Accessible Alaska cruise tour

[shel003]

I woull look d love to do an Alaska cruise tour with Princess cruises in June 2023 and was wondering if anyone had done one through them?  The tour I’m interested in is the 17 day escorted connoisseur tour.  Cruise goes from Vancouver to Anchorage with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and has scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National park and College fiord.  The land portion includes a cruise across Prince William Sound to Valdez and we stay in the Kenai peninsula, Mt McKinley, Denali National Park (Tundra tour included), St Wrangler, and Fairbanks. I use a wheelchair but can weight bear and walk short distances with a cane.   Here are my questions:

 

1.  How are the land accessible accommodations?

2.  What excursions did you do and were they with Princess or a private company?

3.  Any pros, cons of the cruise tour?

4. Any advice in general?

 

Someone from a different group advised me not to go due to uneven ground and bumpy tides but she was not disabled or has traveled with someone with a disability.  I know Alaska has to follow ADA rules do it’s hard to believe that it wouldn’t be a good fit.

[katisdale]

I did a cruisetour a few years ago and had no problems at all with the lodges. I did make sure to notify Princess in advance that I needed an accessible room.

There were several steps on the small boat from Valdez to Whittier which did pose a problem for me. The variation of the tides in Alaska made us enter the boat on the top-most open air deck. After we crossed Prince William Sound we were able to exit from the seating area to the dock. 

The only difficulty with excursions I had was the Tundra Wilderness tour which was on a school bus. I have problems with steps and now travel with a half-step bench which helps me maneuver when there are high steps. We mainly did Princess "easy" tours. The trains were especially easy to use with lifts between the lower and upper levels.

[shel003]

4 minutes ago, katisdale said:

I did a cruisetour a few years ago and had no problems at all with the lodges. I did make sure to notify Princess in advance that I needed an accessible room.

There were several steps on the small boat from Valdez to Whittier which did pose a problem for me. The variation of the tides in Alaska made us enter the boat on the top-most open air deck. After we crossed Prince William Sound we were able to exit from the seating area to the dock. 

The only difficulty with excursions I had was the Tundra Wilderness tour which was on a school bus. I have problems with steps and now travel with a half-step bench which helps me maneuver when there are high steps. We mainly did Princess "easy" tours. The trains were especially easy to use with lifts between the lower and upper levels.

Thank you very much for the feedback.  I’m surprised the tundra tour didn’t have an option for a lift equipped bus since it’s a national park.

[Id rather be diving]

Hello!  We did the 15 day connessiour tour in 2019.  My husband uses a scooter full time.  The land portion of the tour was FANTASTIC!  They were very accommodating for everything we needed.  The lodges were very accessible.  The  tour conductor was amazing.  She took care of every little thing we needed.  She would come to us on the bus while driving to the next lodge and confirm the accommodations that we needed at the next lodge.  She booked us on a separate Tundra tour from the rest of the group so that we could be in one of the lift equipped buses.  We were on a handicap rail car between Denali and .. our entire tour group got the railcar to ourselves.  My husband and sister both told me this was the most relax I had been on a trip in many years.  I usually am calling ahead checking to make sure all was ready for us but this trip our tour conductor took care of it.  The riverboat in Fairbanks was handicap accessible.  We didn’t do the gold dredge tour as we wanted the morning to relax but I’m sure it was accessible.  The bus drivers were awesome!  They always loaded my husband first before anyone else and took care to store his scooter safely under the bus.  We did a Kenai fjords tour that was accessible and fantastic.  We did a private whale watching cruise in Juneau, but we had our two adult grandsons who could help my husband in and off the boat.  We also did a private totem pole tour in Ketchikan through Tours by Locals.

We were interested in doing the 17 day tour but I contacted the accessibility office and I don’t think my husband could maneuver onto and off the catamaran.  So we are doing the same 15 day connessiour tour next summer.  It was one of the top 3 trips we’ve ever taken.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  I’m always happy to share our experiences.

