Vacations By Rail · Independent rail and cruise vacation

Empire Builder - Glacier National Park & Alaska Cruise

Empire Builder - Glacier National Park & Alaska Cruise, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

Experience all the beauty of the Pacific Northwest on this 14-day rail-cruise vacation.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Chicago

    Arrive Chicago

    Check into a centrally-located hotel and explore Chicago on a hop-on/hop-off trolley tour, seeing the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and the John Hancock Observatory.

  2. Day 2overnight: Train (Empire Builder)

    Depart Chicago aboard the Empire Builder

    Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Union Station for a 2:15 pm departure, beginning the overnight journey toward Glacier National Park.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Glacier Park Lodge

    Arrive in East Glacier Park, Montana

    Rail journey through North Dakota into Montana, arriving at Glacier National Park in the evening. Check in to the Glacier Park Lodge.

  4. Day 4overnight: Glacier Park Lodge

    Big Sky Circle Tour

    Inclusive tour of Glacier National Park: a drive over Marias Pass with wildlife viewing at Goat Lick, the Izaak Walton Inn, the Lake McDonald Valley's cedar and hemlock forests, Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the St. Mary Valley, and the Wild Goose Island overlook.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Train (Empire Builder)

    Depart Glacier National Park for Seattle by Train

    A final afternoon in Glacier National Park before boarding the Empire Builder this evening for the overnight journey to Seattle.

  6. Day 6overnight: Seattle

    Seattle

    Mid-morning arrival in Seattle; check into a centrally-located hotel and explore the city, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and Chinatown, on a Hop-On Hop-Off Tour.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Seattle and Alaska Cruise Departure

    Free morning, then set sail at 4:00 pm on the Alaska cruise through the Inside Passage.

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    At Sea

    A day at sea to enjoy the ship's spa, the Culinary Arts Center (presented by Food & Wine Magazine), and the casino, with a gourmet dinner and dancing.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Juneau, Alaska

    Visit the Juneau Icefield (over 30 glaciers, including the Mendenhall Glacier), the Tongass National Forest, or ride the Mt. Roberts Tramway.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Glacier Bay National Park & Icy Strait Point

    Cruise into Glacier Bay to view Margerie Glacier (21 miles long) among more than 1,000 glaciers in the preserve, with wildlife including humpback whales, orcas, otters, sea lions and bears. Visit Icy Strait Point's former cannery buildings.

  11. Day 11overnight: Ship

    Sitka, Alaska

    Explore Sitka's Russian-settlement history, including St. Michael's Cathedral.

  12. Day 12overnight: Ship

    Ketchikan, Alaska

    Self-guided walking tour including Creek Street and Misty Fjords National Monument.

  13. Day 13overnight: Ship

    Victoria, British Columbia

    Explore Victoria's British heritage and visit the 55-acre Butchart Gardens.

  14. Day 14

    Welcome Back to the Emerald City

    Dock in Seattle this morning; transfer available to the airport for flights after 1:00 pm, or extend the stay to explore further.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 4 nights
  • 7-night cruise aboard Holland America's ms Westerdam
  • Transfer to the cruise terminal
  • Transportation aboard Amtrak (2 nights on train)
  • All meals aboard the train and ship

Not included

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

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