Alaska Cruise Rail Packages

Coming to Alaska aboard one of many incredible Alaska cruises, cruising through the Inside Passage and visiting ports like Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Glacier Bay is without a doubt a once in a life time vacation experience.Alaska cruises are very popular; no other cruise on earth can match the experience of witnessing the pristine beauty of Glacier Bay, and College Fjord. Floating glaciers and marine wilderness all around, it is truly an experience one should not miss. Alaskan cruises by themselves are exciting, but combine the cruise with a rail package to explore the interior of Alaska visiting destinations like Denali National Park and Prudhoe Bay, then you will be taking your vacation to the next level, the one you will remember and talk about every time you are with your friends and family.

There are many Alaska Cruise Rail Packages available. You can combine many Alaska Rail Packages with Alaska cruises, either before or after the cruise. Following is a sample of one of many Alaska Cruise Rail Packages. This package starts from Vancouver aboard Holland America Lines in their Northbound 7 day scenic Northbound Glacier Discovery cruise and takes you to the northern most part in Alaska, as far north as a road can take you, Prudhoe Bay.

Day 01 – Embarkation (D)

Check in and board the north bound cruise in Vancouver, B.C. The cruise departs in the early evening at 05:00 PM.

Day 2 – Cruising (B|L|D):

All day cruising along the fjords, islands, and bays of Alaska’s beautiful Inside Passage

Day 3 – Ketchikan (B|L|D):

Arrive into the city of Ketchikan, Alaska, at 07:00 AM and depart Ketchikan at 03:00 PM.

Day 4 – Juneau (B|L|D):

Arrive at Alaska’s capital city; Juneau, at 08:00 AM and depart Juneau at 10:30 PM.

Day 5 – Skagway (B|L|D):

Arriving Skagway, Alaska, at 07:00 AM and depart Skagway at 09:00 PM.

Day 6 – Glacier Bay (B|L|D):

All day cruising only along Glacier Bay. Home to 10 amazingly beautiful tidewater glaciers, this is sure to be one of the highlights of your cruise.

Day 7 – College Fjord (B|L|D):

All day cruising only along College Fjord.

Day 8 – Seward to Anchorage:

Arrive into your destination port of Seward, Alaska at 06:00 AM. After disembarking, take one of our Alaska Cruise Transfers which will take you to Alaska’s largest city; Anchorage. After arriving in Anchorage, the rest of the day is yours to explore. Downtown Anchorage has lots of unique little shops and excellent restaurants. So take a leisurely exploration of the city at your own pace. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 9 – Anchorage to Denali Park Entrance:

Take the Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar train from Anchorage to Denali. GoldStar gives you an opportunity to travel in double decker train car with upper level seating in a transparent dome. You will be able to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Matanuska Susitna valley and Denali as you travel north. Upon your arrival at Denali National Park, you will stay at Denali Cabins, a unique property south of the park entrance. Denali Cabins’ collection of 46 cozy cedar cabins are spacious enough to have modern conveniences such as private baths, televisions, telephones, and contemporary furnishings, yet still have the charm of an authentic Alaskan cabin. The afternoon is free to explore the area; take advantage of the free shuttles to the Denali Visitor’s center, and the McKinley Village, or enjoy one of many optional activities. Overnight at Denali Cabins.

Day 10 – Denali Park Entrance to Kantishna (B|D):

After enjoying Denali Cabins’ Deluxe Continental Breakfast (Included), you will have some free time before boarding our afternoon bus to the Denali Backcountry Lodge. The trip to the lodge is an adventure in and of itself; it is an amazingly beautiful ride, and offers great opportunities for wildlife viewing. Our drivers/guides provide a natural history interpretation along the way, and help you spot wildlife. Arrive at the lodge in the evening, welcomed by a hearty dinner(Included); and check in to your cozy cedar cabin. You will spend the next three nights at Denali Backcountry Lodge soaking in the deep experience of Denali. All activities, programs, meals and snacks are included while at the Lodge. Overnight at Denali backcountry Lodge.

Day 11 – Kantishna (B|L|D):

Enjoy your first day at the lodge, and get acquainted with the area and activities! Choose from the many activities at the Lodge from hiking, biking, gold panning, Natural History programs, and Wonder Lake shuttles to simply relaxing in the Natural History Lounge or gazebos. Overnight at Denali Backcountry Lodge.

Day 12 – Kantishna (B|L|D):

Relax, and enjoy your last day at Denali Backcountry Lodge.  Join a guided hike, go mountain biking, or simply enjoy the majestic beauty of Denali National Park.  You can even take an optional flightseeing tour of Denali. Overnight at Denali Backcountry Lodge.

Day 13 – Kantishna to Fairbanks (B):

After the early breakfast buffet, board the bus back to the Denali Park Entrance for another great opportunity to enjoy the vistas and wonders of Denali, searching for famous Denali wildlife. After arriving at the Park Entrance, in the afternoon take the Fairbanks bound Alaska Railroad train and enjoy the sights of northern plains. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 14 – Fairbanks (B):

This morning, embark on the Riverboat Discovery Tour; a three-and-a half hour cruise on an authentic sternwheeler riverboat that will take you into the heart of Alaska. As a part of your cruise, take a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village with Alaskan Native guides, it’s a great way to gain insight into the Athabascan Indian culture. You will then take a shuttle to a tour that will give you insight into Fairbanks’s gold mining history; the Gold Dredge No. 8. Take a train ride, see the massive gold dredge, and try your hand at gold panning – you get to keep what you find! Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 15 – Fairbanks to Coldfoot (B):

Today, get set for your adventure north of the Arctic Circle! Venture north on the rugged Dalton Hwy in the comfort of personalized tour vans. Visit the Arctic Circle Trading Post in the rural community of Joy, a great chance to do a little gift shopping! See the mighty Yukon River, and learn about the river’s storied past before crossing the Arctic Circle in ceremonious fashion, and receiving your Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. Afterwards, continue to rustic Coldfoot, for an overnight stay. Each room has its own private bath, and there is a cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Overnight in Coldfoot.

Day 16 – Coldfoot to Deadhorse:

Today, visit the historic community of Wiseman; then pass through the majestic Brooks Mountain Range and cross over the Continental Divide at Atigun Pass. Explore up close the amazing arctic tundra of the Arctic Coastal Plain and feel the veins of ice just beneath the surface. Tonight you will spend the night in Deadhorse, at Deadhorse Camp. Overnight at Deadhorse.

Day 17 – Deadhorse to Prudhoe Bay to Fairbanks:

Visit the Prudhoe Bay oilfields and complete your Arctic Ocean Adventure by dipping your toe into the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean. Then, enjoy a beautiful flight back to Fairbanks, where your Alaska adventure continues. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 18 – Fairbanks to Anchorage:

This morning, take the Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar train from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Your breath taking Alaska Cruise Rail Package ends with your arrival in Anchorage.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner