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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail and cruise vacation

Coast Starlight with Alaska Cruise

Los Angeles to Victoria by Coast Starlight train and Alaska cruise ship

Illustration of Coast Starlight with Alaska Cruise

Vacations By Rail's Coast Starlight with Alaska Cruise combines two distinct travel experiences into a single ten-day independent journey across the North American West Coast and the Inside Passage. The itinerary begins with a two-night overnight ride aboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight, departing Los Angeles and traveling north past the Pacific coastline, the Cascade Mountains, and Mt. Hood before arriving in Seattle. There you spend one night in a hotel before boarding Holland America Line's ms Eurodam for a seven-night cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage, visiting Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia. All meals are served aboard both the train and the ship. This package suits first-time rail travellers, couples seeking private sleeping cabins and shared experiences, independent explorers who prefer a structured itinerary without guides, and food-focused travellers who value included dining at every stage.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 3,195 covers rail travel, one hotel night, the seven-night cruise, meals aboard train and ship, and choice of cabin type; airline flights and airport transfers are not included.
  • This is an independent package, not escorted; you navigate Seattle on your own and manage the transfer from the train station to your hotel.
  • Ship stateroom category (Inside, Oceanview, or Verandah) is chosen at booking and affects your total cost; the from-price reflects the most basic cabin option.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Train

    Los Angeles En Route to Seattle

    Board Amtrak's Coast Starlight at Los Angeles' historic Union Station for a morning departure bound for Seattle, hugging the Pacific coastline. Lunch and dinner served in the Dining Car.

  2. Day 2overnight: Seattle

    Coast Starlight to Seattle

    Breakfast in the Dining Car passing Klamath Falls, Oregon, then the Cascade Mountains from the Sightseer Lounge, a stop in Portland, and views of Mt. Hood. Dinner served passing Olympia. Transfer on your own to your Seattle hotel.

  3. Day 3overnight: Ship

    Seattle and Alaska Cruise

    Morning to explore Seattle (Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, Space Needle) before transferring to Holland America Line's ms Eurodam, which sets sail for Alaska at 3:00 pm.

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship

    ms Eurodam at Sea

    A day at sea to enjoy the ship's amenities: spa, a Microsoft digital workshop, the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, or the pool.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Juneau, Alaska

    Explore Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier, the Tongass National Forest, and the Mt. Roberts Tramway, or choose kayaking, dogsledding, rafting, hiking, whale watching, flightseeing or fishing.

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Glacier Bay

    Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park (more than 50 named glaciers) with National Park rangers and Huna Tlingit guides aboard; watch for bears, mountain goats, sea lions, otters and whales.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Sitka, Alaska

    Explore Sitka's Russian-settlement history: St. Michael's Cathedral, a New Archangel Dancers performance, Sitka National Historical Park and the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Ketchikan, Alaska

    Explore Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village, or take a flightseeing trip over Misty Fjords National Monument.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

    Dock in Victoria, the "City of Gardens", with double-decker buses, tearooms, and the world-renowned Butchart Gardens.

  10. Day 10

    Welcome Back to Seattle, Washington

    Cruise concludes as the ship enters the port of Seattle. Option to extend your stay, or included transfer to the airport for flights after 1:00 pm.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Amtrak's Coast Starlight at Los Angeles' Union Station for a morning departure hugging the Pacific coastline, with lunch and dinner served in the Dining Car.
  • Day 2Pass the Cascade Mountains from the Sightseer Lounge car, see Mt. Hood, stop in Portland, and enjoy breakfast and dinner aboard before arriving in Seattle.
  • Day 6Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park with its more than 50 named glaciers, accompanied by National Park rangers and Huna Tlingit guides, watching for bears, mountain goats, sea lions, otters, and whales.
  • Day 7Explore Sitka's Russian-settlement heritage, including St. Michael's Cathedral, a New Archangel Dancers performance, and Sitka National Historical Park.
  • Day 9Arrive in Victoria, the City of Gardens, featuring double-decker buses, tearooms, and the world-renowned Butchart Gardens.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 1 night
  • 7-night Holland America Line Alaska cruise
  • Choice of ship staterooms
  • Rail travel on Amtrak, including private sleeping accommodations
  • Choice of Roomette or Bedroom train accommodations
  • All meals onboard the train and ship

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel and meals included?
Yes. Amtrak's Coast Starlight rail travel from Los Angeles to Seattle in a private sleeping cabin (Roomette or Bedroom) and all meals aboard the train are included. You choose your cabin type at booking.
Is the cruise included, and what ship?
Yes. Holland America Line's ms Eurodam operates the seven-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise, departing Seattle at 3:00 pm on Day 3. All meals aboard ship are included; your stateroom category (Inside, Oceanview, or Verandah) is chosen at booking.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
Independent. Vacations By Rail provides a planned itinerary that you follow on your own. You manage your own transfer from the train station to your Seattle hotel and explore ports at your own pace, with optional activities available.
What does the route cover?
Days 1-2: Los Angeles to Seattle via Amtrak's Coast Starlight, passing the Pacific coast and Cascade Mountains. Days 3-10: Holland America cruise from Seattle to Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria (British Columbia), and back to Seattle.
What is not included?
Airline flights, airport transfers, and travel insurance are not included but can be arranged separately. Optional shore excursions in Alaska ports are not included.
How much free time is there?
Day 3 offers a morning to explore Seattle before the ship departs at 3:00 pm. Days 5-9 include stops in Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria with time to explore or book optional activities; Day 4 is a sea day for ship amenities.

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