Luxury car white pass railroad

Can anyone tell me if the $200 per person surcharge for the luxury class car to white pass is worth it? I think my 71 year old mom will enjoy it but that is steep for pastries and leather chairs! I booked it because there are only 14 seats but thinking of saving the 400 for something else. Thanks!

Whether it is "worth it" it subjective. You will have to decide for yourself.

It definitely wouldn't be worth it for me. My mom did the Lake Bennett (longer) train tour with us a few years ago when she was the same age as your mom, and she had no problem with the regular train cars.

Again, opinions are subjective. However, it me it is so not worth it that I can not imagine almost anything in the world that would be less worth it. Buy a bag of donuts if you need food and enjoy the trip with us normal folk.

DON

Again, opinions are subjective. However, it me it is so not worth it that I can not imagine almost anything in the world that would be less worth it. Buy a bag of donuts if you need food and enjoy the trip with us normal folk.

 

DON

LOL! I tend to agree - I can't envision what kind of donut and 3 hour use of a cigar bar barcalounger is worth $200 more per person.

For me, it was worth it - a marvelous look back at the Golden Age of rail travel for the rich. If you fly Business Class, you'll see the same value in this car.

For me, it was worth it - a marvelous look back at the Golden Age of rail travel for the rich. If you fly Business Class, you'll see the same value in this car.

That's why I think my mom will enjoy it. Thanks for letting me know you valued the experience. I am going to bite the bullet and keep the reservation.

I am sorry, but I have been all over the WP&Y RR website and can't find any talk of a special class of car at all.

I am sorry, but I have been all over the WP&Y RR website and can't find any talk of a special class of car at all.

Some of the cruise lines charter the car and book passengers on it themselves.

I found a link that shows pictures:

http://explorenorth.com/wordpress/special-trip-wpyr-railway/

It looks like the RR has two of these cars - seems that Princess and Celeberty are at least two of the lines that offer them - both lines say the limit is 14 pax.

They look like nice cars - the covered porch area looks like a good place to take photos from.

The included meal service also sounds nice.

Not sure if it is worth the expense for the summit trip.

Yes, it would be a matter of personal opinion and preference... Yet, I think I would enjoy this car very much, seems so relaxed and not crowded... but it sounds like the other cars would be fun too...

bon voyage

That looks like a fun, worthwhile splurge if you can afford it. I was fine in the regular service car, but then again, I was constantly up and about taking pictures on the outer platforms. For an older person who will be sitting longer, being in comfortable chairs and getting a snack on the ride would definitely be a plus.

I did the train ride to Fraser then disembarked and went by bus down Klondike Highway to Caribou Crossing for lunch. It was a marvelous trip, but very long, and by the time we got to lunch, I was incredibly hungry.

My mom is 71 and still teaching public high school - so if this makes her Alaska trip special i will definitely splurge for her. I'm more the type to spend that 400 in the casino hoping for a 6 and 8 hard way run at the craps table :)

Can anyone tell me if the $200 per person surcharge for the luxury class car to white pass is worth it? I think my 71 year old mom will enjoy it but that is steep for pastries and leather chairs! I booked it because there are only 14 seats but thinking of saving the 400 for something else. Thanks!

Only you know your mom and he physical abilities and likes and dislikes. Have you thought about letting her make the decision. Since she is still teaching school, she obviously has her wits about her and could also physically handle the regular train car if that is her choice. Seems like the obvious solution to me.

Tell her what her train trip options are and the costs. Also tell her that if you do not do the expensive train trip option, you will be able to spend money on another excursion that you can not justify spending the additional money on. Leave it up to her.

If it were me, I would tell you that the high end train trip is not worth the money but I am not your mother. She is.

DON

My mom is 71 and still teaching public high school - so if this makes her Alaska trip special i will definitely splurge for her. I'm more the type to spend that 400 in the casino hoping for a 6 and 8 hard way run at the craps table :)

I think this will be a great decision. Yes, mom will have a great memory even if in the 'normal' car, but think about what joy she will have talking about the Club car with friends and colleagues!

It can be like going 1st class on an airline, do it once and really enjoy - because how often will she do it going forward?

