Which Alaska cruise and rail trips can you choose from?

The easiest way to combine an Alaska cruise with a Canadian rail tour is to use Vancouver as the connection point. Travel through the Canadian Rockies first, then cruise Alaska, or reverse the order. Canadian Train Vacations coordinates the rail journey, hotels and transfers around the cruise schedule so the two parts work as one itinerary.

For travellers searching for the best Alaska cruise and train package or a train ride through Canada to Alaska, there is no direct passenger train from Canada into Alaska. Instead, the Canadian rail journey connects with the cruise through Vancouver, or with an onward flight when the cruise begins in Sitka or Juneau.

Rocky Mountaineer is the strongest fit for travellers who want daylight sightseeing through Western Canada. VIA Rail’s The Canadian works well for a longer sleeper-train journey between Vancouver and Toronto. Both can be scheduled during Alaska cruise season, with Vancouver acting as the rail-and-cruise gateway. 

Vancouver is a convenient connection point for an Alaska cruise and rail vacation, allowing travellers to combine a Canadian train journey with a cruise through the Inside Passage, the Pacific, or the Alaska coast. Holland America Line offers Alaska sailings to or from Vancouver, including northbound, southbound and return itineraries, while some small-ship cruises, like UnCruise Adventures, begin or end in Alaska and connect with Vancouver by air.

Seattle is another major gateway for Alaska cruises, particularly for travellers starting their trip in the United States or not planning to explore Canada by rail. For travellers combining Canadian rail with an Alaska sailing, Vancouver provides the most direct connection.

Depending on the cruise itinerary, travellers can choose from shore excursions and included expedition activities that add another perspective on Alaska’s landscapes and wildlife.