Date: Monday, August 18, 2025
Location: Skagway → At Sea
I expected Skagway to feel like something out of Northern Exposure — a quiet frontier town where a moose might wander past while you’re getting coffee.
What I found instead was something far more impressive: staggering views, a roaring waterfall, and a hydroelectric system that quietly powers a town at the edge of the world.
🌅 Morning: Docking in Skagway
We woke up just as the ship was crawling into port — 2.4 knots, inching forward past misty mountains and low clouds.The air was cool, damp, and heavy with 98% humidity, but refreshing.
Breakfast was a quick stop at the Windjammer, Deck 14. HP went for a biscuit with cheese and prunes, while I made myself a simple but tasty egg-and-potato biscuit sandwich. Sometimes the basics are best.
By 8:00, we were off for our Skagway tram/bus excursion. Skagway is a small town of about 1,000 people, squeezed between the sea and mountains that rise almost straight out of the water. Founded during the gold rush of 1898, the town still carries that frontier feel — wooden storefronts, narrow streets, and forest pressing in from every side. Today it swells with tourists, with nearly 20,000 visitors passing through each week during the cruise season.
Our driver, Heidi, filled us in on life here… it takes weeks for groceries to arrive by barge from Seattle, and winters bring 5–7 feet of snow (while the surrounding mountains get as much as 40–70 feet). One of their snow blowers is pushed by a train. One of their snow blowers is pushed by a train.
Yes — a train-powered snowblower.
The bus took us across the U.S.–Canada border into a sort of no-man’s-land, where we glimpsed a suspension bridge no one is allowed to cross. Along the way, we also spotted a waterfall plunging 3,000 feet — its power tapped by a hidden pipe to generate Skagway’s hydroelectric supply. The pipe can be seen on the right-hand side of the picture.
By late morning, we were back at the port. We grabbed Bloody Marys (round one) and some pizza at Sorrento’s on Deck 4.
Sorrento’s is a casual pizza parlor with a red brick floor and large windows that sit just above the waterline, giving you a view of the harbor while you eat. Five pizza ovens work almost nonstop, sliding fresh pies out every few minutes, and there’s an all-you-can-drink soda machine along the wall. A pop station hums in the background while travelers drift in and out between excursions.
After pizza and Bloody Marys, we went back for round two before retreating to the cabin for a much-needed nap. There’s something soothing about returning to the cabin and sitting out on the balcony. It’s quiet, restful, and just a little intoxicating.
Meanwhile, the crew ran emergency drills. The crew, dressed in green safety vests everywhere as they practiced heading to muster stations. A reminder of just how seriously they take safety at sea.
🌤️ Afternoon: Low Clouds & Quiet Time
On Deck 15, walking the track felt almost otherworldly. In the thick fog, people slowly faded into grey shapes before disappearing completely into the swirling mist.
The fog lingered through midday, making photos tricky, but the sun began to break through later, revealing snow-tipped peaks beyond the harbor. Even in the grey, there was a rugged beauty to the landscape.
Later we wandered into a bar called Schooner’s, which reminded me a little of something out of the old Cheers television show. A curved wooden bar stretched across the room, surrounded by ornate woodwork and warm lighting. Instead of stools and benches, there were couches and soft chairs where people settled in for trivia.
Trivia there turned out to be one of the highlights of the afternoon. We didn’t win, but the couple sitting next to us from New York were loud and enthusiastic, cheering every time they got an answer right. By the end, we were cheering for them too.
It was a fun way to spend the quiet hours before dinner.
🍽️ Evening: The Cruise Hits Its Stride
Dinner that night was back in the formal dining room with Saif and Andrew, and by now we were settling into an easy rhythm with them. This was easily the best meal so far. Being a vegetarian, I sometimes get… overlooked, but not tonight. It almost felt like they had planned the meal just for me.
I started with a tofu, avocado, and tomato vinaigrette salad — creamy and refreshing — followed by a pesto pasta that was absolutely on point. Dessert was carrot cake, rich and spiced just right. For the first time this cruise, the dining room nailed it from start to finish.
I probably should have paid more attention to what the others ordered, but I was a little too focused on my own plate.
Later, the five of us gathered at Vintages, where espresso martinis flowed and laughter filled the table. Eric even treated himself to a chocolate shake from Johnny Rockets. He said it tasted exactly how he remembered it as a kid.
We ended the night on Deck 15’s track, strolling, talking, and taking in the view as the clouds finally lifted. Seeing otters playing in the water beneath snow-capped peaks was the perfect cap to the day.
⭐ Quick Ratings (1–5 stars)
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Food | ★★★★★ |
| Service | ★★★★★ |
| Cleanliness | ★★★★★ |
| Activities | ★★★★★ |
| Excursion Value | ★★★★★ |
📝 End-of-Day Reflection
This was a really good day. Breakfast felt more familiar once I hunted down the right things on the buffet, and dinner was hands-down the best meal yet. If they served pasta like tonight’s every evening, I’d leave this ship 30 pounds heavier!
Best part of today: Exploring Skagway’s mountain roads and hearing about life in such a remote place. It felt like seeing the part of Alaska that keeps going long after the tourists leave.
Something unexpected: Learning how Skagway powers itself with a massive waterfall. Who knew they could generate so much power from a like and a waterfall.
As the evening ended, Captain Tony came on the intercom to announce tomorrow’s plan: we’ll sail into Endicott Armand should arrive around 7:00–8:45 a.m. He promised a 540-degree spin near the glacier so everyone gets a view. Rumor has it there’ll be ice floating in the water. I can’t wait.
At the Forge
Day 4 felt like discovering the quieter truths beneath the surface — Skagway’s calm streets, the ingenuity tucked into its mountains, and the easy laughter shared over espresso martinis afterward. Between the views and the conversations, the world slowed down just enough to let it all sink in.
I do have one small regret from this port. Our excursion carried us quickly from the harbor to the mountaintop, where the views were magnificent, but it meant we never really had time to wander the town itself. I caught glimpses of Skagway through the bus windows — quiet streets, old storefronts, and a hint of local life, and it made me wish we had an hour just to walk and take it in.
Maybe that’s what travel gives us when we stop chasing the itinerary: a chance to notice what’s actually holding a place together. Wonder doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it hums softly between mountains and friends.
I suspect Skagway is one of those places you come back to, not just for the views, but for the quiet streets you didn’t quite get to explore the first time.
— Dennis D. Montoya
Stories Forged in Ink and Ash
Dennis D Montoya 