One of the unique things about cruising from Seward is you can take the Alaska Railroad from the airport to the cruise terminal. I had heard it’s a scenic ride that lasts 4-5 hours. This was definitely on my list.

To get on this railroad they recommend you have a flight that comes in by 11am. Since NCL was booking my flights, I had to at a minimum request a Sunday flight to ensure I would be there in time for the train. To ensure I had time to spend in Anchorage, I requested the Saturday flight that I got.

I had two options for booking the train ride. Through NCL I could book it as an excursion. They are giving me $50 off of excursions making it a $69 train ride. Or I could book directly through Alaska Railroad for $119. If I booked through the railroad my only option was a 6:45am train. With the cruise line my only option was 1pm. I decided to book through the cruise line and spend more time in Anchorage instead of getting on the ship earlier.

The two trains leave from different locations. The train you book through the railroad leaves from the depot near downtown Anchorage. The train you book through NCL leaves from the airport. Since I was staying in downtown Anchorage, I had to add a $20 Lyft to my trip cost.

At the airport you have to go down to floor 0 from either the arrivals or departures area. Once you’re down there you’ll see this sign.

You go down a long hallway which is basically under ground below the taxis. Then you get to this.

Once upstairs I saw this sign saying baggage drop off outside.

I went outside the doors by the sign but found no baggage drop off.

You actually have to walk through this room, out the back door, and around the corner to where the buses are and baggage drop off. My goal was to be here at 12pm for the 1pm train. It’s 12:11 right now.

If you have a luggage tag you can place your bags with the others. If you don’t you get one at this table.

I dropped my bag at 12:15.

Once you have dropped off your bags you can get in line to get a  train ticket. I got in this line at 12:19.

 

At this point I’m starting to have my doubts about this train leaving at 1pm. I just got inside the building at 12:25.

At 12:48 I made it through the first line where you have to show them your passport and they give you your room key.

After that there’s a second line where you get your train ticket.

I got my ticket at 1:02. That was a relief because I was hearing whispers about them not having enough seats. I would suggest getting here more than an hour early.

Once you have your ticket you go up the escalator.

My ticket says car 556, seat 11B.

I am onboard at 1:04pm.

They have tables and 11B is on the aisle.

The bar is right behind me.

This is the menu.

I got a spicy bloody mary.

And we are on our way.

Mud flats. Those are very dangerous. You want to stay away from them.

Spencer glacier. If you are staying in Anchorage and want to see Spencer glacier they have a train stop and various tours at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop.

I finished my bloody mary and switched to Denali Lager.

Placer river

Bartlett glacier

Passing another train.

Now I’m trying a Railroad Golden Ale.

The runway at Seward Airport.

And we made it to the ship.

And I am off of the train at 5:52pm. Just short of five hours after the train’s scheduled departure time.

I inquired about our luggage and was told it would be delivered to our rooms on the ship.

Next time we’ll do embarkation.