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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail & cruise vacation

Trans Canada by Rail & Alaska by Sea

Four-night Canadian train journey plus seven-day Alaska cruise from Toronto to Ketchikan

Illustration of Trans Canada by Rail & Alaska by Sea

Vacations By Rail combines two of North America's most celebrated travel experiences in this 15-day independent vacation. You depart Toronto and spend four nights aboard VIA Rail's Canadian, a sleeper train that crosses the Canadian Shield, Saskatchewan, and the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver. The journey includes all meals in the dining car and access to the Park Car and Skyline Car observation lounges. After two days exploring Vancouver on your own, you board Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam for a seven-day cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage, with port visits to Juneau (featuring Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Ice Fields), Skagway (Gold Rush history and the White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad), Glacier Bay (16 glaciers calving into the sea), and Ketchikan (salmon fisheries and Misty Fjords National Monument). The package suits independent travellers who want both rail and sea exploration without daily group activities, couples seeking leisure time together, and repeat rail travellers drawn to VIA Rail's celebrated service and route.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 6 transfer in Vancouver is on your own; confirm your hotel and transportation details before arrival
  • Day 15 arrives in Vancouver; you will need to arrange your own transfer to the airport or hotel for any onward travel

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Toronto, Canada's Largest City

    Transfer to your hotel in the heart of Toronto. Free time to explore CN Tower, Eaton Centre, Chinatown, Old Town Toronto and ethnic markets.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Overnight train

    Board VIA Rail's Canadian

    Breakfast on your own, then to Toronto's Union Station to board the Canadian. Settle into Sleeper Plus accommodations and relax in the observation lounges.

  3. Day 3overnight: Overnight train

    En Route to Vancouver

    Hot breakfast in the Dining Car while admiring the Canadian Shield. First-class passengers have access to all lounges, the Skyline Car and the Park Car.

  4. Day 4overnight: Overnight train

    En Route to Vancouver

    Journey through Saskatchewan, settled by Europeans in 1774, with a 1992 First Nations land claim agreement noted.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Overnight train

    VIA Rail, Nearing Vancouver

    Travel through Alberta and the Canadian Rockies; a short stopover in Jasper before continuing west past Mt. Robson into British Columbia. Final dinner aboard the train.

  6. Day 6overnight: Vancouver

    Arrival in Vancouver

    Transfer on your own to your hotel. Explore Gastown, Granville Island or Stanley Park.

  7. Day 7overnight: Vancouver

    Sightseeing in Vancouver

    Full free day, or optional excursions: Vancouver City Tour & Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island Market Food Tour, Bike Tour through Stanley Park.

  8. Day 8overnight: Overnight ship

    Vancouver Cruise Port and Departure on Holland America Cruise

    Check out and board Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Depart Vancouver for Alaska's Inside Passage.

  9. Day 9overnight: Overnight ship

    Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage

    Ship day at leisure: spa treatments, the Culinary Arts Center (presented by Food & Wine Magazine), or poolside.

  10. Day 10overnight: Overnight ship

    Juneau

    Port call at Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Ice Fields, Tongass National Forest; optional kayaking, rafting or flightseeing; Mt. Roberts Tramway.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Overnight ship

    Skagway

    Visit Skagway: White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad, old-time saloons, Trail of '98 Museum, Gold Rush Cemetery.

  12. Day 12overnight: Overnight ship

    Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising

    Cruise Glacier Bay, home to 16 glaciers, 12 reaching shorelines and calving icebergs.

  13. Day 13overnight: Overnight ship

    Ketchikan

    Visit Ketchikan: salmon fisheries, Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park, Saxman Village, Misty Fjords National Monument.

  14. Day 14overnight: Overnight ship

    Cruising the Alaska's Inside Passage

    Relax onboard the ship, cruising the Inside Passage and enjoying ship amenities.

  15. Day 15

    Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver; option to extend your stay or transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board VIA Rail's Canadian at Toronto's Union Station and settle into your sleeper cabin or berth
  • Day 5Travel through the Canadian Rockies and Alberta with a short stopover in Jasper, then pass Mt. Robson before the final dinner aboard the train
  • Day 10Port call in Juneau to view Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Ice Fields in Tongass National Forest
  • Day 12Cruise Glacier Bay, home to 16 glaciers, 12 of which reach shorelines and calve icebergs

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 3 nights
  • 7-night round-trip Alaska cruise aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam
  • Transportation aboard VIA Rail (4 nights on train)
  • 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

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel and cruise included in the price?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes the four-night VIA Rail Canadian journey from Toronto to Vancouver and the seven-night Alaska cruise on Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam, plus all meals onboard both
Which cabin class am I assigned on the train?
The package offers Sleeper Plus Class with a semi-private berth or private cabin depending on tier, or Prestige Class for higher-tier bookings
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is an independent vacation. You travel on your own schedule with free time in Toronto, Vancouver, and at sea. Optional shore excursions are available in ports
What is included and what is not?
Included: three nights' hotel in Vancouver or Toronto, four nights' rail accommodations, seven nights' cruise, and all meals aboard train and ship. Not included: travel insurance, airport transfers, and optional excursions
How many nights do I spend aboard the train?
Four nights: you board on Day 2 and arrive in Vancouver on Day 6

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