USA/Canada trip

[Alexisal55]

Hi Guys

 

Looking for help/advice here:

 

We are a couple, looking to cruise from UK and return in 2020. We shall be 71 and 65 respectively

 

We wish to take in The Canadian across Canada, shopping in New York and Toronto.

 

An Alaskan cruise would be on the wish list and hotel in New York

 

Amtrak from New York/Chicago/Los Angeles/New Orleans (not necessarily in that order), and a 7 day Caribbean cruise. NO FLYING AT ALL

 

We have cruised extensively, but would welcome any ideas on how we would go about it, eg transatlantic crossings without flight element.

 

Are there any specialists in UK you know of, who could tailor this for us ?

 

Appreciate it:D

[Keith1010]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Your thoughts sound very interesting.

 

I know someone on the Crystal Cruises board who combines various cruises with trains etc to create on long trip.

 

We are not allowed to recommend travel companies on Cruise Critic.

 

I think you might want to post on the UK cruisers board to see if you can get some thoughts from fellow cruisers from the UK about all of this. That board is at:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=683

 

There are various ships that cross from the UK over to the USA as part of moving their ships from one area of the world to another so you have plenty of choice there to et over to the USA.

 

One who does it often in terms as just crossings is Cunard with the QM2. That would leave you in Brooklyn NYC.

 

From there you could take Amrtrak cross country to say San Francisco.

 

From San Francisco you could find a R/T cruise up to Alaska. (this would be in the May to September time frame during the Alaska tourist season).

 

From there you could take a cruise from San Francisco to Florida with a transit to the Panama Canal. Or you could take the train to say Miami and begin a Caribbean cruise there.

 

Then up to NYC with Amtrak and then back to the UK on the QM2.

 

I am sure there are lots of possibilities to put this together.

 

I think these days with the internet you could put this together on your own and then get a Travel Specialist to book it for you. I don't think it would be too complicated.

 

Allow time in each city of origination and destination for a day or more in a hotel in case there are delays with things such as trains.

 

Or you could enlist someone to help you from the get go but again we can't give a recommendation.

 

Like I said you can also get idea from your fellow UK cruisers.

 

The good news is you have a lot of time on your side. Most cruise lines don't have 2020 itineraries out but it won't be too long before they have them out.

 

Keith

[lisiamc]

I think you’re going to need a good travel agent to help you with this. I’d suggest asking your friends for local recommendations, or ringing a few of the big names for a chat.

[Alexisal55]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Your thoughts sound very interesting.

 

I know someone on the Crystal Cruises board who combines various cruises with trains etc to create on long trip.

 

We are not allowed to recommend travel companies on Cruise Critic.

 

I think you might want to post on the UK cruisers board to see if you can get some thoughts from fellow cruisers from the UK about all of this. That board is at:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=683

 

There are various ships that cross from the UK over to the USA as part of moving their ships from one area of the world to another so you have plenty of choice there to et over to the USA.

 

One who does it often in terms as just crossings is Cunard with the QM2. That would leave you in Brooklyn NYC.

 

From there you could take Amrtrak cross country to say San Francisco.

 

From San Francisco you could find a R/T cruise up to Alaska. (this would be in the May to September time frame during the Alaska tourist season).

 

From there you could take a cruise from San Francisco to Florida with a transit to the Panama Canal. Or you could take the train to say Miami and begin a Caribbean cruise there.

 

Then up to NYC with Amtrak and then back to the UK on the QM2.

 

I am sure there are lots of possibilities to put this together.

 

I think these days with the internet you could put this together on your own and then get a Travel Specialist to book it for you. I don't think it would be too complicated.

 

Allow time in each city of origination and destination for a day or more in a hotel in case there are delays with things such as trains.

 

Or you could enlist someone to help you from the get go but again we can't give a recommendation.

 

Like I said you can also get idea from your fellow UK cruisers.

 

The good news is you have a lot of time on your side. Most cruise lines don't have 2020 itineraries out but it won't be too long before they have them out.

 

Keith

 

Keith 1010 Thanks for your help!

 

kind regards

[Keith1010]

Alexsal55, you are very welcome.

 

Keith

[Essiesmom]

I think your main problem will be finding the ships going the right direction across the Atlantic at the time you need to sail. Other than the QM2, there are not regular crossings. Ships go from the US in the spring to Alaska and Europe, and return in the fall. QM2 could bring you over in May or later, after returning to Southampton after her world cruise. Putting together a train adventure using Amtrak and/or Via Rail (Canada). You would be in North America for the Alaska season, then travel back across the US for a Caribbean cruise. You would then have to get back to NYC to pick up the QM2, as she would be the only one doing regular crossings back to Europe.

