The Great Northwest and Alaska Cruise

Tour Information

GrandLuxe Rail Journeys operates America’s premier private train on 7 to 9 night itineraries through the Western United States, National Parks, and Canada. Enjoy fine dining and beautiful vistas in comfortable luxury aboard classic, restored and private railcars. Let the gentle motion of the train rock you to sleep each night, and then wake to a world of new adventures
On NCL’s Norwegian Star you will have 13 superb choices for dining, with tempting selections that range from Asian fusion and French Mediterranean to all-American and there is a wide array of staterooms and suites to accommodate however you choose to spend your time on board

Day 1

Jackson, Wyoming
Fly into Jackson, Wyoming—often called “Jackson Hole”—and meet your fellow travelers at a special Welcome Dinner. Spend the night at a Jackson/Teton Village area deluxe hotel.

Day 2

Grand Teton National Park
Be awe-inspired by dramatic mountains that reach straight for the sky. Centuries ago, Native Americans hunted the great elk herds that gathered here. Pine forests and delicate strands of aspen decorate the valley at the base of the serrated Teton Mountains. This morning, explore this range, perhaps the most abrupt and breathtaking in America, with Grand Teton towering 13,770 feet. You’ll explore Jenny Lake—majestic, yet tranquil, a favorite site for photographers and sightseers—and the Church of the Transfiguration, a rustic log chapel. For an additional cost, add on an optional excursion that begins with an early breakfast, followed by a gentle, scenic float trip on the Snake River before reuniting with the group. Spend time enjoying the collection at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, which overlooks the elk refuge. After a full day of touring, your hotel provides dinner and overnight accommodations.

Day 3

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The world’s first national park is filled with wildlife and natural wonders. More than 10,000 boiling springs, mud pots, and geysers—including Old Faithful—are testimony to the geothermal activity rising unusually close to the earth’s surface. The two million acres of protected land at Yellowstone National Park are inhabited by bears, bald eagles, and herds of bison and elk. Guides lead you to West Thumb Geyser Basin, one of the smallest—yet one of the most scenic—geyser basins in Yellowstone. You’ll also visit Fountain Paint Pots and Old Faithful, where you’ll stop for lunch. For an additional cost, add on a 3-mile hike to a backcountry geyser and learn even more about Yellowstone’s thermal features. Later, transfer to the train for dinner and the first night on board the train as we travel to Helena.

Day 4

Helena, Montana
Experience Montana’s rich history and scenery. The state capital offers a sense of Montana’s history as you tour the city and its landmarks. Dedicated in 1902, the capitol building houses commemorative western artwork, including Charles M. Russell’s largest painting. At the Montana Historical Society Museum, explore permanent exhibits on this territory and its native cultures. Return to the train for lunch, then head for Holter Lake, a reservoir on the Missouri River, and board a boat for a cruise to Gates of the Mountain—1,200-foot cliffs that create the illusion of gates opening to the mountains. Named by Lewis and Clark during their Corps of Discovery expedition, the limestone cliffs also contain ancient petroglyphs. Enjoy beautiful scenery as we leave Helena and ride the rails towards Glacier National Park.

Day 5

Glacier National Park, Montana
A million acres of beauty. Glacier National Park encompasses more than a million acres of cedar, hemlock, fir, and pine forests; green alpine meadows; and hundreds of lakes. Its diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds. You’ll tour this spectacular wonderland via the Going to the Sun Road, a 52-mile highway that splits the park east and west. Crossing the Continental Divide at 6,646-foot Logan Pass, the Going to the Sun Road gives you an ideal vantage point to observe virtually every type of terrain in the park, from the forested lower valleys dotted with glacial lakes to the windswept alpine tundra at the pass. Back on board the train; enjoy dinner as we continue west to Coeur d’Alene.

Day 6

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Wake to breakfast onboard as we head towards Coeur d’Alene. This gorgeous lakefront resort town has a ruggedly beautiful setting. Named “sharp-hearted” by French traders in respect for the tough trading practices of local Indian tribes, the city has become one of the Northwest’s most popular vacation spots. After breakfast on the train, set out for a tour of the local area, featuring lunch on the lake. Watch for moose, bald eagles, and other wildlife.

Day 7

Columbia River Gorge or Cascades
Ride the rails. Enjoy a full day of running on the train as one beautiful sight after another unfolds outside your window. We will either travel through Washington’s Cascade Mountains or through the Columbia River Gorge. The stunning Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular 80-mile long river canyon that cuts the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range, with a depth of up to 4,000 feet. One of the day’s highlights is sure to be afternoon tea featuring pastries made on board the train. Overnight on the train as we head to Mt. Rainier.

Day 8

Mt. Rainier National Park
Take the Road to Paradise. Today the train parks at the base of 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier, the third highest mountain in the Lower 48. Here you’ll board a Motorcoach and take the Road to Paradise, one of the park’s main lookouts, which offers an unparalleled view of Mt. Rainier’s summit. As you walk through the park, be on the lookout for more than 200 varieties of wildflowers. Back on board the train, enjoy a farewell dinner en route to Seattle.

Day 9

Seattle, Washington
Your GrandLuxe rail journey comes to a close. We arrive in Seattle’s historic King Street Station this morning. Stay on in Seattle for additional sightseeing—including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and ferries to nearby island

Day 10

Embark this afternoon on the Norwegian Star for the start of your Alaska cruise. Cruise is scheduled to depart at 4.00pm

Day 11

At Sea

Day 12

Ketchikan Arrive 7.00 AM – Depart 3.00 PM
This stop offers a unique chance to learn about the history, lifestyle and lore of the Northwest Coastal Natives. Step into an authentic ceremonial clan house and immerse yourself in stories that describe the lifestyle and rituals practiced by the original inhabitants

Day 13

Juneau Arrive 7.00 AM – Depart 1.30 PM
Take time to visit the state’s capital and its scenic attractions, including one of the world’s only drive-to glaciers, the Mendenhall

Day 14

Skagway Arrive 7.00 AM – Depart 5.00 PM
Keep your camera handy. Skagway’s unique and historic downtown offers streets lined with wooden boardwalks and false fronted buildings. Show girls flaunt their stuff at Liarsville Gold Rush Camp. Take time to wander after dinner

Day 15

Prince Rupert Arrive 5.00 PM – Depart 10.00 PM
See the city and catch the area’s two most popular attractions! Your tour features the Canadian National Historic Site at North Pacific Cannery for a look at the coast’s salmon canning and fishing industry. See where men, women and children laboured under harsh conditions and hear the whish of belts when the old equipment fires up.

Day 16

At Sea

Day 17

Seattle – Arrive 7.00 AM
Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking. Independent transfer to the airport for you flight back to the UK

Day 18

Arrive back in the UK at your chosen airport

The Norwegian Star was built for Freestyle Cruising, with a long list of options for every type of client. You’ll have 13 superb choices for dining, with tempting selections that range from Asian fusion and French Mediterranean to all-American. There is a wide array of staterooms and suites to accommodate however you choose to spend your time on board, so treat yourself with a no-rules, freedom filled cruise north to Alaska’s pristine waters

What is included
Transatlantic flights on scheduled airlines
2 nights accommodation in Jackson, Wyoming at 4 star hotel
6 nights accommodation on the GrandLux Railway in Vintage Pullman cabin
1 night accommodation in Seattle in a 4 star hotel
7 nights NCL Freestyle cruising® on Norwegian Star based on Inside Stateroom
All meals and entertainment aboard ship and rail journey
All government fees and taxes – airline taxes and fuel surcharges