wood burning fireplace before heading back to the ship.
After being sea sick the day before we arrived at Icy Strait Point it was energizing to walk on land and breathe the fresh mountain air. We truly felt we had arrived in Alaska! Our next stop would be Skagway!
We were lucky enough to see a few humpback whales from our ship's balcony
Sundown near Icy Strait Point
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