A great experience for both of you, and, you could still possibly hit both 6 and 8 the hard way and quadruple your returns!

bon voyage and please let us know how it turns out!

I am sorry, but I have been all over the WP&Y RR website and can't find any talk of a special class of car at all.

Carnival has it on their excursion page as the luxury White Pass Railroad. Not sure if other cruiselines.

Here is the HAL version from the list of excursions we were offered:

White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: A Luxury Travel Experience

 

Departs: 12:45 PM Approximately 3½ Hours Price $299.95 Experience the dramatic beauty of Southeast Alaska while traveling aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad's premier luxury parlor car.

 

The White Pass Legacy Club is the ideal way to relish this historic narrow-gauge rail adventure. As you ascend from sea to summit, revel in a superior level of comfort in custom-made leather seating. Enjoy allinclusive beverages and regionally sourced appetizers while sharing the unforgettable and exclusive experience with your travel companions. Round out this first-class excursion with a private guide who will highlight all the scenic viewpoints while sharing the incredible story of the construction of the railroad.

 

The White Pass & Yukon Route itself is unlike any other railroad. Against all odds, the iron trail was carved through some of the North's most rugged terrain in 1898. Built during the Klondike Gold Rush, this engineering wonder is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark -- an honor shared with the Eiffel Tower, the Panama Canal and the Statue of Liberty. Considered an impossible feat, the railway was completed in 26 months by blasting through the mountains with 450 tons of explosives. The 110-mile railroad was officially completed when a final golden spike was hammered into place on July 29, 1900 in Carcross, Yukon.

 

Your exclusive luxury car, pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive, climbs nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles of steep grades and around cliff -hanging turns. You will retrace the original route to the White Pass summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. Take in the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites from your large, picture windows and comfortable custom seating. As you travel, your private guide will serve refreshments, and recount the fascinating tales of Gold Rush history. You’ll even see the original Klondike Trail of '98 worn into the rocks -- a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune.

 

At the completion of your excursion, convenient dockside service returns you directly to the ship.

Notes:

Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair. Minimum age is 21 years.

We did the luxury car through Royal Caribbean and we loved it. Beer, wine, snacks were all included and were very good. We would do it again. However, we had been traveling with a group of 24 and had also been coupes up on a bus in a pre cruise tour so, the extra room and quietness was very welcome.

We are wondering the same thing with one more question. Is this or any of the White Pass train rides round trip or do they all return to the ships by bus? Might be worth the money if if is round trip.

Pretty sure it is round trip.

Can anyone tell me if the $200 per person surcharge for the luxury class car to white pass is worth it? I think my 71 year old mom will enjoy it but that is steep for pastries and leather chairs! I booked it because there are only 14 seats but thinking of saving the 400 for something else. Thanks!

I am in a similar situation; I’m also taking my mom to Alaska this summer. She will be 75 in July.

I think a previous poster gave a good suggestion—talk to your mom and present a couple of choices. You might be surprised.

We have had to make some choices along the way, and I am often surprised by what Mom prefers or what she’s willing to do or give up.

It really helps us both feel excited about the trip, because we are both invested in what we are going to do.

Another option some people choose to do is to separate during the day and then meet back on ship. For me, that’s not a good option. I am being greedy about my time with Mom, because I know I won’t have her forever.

Whatever the decision, have a great trip and enjoy your time together!

After seeing this post re Luxury Train Car excursion, I called Chilkoot Tours whom I have a Yukon Rail & Bus tour already booked with. They informed me that this Luxury Train Car Tour is only available through the cruise lines. Not sure if I had of known about this option before booking with Chilkoot whether it would have made a difference. Not only is it approx $130.00 U.S. ($160.00 Can) pp more, but the tour itself is 3 hours shorter. with no lunch provided, just snacks and beverages, and no time to see the huskie pups etc.

There is no road at the summit (it's ½ mile to the west), so all the "summit" rides are round trip only.

If any comparison, DW and I did a similar first class car on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR in Colorado. The splurge was worth it for a one-time experience. Our coach was at the back of the train and the 180 panorama view from the rear platform was spectacular.

Wesley