See More Of Alaska Onboard The Historic Alaska Railroad
Speaking of Alaska, theres no better way to begin or end your Alaska cruise than to ride the Alaska Railroad. To do this, youll need to plan either a northbound or southbound cross-gulf Alaska cruise. These unique cruises embark or disembarking in the port towns of Whittier or Seward.
From either port, its a short jaunt from your ship to the train. In fact, some cruise lines include a ride on the Alaska Railroad with their cruise-tour packages.
Similar to Rocky Mountaineer, there are two classes of service on the Alaska Railroad Adventure Class for the budget-minded or Goldstar Service. Goldstar Service operates much the same as its Canadian cousin with spacious leather/fabric seats upstairs and full-service dining downstairs.
Conversely, cruise passengers can begin an Alaska tour in Fairbanks and board the Alaska Railroad for the ride south all the way to Seward or Whittier. Spend a few days in Denali National Park, a night in rustic Talkeetna, and a couple of days in cosmopolitan Anchorage.
Then re-board the train to reach your embarkation port for your southbound cruise. Same is possible in reverse for a northbound cross-gulf cruise from Seattle or Vancouver.
Best New Ship: Princess Cruises
Princess has been sailing Alaska for over 50 years, and with six ships, five wilderness lodges, and its own domed rail car, this cruise line knows the region well.
Cook My Catch dining program for guests on select fishing excursions, puppies in the Piazza brings sled dog puppies onboard for guests to cuddle, adults-only wellness and relaxation deck
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Ship just launched in March 2022
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Princess ships feature Ocean Medallion wearable technology for a seamless, contact-free cruise experience
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One of the most affordable Alaskan cruise options
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Gratuities and specialty restaurants not included
The Discovery Princess had her naming ceremony in April of 2022, so shes a brand-new addition to the lines fleet. As such, technology is a big part of the experience. Cruise guests will receive a free Medallion device with a complimentary lanyard, which allows you to do things like open your cabin door, track onboard purchases, find family and friends, locate venues, and check daily activities.
Norwegian Jewel / Norwegian Spirit14
*Maps are for reference and ports may vary by ship.
1 Night Fairbanks 2 Nights Denali 1 Night Anchorage 2 Nights Homer | 7-Day Alaska Cruise
The most complete tour of Denali and Alaskan life in the past and present. For the active, outgoing guest, this tour offers spectacular vantage points of Mt. McKinley with time to purchase an optional all-day fishing excursion in Homer – the halibut capital of the world.
- 7-Day Alaska Cruise + 7 Day Pre or Post-Cruise Land Tour including overnights in Homer, Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks
- Riverboat cruise and city tour of Fairbanks including a stop at the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline
- Explore Denali with a Tundra Wilderness Tour
- Deluxe Dome Railcar journey between Talkeetna and Denali
- Visit Talkeetna, one of the best vantage points for Mt. McKinley
- Visit an Iditarod Sled Dog Musher’s kennel for a private tour
- Journey through the Kenai Peninsula and visit the artsy fishing community of Homer
- Opportunity to purchase a full-day Halibut and Salmon fishing excursion
- Tour both the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre and the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Centre
Also Check: Norwegian Cruise Line Phone Number
Day 4 Rocky Mountaineer
The journey of a lifetime begins this morning as you step aboard the iconic Rocky Mountaineer train. Sit back, relax and take in the stunning views as you travel through the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops. SilverLeaf service includes seating in a single-level domed coach with oversized windows, giving you great viewing oppotunities. Meals, snacks and drinks are all served at your seat, so all you have to do is enjoy. If you’ve upgraded to GoldLeaf, you also have access to an exclusive outdoor viewing platform and a private dining room. After travelling over high mountain passes, through tunnels and along the South Thompson River, you’ll disembark the train in Kamloops and stay in a hotel overnight. Don’t worry, your journey is not over and you will join the Rocky Mountaineer once again tomorrow.
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Breathtaking Canada And Alaska By Rail And Cruise Ship
2022 Tour code: RPO22
About the tour
Soak up the magnificent views which scenic Canada and stunningAlaska have to offer, journeying on the world-famous RockyMountaineer ahead of a seven-night cruise through Alaskaglacier-filled waters.
Highlights
- Enjoy a 309-mile journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Vancouver
- Take an incredible seven-night Alaskan cruise
- Meet a Mountie in Banff
- Explore the landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, including Lake Louise
- Visit Skagway, famed for its association with Jack London’s 1903 novel, ‘The Call of the Wild’
- All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Itinerary
Following our flight from London Heathrow, we arrive in Calgary,Canada, and transfer by coach to our hotel in Banff for twonights.
We say goodbye to mainland Canada, boarding MS Zuiderdamfor an incredible seven-night Alaskan cruise. After settling intoour cabins, we enjoy our first dinner on board this evening.
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Best Ship Renovation: Celebrity Cruises
The Celebrity Millennium, launched in 2000, has recently undergone complete modernization, which includes luxury staterooms, enhanced technology, and renovated restaurants and lounges.
