Amtrak Vacations
Alaska and the Empire Builder Rail and Sail with the Norwegian Jade®
12-day Alaska cruise and Amtrak rail journey from Anchorage to Chicago
12 daysfrom $2,369
25% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail and cruise vacation
Glacier National Park and Alaska Highlights with the Norwegian Encore®
Chicago to Alaska by Empire Builder train and Norwegian Encore cruise
Amtrak Vacations runs this independent 13-day, 12-night rail and cruise vacation from Chicago to Alaska and back to Seattle. The trip opens with an overnight ride on the Empire Builder through the North Dakota plains and Big Sky Country to Glacier National Park, where two nights include a vintage Red Bus tour over Maria's Pass and a boat cruise on Two Medicine Lake. A second overnight train ride continues to Seattle for a day of hop-on, hop-off sightseeing before boarding the Norwegian Encore for a 7-day Alaska cruise. The ship calls at Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to Seattle, where travelers can extend their stay or board the Empire Builder back to Chicago. This suits travelers who want to combine a scenic long-distance train ride with an Alaska cruise in one independently booked trip.
What to know before you look closer
- The Two Medicine Valley boat cruise (early June to early September) and the Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park (mid-June to mid-September) both run seasonally, so they may not be available on every departure date.
- Seattle's hotel is chosen from six named options across different comfort tiers, from the Hampton Inn & Suites to the Kimpton Hotel Vintage, so your actual hotel depends on what you book.
- Only 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners at the Glacier Park Lodge are explicitly listed as included meals; other meals, including onboard the Norwegian Encore, are not detailed in this package's inclusions.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak
Your Journey Begins in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! This afternoon, board Amtrak to Glacier National Park for a scenic and relaxing ride on the famous Empire Builder. Watch as the mighty skyscrapers fade into miles upon miles of forested landscapes on your train bound for one of North America's most beautiful national parks.
- Day 2railovernight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Enjoy a peaceful day on the train with views of magnificent landscapes as the train continues making its way to Glacier National Park. Relax in the Observation car as you travel through the North Dakota plains and Big Sky Country. The historic train stops along the edge of the Glacier National Park in western Montana. When you arrive, step off the train and breathe in the crisp air. Then, take a short walk from the train depot to the Glacier Park Lodge and check in for a two-night stay. Once you start exploring, you'll fall in love with the park's unforgettable scenery of sapphire lakes, mountain ridges, hanging valleys and memory-making opportunities.
- Day 3overnight: Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park
Wake up this morning well rested and ready for a full day adventure! There's a reason Glacier National Park was established way back in 1910. This is a land worth preserving for its wild, natural beauty alone. First, take your Big Sky Circle tour of Glacier National Park from one of the iconic vintage 1930's Red Busses. You'll venture over Maria's Pass, stop at Goat Lick for wildlife viewing, ascend to the high alpine region of the Going-to-the-Sun Road and more! You may even see an array of wildlife, including moose, grizzly bears, and black bears. The glacier-carved peaks and forest-filled valleys are sure to leave you in awe.
- Day 4overnight: Onboard Amtrak
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Today, travel to Two Medicine Valley for a scenic boat cruise on Two Medicine Lake. While taking in the scenery and fresh mountain air, you'll learn about the Blackfeet tribal history from the area. In the evening, board Amtrak and continue your journey to the West Coast.
- Day 5overnight: Seattle
Seattle
Arrive in Seattle in the morning and get ready for a full day of sightseeing. Tour the city at your own pace with your hop-on, hop-off tour. Visit exciting destinations such as Pike Place Market, Seattle's Waterfront to see the Great Wheel or to Pioneer Square, Seattle's first neighborhood. For amazing views of the city, Pacific Ocean and Mountains, we recommend visiting the Space Needle and taking a ride to the top!
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Overnight Onboard Norwegian Encore
The Encore doesn't depart until the afternoon, so you have some time this morning to see any Seattle sights you didn't get a chance to see during your stay. If you like seafood, be sure to take some time today to sample some of the best and freshest seafood you'll ever taste. Or, grab a cup of Seattle's famous coffee in Pike's Market! While at sea this afternoon, spend some time getting acquainted with many of the ship's amenities, or, you can enjoy the breathtaking ocean views from the Observation Lounge.
- Day 7overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Day at Sea
Enjoy a leisurely day at sea! There is so much to see and do on this ship! Take in one of the ship's shows or lounge by the pool. It's up to you!
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Norwegian Encore
Juneau, Alaska
Today, you will dock in Juneau, Alaska, for an afternoon and evening of exploring. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier lies only 12 miles outside Juneau, so it is a worthwhile day trip on your own. Upon boarding the ship, get settled in for the night.
- Day 9overnight: 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 10overnight: 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 11overnight: 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 12overnight: 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 13
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 Empire Builder to head back to Chicago that afternoon!
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The Empire Builder departs Chicago in the afternoon, with skyscrapers giving way to miles of forested landscape as the train heads toward Glacier National Park.
- Day 3A vintage 1930s Red Bus tour crosses Maria's Pass and stops at Goat Lick for wildlife viewing inside Glacier National Park.
- Day 4A scenic boat cruise on Two Medicine Lake includes a look at Blackfeet tribal history before boarding the train again that evening.
- Day 10The Norwegian Encore sails into Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing views of Mount Fairweather and the Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers.
- Day 12The ship docks in Victoria, British Columbia, with time to visit the Fairmont Empress Hotel or Butchart Gardens before the cruise ends in Seattle.
Included
- 3 nights' hotel accommodations
- One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Glacier National Park; Glacier National Park to Seattle on the Empire Builder
- Transfer from your Hotel in Seattle to the Cruise Port
- 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners included at the Glacier Park Lodge
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Railbookersfrom $3,349
Questions travellers ask
- Is the train travel included?
- Yes, one-way Amtrak Coach travel from Chicago to Glacier National Park and on to Seattle aboard the Empire Builder is included.
- Is the cruise included?
- Yes, the itinerary includes a 7-day Norwegian Cruise Line Alaska cruise aboard the Norwegian Encore, from Seattle through Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, and Victoria, back to Seattle.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is sold as an independent rail and cruise vacation. Sightseeing at each stop, the Big Sky Circle Tour and the hop-on, hop-off Seattle tour, is organized, but you can choose to extend your stay in Seattle or take the train home at the end.
- What is the overnight train experience like?
- There are two nights onboard the Empire Builder in Coach class, one from Chicago toward Glacier National Park and one from Glacier National Park toward Seattle.
- Which activities are seasonal?
- The Two Medicine Valley boat cruise (early June to early September) and the Big Sky Circle Tour of Glacier National Park (mid-June to mid-September) both run only in season.
- What is included overall?
- 3 nights' hotel accommodations (2 at the Glacier Park Lodge, 1 in Seattle), one-way Amtrak travel from Chicago to Seattle via Glacier National Park, a transfer from your Seattle hotel to the cruise port, and 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners at the Glacier Park Lodge.
