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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail & cruise vacation

Canada's Rockies & Alaska Cruise

16-day rail and cruise combining Canadian Rockies with Alaska Inside Passage

Illustration of Canada's Rockies & Alaska Cruise

Vacations By Rail's 16-day Canada's Rockies & Alaska Cruise combines rail travel through the Canadian Rockies with a 7-night luxury cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage. The journey begins in Calgary with transfers to Banff, where you enjoy a guided sightseeing tour including the Banff Gondola and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. From there, the itinerary moves through Lake Louise and along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, with a stop at the Columbia Icefield. On Day 6, you board VIA Rail's Canadian for a scenic overnight journey to Vancouver, with access to the observation cars. After two days exploring Vancouver independently or via optional sightseeing, you board Holland America's ms Koningsdam for a week cruising the Inside Passage. The cruise visits Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay (with National Park Service Rangers and Huna Tlingit cultural guides onboard) and Ketchikan, returning to Vancouver on Day 16. Hotel stays, all meals on the train and ship, and transfers are included. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples, and those seeking a balance of guided comfort and independent exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights to Calgary and from Vancouver are not included; arrange these separately or add as an option.
  • Most hotels and the train berth tier are 'or similar,' meaning the exact property depends on the season and availability at time of booking.
  • Several days in Banff, Vancouver, and at Alaskan ports offer free time or require optional paid excursions (Jasper Tramway, Capilano Suspension Bridge tour, shore excursions in Juneau and Skagway are not bundled).

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Banff

    Calgary to Banff

    Fly into Calgary and transfer to Banff for a two-night stay, with time to explore the hotel grounds and the town.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    Banff Sightseeing

    A guided tour of Banff's scenic sites including Tunnel and Rundle Mountains, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and the Hoodoos, plus a ride on the Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lake Louise

    Banff to Lake Louise

    Travel west to Lake Louise, optionally via a sightseeing transfer through Yoho National Park taking in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, Spiral Tunnels and Emerald Lake.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Lake Louise to Jasper

    A scenic drive to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway with a stop at the Columbia Icefield.

    Meals: Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Jasper at Leisure

    A free day in Jasper, with optional Jasper Tramway rides, a walking food tour or a rafting/float trip on the Athabasca River.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Overnight aboard VIA Rail's Canadian

    VIA Rail's Canadian to Vancouver

    Board VIA Rail's Canadian for a scenic journey through the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver, with Sleeper Plus access to the Skyline and Park Cars.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver and transfer to the hotel, with an optional Hop-On Hop-off sightseeing tour or free time to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver at Leisure

    A free day in Vancouver, with optional add-ons such as a Capilano Suspension Bridge city tour, a Granville Island food tour or a Stanley Park bike tour.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Cruise Departure

    Check out of the hotel and board the Holland America ship in Vancouver, settling in before departure.

    Meals: Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Inside Passage Scenic Cruising

    A day of scenic cruising along Alaska's Inside Passage, with wildlife viewing opportunities and onboard amenities including the spa and Culinary Arts Center.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Ship

    Tracy Arm Inlet/Juneau

    The ship cruises through Tracy Arm Inlet before docking in Juneau, Alaska's capital, with time to explore independently or via optional excursions.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: Ship

    Skagway

    Dock in the Gold Rush town of Skagway, part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, with optional shore excursions available.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  13. Day 13overnight: Ship

    Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising

    A day of scenic cruising through Glacier Bay's calving glaciers and fjords, with National Park Service Rangers and Huna Tlingit cultural guides onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  14. Day 14overnight: Ship

    Ketchikan

    Dock in Ketchikan, "Alaska's First City," with time to explore its Native Alaskan heritage sites or visit Misty Fjords National Monument via optional excursion.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  15. Day 15overnight: Ship

    Inside Passage Cruising

    A final day of scenic cruising back down the Inside Passage, with time to enjoy the ship's onboard amenities and entertainment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  16. Day 16

    Vancouver

    Arrive back in Vancouver and disembark; transfer to the airport for the flight home or extend your stay.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Banff includes the Banff Gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and the Hoodoos.
  • Day 4Scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper includes a stop at the Columbia Icefield.
  • Day 6Board VIA Rail's Canadian for a journey through the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver, with access to the Skyline and Park Cars.
  • Day 13Scenic cruising through Glacier Bay features calving glaciers, fjords, National Park Service Rangers and Huna Tlingit cultural guides onboard.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 7 nights
  • 7-night round-trip Alaska cruise aboard Holland America's ms Koningsdam
  • Choice of ship staterooms
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail (1 night on train)
  • Choice of train accommodations ranging from semi-private berths to private cabins
  • Select transfers
  • All meals onboard the train and ship

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Which train is included?
VIA Rail's Canadian, a scenic sleeper train traveling from Jasper to Vancouver. On the Moderate tier you receive a Sleeper Plus semi-private berth; Superior and Deluxe tiers offer private cabins.
Is the trip escorted or independent?
Independent with select guided experiences. You travel on your own following a planned itinerary, with guided sightseeing tours in Banff and ship excursions available at Alaskan ports.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights' hotel accommodations, one night on VIA Rail's Canadian, a 7-night Holland America cruise with all meals onboard the train and ship, and select transfers.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, optional excursions (Jasper Tramway, Vancouver city tours, and Alaskan shore excursions), travel insurance and some meals on land-based sightseeing days.
How many days involve train travel?
The itinerary includes a full day driving to Jasper, one night aboard VIA Rail's Canadian (Day 6 to Day 7), and rail connections in the rail-inclusive portions; the majority of the trip is cruise-based.
How much free time is included?
Free time in Jasper (Day 5), Vancouver (Days 7 and 8), and at Alaskan ports (Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan) where you can explore independently or book optional paid excursions.

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