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North America

Trans Canada by Rail & Alaska by Sea

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
15 days From $3,877 $3,577 per person
4.1 stars(9 reviews)
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Combine a Canadian train adventure between two of the country's most cosmopolitan cities and a cruise through Alaska's waters and to some of its most famed ports of call on this land and sea expedition.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
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Limited Time Offer: Save up to 10% while supplies last. Percent discount value varies by tour and departure. Prices as reflected online. Offer ends March 18th. 

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2025 Tour code: PR-TCAN-25

About the tour

The beauty of Canada's ever-changing landscape and the glory of the open water lie ahead on this 15-day, dual-country adventure. The tour begins as you arrive in Toronto - Canada's largest city. Spend the day exploring this cosmopolitan city on your own. The following morning, board VIA Rail's Canadian for a 4-night complete trans-Canada rail journey. Enjoy the vast amenities of the train and the impeccable views from the Park and Skyline Cars.

Upon arrival in Vancouver, take some time to get to know the city on a Hop-on/Hop-off Tour of some of Vancouver's major attractions. The following day in this beautiful city is yours to explore the sights at leisure. After 2 overnights, head to the city's port to board your Holland America' ship for 7 days worth of cruising through Alaska's surrounding waters.

Most of the cruise is spent on the sea, enjoying the magnificence of the likes of the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay; however, we also have the opportunity to get in touch with Alaska by land, with off-board excursions to some of Alaska's most popular cities: Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Take in all the scenery from the cruise liner's various decks, and enjoy the unique ambiance only a ship can offer before arriving back in Vancouver, where the tour comes to a close. 

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Toronto, Canada's Largest City

The cosmopolitan city of Toronto offers visitors a plethora of memorable sights and experiences. After transferring to your hotel located in the heart of the city, take the day to discover Toronto at your leisure. Ride to the top of CN Tower for breathtaking views of the city. Visit Eaton Centre for shopping, Chinatown, Old Town Toronto, and the city's many interesting ethnic markets. Toronto is well-known for its nightlife. Dine at a gourmet restaurant, sample the fare at one of the city's smaller ethnic restaurants or visit a club to enjoy some local music. Overnight Toronto.

Day 2 - Board VIA Rail's Canadian

Get an early start to the day and enjoy breakfast on your own before heading to Toronto's Union Station to board the famed Canadian. Get settled into your Sleeper Plus accommodations before setting off to explore the train and its many amenities. Relax in one of the observation lounges and enjoy the impressive passing scenery. Overnight train.

Includes
  • Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - En Route to Vancouver

After you wake this morning, enjoy a hot breakfast in the Dining Car while admiring the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield. First-class passengers have access to all of the lounges onboard the train as well as to the Skyline Car - your entertainment center with an observation dome offering 360-degree views - and the Park Car with three different salons and an upper observation deck. Both the Skyline and Park Cars offer great vantage points for photo opportunities along your trip, so be sure to bring your camera. Overnight train.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - En Route to Vancouver

Spend the day chatting with other travelers and enjoying exclusive access to first-class lounges, dining on superb meals, and delighting in impeccable service. Today's journey takes you through Saskatchewan, which has been inhabited for thousands of years by various indigenous groups. Saskatchewan was first explored by Europeans in 1690 and settled in 1774. In 1992, the federal and provincial governments signed a historic land claim agreement with the First Nations people in Saskatchewan. The First Nations received compensation and were permitted to buy land on the open market, now reserve lands. Overnight train.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - VIA Rail, Nearing Vancouver

Your final full day onboard takes you through Alberta and into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. VIA Rail's Canadian rolls into Jasper for a short stopover before continuing the journey west, past Mt. Robson and into British Columbia. This evening, enjoy your last sumptuous dinner aboard the train and reflect on your breathtaking voyage across five provinces. Overnight train. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Arrival in Vancouver

Arrive in Vancouver and transfer on your own to your hotel. Spend the day exploring historic Gastown, Granville Island, or Stanley Park. Vancouver is home to some of the best restaurants in the country, so be sure to bring your appetite. Overnight Vancouver. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Sightseeing in Vancouver
You can enjoy a full free day at leisure in this bustling city. Or, take one of the following optional excursions to explore Vancouver. Some favorites include:
Vancouver City Tour & Capilano suspension Bridge
Granville Island Market Food Tour
Bike Tour through Stanley Park
Overnight Vancouver.
Day 8 - Vancouver Cruise Port and Departure on Holland America Cruise

Check out of your hotel this morning and head to the pier where you will board Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Settle into your accommodations on the ship before coming on deck to wave good-bye to Vancouver-and say hello to Alaska's Inside Passage. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 9 - Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage

Take today to enjoy some of the ship's unique features. Enjoy a hot stone massage, steam in a thermal suite, or enjoy a variety of other relaxation and beauty treatments in the spa, visit the Culinary Arts Center - presented by Food & Wine Magazine - for gourmet cooking lessons, or enjoy the scenery as you lounge poolside. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Juneau

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is your port of call this afternoon. Juneau is known for being home to the immense Mendenhall Glacier and colossal Juneau Ice Fields. In addition to exploring both sights, be sure to see the lush Tongass National Forest, the United States' largest national forest that includes fjords, glaciers, and peaks of the Coast Mountains. Enjoy the local shops in town or embark on some soft adventure activities like kayaking, rafting, or flightseeing. Before you leave Juneau, hop aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a short hike to one of the area's many dramatic locations for the perfect photo spot to capture today's excursion. Overnight ship. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Skagway