For help planning a trip on Amtrak, and possibly Via Rail Canada, there is a forum of fans of train travel located here:

 

http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/

 

It is not affiliated with Amtrak, but some of the members do work for railroads, and the members are very helpful with planning trips. EM

[Alexisal55]

I think your main problem will be finding the ships going the right direction across the Atlantic at the time you need to sail. Other than the QM2, there are not regular crossings. Ships go from the US in the spring to Alaska and Europe, and return in the fall. QM2 could bring you over in May or later, after returning to Southampton after her world cruise. Putting together a train adventure using Amtrak and/or Via Rail (Canada). You would be in North America for the Alaska season, then travel back across the US for a Caribbean cruise. You would then have to get back to NYC to pick up the QM2, as she would be the only one doing regular crossings back to Europe.

For help planning a trip on Amtrak, and possibly Via Rail Canada, there is a forum of fans of train travel located here:

 

http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/

 

It is not affiliated with Amtrak, but some of the members do work for railroads, and the members are very helpful with planning trips. EM

 

 

Thank you very much for your reply and trouble

 

Alan

[ScubesDad]

I think the largest obstacle is connecting all the pieces so that they flow reasonably smoothly, trying to eliminate as many problems as possible; unfortunately I can see a few possible issues which may cause you to make a few compromises....

 

I would work the problem from both ends and then fill in the middle. As Keith1010 indicated I would do the Cunard sailing into New York. Spend a few days in NYC, and then take Amtrak from NYC to Toronto (The Maple Leaf) it is a 12 hour trip, all daylight and would give you a good viewing of upper New York State. The Canadian leaves from Toronto, there are three departures per week, to Vancouver. One downside of the Canadian is that part of the travel through the Rocky Mountains is at night. An option would be to switch to the Rocky Mountaineer (a private company) for the trip through the mountains as it is all conducted in daylight; they do have trips that end in Vancouver. Once in Vancouver do a r/t Alaskan cruise, or even one that returns to Seattle. Either way it is relatively easy to get from Vancouver to Seattle. Amtrak runs the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles. You could switch to the Sunset Limited from LA to New Orleans. From New Orleans, the "City of New Orleans" would take you to Chicago. From Chicago there are many options on Amtrak to get you to south Florida, I believe all routes go through Washington, DC. On to the Caribbean cruise from Miami/Ft. Lauderdale for the last cruise of the season, and then a TA back to Southampton.

 

You would want to do it later in the season, say August, the weather is still very pleasant that time of year, aim for a later season Alaska cruise and then work your way south.

 

The Amtrak and VIA Rail websites will provide you with a great deal of information for planning. I know there is a north American travel agency that focusses on rail travel but I can't find them....sorry.

 

Good luck. It seems like a wonderful adventure.

[NantahalaCruiser]

You have been given a lot of great ideas

 

I would only add that since you wish to visit New Orleans - and since in order to get to Florida from New Orleans by Amtrak you have to go as far north as Raleigh NC - you might consider taking your Caribbean cruise out of New Orleans rather than out of Florida. Another option would be to take it out of Galveston since the train from LA to New Orleans goes through Houston.

 

Have a blast planning and executing your trip!

 

Here is a link to the Amtrak system map:

 

https://www.amtrak.com/plan-your-trip.html

[Alexisal55]

Thanks very much for all your help, really grateful

[puppycanducruise]

That sounds like a great adventure.

I hope you make it come true.

I can't offer any advice, just wanted to wish you good luck.

[Krazy Kruizers]

What a wonderful idea you have.

Hope you can work out all the details.

[Alexisal55]

Thanks a bunch, have done around 10 cruises, best was Aurora-had Piano suite, double decker for 104 days, and Arcadia around Alaska for 70 days-suite at back of ship-awesome to pivot around Glaciers for 3 hours.

 

First time P&O had done it for 40 years.

 

This BB is very helpful and friendly

 

;p

[SPacificbound]

Hi Guys

 

Looking for help/advice here:

 

We are a couple, looking to cruise from UK and return in 2020. We shall be 71 and 65 respectively

 

We wish to take in The Canadian across Canada, shopping in New York and Toronto.

 

An Alaskan cruise would be on the wish list and hotel in New York

 

Amtrak from New York/Chicago/Los Angeles/New Orleans (not necessarily in that order), and a 7 day Caribbean cruise. NO FLYING AT ALL

 

We have cruised extensively, but would welcome any ideas on how we would go about it, eg transatlantic crossings without flight element.

 

Are there any specialists in UK you know of, who could tailor this for us ?

