Transportation from Anchorage to Seward

[becknal]

We would like to know what type of transportation Regent uses from Hilton Anchorage to the port of Seward . Also , what time do they get you to the ship. We will be sailing on the Mariner on June 19 2019  to celebrate our 60th anniversary  . becknal

[Shippy]

not sure what Regent uses but we use the Alaskan Railroad

 Did this a decade ago and are doing the same for our cruise in July.

It is about a 4 hr ride , mostly through the forest. Absolutely fantastic. There was someone to narrate the sites.

 There are glass dome cars and a dining car. If you have a chance to choose between the train or a bus....take the train.

  It actually drops you off within walking distance to the ship.

[Pinksunset]

We were on the wonderful Mariner in May, 2018, Seward to Vancouver.  We took the Regent sponsored bus to the port in Seward.  It takes only two hours, less time than the train.  

 

However, we arrived in Anchorage two days in advance and toured Anchorage one day and took a beautiful round trip train ride from Anchorage to Seward the other day, which you could just take one way to Seward.  The Coastal Classic is a four hour beautiful (!)  trip to Seward.  It leaves at 6:45 am, arriving at 11:05 am.  It would be perfect to take it to Seward for the Cruise, or for a day trip.  We took a return trip at 6:00 pm, arriving in Anchorage at 10:15 pm.  We paid for Goldstar Service, which included first class seats, meals and two alcoholic beverages, in a dome car.   In Seward we took a Major Marine Kenai Fjords Cruise, a fabulous excursion which included whale watching and a salmon and prime rib buffet.  

 

If if you are at all physically compromised like I am, a bit,  I would have had difficulty with our luggage, walking from the train to the ship.  However, if you are in good shape, you will be quite fine!

[jeb_bud]

The Alaska Railroad will transfer your checked luggage to the ship for you. So you only need to get your carryons to the ship from the rail station. 

[Pinksunset]

I didn’t know the Alaska Railroad would do that, jeb_bud!  That’s the way to go! 

[Pinksunset]

Becknal, the Regent bus gets you to the ship anytime from 11:00 to 2:00.  It depends on which bus trip you leave on.  We were assigned to leave at 11:00, and arrived about 1:00 pm.  We walked right onto the ship, greeted by champagne.  Whatever option you take,  I hope you have a wonderful anniversary cruise!

[SWFLAOK]

The bus transport between the Hilton and the ship, provided by Regent, takes less than 2 hours, and is very scenic. We saw beluga whales in the water, and mountain sheep on the cliffs, and views of glaciers. There's a bathroom on the bus, and you're transported onto the dock. There may be a stop at another hotel on the way, which delayed us while traveling in the opposite direction. A few people preferred to get off at the extra hotel stop to use the restroom, despite having a restroom on the bus. This added an extra 15 minutes to our trip since they needed assistance to get to the restrooms in the hotel. The same  2 people needed to use the bathroom on the bus. Drinking too much coffee or tea before boarding a bus is not a good idea, especially if you are physically compromised and can not get to the bus bathroom in the back from your front row seats without assistance from people you aren't traveling with. 

[IndiTravler]

Having done this let me add my experience.   

Yes take the train!   Super interesting!

 

However consider taking  the early morning train (gold service) on your own.   Seward is a cool little town with a great aquarium.    You can come in and the railway will move your bags to the ship while you wander around.  The time we did it there must have been 20+ cruisers on the early train.   Obviously this works better if you don’t have much carryon.  Or have a group where one person will be the carry on shlepper while everyone else sees the town.  Or even come in a day early and do the Kenai Fjords day cruise.   

 

If you come in on the Regent train, you find it’s just a Regent Only car(s) hooked to the midday train.   You’ll go directly from the train to the ship and miss the town.   

[becknal]

We thank you for the information . We will try to take the train . Will send a review later . becknal

[the_travel_locks]

On 2/24/2019 at 2:26 AM, becknal said:

We thank you for the information . We will try to take the train . Will send a review later . becknal

Hi Becknal - hope your Alaska cruise and 60th anniversary celebration was lovely. We're keen to know what you ended up doing for transportation from Anchorage to Seward for your Regent cruise?  Many thanks

Jenni and Ken

[anlindst]

We are booked on June 21 cruise from Seward and taking the train from the Anchorage pre-cruise hotel. Very excited as have heard the train has incredible scenery! Do they still offer luggage transfer?