Kari

[shel003]

11 hours ago, Id rather be diving said:

Hello!  We did the 15 day connessiour tour in 2019.  My husband uses a scooter full time.  The land portion of the tour was FANTASTIC!  They were very accommodating for everything we needed.  The lodges were very accessible.  The  tour conductor was amazing.  She took care of every little thing we needed.  She would come to us on the bus while driving to the next lodge and confirm the accommodations that we needed at the next lodge.  She booked us on a separate Tundra tour from the rest of the group so that we could be in one of the lift equipped buses.  We were on a handicap rail car between Denali and .. our entire tour group got the railcar to ourselves.  My husband and sister both told me this was the most relax I had been on a trip in many years.  I usually am calling ahead checking to make sure all was ready for us but this trip our tour conductor took care of it.  The riverboat in Fairbanks was handicap accessible.  We didn’t do the gold dredge tour as we wanted the morning to relax but I’m sure it was accessible.  The bus drivers were awesome!  They always loaded my husband first before anyone else and took care to store his scooter safely under the bus.  We did a Kenai fjords tour that was accessible and fantastic.  We did a private whale watching cruise in Juneau, but we had our two adult grandsons who could help my husband in and off the boat.  We also did a private totem pole tour in Ketchikan through Tours by Locals.

We were interested in doing the 17 day tour but I contacted the accessibility office and I don’t think my husband could maneuver onto and off the catamaran.  So we are doing the same 15 day connessiour tour next summer.  It was one of the top 3 trips we’ve ever taken.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  I’m always happy to share our experiences.

Kari

Thank you Kari!  This is more in line with what I was expecting.  Can I ask what private whale watching tour company you used and what were some of the challenges with getting your husband on sms off the boat?  Also what about the cruise across Prince William Sound made you leery?  Thank you again for all of your feedback, it’s been really helpful.

[Id rather be diving]

We used Harv and Marv for our whale watching tour.  We had the three of us, our two adult grandsons, and two more friends so we were able to split the cost between seven of us.  I booked a boat that was just the seven of us, the first mate, and the captain.  All of us loved it.  Our crew was an all female crew!  It was a small boat that was probably at least of full 12-15 inches to step from the dock into the boat.  With all of our help along with us, I knew we’d be okay.  Our grandsons are both over 6 feet tall so they could basically just lift him onto the boat and off of it.

 

I forgot to say earlier that the handicap restroom on the railcar was amazing!  It was large enough for my husband to drive his scooter in and I was able to be in the restroom at the same time!  As we were the only mobility challenged guest on the railcar, they just left his scooter on the lift when we were in our seats on the upper car so I didn’t have to go get it or take it back downstairs.

 

At the Fairbanks Lodge at the welcome breakfast I asked our tour conductor if we got ourselves to the riverboat landing, could we meet the group for the riverboat tour as we did not want to do the gold dredge tour.  She said she would arrange transportation for us. I was hesitant because some people think one or two small steps is no big deal but to my husband that is not doable. I told her we had to have handicap accessible transportation.  She arranged for a lift equipped motor coach to pick us up at the lodge and take us to the riverboat landing.  I was shocked that everything was handled just as she had promised.

 

Another  example of how the tour conductor took care of us is at Denali Lodge.  As we were waiting for the bus to come for the Tundra tour, I casually mentioned to her that the shower stool in our bathroom was really low to the ground.  I told her we could make it work as my sister could help.  I just wanted to make her aware for future guests.  Off we went to the park.  Eight hours later as we were just getting back to our room, I got a text from her asking if housekeeping had provided a more appropriate shower stool.  I went into the bathroom and there was the Cadillac version of shower stools waiting for us!!

 

This is the response I got from the accessibility office at Princess.  My husband would not be able to navigate walking the ramp or a large step.

 

We do indeed have more information about the Catamaran transportation between Whittier and Valdez. This is from the Tour Operator:

 

Docking in Valdez requires a flight of stairs and a ramp.

Here are the guidelines that apply to all guests coming or going from the Port of Valdez on the Cross Sound Cruise.

1. The guest must be able to negotiate one flight of stairs totaling 13 steps 8 inches high. We are able to assist the passenger up and down the stairs, but we are not able to carry them in their chair.

2. The guest must also be able to negotiate a ramp varying from extremely steep to level. The ramp is 20 feet long and has handrails on both sides. There is a step or two (depending on the tide) at the end of each ramp. The steps can be as high as 10 inches. The ramp extends from the boat to the shore and does cross open water below. 

3. We can carry and/or roll scooters and wheelchairs up to 30” wide and weighing up to 100 pounds on and off the boat. The guest may sit in their chair or scooter while on board the vessel if they wish.

Due to the use of a catamaran for some transportation on this land tour and the precarious nature of boarding the catamaran while on a mobility device, to ensure your safety, this office does not recommend this cruise tour for our guests traveling with a mobility device.  

 

If we were to have our grandsons with us, I may be willing to do it,  but with just my sister and I to help my husband I’m not willing to take the chance.  Gene would be very self conscience if people were waiting on him or he caused us to miss something.

 

Next year we are planning on doing the White Pass Railroad in Skagway as we skipped it last time as I spent the day in the spa for my birthday!

 

Please let me know if you have more questions.

 

Kari

Edited March 23, 2021 by Id rather be diving

[shel003]

On 3/23/2021 at 12:28 AM, Id rather be diving said:

We used Harv and Marv for our whale watching tour.  We had the three of us, our two adult grandsons, and two more friends so we were able to split the cost between seven of us.  I booked a boat that was just the seven of us, the first mate, and the captain.  All of us loved it.  Our crew was an all female crew!  It was a small boat that was probably at least of full 12-15 inches to step from the dock into the boat.  With all of our help along with us, I knew we’d be okay.  Our grandsons are both over 6 feet tall so they could basically just lift him onto the boat and off of it.

 

I forgot to say earlier that the handicap restroom on the railcar was amazing!  It was large enough for my husband to drive his scooter in and I was able to be in the restroom at the same time!  As we were the only mobility challenged guest on the railcar, they just left his scooter on the lift when we were in our seats on the upper car so I didn’t have to go get it or take it back downstairs.

 

At the Fairbanks Lodge at the welcome breakfast I asked our tour conductor if we got ourselves to the riverboat landing, could we meet the group for the riverboat tour as we did not want to do the gold dredge tour.  She said she would arrange transportation for us. I was hesitant because some people think one or two small steps is no big deal but to my husband that is not doable. I told her we had to have handicap accessible transportation.  She arranged for a lift equipped motor coach to pick us up at the lodge and take us to the riverboat landing.  I was shocked that everything was handled just as she had promised.

 

Another  example of how the tour conductor took care of us is at Denali Lodge.  As we were waiting for the bus to come for the Tundra tour, I casually mentioned to her that the shower stool in our bathroom was really low to the ground.  I told her we could make it work as my sister could help.  I just wanted to make her aware for future guests.  Off we went to the park.  Eight hours later as we were just getting back to our room, I got a text from her asking if housekeeping had provided a more appropriate shower stool.  I went into the bathroom and there was the Cadillac version of shower stools waiting for us!!

 

This is the response I got from the accessibility office at Princess.  My husband would not be able to navigate walking the ramp or a large step.

 

We do indeed have more information about the Catamaran transportation between Whittier and Valdez. This is from the Tour Operator:

 

Docking in Valdez requires a flight of stairs and a ramp.

Here are the guidelines that apply to all guests coming or going from the Port of Valdez on the Cross Sound Cruise.

1. The guest must be able to negotiate one flight of stairs totaling 13 steps 8 inches high. We are able to assist the passenger up and down the stairs, but we are not able to carry them in their chair.

2. The guest must also be able to negotiate a ramp varying from extremely steep to level. The ramp is 20 feet long and has handrails on both sides. There is a step or two (depending on the tide) at the end of each ramp. The steps can be as high as 10 inches. The ramp extends from the boat to the shore and does cross open water below. 

3. We can carry and/or roll scooters and wheelchairs up to 30” wide and weighing up to 100 pounds on and off the boat. The guest may sit in their chair or scooter while on board the vessel if they wish.

Due to the use of a catamaran for some transportation on this land tour and the precarious nature of boarding the catamaran while on a mobility device, to ensure your safety, this office does not recommend this cruise tour for our guests traveling with a mobility device.  

 

If we were to have our grandsons with us, I may be willing to do it,  but with just my sister and I to help my husband I’m not willing to take the chance.  Gene would be very self conscience if people were waiting on him or he caused us to miss something.

 

Next year we are planning on doing the White Pass Railroad in Skagway as we skipped it last time as I spent the day in the spa for my birthday!

 

Please let me know if you have more questions.

 

Kari

I will have to end up changing my tour plans as I don’t think I can manage the steps on the catamaran either.  I contacted the access office snd there was no other option other than the catamaran on the 17 day tour.  They did say however, that the similar excursion offered while at the Kenai Lodge is a different boat and is wheelchair  accessible.  I will probably do the 15 day escorted connoisseur tour you ended up doing.  
 

What did you end up doing at the McKinley Lodge?  Looking for suggestions.  Looks like maybe a half day there.