Immersive dining at Le Petit Chef, where augmented reality intersects with luxury cuisine, private verandas, complimentary fitness classes, plus unlimited access to the Persian Garden and complimentary dining at Blu
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Autism-friendly cruising, including sensory-friendly films and toys, and dietary options
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Accessible staterooms with grab bars, roll-in showers, and wider doors
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2,218 passengers put this squarely in the mid-size ship category
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You wont find the over-the-top party-like activities of larger ships
If youre passionate about the finer things in life, Celebrity Cruises may very well speak to your soul. The Sky Suite in the Retreat, for instance, includes a long list of curated amenities , endless views, a Personal Retreat Host, private dining, and exclusive spaces, like the Retreat Lounge and Sundeck. And onboard experiences range from Macallan and Jack Daniels tastings to Riedel crystal workshops that show how different shapes and qualities of a Riedel glass change the taste of wine.
Combine Two Of The Most Amazing Ways To See Canada
Round the point and discover isolated, picturesque towns in the middle of nowhere. Or float up eerily still fjords and watch ice walls that loom over your ship like a frozen apartment block, and then suddenly calve away into the bay below with a thunderous creaking and cracking. When you add a cruise to your train adventure, you truly experience the natural wonder of Canada
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About Alaska Train Tours & Trips
There are three types of train tours in Alaska:
1. Day Excursion: A scenic tour that lasts a few hours, perfect for cruise visitors.
2. Vacation Packages: Complete vacation packages that include traveling between cities via scenic train routes, with overnight stays in hotels. Great for experiencing Alaska if you don’t want to take a cruise.
3. Transfer: A one-way trip between cities or ports. Train transfers are perfect if youre flying into Anchorage and starting a cruise in a port like Denali or Seward or heading back to Anchorage when your cruise is done.
By far, the most popular train day trip we offer is the Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit. Other train tours allow you to view amazing glaciers, take in sweeping landscapes, and spot wildlife. We highly recommend stepping back in time to travel via a comfortable, classic train to view Alaska’s stunning backcountry. Best of all, many of the longer train tours give you the opportunity to enjoy the shore excursions that cruise travelers love.
Across Canada By Train On Via Rail Canadian
On my Canada and New England and Alaska cruises, Ive met rail and sail passengers who ended their cruise with a cross-Canada train trip. With convenient departures from Vancouver or Toronto, its easy to begin a luxury train ride aboard the Canadian on Canadas ViaRail train network. A really great idea if you have the time and money.
ViaRails most famous four-day route winds its way in either direction between Toronto and Vancouver. If you want to go coast-to-coast, youll have to connect in Toronto to Montreal on a day train. Then continue on a one-night ride to Halifax, in Nova Scotia.
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Experience The Best Of Alaska And The Canadian Rockies By Land And Sea On A Celebrity Cruisetour
On an Alaska cruise, youll journey along the states southeastern coastline aboard award-winning ships experiencing the beauty of glaciers, natures ever-changing and fragile masterpieces. But, with a Celebrity Alaska or Canadian Rockies Cruisetour, youll explore that and so much more.
With one of our 9-to-13-night Alaska Cruisetours, you can combine your seven-night Alaska cruise with an exciting land tour where youll stay in authentic lodges and travel remote roads and railways in deluxe motor coaches and on a luxurious train with domed glass ceiling. A Cruisetour will offer opportunities to take you to destinations like cultured Anchorage, folksy Talkeetna, and wild Denalia visit to these inland areas truly give you a feel for the diverse beauty of the 49th State. Or journey into the heart of Canada on a Canadian Rockies Cruisetour. From the colonial charms of British Columbia to the dramatic wilderness, alpine lakes and snow-capped mountains of the Canadian Rockies, youll enjoy some of Canadas most extraordinary destinations.
Best Large Ship Cruise: Royal Caribbean International
Dry docked in 2021 for a routine refurbishment, this Quantum Class ship holds 4,905 passengers and truly offers something for everyone.
Recreational activities like a flowrider surf simulator, iFly skydiving simulator, and rock climbing wall, high-tech virtual balcony views, and North Star, a glass observation capsule that rises 300 feet above sea level for birds eye views
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Luxury shopping options, such as Cartier, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors
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Adventure Ocean Kids Programs
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A robot will code your favorite cocktails at the Bionic Bar
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Formal nights with dress code
The best part about a mega-ship, like the Ovation of the Seas? Its literally impossible to be bored given the number of things there are to do, eat, and explore. For instance, there are 16 dining options , 10 bars and lounges, myriad activities and shows, a spa and fitness center, pool tables, and table tennis. Add to that guest lectures, outdoor movie nights, live music, an arcade and casino, theme nights, bumper cars, archery, and dance and sushi-making classes. Heck, you might just need a vacation after this vacation!
Interior staterooms are budget-friendly options with plenty of space and thoughtful touches, or you can upgrade to ocean view, balcony, or suite categories for some extra perks . And theres no better spot for taking in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier than the North Star observation deck.
