Day 4: Exploring Amazing Skagway, Alaska’s Charms and Wonders

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Day 4 (Part II): Skagway, Alaska

Wow! The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway excursion was just incredible. And this is why I had to show it as a whole chapter for this day. Part I will be uploaded soon, but for now, I wanted to show the afterwards of this adventure. We had just been to Canada! (for a bit tho). And had seen snow right next to us. The experience was amazing and would definitely do it again if I am on this side of the world sometime. Regardless, it was just 10:30 AM and we had until 4 PM to return to the boat, which was located at the very end of the cruise port.

When we got down earlier in the morning the town was ghostly, but now, a few hours later it was more lively, sometimes even difficult to walk around the stores.

We explored the little downtown and entered some stores. Even had long conversations with the people living there. Some of them told us they were just seasonal workers and had just started working up here for the first time. WOW.

The cruises really do a number in the summer. Only Royal Caribbean brings Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and of course Ovation of the Seas, to Skagway. And of course, Celebrity, Disney, Princess, among others do the same with their ships. It is crazy to me that what was originated by the gold rush, now transformed into a cruise rush.

Skagway Brewing Company

But the locals of course also take advantage of the tourism. According to Alaskact.com, the cruise industry in the 49th state generates “$1.35 billion per year, through $914 million in direct spending by passengers and $465 million in wages to 14,500 Alaska workers. Cruising provides $100 million annually in revenues to state and local governments and contributes over $2 million annually to Alaskan nonprofit organizations.”

Now with all that information in our minds, we decided to sit down to eat for the first time since we step foot on the cruise. After a couple of blocks, we got to Skagway Brewing Company. On my list of things to eat, I had the deer and the king crab, both of I had never tried in the past (as far as I know).

For the deer, I tried the Reindeer Chilli Dog for $17.99. The whole thing was delicious, very filling and nothing compared to the one that you could get on the ship.

And as for the king crab, I was VERY tempted to get the Alaskan Golden King Crab legs, by the pound, but it was going to the like $70-$80 of something I did not know I would like. I opted to order a Crabby Mac + Cheese (Sinfully rich + creamy! 3oz rock crab, smoked cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella, provolone, heavy cream + tossed with penne pasta, topped with 2oz Alaskan golden king crab) for $36.99. There was a lot of crab on top of it, and wa able to taste it and even share with my mom, and yeah. It was delicious. The pasta was also very good, but again, we were so full, we could not finish both dishes.

Back to Ovation of the Seas

Around 12:50 PM we decided to head back to the cruise. We were exhausted with all that food, but at least the long walk was going to work in our favor. The landscape was gorgeus, and that really helps when you are trying to get your 10,000 steps in.

From the small boat harbor, there is a shuttle that could save you some steps though. It drops you off in front of the cruise entrance by only having to tip the driver. It is very convenient since the cruise terminal is quite long.

Incredibly, on this 7 days Alaska cruise, this was the last time we were going to set foot on this state. Next, we were going to see the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, have a day at sea, and after that it was just full steam down to Victoria, Canada as the last stop.

A Relaxing Afternoon

We took the noon times to relax, and after people started to come back to the cruise, we went to the Solarium just to relax.

And of course I had to use my Refreshment Package to get my favorite drink of the cruise: A lava flow.

And just like that, the cruise started moving and we were saying goodbye to Skagway.

We went back to our stateroom to find a jumpy surprise on the bed 🙂

A Taste of the USA

After all the lunch had settle in, we went to the Main Dining Room using our My Time reservations.

Every night in the Main Dining Room, there was a theming, and this time it was the turn of the USA. I can confirm that even though the menu in general seems regular, without any risks, for the same reason the food seemed and tasted very safe.

For appetizer I got the Chilled Shrimp Cocktail. The sauce was good tho.

For the main course, I got the New York Strip Steak, and oh boy. I could not eat the baked potato, too big for my eyes. But the meat was good, and I would order this cut for sure next time. It would not compare AT ALL to the Chops Grille ones tho.

And for dessert, I got the Royal Chocolate Cake. Definitely very tasty. As an adult I have not lose my fascination with chocolate (no wonder the mocha almost every day), but this was really good.

After that big meal, and the excellent service from our designated servers, we went back to the stateroom and appreciated these last views of this part of Alaska.

Past 9 PM and still daytime, we had the chance to go to the last show of the Headliner Showtime: Starring Jimmy Hopper. I teared up with some of the interpretations of Jimmy, especially Toto’s Africa. Wow, what a rollercoaster.

It was a perfect way to finish this evening, and this day full of amazing views, great food, incredible exploring and fantastic music. Today was the definition of an Alaska Cruise. Loved Day 4 and Skagway. But Day 5 was really going to make a number on me. Discover why I say this HERE.