Skagway is a small town with a Gold Rush past that is long in organic beauty, offering an assortment of sights and activities that show off its storied history and natural setting. During your visit today, admire the White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad, recalling the town's mining past and now for tourist use. Pop into the town's old-time saloons, browse the rustic shops, visit the Trail of '98 Museum or the Gold Rush Cemetery, or embark on a shore excursion that will reward you with a taste of Skagway's local flavor. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising

Surrounded by high cliffs, rugged rock walls, and a protected ecosystem, breathtaking Glacier Bay contains 16 glaciers, 12 of which reach shorelines and calved to produce icebergs. The area has more actively calving icebergs than anywhere else in the world. Watch in awe is as it happens time and again as you cruise the area. Overnight ship. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - Ketchikan

Today's excursion takes you to Ketchikan, located just 90 miles north of Prince Rupert. The town is famous not only for its salmon fisheries but also for its natural history, which is paid tribute through the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park, and Saxman Village. Ketchikan is also home to one of the area's most impressive sights, Misty Fjords National Monument, more than 2,294,000 acres of protected acres of Tongass National Forest in Alaska's panhandle. Deepwater fjords left by retreating glaciers left granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls cascading into the tranquil waters. It is truly a sight to behold! Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - Cruising the Alaska's Inside Passage

Unwind from your adventuresome days of sightseeing by relaxing onboard the ship today, enjoying the scenery as you cruise Alaska's Inside Passage and taking advantage of some of the ship's many amenities. Overnight ship. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 - Vancouver

Arrive in Vancouver today. You may elect to extend your stay in Vancouver for additional sightseeing, or you can transfer from the cruise terminal to the airport for your return flight home.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Moderate
Hotels include the Chelsea Hotel and Georgian Court (or similar). VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus class in a semi-private berth. Meals are included aboard the train along with exclusive access to lounges and observation cars. Travel aboard the Holland America ship is in an Inside Stateroom including two beds convertible to one Queen-size bed, and shower.

Superior
Hotels include the Hotel Le Germain Toronto and Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre (or similar). VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus class in a private cabin. Meals are included aboard the train along with exclusive access to lounges and observation cars. Travel aboard the Holland America ship is in an Oceanview cabin including two lower beds convertible to one Queen-size bed, bathtub, and shower.

Deluxe
Hotels include the Fairmont Royal York and Fairmont Waterfront (or similar). VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus class in a private cabin. Meals are included aboard the train along with exclusive access to lounges and observation cars. Travel aboard the Holland America ship is in a Verandah Suite including two beds convertible to one Queen-size bed, whirlpool bath and shower, sitting area, private verandah, mini-bar, refrigerator, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Prestige
Hotels include the Fairmont Royal York and Fairmont Waterfront with upgraded rooms. The Prestige Sleeper Class provides an upgraded level of comfort and service for travelers on the Canadian, one of the world's greatest train journeys. Each Prestige Sleep Cabin has a modular leather L-shaped couch by day and a Murphy bed for two by night. Highlights of this Prestige Class include; a personalized dedicated service by Prestige Concierge; a spacious cabin with large windows and a private washroom with shower; flat-screen TV with video selection; minibar stocked with a selection of beverages and more. Travel aboard the ms Nieuw Amsterdam is in a Verandah Suite including two beds convertible to one Queen-size bed, whirlpool bath and shower, sitting area, private verandah, mini-bar, refrigerator, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

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.

Trains

VIA Rail's Canadian
VIA Rail's Canadian Prestige Class

Ship

MS Nieuw Amsterdam

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Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 9 reviews

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

Bobbie Manigo

5 stars

Submitted 21 Sep 2022

This was a wonderful trip thru BC by train and Alaska by sea. I couldn't ask for much more. Thanks guys for planning this trip for me. Fantastic retirement vacation ??. C U SOON!!!

Collected by Trustpilot

Bobbie Manigo
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Veryl Kroon, Waukee, IA

5 stars

Submitted 12 Feb 2018

Beautiful places. Katrina was excellent about keeping us informed of changes and giving us the opportunity to make decisions on how to accommodate the changes.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

John & Sally D, Barnstable, MA

5 stars

Submitted 12 Feb 2018

From start to finish, a fantastic vacation experience. The transfer at the airport in Toronto was simple and brought us directly to top notch accommodations at the Fairmont, just steps across the street to the train Once again, exquisite accommodations at the Fairmont Waterfront, directly across the street from Canada Place, the pier for embarking on the Volendam. Alaska was magnificent, each port having its own flavor to enjoy. We both went sea kayaking and took a helicopter trip to walk and learn out on the Meade Glacier. I spent a day fishing for halibut, successfully, and caught the first Koho Salmon the season in Ketchikan. The ship itself, room attendants, dining staff and accommodations were all more than we expected. All crew were helpful, polite, courteous and happy. station. A comfortable lounge to wait for the train and a smooth, easy boarding set us off on a grand tour across Canada. Happy, helpful and efficient room attendants and wonderful dining brought us through the plains and the Rockies to Vancouver.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Michael Stegall, Bolingbrook, IL

5 stars

Submitted 21 Feb 2017

Everything was great! From the Prestige waiting rom (where we met new friends) to having everything done for us - usually before we even thought of needing it. Food was excellent as was the bar service. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our honeymoon more than we had ever dreamed possible.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Kathleen B, Midlothian, VA

4 stars

Submitted 11 Nov 2018

Train trip was so much fun. The staff was fantastic, so helpful. The meals were 5 star.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Dorelle R, Brampton, ON

4 stars

Submitted 17 Oct 2018

The whole trip WAS VERY ENJOYABLE!. I think it would help if the people going on the trip were given the opportunity to meet at the hotel prior to the trip if they wanted to.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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