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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail and cruise vacation

Empire Builder with Alaska Cruise

Chicago to Seattle by Amtrak, then Alaska cruise to Victoria

Illustration of Empire Builder with Alaska Cruise

Vacations By Rail combines Amtrak's legendary two-night Empire Builder journey with a week-long Alaska cruise on Holland America's ms Eurodam in this 11-day independent vacation. The Empire Builder departs Chicago's Union Station and travels 2,206 miles across the northern United States to Seattle, crossing Big Sky Country in Montana and passing Glacier National Park where you may spot bison, elk, and bald eagles from your private sleeping car. After a day exploring Seattle on your own, you board the cruise ship in Seattle and sail through Alaska's Inside Passage for seven nights, calling at Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park (where park rangers narrate the wildlife and geology), Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia. Days include leisurely time at sea, self-guided port exploration, and optional activities such as flightseeing over Misty Fjords National Monument. All meals are included aboard the train and ship. This itinerary suits independent travellers who want immersive rail and cruise experiences without daily guided excursions, couples seeking a relaxed pace with two-night stays, and photographers drawn to Alaska's glaciers and wildlife.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 3,395 covers the rail journey, hotel, and cruise accommodations and meals, but does not include flights or airport transfers to Chicago.
  • The itinerary is self-guided at ports and in Seattle; no escorted excursions are mentioned as included, though optional activities like flightseeing are available.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Train (Empire Builder)

    Depart Chicago aboard the Empire Builder

    Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station, settle into private sleeping accommodations, and enjoy a hot meal in the Dining Car this evening.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train (Empire Builder)

    Empire Builder En Route to Seattle

    The train crosses North Dakota and Montana's Big Sky Country, past the Gassman Coulee Trestle and through Glacier National Park in the evening, with wildlife (bison, elk, prairie dogs, foxes, white-tailed deer, bald eagles) visible along the route.

  3. Day 3overnight: Seattle

    Arrival in Seattle, Gateway to Alaska

    Mid-morning arrival in Seattle with the rest of the day free to explore the Space Needle, Experience Music Project, Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square.

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship (ms Eurodam)

    Alaska Cruise Departure

    Transfer to the pier to board Holland America's ms Eurodam. Settle into your cabin and explore the ship's amenities as it departs Seattle.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    ms Eurodam 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.

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Juneau, Alaska

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

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Glacier Bay National Park

    Cruise into Glacier Bay National Park with Park Rangers and local Huna Tlingit aboard sharing insight into the ecosystem; watch for glacier calving and wildlife including bears, whales, sea otters and seals.

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Sitka, Alaska

    Explore Sitka's Russian-settlement history, including St. Michael's Cathedral, the Sitka National Historical Park's totem poles, and the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Ketchikan, Alaska

    Self-guided walking tour including Creek Street, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center, the Totem Heritage Center, and optional flightseeing over Misty Fjords National Monument.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

    Explore Victoria's British heritage, double-decker buses and tea rooms, with a visit to the 55-acre Butchart Gardens.

  11. Day 11

    Welcome Back to the Emerald City

    Dock in Seattle this morning; included transfers for a return flight after 1:00 pm, or extend the stay to explore further.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Empire Builder crosses Montana's Big Sky Country through Glacier National Park in the evening, with wildlife including bison, elk, prairie dogs, foxes, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer visible along the route.
  • Day 7Cruise into Glacier Bay National Park with Park Rangers and local Huna Tlingit aboard sharing insight into the ecosystem; watch for glacier calving and wildlife including bears, whales, sea otters, and seals.
  • Day 9In Ketchikan, explore Creek Street, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, the Totem Heritage Center, and optional flightseeing over Misty Fjords National Monument.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 1 night
  • 7-night Holland America Line Alaska cruise
  • Choice of ship staterooms
  • Rail travel on Amtrak (2 nights on train)
  • Choice of Roomette or Bedroom train accommodations
  • Select transfers
  • 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 the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes two nights aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder in a Roomette or Bedroom sleeping car, with all meals on the train included.
What is the Alaska cruise component?
A seven-night Holland America Line cruise aboard the ms Eurodam visiting Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia. All meals and ship amenities are included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Independent. Vacations By Rail describes it as self-guided port and city visits. You explore Seattle, Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan on your own.
How many nights do I spend in hotels?
One night in Seattle (Day 3) is included. The remaining nights are spent aboard the Empire Builder (two nights) and the ms Eurodam cruise ship (seven nights).
What is not included in the price?
Flights and airport transfers are not included. Cancellation and travel insurance are available but must be arranged separately. Optional activities like flightseeing over Misty Fjords are extra.
When does this trip run?
The evidence pack does not list specific departure dates; contact Vacations By Rail for availability.

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