Edited March 25, 2021 by shel003

[Id rather be diving]

On our last trip, we had the half day when we arrived and then another full day the next day at McKinley.   We didn’t do any excursions.  The half day after arriving we walked up to the treehouse built by the Discovery Channel’s Treehouse Masters.  There is a path but it is a little challenging if using a chair or scooter.  Gene took it very slow and was able to do it.  Though I have to say quite frankly you wouldn’t be missing anything if you can’t get to it.  I was disappointed with it.  We did laundry one day as we had been gone for a week already.  We took the full day as a relaxing day.  We sat on the deck of the lodge and played games.  We went to a movie presentation about Mt. Denali.  

 

We were excited to see that the tour next year swapped days out and took the full day from McKinley and added a full day to the Kenai Lodge.  The Kenai was our favorite lodge. It is so quaint and beautifully set in nature.   We would have loved a full day there to just hang around the lodge and soak in the views.  On our full day, we did the Kenai Fjords boat tour so by the time we returned it was time for dinner.  Then the next morning it was breakfast and then board the bus to head to the ship.

 

Will you have someone traveling with you?

 

Kari

[shel003]

21 hours ago, Id rather be diving said:

On our last trip, we had the half day when we arrived and then another full day the next day at McKinley.   We didn’t do any excursions.  The half day after arriving we walked up to the treehouse built by the Discovery Channel’s Treehouse Masters.  There is a path but it is a little challenging if using a chair or scooter.  Gene took it very slow and was able to do it.  Though I have to say quite frankly you wouldn’t be missing anything if you can’t get to it.  I was disappointed with it.  We did laundry one day as we had been gone for a week already.  We took the full day as a relaxing day.  We sat on the deck of the lodge and played games.  We went to a movie presentation about Mt. Denali.  

 

We were excited to see that the tour next year swapped days out and took the full day from McKinley and added a full day to the Kenai Lodge.  The Kenai was our favorite lodge. It is so quaint and beautifully set in nature.   We would have loved a full day there to just hang around the lodge and soak in the views.  On our full day, we did the Kenai Fjords boat tour so by the time we returned it was time for dinner.  Then the next morning it was breakfast and then board the bus to head to the ship.

 

Will you have someone traveling with you?

 

Kari

Yes a friend of mine will be with me and my best friend and her family will be there for the cruise part.

[dan722]

I would   be grateful for any info on private accessible tours in JUNEAU, SKAGWAY, ICY STRAIT POINT, KETCHIKAN, and VANCOUVER

will be cruising on celebrity in August of  2022. 

I am a full-time power wheelchair user. We have cruised many times but only in the Caribbean.
I'm also interested in what type of warm clothes might be needed.

Thanks in advance.

[shel003]

1 hour ago, dan722 said:

I would   be grateful for any info on private accessible tours in JUNEAU, SKAGWAY, ICY STRAIT POINT, KETCHIKAN, and VANCOUVER

will be cruising on celebrity in August of  2022. 

I am a full-time power wheelchair user. We have cruised many times but only in the Caribbean.
I'm also interested in what type of warm clothes might be needed.

Thanks in advance.

So since posting this question, I’ve done a TON of research and am scheduled to go in June 2023.

 I’ve found that unless you can transfer out of your chair, the best accessible excursions are booked through the cruise line.  I don’t know what celebrity offers, but Princess (who I’ll be sailing with) offers quite a few choices.  I plan to go to the Totem Pole park in Ketchikan and then roll around Creek Street on my own.  In Juneau, we’ll be doing a whale watch and visiting Mendenhall Glacier.  I did read about an accessible helicopter tour here, but you won’t be able to get out onto a glacier.  In Skagway, the train is accessible and I’ve heard the town is very accessible to your on your own.  I booked a private tour with tours by locals, but I can transfer to a regular vehicle as it’s not lift equipped.  I believe Icy Strait Point is a tender stop so not sure how accessible it will be.
 

As for warmth, I’ve heard to dress in layers as weather is unpredictable.  Having water proof outer layers is also key.

 

I hope this helps!

[katisdale]

Icy Strait Point now has a pier. I believe it was finished just before the shut down. There are some articles in the local Hoonan (I think this is the name of the nearby town??) newspaper.

[shel003]

5 minutes ago, katisdale said:

Icy Strait Point now has a pier. I believe it was finished just before the shut down. There are some articles in the local Hoonan (I think this is the name of the nearby town??) newspaper.

Good to know, thanks!

[dan722]

On 3/23/2022 at 1:18 PM, shel003 said:

So since posting this question, I’ve done a TON of research and am scheduled to go in June 2023.

 I’ve found that unless you can transfer out of your chair, the best accessible excursions are booked through the cruise line.  I don’t know what celebrity offers, but Princess (who I’ll be sailing with) offers quite a few choices.  I plan to go to the Totem Pole park in Ketchikan and then roll around Creek Street on my own.  In Juneau, we’ll be doing a whale watch and visiting Mendenhall Glacier.  I did read about an accessible helicopter tour here, but you won’t be able to get out onto a glacier.  In Skagway, the train is accessible and I’ve heard the town is very accessible to your on your own.  I booked a private tour with tours by locals, but I can transfer to a regular vehicle as it’s not lift equipped.  I believe Icy Strait Point is a tender stop so not sure how accessible it will be.
 

As for warmth, I’ve heard to dress in layers as weather is unpredictable.  Having water proof outer layers is also key.

 

I hope this helps!

Thanks... i've found somethings too. I am trying to get the whale watch through Celebrity, but they have yet to reply even though the tour provider says it's accsssible. Also doing the train in Skagway.

 

[Algebralovr]

In Skagway, the train is VERY accessible.  They have a lift to take a WC from the ground into the accessible car.  You are limited to that one car, which is fine.  
 

We were directed to that particular car in 2018 when we took a last minute cruise on Celebrity Solstice, and took my service dog along.  There were only a handful of people in the accessible car, while the other cars were full.  Worked out well.  Follow up with Shore Excursions on board so they make sure that car is part of the train. 

 

We did a whale watch in Juneau and made arrangements ahead of time.  If you cannot transfer and do the steps into a bus, make sure to book through the cruise line in advance.  Tell special needs with the cruise line that you want to book that particular excursion and that you require a buss with a WC lift, and need to be in a boat with only a ramp.  Allen Marine DOES have a boat they use for whale watching that was all ramp and no steps.  Again, follow up with ShoreEx on board so that they communicate your needs to the vendor.  
 

We made GREAT use of the concierge on that ship.  He emailed ShoreEx and then followed up for us and we had a fantastic cruise.  

[atexsix]

32 minutes ago, Algebralovr said:

In Skagway, the train is VERY accessible.  They have a lift to take a WC from the ground into the accessible car.  You are limited to that one car, which is fine.  
 

We were directed to that particular car in 2018 when we took a last minute cruise on Celebrity Solstice, and took my service dog along.  There were only a handful of people in the accessible car, while the other cars were full.  Worked out well.  Follow up with Shore Excursions on board so they make sure that car is part of the train. 

 

We did a whale watch in Juneau and made arrangements ahead of time.  If you cannot transfer and do the steps into a bus, make sure to book through the cruise line in advance.  Tell special needs with the cruise line that you want to book that particular excursion and that you require a buss with a WC lift, and need to be in a boat with only a ramp.  Allen Marine DOES have a boat they use for whale watching that was all ramp and no steps.  Again, follow up with ShoreEx on board so that they communicate your needs to the vendor.  
 

We made GREAT use of the concierge on that ship.  He emailed ShoreEx and then followed up for us and we had a fantastic cruise.  

Really helpful info, we're really nervous about Skagway.  How did people board the train?  Is it a free for all?  Or are there employees guiding people along?  My Dad will probably have his walker, I think he'd be better off in the WC, but don't know how the gangway situation will be and the terrain.  And is there anyplace to put it while on the train?  The accessible tour with Princess was booked solid, I had to make regular reservations, but maybe the ship shore x office can help on what we are to expect.  

[Algebralovr]

2 minutes ago, atexsix said:

Really helpful info, we're really nervous about Skagway.  How did people board the train?  Is it a free for all?  Or are there employees guiding people along?  My Dad will probably have his walker, I think he'd be better off in the WC, but don't know how the gangway situation will be and the terrain.  And is there anyplace to put it while on the train?  The accessible tour with Princess was booked solid, I had to make regular reservations, but maybe the ship shore x office can help on what we are to expect.  

There were staff members in Skagway guiding people along.  If he doesn’t need the lift, and can do a few stairs, he will be fine.  Otherwise, go to ShoreEx as soon as your board, and speak to the manager there.  
 

Alaska seemed no worse in regards to the gangway that the Caribbean, which I’ve done in a WC.  There are ALWAYS some crew available to assist in embarking and disembarking.    If your father is using a WC, they will push him on and off and assist as needed.  
 

