Sunday, March 31, 2024

2024-2025 Alaska Cruise Tours Land and Sea Tours

alaska train cruise

The sheer size of Alaska lends itself to a wide variety of terrain and travel experiences. This diversity means you need to be prepared for a lot of change while traveling. Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a whale watching tour. There's nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea. Don't pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water. In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months.

Great experiences from the great land

Nearly34,000 miles of gorgeous coastline envelop all of this, offering amagnificent perspective whether you are looking out toward thewater or inland from the sea. Because the views are so dynamic andthe wilderness is so vast, there is no better way to get acquaintedwith this wild state's offerings than with an Alaska train andcruise vacation. Alaska cruise and train tours allow you to combine high-end rail travel with whale watching and seaside excursions, creating a unique perspective on what makes the North so beautiful. Indulge yourself on a large luxury vessel or board a smaller expedition-style ship to explore Alaska's coves and inlets. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Alaska summer visitors travel through Anchorage on their way to or from cruise ships in nearby Whittier and Seward. There is no scheduled commercial airline service to either Whittier or Seward, so nearly all of these passengers travel between these ports and the regional air hub in Anchorage by train or motorcoach.

How to purchase tickets for the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway

Skagway White Pass Railway cruise excursions in Alaska - The Points Guy

Skagway White Pass Railway cruise excursions in Alaska.

Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Elias and Kenai Fjords National Parks, where one of the four largest ice caps in the world invites guests to explore its terrain. Situated on the Kenai Peninsula overlooking the Kenai River, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge® is surrounded by mountains, rivers and wilderness inviting you to explore. Adventure through Chugach National Forest, cruise past Kenai Fjords National Parks’ glaciers or fish along the Kenai River. Take in the sights of this natural masterpiece at a leisurely pace only on an Alaska cruisetour.

Train and Cruise Experiences

Alaska's pristine wilderness, national parks, and fascinatingcities make it one of the top bucket list destinations fortravelers. Embark on one of our many offerings throughout thismajestic state. Most consider Anchorage and Fairbanks the top cities to visit on Alaska train rides. You can travel between Anchorage and Fairbanks on the Alaska Railroad, which also stops in Denali and Talkeetna, a small town known for flightseeing adventures. Experience Alaska by Train as part of your Alaska cruise vacation.

Dawson City, Yukon

Experience the breathtaking scenery of Banff National Park in the heart of the Rockies on our 14-night cruisetour with a 7-day Alaska cruise and luxury Rocky Mountaineer rail travel. If you prefer to disembark the cruise ship and go directly north to either Talkeetna or Denali National Park, you can book a seat on the Park Connection Motor Coach. This is the only scheduled service available that will allow you to travel from the port to either of the above locations in one day. All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip. For the best Alaska cruise and train package, we recommend setting aside at least 5 to 7 days for the cruise portion of your trip.

Speak with our Canadian Insiders to add a cruise to your train vacation. If you're looking for a memorable way to grasp the history and sheer vastness that is the Alaskan wilderness, a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route train is something you don't want to miss. Whether you purchase your tickets online or in person, through your cruise line or directly from White Pass and Yukon Route, you can choose from several departure times. If you book independently (not through your cruise line), double-check that the time you pick coincides with the time your ship will be in port. There, you'll also find The Train Shoppe, which sells all sorts of memorabilia and apparel. In 1988, the route reopened as a tourist attraction and now operates from early May through late September to align with the Alaska cruise season.

These thoughtfully composed packages offer the best of bothtravel experiences. On land, venture through the great state aboardthe iconic Alaska Railroad, whose 470-mile routeextends from coastal Seward to Fairbanks deep in the interior. Thisflagship route offers remarkable views of Turnagain Arm as itventures through the state's southern portion and provides directaccess to Denali National Park further north.

alaska train cruise

Begin your adventure with an afternoon rail journey through the highly scenic, roadless area to Grandview, watching for views of Spencer, Bartlett and Trail Glaciers. You’ll connect to a motorcoach late afternoon for a one hour ride to Anchorage, in time to catch dinner at one of Anchorage’s many great restaurants. Whether you're interested in an Alaska train tour, wildlife adventure, tailor made road trip, shore excursion or stay at a luxury remote lodge, we can help you experience Alaska in a way that suits you. At Canadian Train Vacations, our agents are travel experts who know all the ins and outs of planning an Alaska cruise with train excursion. Coordinating an Alaska cruise and train ride does require careful planning. Look through the sample trips below for inspiration and then contact us if you need help putting everything together.

Alaska Cruisetour Experience

These Alaska train tours leave from Anchorage and travel into the Chugach National Forest. Thanks to knowledgeable Rail guides, enjoy a narrated trip during your ride. Gain unique insights, listen to inspiring stories and see unprecedented beauty. Our passionate guides are happy to answer questions, identify wildlife and help you understand the fascinating history of the Great Land. Select train routes can also enjoy a special visit from an Iditarod musher who bears riveting stories from the trail. From bald eagles to humpback whales, many animals call Alaska home.

We saw spectacular sights, met warm and friendly people, saw the Northern Lights, and made a lifetime of memories. We want to thank you for the wonderful job you did in setting everything up, and also for your courteous assistance and recommendations along the way. Very pretty trip and liked the slowing of the train for pictures along the way. Ride the Denali Star Train to Denali National Park, arriving in the late afternoon.

Whether you're a history buff or a nature nut, there are numerous bucket list destinations to experience while traveling on your Alaska cruise vacation. For all the beer lovers planning an Alaskan cruise vacation, we’ve curated the ultimate zythophile guide to visiting 5 of the best craft breweries in Alaska. Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska. As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car.

Alaska Railroad | Goldstar All our itineraries except the Glacier Discovery Train includes Gold Star Dome Service. These railcars feature large, curved glass windows that run the full length of the car, allowing excellent 360 degree viewing plus a private outdoor viewing deck. The service is inclusive of all meals that are served in the lower-level dining room. Ride the rails through Alaska backcountry aboard the McKinley Explorer® domed luxury train. These railcars feature large curved glass windows that run the full length of the car, allowing excellent 360 degree viewing plus a private outdoor viewing deck.

Alaska Cruises: Cruise to Alaska

alaska train cruise

Step outside to feel refreshed and even more immersed in the environment as it passes by you. Enjoy a front-row seat to Alaska’s most breathtaking landscapes along the original route of the Alaska railroad. Whether you refer to them as Alaska road trips or Alaska self drive tours, planning the perfect itinerary in Alaska can be a tricky task.

Everything You Need to Know about Canada Rail Vacations

The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway is a staple of any visit to Skagway, Alaska, particularly if you arrive by ship during an Alaska cruise. The town's success is closely linked to the development of the railroad infrastructure, with the train line carrying both passengers and cargo between Alaska and Canada for more than 120 years. The Park Connection Motorcoach offers morning and afternoon departures in both directions between Anchorage and Seward.

Whittier Cruise Transfer by Motorcoach

Or visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and see brown bears, moose and bison living in a protected habitat that perfectly emulates the wild. Situated within Denali State Park near the Chulitna River, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge® offers unparalleled views of Denali from the treehouse as well as the Great Room and expansive deck in the main lodge. Tour a working Alaska homestead and learn how the Great Land’s residents have become so self-sufficient. Or land in a helicopter on a glacier beneath the tallest peak in North America on your Alaska cruisetour. With glass-domed railcars, our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® rail service takes you into the heart of Alaska without juggling multiple tickets or confusing transfers.

Dog Sledding Tours

Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska. Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience.

9 Best Alaska Cruise Lines - TravelAwaits

9 Best Alaska Cruise Lines.

Posted: Thu, 08 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Ten years later, I caught a break and happened to visit on a clear, sunny day when I enjoyed phenomenal views. As such, there is no air conditioning in the coaches, so passengers can expect things to feel a bit stuffy if it's a hot day. The train ride for visitors to Skagway starts at the train tracks about halfway between the cruise ship docks and the downtown area. Like the mountain over which the locomotives run, the cost to ride the train along the White Pass Summit route is steep.

Experience Alaska With A Land & Sea Cruisetour

alaska train cruise

If you're more interested in the Alaska Northern Lights, the earlier sunset in later summer will allow more contrast and better views of this natural wonder. Sail into the Last Frontier from Seward or Vancouver onboard Radiance of the Seas®. With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing elevators, you can watch for whales along Alaska’s Inside Passage when you aren’t wandering wilderness paths from Ketchikan to Juneau.

Your Alaska vacation package may also include acruise tour to Alaska departing from Vancouver or a flight acrossthe Arctic Circle to view the colors of the Aurora Borealis as theydance across the sky. When we booked our tour we choose to get the 26 Glacier Cruise included and it pairs perfectly with a round trip or one way train ride from Anchorage. Even though our train was a little late getting in, they held the boat for the train passengers.

Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land. Your basecamp to Denali adventures set among rugged Alaska wilderness. Enjoy creature comforts, exquisite local cuisine and lively Denali Square. Learn how long routes through remote territories and unmatched panoramas over the vast wilderness make the Alaska Railroad the best way to explore Alaska. Explore waterfalls, glacial ribers, and stunning terrain on the White Horse & Yukon Railroad from Skagway to the summit of White Pass. It is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and a favorite Alaska shore excursion among Skagway guests.

I’m kind of surprised this hotel isn’t rated higher considering the convenience and price. We flew on Delta from Seattle to Anchorage, after arriving in Seattle on the Amtrak Empire Builder and spending a few days looking around the city. The flight itself is incredible, more beautiful than we could have imagined.

July and August are the busiest months, so consider traveling in May or September if you want to beat the crowds. A September cruise is also ideal if you want to see the Northern Lights. Enjoy local expertise and guidance with a personalized itinerary. We take care of you from the moment you land until the moment you leave.

Enjoy an insider’s guide to discovering the best family cruises for your next vacation onboard Brilliance of the Seas. Brilliance of the Seas makes it impossible to feel bored during a vacation! These top things to do onboard this beloved cruise ship make it a fan favorite for many. Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they're a common form of transportation across the state.

Alaska train and cruise vacations are unique because travelershave many options for where to begin their trip. For a purelyAlaskan expedition, guests can choose a journey that begins andends in the state. Itineraries can also start with rail travel andtouring in the continental United States or Canada for an epicland and sea journey. If you are cruising southbound and want to tour by train before your Alaska cruise, you will want to fly into either Anchorage or Fairbanks. Anchorage has the largest airport in Alaska, and most travelers choose that option.

alaska train cruise

Charter a helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing tour at Juneau and get an unforgettable perspective of the mountains and glaciers of this vast landscape. In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve massive icebergs. Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders. If you are going to ride this cruise, it is not a slow glacier cruise.

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