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Coast Starlight with Alaska Cruise

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4.4 stars(5 reviews)
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Combine two of the most exciting cities on the West Coast with an Alaska cruise to create a spectacular rail-cruise vacation!

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10 days From $2,192 per person
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
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2023 Tour code: WC-CSAN-23

About the tour

This 10-day rail-cruise adventure combines some of the most breathtaking scenery on the west coast by land and sea with a relaxed and well-paced itinerary to meet every lifestyle. The Coast Starlight links Los Angeles to Seattle, the Gateway to Alaska. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular U.S. train routes, you will travel more than 100 miles of magnificent Pacific coastline as you journey north past the Cascade Mountains to Seattle where you will meet your Holland America cruise ship for your 7-day Alaskan cruise.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Los Angeles En Route to Seattle

Your journey begins at Los Angeles' historic Union Station for a morning departure on Amtrak's Coast Starlight bound for Seattle. Settle into your accommodations as the train makes its way north. With miles of dazzling coastline stretching before you, take time to drink in the picture-perfect sights or explore the legendary train. Enjoy lunch and dinner in the Dining Car as the train hugs the Pacific coastline bound for its final destination. Overnight train.

Includes
  • Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 - Coast Starlight to Seattle

Wake up this morning and enjoy breakfast in the Dining Car as you pass through Klamath Falls, Oregon. Spend the day relaxing in the Sightseer Lounge and marveling at the Cascade Mountains. The train will make a short stop in Portland, where you can stretch your legs and get some fresh, Pacific Northwest air. As you leave Portland, look out the left side of the train to catch a glimpse of Mt. Hood rising in the distance. Dinner is served as you pass through Washington's capital city of Olympia. Transfer on your own to your hotel. Overnight Seattle.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Seattle and Alaska Cruise

With Mount Rainier and the Space Needle standing watch, take the morning to discover the Emerald City before boarding your Holland America cruise ship. Explore historic Pioneer Square, browse the stalls and shops at Pike Place Market, visit the Experience Music Project, and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city atop the Space Needle. This afternoon, transfer to Holland America Line's ms Westerdam for the cruise portion of your fantastic rail-cruise combination tour. Your ship sets sail for Alaska at 4:00 pm, giving you enough time to settle into your cabin before heading on deck to wave good-bye to magnificent Seattle. With tomorrow at sea, you will have more than enough time to explore the ship and enjoy all of its amenities. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 4 - ms Westerdam at Sea

Take today to enjoy some of the ship's special features. Enjoy a hot stone massage at the spa, take a complimentary digital workshop taught by a Microsoft "techspert," spend some time at the Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, or lounge poolside. Dine and dance the night away but ensure a good night's sleep as your Alaska sightseeing begins tomorrow. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Juneau, Alaska

Located at the foot of majestic mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, the city of Juneau is home to the massive Mendenhall Glacier and the immense Juneau Icefields at its back door. Explore the lush Tongass National Forest. At 17 million acres, it is the largest U.S. national forest and includes fjords, glaciers, and peaks of the Coast Mountains. Visit the rustic local shops, climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a great spot to hike and shoot a souvenir photo, or get back to nature and kayak, dogsled, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee, or fish. Because of the long daylight hours, there's no end to the adventure! Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier is up to 213 feet wide at its face and 164 feet tall, but that's only the tiniest piece of the ice: The main channel of this frozen river begins 76 miles back, pouring down from around the 11,100-foot mark off the shoulder of Mt. Walsh.
Hubbard is the longest tidewater glacier (meaning it ends at the ocean) in North America. But unlike nearly every other tidewater glacier on the continent, Hubbard is advancing, not retreating; it's forever pushing a little further into the bay. Chunks of ice that break off become floaties for seals, who like the bergs because orca sonar doesn't work well among them.
The deep blue of the face of the glacier on a sunny day-the color made by compression of ice crystals that can be a foot or more long-is the blue of the furthest stars. The glacier is on the move. Overnight ship.
Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Sitka, Alaska

The onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral are a clue to Sitka's past as a Russian settlement - the colonial headquarters of Count Baranof, no less. Discover the echoes of its bustling past at a performance by the New Archangel Dancers. Meet Tlingit natives and stand on the spot where the United States took possession of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million. Take a stroll through the Sitka National Historical Park, shop the downtown district, and visit the Sheldon Jackson Museum for a firsthand look at some of the city's most prized art, crafts, and Russian relics. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is recognized as the "Salmon Capital of the World" and is known for several popular attractions including Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park, and Saxman Village. But its most popular attraction is undoubtedly Misty Fjords National Monument, a protected area in the southeastern portion of Alaska that covers more than 2,294,000 acres of Tongass National Forest in Alaska's panhandle. These deep water fjords left by retreating glaciers left granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls cascading into placid waters. Try a flightseeing trip to the area for an up-close look at the breathtaking sight. The souvenir photos you'll take from the pontoons of the plane are worth the trip alone! Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

A touch of England awaits you today as you dock in Victoria. The capital city of British Columbia, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, pays homage to its British ancestry with double-decker buses and horse-drawn carriages, tearooms, and some of the finest formal gardens in North America. In fact, Victoria has earned a reputation as the "City of Gardens" due to its sunny, mild climate and gardens full of palms, eucalyptus, bananas and rare plants not indigenous to Canada. The must-see attraction in Victoria is the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, featuring 55 acres of brilliant colors and blooms year-round. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Welcome Back to Seattle, Washington

Your Alaska cruise adventure comes to a close this morning as you enter the port of Seattle. Consider extending your stay in the Emerald City in order to fully explore Seattle, or enjoy your included transfer to the airport for your return flight home for flights after 1:00 pm.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Amtrak accommodations are available in Roomette and Bedroom.

Roomette accommodations include a private cabin featuring two comfortable seats beside a picture window during the day, converting to an upper and lower berth at night. Bedroom accommodations feature a sofa and chair by day, and upper and lower berth by night.

Bedroom accommodations also include a sink and self-enclosed toilet and shower. Roomette and Bedroom accommodations include all meals aboard the train. 


Accommodations aboard Holland America's ms Westerdam are available in Inside Stateroom, Oceanview Stateroom, and Deluxe Verandah Outside categories. 

Inside Stateroom features two lower beds convertible to one Queen-size bed and shower. 

Oceanview Stateroom features two lower beds convertible to one Queen-size bed, bathtub, and shower. 

Verandah Stateroom features two beds convertible to one Queen-size bed, whirlpool bath and shower, sitting area, private verandah, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Please Note

Please be aware Amtrak may experience occasional schedule changes and service disruptions.  Vacations By Rail recommends visiting the Amtrak web site prior to your departure for the latest information.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 5 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (2)
  2. 4 stars
    (3)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
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  5. 1 star
    (0)

James

4 stars

Submitted 17 Jun 2019

The train didn�t have parlor car as advertised . Hadn�t had one for over a year. Otherwise great experience

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Katie E, Plano, TX

5 stars

Submitted 01 Dec 2018

The Holland America portion was excellent, from the Sheraton Hotel in Seattle throughout the entire trip the people were helpful and friendly and competent. I would do this again. The Westin in Seattle at the end of our trip was a good experience, very good accommodations. We had a great contact at Vacations by Rail, prompt with answers to my questions and very good follow through. Thank you for a great vacation!

Collected by Vacations By Rail

June, V, Crockett, CA

5 stars

Submitted 31 Oct 2018

Thank you for ALL you have done to make our vacation memorable. Valerie and I had a wonderful time. Train ride was great, also the food. Extras you showered upon us made it more special. Loved the chocolate strawberry and the free dinner at the Pinnacle- really surprised us! Thank you for all your help in preparing for the cruise. It was a dream come true and BETTER. Looking forward to more vacations.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Joanne C, Edison, NJ

4 stars

Submitted 07 Feb 2018

We had a wonderful trip from start to finish. The connections were smooth and the customer service received from Vacations By Rail was outstanding.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Anthony R, Everett, MA

4 stars

Submitted 17 Dec 2017

The train ride was great, also Holland America's service was impeccable. I would definitely ride Amtrak , and sail Holland America again. My wife and I were very happy with our vacation. Also our rep from Vacations By Rail was super nice and had all the answers we needed to proceed with our trip.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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