We are doing Millennium in a couple of weeks.  I’m debating taking my WC.  I’m no longer bound to it, and I can walk, until I can’t.  Dizzy spells are the worst, and if I take it along, I can at least be pushed to dinner and such.  

[atexsix]

21 minutes ago, Algebralovr said:

There were staff members in Skagway guiding people along.  If he doesn’t need the lift, and can do a few stairs, he will be fine.  Otherwise, go to ShoreEx as soon as your board, and speak to the manager there.  
 

Alaska seemed no worse in regards to the gangway that the Caribbean, which I’ve done in a WC.  There are ALWAYS some crew available to assist in embarking and disembarking.    If your father is using a WC, they will push him on and off and assist as needed.  
 

We are doing Millennium in a couple of weeks.  I’m debating taking my WC.  I’m no longer bound to it, and I can walk, until I can’t.  Dizzy spells are the worst, and if I take it along, I can at least be pushed to dinner and such.  

Thank you.  That helps alleviate some of my concern.  But we cruise in a week and I'm having the same internal debate: wheelchair or rollator?  Dad thinks he'll be fine with the walker, but he has edema in both feet and I think he's overestimating what he can handle.  These ships are big, it's not like a simple trip to the pharmacy.  I might just have to do both so I'm not playing this guessing game on what his condition will be like a week from now.  

 

Do the staff members ask if you'll need assistance or do they more or less look for people in WC's?  If it's the latter, perhaps a WC would be better so we'll be noticed.

 

Bottom line, I think all of  you understand that when it comes to disabilities, the more you know in advance the better off you'll be, nothing worse than arriving someplace and finding no accommodations whatsoever.  

 

Edit: There will be 3 other ships there, I sure hope Princess docks near the train, otherwise I don't know how we'd get there.

Edited May 14, 2022 by atexsix

[atexsix]

I just looked at Skagway on Google maps, I think it's going to be a WC, we can't take the chance the ship is not going to be able to dock right by the train.  

[atexsix]

Well, I lucked out, the Discovery is the first to arrive and has been assigned the closest railroad dock to the train.  If anyone else wants to check where their ship will be, here is the link to this information:

 

https://www.skagway.com/cruises-and-ferries/cruise-ship-calendar/

 

 

[Algebralovr]

@atexsix  I would lean toward the WC if you don’t want to haul both.  He can always push his WC like a rollator, them when he gets tired sit and you push.  I’ve seen people use a WC like that in the past. 

[atexsix]

1 hour ago, Algebralovr said:

@atexsix  I would lean toward the WC if you don’t want to haul both.  He can always push his WC like a rollator, them when he gets tired sit and you push.  I’ve seen people use a WC like that in the past. 

That's a good idea, I had thought about doing exactly that for embarkation because I can't handle our luggage AND the mobility devices, but I hadn't thought about that for the rest of the cruise.  

 

I googled pictures of the inside of the train carriages, it looks like there is extra space at the ends for walkers and such; but if not, I can always stand near the door and hold onto it, that way Dad can sit anywhere.  

[DUTRAVEL]

3 hours ago, atexsix said:

Well, I lucked out, the Discovery is the first to arrive and has been assigned the closest railroad dock to the train.  If anyone else wants to check where their ship will be, here is the link to this information:

 

https://www.skagway.com/cruises-and-ferries/cruise-ship-calendar/

 

 

Just be aware that if you do not book through the cruise line you have to go into town to board the train (at least that's the way it was when we were in Skagway). If that is still the case, you will definitely need the wheelchair.

 

There is plenty of room on the wheelchair accessible car for the walker and there are spaces for wheelchair users who remain in their chair. The attached picture shows the space as the end of the train car - you can just see the wheel of a walker on the top right.

Edited May 15, 2022 by DUTRAVEL

[atexsix]

1 minute ago, DUTRAVEL said:

Just be aware that if you do not book through the cruise line you have to go into town to board the train (at least that's the way it was when we were in Skagway). If that is still the case, you will definitely need the wheelchair.

We booked through Princess, we just couldn't get the accessible booking, it was sold out, hence all the discussion on making the regular ticket work and I think it can, now it's down to particulars like where to put the walker while the train is moving, etc.

[DUTRAVEL]

7 minutes ago, atexsix said:

We booked through Princess, we just couldn't get the accessible booking, it was sold out, hence all the discussion on making the regular ticket work and I think it can, now it's down to particulars like where to put the walker while the train is moving, etc.

See my edited post for a picture of the space for wheelchairs and walkers.