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Day 5 Rocky Mountaineer
Another exciting day begins as you board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning. Take your seat and enjoy the views as you journey to Vancouver, following the course of the Thompson River and then the dramatic Canyons of the Fraser River. Keep a lookout for grizzly bears too as you enjoy a fascinating commentary from your onboard hosts. Your spectacular rail journey comes to an end in the beautiful city of Vancouver, your base for the next two nights.
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Mountain Valley Explorer 3a*
7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 4-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Alyeska , Talkeetna, Denali and Anchorage.
Included Experiences Alaska Sealife Center, Denali Natural History Tour, Wildlife Conservation Center
2023 Departures May 19, June 2, 16 & 30, July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25, September 8
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Day 13 The Inside Passage
It’s your final day on board, so take every opportunity to appreciate the scenery as we cruise the Inside Passage. This series of deep fjords and tiny islands shaped by nature offers views that will simply take your breath away. As we make our way back to Vancouver, there’s also plenty of time to catch up with your new-found friends and relive the amazing moments you’ve shared on this trip of a lifetime.
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Grand Mountain Marvels 7a
7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier Cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 6-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks.
Included Experiences Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise with Fox Island Lunch, Anchorage City Tour, Anchorage Museum, and more.
2023 Departures May 19, June 2, 16 & 30, July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25, September 8
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Alaska Wilderness Spectacular 8a
7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier Cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 6-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks .
Included Experiences Alaska Native Heritage Center, Tundra Wilderness Tour, Riverboat Discovery Cruise, and more.
2023 Departures May 19, June 2, 16 & 30, July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25, September 8
Alaska Train Packages 2022 & 2023
By request, there are some Alaska train packages that include rail service throughout Denali into Fairbanks, but for the most part the days spent on the train are part of a greater tour with some more on-land and on-water excursions by other means. Two of the most common strips of rail featured on Alaska train packages are between Fairbanks and Denali National Park as shown in Globus Alaska Tours, Spectacular Alaska! and between Denali National Park and Anchorage like in Trafalgar Alaska Tours. While there are plenty of options, all Alaska rail journeys have something for everyone. The area is so popular, however, that it is always recommended you book ahead of time so booking as early as now for 2023 is the norm.
Did you know that groups can earn exclusive offers, discounts & even free travel?Contact us today for more details.
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Day 8 The Inside Passage
Ahead lie days of luxurious relaxation and exploration as your ship traces the outline of North America’s most scenic coastal landscape. As well as enjoying the ship’s facilities, make sure you spend plenty of time on deck keeping a watchful eye for wildlife. If you’re lucky you could see whales and seals in the water, eagles soaring overhead and grizzly bears on the shoreline.
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Train Travel Down Under
Australia offers so much more than can be seen while on a cruise. No one should fly all the way to Australia for a one- or two-week cruise. If youre going the distance, consider adding on one of two luxurious cross-continent train trips to your itinerary.
Complete your visit to Sydney with a first-class 3-night journey aboard the historic Indian Pacific. Travel some 2,700 miles between Sydney and Perth in the comfort of your own cabin. Along the route youll cross the famous Nullarbor Palin. At nearly 300 miles in length, brags the longest stretch of straight track in the world.
Australias other historic luxury train, the Ghan, runs between Adelaide in the south to northern Darwin on the Indian Ocean. This is the route if Alice Springs and Uluru are on your list of iconic travel sights. In my opinion, no trip to Australia is complete without the breathtaking experience of watching the sunrise over the magnificent red rock mountain of Uluru.
If time allows, you can even leave the train to spend an overnight or two at these points of interest. Rejoin the train to continue on to Adelaide. From there, you can transfer to the eastbound Indian Pacific train back to Sydney.
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Six Million Acres Of Discovery
Towering high in the center of the Alaska Range is the Denali, North Americas tallest peak at 20,310 feet. Central to the cultural heritage of the native peoples who have lived here for thousands of years, the giant mountain is the ultimate symbol of the Alaskan wild. Denali National Park remains a wild kingdom, where animals large and small, roam free. View Dall sheep, wolves, caribou, moose and the mighty grizzly bear among many. And come summer, they are joined by more than 160 species of migratory birds.
More Luxury Trains Around The World For A Rail And Sail Vacation
No matter which luxury train you choose, its a great way to begin or end a fabulous cruise. And these are just the tip of the luxury train iceberg. Theres the Golden Eagle a luxury version of the Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Vladivostok. Take the elite Blue Train from Pretoria to Cape Town, South Africa and have your own bathtub in your compartment!
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Small Ship Cruise + Land
The small ship cruise + land is a great alternative for those who still want a seamless experience, but also want to stop at less-visited ports where large ships can’t go as well as stay at wilderness lodges when on land. The downside is that many such itineraries do not include Denali. However, you will still see equally beautiful destinations. See small ship cruise + landitineraries below.
