Amtrak Vacations
Alaska Rail and Sail with Denali National Park from Los Angeles
Los Angeles to Fairbanks by Amtrak, Alaska cruise, and Alaska Railroad to Denali
18 daysfrom $4,389
28% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail & cruise vacation
Alaska with Glacier Bay onboard the Norwegian Encore® from Los Angeles
Amtrak train from Los Angeles to Seattle then a 7-day Alaska cruise
Amtrak Vacations pairs an overnight train ride with a full Alaska cruise on this 10-day, 9-night trip from Los Angeles. Day 1 boards the Coast Starlight, described in the itinerary as Amtrak's last remaining full-service sleeper train, though the included seating is Coach class; the ride passes rolling hills, the Pacific Ocean, and forested headlands before reaching Seattle the following evening. After one night there 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 Coast Starlight for Los Angeles that afternoon. This trip suits travellers who want a scenic train journey bookending a full Alaska cruise, with only one guided city tour and the rest of the schedule left open.
What to know before you look closer
- Day 1's description calls the Coast Starlight 'Amtrak's last remaining full-service sleeper train,' but the included accommodation is Coach class, not a private sleeper cabin; a sleeper upgrade would be extra.
- 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 10 with the option to reboard the Coast Starlight to Los Angeles.
- Los Angeles hotels are listed as options without a stated included night count; only the 1 Seattle hotel night is itemized in the included list.
- 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 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak (Coast Starlight)
Your Journey Begins in Los Angeles
Board the Coast Starlight in Los Angeles for your rail journey north to Seattle. Billed as "A Grand West Coast Train Adventure," this route features Amtrak's last remaining full-service sleeper train. Watch as the landscapes change from the window endless rolling hills giving way to the grand Pacific Ocean and ancient forested headlands.
- Day 2overnight: Seattle
Seattle, WA
Today, your morning and afternoon will be spent onboard the Coast Starlight. In the evening, arrive in Seattle and check into your hotel for a good night's rest.
- Day 3overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Overnight Onboard Norwegian Encore
In the morning, take advantage of your included guided Seattle 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 4overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Day at Sea
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 5overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Juneau, Alaska
As you cruise to Juneau, prepare to experience all the beauty and majesty of the Alaskan wilderness. This afternoon, 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 6overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Skagway, Alaska
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 7overnight: 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 8overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Ketchikan, Alaska
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 9overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Victoria, BC
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 10
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 Coast Starlight to head back to Los Angeles that afternoon!
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Coast Starlight is billed as 'A Grand West Coast Train Adventure' and described as Amtrak's last remaining full-service sleeper train, passing rolling hills, the Pacific Ocean, and forested headlands.
- Day 5The ship docks in Juneau, within day-trip reach of the Mendenhall Glacier, 12 miles outside town.
- Day 7The ship sails into Glacier Bay National Park, with glimpses of Mount Fairweather and the Grand Pacific and Margerie glaciers.
- Day 8In Ketchikan, hand-carved totem poles stand throughout downtown and in the nearby Saxman Totem Village.
- Day 9The 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
- 1 night onboard Amtrak
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Los Angeles to Seattle on the Coast Starlight®
- Transfer from your Hotel in Seattle to Cruise Port
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes, one-way travel in Coach on Amtrak's Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle is included, with 1 night spent onboard the train.
- Is the Coast Starlight a sleeper train?
- The day 1 description calls it Amtrak's last remaining full-service sleeper train, but the included accommodation is Coach class, not a private sleeper cabin.
- Is the return trip to Los Angeles included?
- No. Day 10 gives the option to spend another day in Seattle or board the Coast Starlight back to Los Angeles that afternoon, but only the one-way Los Angeles-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.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail and cruise vacation with one included guided city tour of Seattle; the rest of the days, including each port stop, are at your own pace.
- Where does the trip start and end?
- It starts in Los Angeles and, per the day-by-day itinerary, ends back in Seattle on day 10, though the package's route summary lists Victoria as the endpoint.
