NCL Encore Skagway Alaska Cruise Port Guide & White Pass Railway Review | Cruising After 50

Planning an Alaska cruise on the NCL Encore or another cruise ship visiting Skagway, Alaska in 2026? 🚢🏔️ In this comprehensive Skagway Alaska cruise port guide, we share our full, honest review of the famous White Pass & Yukon Route Railway excursion. This guide includes essential tips for first-time Alaska cruisers, travelers cruising after 50, and anyone wondering what to expect at the Skagway cruise port. From the moment we stepped off the ship at the Ore Dock, this quickly became one of the most memorable and scenic days of our Alaska cruise. We cover everything you need to know before you book: the walk from the ship to the train, the boarding process, which side of the train has the best views, what to expect onboard the historic railcars, and whether the White Pass Scenic Railway is actually worth the money. This specific excursion is one of the best things to do in Skagway for cruising after 50 because it offers breathtaking Alaska scenery without requiring intense physical activity. It’s a relaxing, historic, and incredibly accessible way to experience the beauty of Alaska’s mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and fjords. 🏔️ What You Will See on This Excursion: • Dramatic mountain scenery and deep gorges • The historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway tracks • Rushing waterfalls, steep cliffs, historic bridges, and fjord views • The U.S. and Canadian border flags at the White Pass summit • Outdoor viewing platforms between the train cars perfect for photography 📸 • Train staff dressed in vintage Klondike Gold Rush era outfits • Real Alaska weather including cold wind and rapidly changing mountain conditions 💡 What We Cover in This Skagway Cruise Port Guide: • What it feels like walking from the NCL Encore directly to the train • Why packing layers and a rain jacket is critical for Skagway weather • What the return train experience is like • Snack and souvenir options available onboard the train • Tips for choosing the best side of the train for photos • What happens if you choose to get off in downtown Skagway before returning to the ship • The pros and cons of the White Pass & Yukon Route excursion • Our final verdict: Is the White Pass Railway worth it for first-time Alaska cruisers? ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Skagway Port Guide & White Pass Railway Intro 00:58 About Skagway, Alaska 02:07 Docking and Port Arrival Experience 03:35 Getting Around Skagway 04:13 What We Observed of Downtown Skagway 04:55 Top Things to Do in Skagway 05:37 Excursion Planning Tips 06:38 What Is the White Pass Railway 07:30 Boarding Experience 08:37 Inside the Train 09:50 The Journey 10:43 Best Photo and Viewing Tips 11:33 Summit Experience 13:01 Return Journey 15:51 Pros and Cons of the Excursion 16:50 Is It Worth It? 17:36 Alternative Excursion Options 18:16 Tips for Your Skagway Day If you are planning an Alaska cruise in 2026 and researching Skagway cruise excursions, we hope this video helps you know exactly what to expect before you go! 🌊 SUBSCRIBE TO CALM SEA CRUISE Join Pat and Kathy for real cruise experiences to help you cruise smarter 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@CalmSeaCruise 🍪 LOVE CRUISE FOOD Watch Calm Sea Cooks 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@CalmSeaCooks 🧳 CRUISE ESSENTIALS & PACKING LISTS Shop the gear we actually use for packing, filming, and living life at sea. 🛍️ Start here 👉 https://www.amazon.com/shop/calmseacruise 🎒 Packing & Travel Gear 👉 https://amzn.to/4p9JbCv 🪶 Cruise Essentials 👉 https://amzn.to/45QcTVA As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. 📄 FREE CRUISE PACKING CHECKLIST 👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_A7u6wHQMUnO_zLO2ZLSUKWxcoRD0ScZ/view 💬 STAY CONNECTED 📸Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/calmseacruise 📱TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@calmseacruise 🎓 CREATOR & RETIREMENT RESOURCES Thinking about sharing your own travel experiences or planning your next chapter? These are the resources we’ve personally used: ▶️ YouTube After 40 Build Your Channel 👉 https://groundedlife.thinkific.com/courses/youtube-after-40?ref=8ea664 ▶️ Retirement Travel Jumpstart 👉 https://groundedlife.thinkific.com/courses/retirement-travel-jumpstart?ref=8ea664 #SkagwayAlaska, #WhitePassRailway, #NCLEncore, #CruisingAfter50, #AlaskaCruise2026