train from anchorage to seward

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camz

Guest
six of us are booked on celebrity summit out of seward on may 27. we are arriving in anchorage two days prior (staying at westmark) and, since we are complete novices at this, would like to know if we should book the train to seward ourselves (at $50) or book through celebrity--meet at the convention center downtown and let celebrity take over from there at $100 ea. don't know the logistics of getting from the train to the ship if we book on our own. plus, would we be stuck on a street corner in seward with all our bags until we could board the ship? if we book on our own, the train leaves anchorage at 6:45 a.m. i don't think the train booked through celebrity leaves until the afternoon. would appreciate any help. seems like i'm the organizer for the group and i don't want to mess up!
 
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damioninalaska

Guest
I just looked at the AKRR site at the timetable to confirm what I thought: The train leaves at 0645 like you said, and arrives in Seward at 1100, then sits at the station in seward till the return in the evening. There is not a cruise train that goes in the afternoon. I see no reason to spend the extra $50 for a cruise excursion. The westmark is about a 5 min cab ride to the train station. When you get to Seward, at 1100, the train station is again about a 5 min cab ride to the pier, maybe more like 3 min, but I wouldn't want to walk it with luggage. There will be cabs waiting for the train when it gets there. I think you could drop you luggage at the ship then head into seward. (It is a very small town)

http://www.alaskarailroad.com/passenger/tt_may-sept.htm

Damion in Alaska
 
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camz

Guest
thank you, damion. my confusion seems to come from one of the "excursion" listings for celebrity which indicates you can meet at the conference center downtown to do paperwork for the cruise & then take the train. i'm assuming it's in the afternoon because you cannot be booked on a flight that arrives in anchorage after 11:00 a.m. and still participate. it does seem foolish to pay an extra $50 for someone to handle your luggage!
 
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BarbaraK

Guest
We took the train the day before the cruise and stayed at the Windsong Lodge In Seward. We then took a taxi to the cruiseship.
We really enjoyed the train ride and the lodge is very nice .
Have a wonderful trip! :)
 
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camz

Guest
thanks. i appreciate all the information i can get. we are sooo excited and looking forward to may!
 
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Colo Cruiser

Guest
We booked it online too. Take the early 6AM train. Beautiful ride and a big savings over the cruise line. Ask for seats facing each other with a table in between. They will reserve it for you.
 
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camz

Guest
thanks. i'm convinced. i'll book the 6:45 a.m. train trip. i'll have more questions later; i'm actually loaded with them!
 
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chefmark

Guest
There IS a later train to Seward. I just booked it. The train ride you can book through Alaska Rail does leave at 6:45am, which is too early for me to get up, especially after drving in from Denali the night before. But you are able to book the train with Celebrity, which requires you to meet at the Eagan Center at 10am. They will pick up your luggage and deliver it to your room aboard the cruise ship that evening. Celebrity then picks up their last flight guests from the airport & departs right before noon for arrival in Seward around 5pm. This costs $89 per person.
 
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Chippsetter

Guest
Daimion, The later trains are chartered by the cruiselines. That is why you don't see it on the schedule.
 
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