We got up early and were off the ship by 7am. It was quite a long walk to the meeting point outside the security gates. There were shuttles available for passengers that couldn't make the walk. We were driven to the train depot (you can walk if you are doing it on your own) and our group was placed in the last train car. It was reserved for all those that were on a chilkoot charter tour. If you ask them which is the better side to sit on they will say that the train company doesn't want them saying. But if they were to get on the train they would sit on the left side. If you are going northbound....SIT ON THE LEFT!!! Left is the left side when facing forward. Port side if the train were a ship.
When you get on board there will be a train magazine (3 or 4 pages) on your seat. It will have a map of where you are headed and how far the notable points are from each other. As you travel the conductor or some other appointee will tell you as you approach these sites. There are also guides that walk through the train and can answer questions and sell you a cd/hat. The ride up took about 2 or 2.5 hours, not really sure. We started out in greenery and as we climbed we got to total snow. It was very foggy and it felt like we were in the clouds at parts. Along the ride they tell you historical stories about the gold rush trek. Very interesting stuff.
On the bus/van ride back we made a stop at the welcome to alaska sign and had the option of being dropped off at the ship or downtown. We opted for downtown so we could see the red onion saloon. We didn't spend much time shopping here as we were shopped out. Most ports are selling the same Alaska goodies so we had seen the stuff before. We were also cold as we didn't layer as much as we usually do.
We stopped in the saloon for a beer (sit at the bar its faster) They sell a tour of the upstairs $5 for 15 minutes (just like the old days). After a drink we headed back to the ship. At this point it was about 2pm and we had to be back on at 3:30.
Instead of an afternoon of trivia like we usually do, we put on bathing suits and headed to the hot tub in the solarium. We spent some time in there and the peaceful solarium lulled us to sleep.
We got ready for dinner a little early tonight as it was formal night and we wanted to take pictures. We spent a few minutes and peaked in on the show (piano player) tried a few songs of name that tune trivia (50s and 60s tongiht) and then waited on line for pictures and watched the if you know it dance it game show.
Dinner tonight was lobster night. Jason had soup (broccoli?), fishermans plate . Lindsay had a cesar salad and a fishermans plate. Ivoan offered us more lobster but one was enough for us. We shared the trio dessert and headed off to quest!!
I will not spoil quest for those that have not been on a royal cruise before however, i will say this....the elderly lady standing next to me decided to participate in the teeth portion of the game. Meaning, as I stood next to her, she pulled out her false teeth and put them in a strangers hand. I want to barf while writing this. More power to her.
After quest we went up to the midnight buffet to take a look at the carvings and then went to the solarium to read our books and play some skip bo. The ship was rocking a little bit tongiht and that would be the theme for the rest of the cruise (except while at the glacier).
Tip of the day: Sit on the left!!!!
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