 

Appreciate it:D

 

Whenever possible we have done Transatlantic crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2. 7 day crossing and absolutely the easiest way to cross the Atlantic to NYC if you have the time, and it sounds like you do. Queen Mary comes in and out of Red Hook terminal which is in Brooklyn. I avoid flying whenever possible, Queen Mary 2 is so much better.

 

Just be aware that Amtrak in the US is nothing like rail travel in Europe, and not in a good way.

[Alexisal55]

Thank you, not sure I like the update re-Amtrak, I have never used before ??

[SPacificbound]

To continue........ I tried to edit but couldn't so will continue this post......

 

Whenever possible we have done Transatlantic crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2. 7 day crossing and absolutely the easiest way to cross the Atlantic to NYC if you have the time, and it sounds like you do. Queen Mary comes in and out of Red Hook terminal which is in Brooklyn. I avoid flying whenever possible, Queen Mary 2 is so much better.

 

Just be aware that Amtrak in the US is nothing like rail travel in Europe, and not in a good way. We have traveled by rail in Europe and UK extensively and really enjoy it. Amtrak in US doesn't compare, but up and down the East coast is doable.

 

Rail across Canada should be very pleasant and scenic. Rail Alaska is also good. In Alaska you could do a cruise one way and rail the other. We took an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver to Seward then spent about 2 weeks doing Alaska rail and really enjoyed that.

 

NYC itself is worth spending a week if not more. A boat out to the Statue of Liberty. The 9/11 Museum and Memorial, we arranged tours of each online. The 9/11 Memorial tours are done by victims, victims family, or survivors. The Empire State building. The crazy Times Square. If you like to walk Manhattan is very walkable, and if you get tired grab a cab to your next point of interest. The HOHO buses can give you a birds eye view and then you know what you want to go back to. Subways to everywhere and Grand Central Station or Penn Station for rail.

 

If you want one on one tours Family In New York are great guides and a private tour they will take you wherever you want.

http://www.familyinnewyork.com/

 

 

HOHO https://www.viator.com/New-York-City-tours/Hop-on-Hop-off-Tours/d687-g12-c97

 

9/11 Museum and Memorial

https://www.911memorial.org/

 

 

Canadian Rockies

https://www.rockymountaineer.com/

 

 

Alaska Rail

https://www.alaskatrain.com/advice/best-train-options.html

[no1racefan1]

What is your time frame on this? Do you have a planned amount of time to be gone or are you just taking as much time as it takes?

 

If that's the case, there would be some pretty spectacular US National Parks you would maybe want to add to your list. Are you up for driving for parts of the trip?

 

This sounds like a gloriously fun trip to plan!

[Alexisal55]

To continue........ I tried to edit but couldn't so will continue this post......

 

Whenever possible we have done Transatlantic crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2. 7 day crossing and absolutely the easiest way to cross the Atlantic to NYC if you have the time, and it sounds like you do. Queen Mary comes in and out of Red Hook terminal which is in Brooklyn. I avoid flying whenever possible, Queen Mary 2 is so much better.

 

Just be aware that Amtrak in the US is nothing like rail travel in Europe, and not in a good way. We have traveled by rail in Europe and UK extensively and really enjoy it. Amtrak in US doesn't compare, but up and down the East coast is doable.

 

Rail across Canada should be very pleasant and scenic. Rail Alaska is also good. In Alaska you could do a cruise one way and rail the other. We took an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver to Seward then spent about 2 weeks doing Alaska rail and really enjoyed that.

 

NYC itself is worth spending a week if not more. A boat out to the Statue of Liberty. The 9/11 Museum and Memorial, we arranged tours of each online. The 9/11 Memorial tours are done by victims, victims family, or survivors. The Empire State building. The crazy Times Square. If you like to walk Manhattan is very walkable, and if you get tired grab a cab to your next point of interest. The HOHO buses can give you a birds eye view and then you know what you want to go back to. Subways to everywhere and Grand Central Station or Penn Station for rail.

 

If you want one on one tours Family In New York are great guides and a private tour they will take you wherever you want.

http://www.familyinnewyork.com/

 

 

HOHO https://www.viator.com/New-York-City-tours/Hop-on-Hop-off-Tours/d687-g12-c97

 

9/11 Museum and Memorial

https://www.911memorial.org/

 

 

Canadian Rockies

https://www.rockymountaineer.com/

 

 

Alaska Rail

https://www.alaskatrain.com/advice/best-train-options.html

Thanks hugely, everyone so far has been so kind and informative

[Alexisal55]

That sounds like a great adventure.

I hope you make it come true.

I can't offer any advice, just wanted to wish you good luck.

 

Bless you

x

[SPacificbound]

Thanks hugely, everyone so far has been so kind and informative

 

:DAnd how could I forget Broadway?

 

https://www.broadway.com/shows/tickets/