North-Bound Seward to Anchorage AK RR

[don't-use-real-name]

Arriving at Seward on the JEWEL in the am - is there a NCL chartered Alaska Railroad train to Anchorage within a few hours

or do you have to wait around until 6 pm for the scheduled Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic train ?

 

Objective take the Alaska Railroad where ever possible avoiding tour motor coach buses

 

Plan two a day stay in Anchorage and the Denali train to Fairbanks on the third day

 

Want to reverse the trip of 2019 ending at Fairbanks

 

Thanks for any details info !

[Cruiser933]

I was originally scheduled for this cruise for this August before it was canceled. Yes, there was an early morning train excursion available through NCL that is not on the Alaskan RR site. I moved my cruise to next year and this excursion is not available yet, but I assume it will be added later.

[Coral]

FYI - you may want to look at staying one night in Seward. It is amazing and for me, much funner than Anchorage.

[Tkhalaska]

Seward is worth an overnight stay.  If I only had 1 day, I would be going to the Sealife Center and going to Exit Glacier.  Pre-Covid there were shuttles to the glacier visitor center, not sure what the situation will be when you go but you will need to arrange some type of transportation.  Any leftover time can be used strolling the harbor or looking in all the funky shops downtown.  If you can't get on an early train the next morning, take a full or half day wildlife viewing cruise or kayak and then take the evening train.

[don't-use-real-name]

Thank for the info !

[Cruiser933]

When I looked, the only option for an early train was to book through the cruise line.I was considering spending a night, but found I would then need to spend two days in Seward and take the train the next evening.

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Thank for the info !

 

I'll add to Tkhalaska's suggestions a Kenai Fjords Cruise.  Seward is such a neat town!

[don't-use-real-name]

In 2019 took the AK RR from Fairbanks to Anchorage

Leaves 08:xx and arrives 20:xx

Spent 2 days at Anchorage then on the day of sailing NCL JEWEL

Anchorage (Seward) to Vancouver

Left on the AK RR Coastal Classic train 

Leaves 06:45 and arrives Seward 11:10  *** WOW what a trip ! ! !

 

In 2022 want to do the reverse of this - - -

 

All AK RR travel was in Gold Star bi-level cars - impressive views and service

And the high point "The Mountain was Out" Denali in all its glory -

Now proud member of the 30% club 

[Coral]

58 minutes ago, Cruiser933 said:

When I looked, the only option for an early train was to book through the cruise line.I was considering spending a night, but found I would then need to spend two days in Seward and take the train the next evening.

Two days in Seward is better than two days in Anchorage. I could easily fill two days in Seward.

[oaktreerb]

Are you spending any time in Denali?

[rkacruiser]

23 hours ago, Coral said:

Two days in Seward is better than two days in Anchorage. I could easily fill two days in Seward.

 

I prefer two days at least in each community.  

[Ashland]

The cruiseline booked train transfer we did from Seward to ANC was an amazing option...that left early morning from right next to where we docked....4 hours 126 miles narrated.