Amtrak Vacations
Alaska Rail and Sail with Denali National Park from Chicago
Chicago to Fairbanks by Amtrak, Alaska cruise, and Alaska Railroad to Denali
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Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail & cruise vacation
Alaska with Glacier Bay aboard Norwegian Encore from Chicago®
Amtrak overnight train from Chicago to Seattle then a 7-day Alaska cruise
Amtrak Vacations combines an overnight train ride with a full Alaska cruise on this 11-day, 10-night trip. It opens with two nights aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder from Chicago, crossing the North Dakota plains over the Gassman Coulee Trestle and through Montana's Big Sky Country past Glacier National Park to Seattle. After a day at leisure and a guided city tour past Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square, travellers board the Norwegian Encore for a 7-night cruise to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan, and Victoria, with stops for totem poles, a Gold Rush-era homestead, and glimpses of the Grand Pacific and Margerie glaciers. The day-by-day itinerary has the ship returning to Seattle, where the trip ends with a choice: stay another day or reboard the Empire Builder for Chicago that afternoon. This trip suits travellers who want one long train ride bookending a full Alaska cruise, with only a single guided city tour and the rest of the schedule left open.
What to know before you look closer
- The trip's structured route lists Victoria as the endpoint, but the day-by-day itinerary has the cruise returning to Seattle, where the journey actually ends on day 11 with the option to reboard the Empire Builder to Chicago.
- Chicago and Victoria hotels are listed as options without a stated included night count; only the 1 Seattle hotel night is itemized in the included list.
- Government taxes and fees applicable to the cruise are not included in the price.
- The Mendenhall Glacier visit in Juneau is described as a day trip on your own, not a guided or included excursion.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Welcome to Chicago! This afternoon, travel on your own and board Amtrak to Seattle on the Empire Builder. Travel along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail and settle in for an exciting adventure through majestic wilderness, following the footsteps of early pioneers!
- Day 2railovernight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Awake this morning as you cross the North Dakota plains and travel over the spectacular Gassman Coulee Trestle, a massive train bridge along the route. Skirting the Missouri River, you'll wind through the Big Sky country in Montana, passing by a traveler's favorite, Glacier National Park.
- Day 3overnight: Seattle
Seattle
Today, arrive in Seattle in the morning and the rest of the day is at your leisure to begin exploring the city.
- Day 4overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Overnight Onboard Norwegian Encore
In the morning, take advantage of your included Seattle guided city tour! Visit the bustling downtown core, which includes Pike Place Market and the world's first Starbucks, stroll Pioneer Square and Stadium District, and shop the International District/Chinatown. After the tour, you'll be dropped off at the cruise port. Board the Norwegian Encore and begin discovering all of the ship's wonderful amenities.
- Day 5overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Overnight Onboard Norwegian Encore
While at sea, continue enjoying life onboard the Encore. Have a cocktail at one of the many bars, relax at the spa, enjoy some live entertainment at the Theater, enjoy meals in one or more than a dozen dining venues, or try your luck in the lively casino.
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Juneau
Today, you will dock in Juneau, Alaska, for an entire day of exploring. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier lies only 12 miles outside Juneau, a worthwhile day trip on your own.
- Day 7overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Skagway
Today, you'll sail into beautiful Skagway. Visit the Skagway Museum, Centennial Statue, the easily walkable historic downtown, Gold Rush-era homestead, or head down to Pullen Creek and watch the salmon run.
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Cruise Glacier Bay Onboard Norwegian Encore
Today you will sail to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a United Nations World Heritage Site. Get glimpses of Mount Fairweather, the Grand Pacific and Margerie glaciers, and spot maritime wildlife. As the ship journeys deeper into the bay, the landscape will continue to leave you in awe.
- Day 9overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Ketchikan
Spend the day in Ketchikan. Its Tlingit Indian name, Kach Khanna, means "Spread Wings of the Eagle." Visit Harbor View Park, stroll along Creek Street boardwalk and discover its unique shops, learn all about the native cultures of the Tongass and Cape Fox Tlingits in local museums, marvel at the hand-carved Ketchikan totem poles located throughout downtown and in the nearby Saxman Totem Village, or dine on some of the freshest halibut and salmon found anywhere in North America.
- Day 10overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Victoria
This evening, you will dock in Victoria, British Columbia, located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Stop by Fisherman's Wharf for some fish and chips or ice cream, have tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, wander through Government Street's many souvenir shops, or roam Butchart Gardens in search of the elusive Himalayan blue poppy.
- Day 11
Your Journey Ends in Seattle
Your Journey Ends today. After disembarking from the Norwegian Encore, the option is yours to spend another day and evening in Seattle or board the Amtrak Empire Builder to head back to Chicago that afternoon!
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 2Amtrak's Empire Builder crosses the North Dakota plains over the Gassman Coulee Trestle and skirts the Missouri River through Montana's Big Sky Country past Glacier National Park.
- Day 6The ship docks in Juneau, within day-trip reach of the Mendenhall Glacier, 12 miles outside town.
- Day 8The ship sails into Glacier Bay National Park, with glimpses of Mount Fairweather and the Grand Pacific and Margerie glaciers.
- Day 9In Ketchikan, hand-carved totem poles stand throughout downtown and in the nearby Saxman Totem Village.
- Day 10The ship docks in Victoria, where travellers can have tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel or visit Butchart Gardens.
Included
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Seattle
- 2 nights onboard Amtrak
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder®
- Roundtrip transfers to/from Cruise Port
Not included
- Government taxes and fees applicable to the cruise
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way travel in Coach on Amtrak's Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle is included, with 2 nights spent onboard the train.
- Is the return trip to Chicago included?
- No. Day 11 gives the option to spend another day in Seattle or board the Empire Builder back to Chicago that afternoon, but only the one-way Chicago-to-Seattle leg is listed as included.
- Which cruise ship is used?
- Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Encore, on its 7-day Alaska sailing with Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail and cruise vacation with one included guided city tour of Seattle; other days, including Seattle's arrival day and each port stop, are at your own pace.
- What is not included?
- Government taxes and fees applicable to the cruise are not included.
- Where does the trip start and end?
- It starts in Chicago and, per the day-by-day itinerary, ends back in Seattle on day 11, though the package's route summary lists Victoria as the endpoint.
