Cruisetrain - Seward to Anchorage

[dluetje1]

Has anyone done the HAL Cruisetrain from Seward to Anchorage? What time does the train leave Seward and when does it arrive in Anchorage? Are seats assigned? Dining/bar car? Dome cars? Other cruise ships will be arriving the same day in Seward, does each cruise line have their own railway cars? Picture taking? My understanding is that a shuttle will take you to the airport. Is this the regularly scheduled Alaskan Railroad train or is it a special train just for arriving cruise ships? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

[Budget Queen]

This train leaves around 7am getting into Anchorage around noon. Seats are assigned and cruiseline cars are attached as needed. Not sure if the dome cars are running this section yet??

 

As only a suggestion, you are missing the best opportunity for touring, which is Kenai Fjords. This is an Alaska must do with excellent glaicer and varied wildlife viewing. Far more than any of your cruise ship touring. Consider staying in Seward and taking the regular run of the Alaska RR leaving at 6pm for about $40 less than the cruise contracted train. And take a 11:30am Kenai fjords boat tour that gets back in time for the train. Shuttles will pick up at the ship, store your bags and shuttle you to the train.

 

Here are some photos if you care to look. :) http://community.webshots.com/user/budgetqueen

[Krazy Kruizers]

At most there will be only 1 other cruise ship with in Seward.

 

A couple of years ago we did the train from Anchorage to Seward. We were not assigned seats - just directed to a certain car. There were so many train cars assigned to RCI and so many assigned for HAL. But the "bar" car was open to everyone from both cruise ships. We spent all of our time in the bar talking with a couple who wer sailing on the RCI ship who happen to have lived at one time in our area.

 

The train does leave at 7 AM - you will be up very early for breakfast.

[jhannah]

We really enjoyed the train ride. The scenery is spectacular. We thought we were through seeing glaciers once we got off the ship ... but we came upon them during our rail journey.

 

If I remember correctly, there is an observation area outside, so you can go out to take pictures.

 

Budget Queen has a great suggestion. If you can work that into your schedule, take the tour then ride the rails into town.

[caviargal]

I did not have an advance reservation; just walked up to the ticket window and bought one. No problems at all. We did not get assigned seats and spent a lot of time in the dome car, which was very nice.