Carnival transfer - bus or Grandview Cruise Train?

[Canoe]

Good morning

I would first like to thank you all for the great information I've found so far.

My DH, DS and a friend will be travelling southbound on Carnival Spirit in early June next year, and we have the option of using the Carnival bus transfer (1.5 hours from Anchorage to Whittier), or the Grandview Cruise Train (3.75 hours). The advantage of the bus is that there are multiple departure times, and we could get on the ship fairly early in the day. The cruise train has 1 departure, at 2:15, and we would not get to the ship until 6:00pm.

 

Has anyone used the cruise train, and would you say that the experience, scenery, etc., outweighed the bus advantage of getting on the ship much earlier?

 

Thank you very much !

[Budget Queen]

The train Anchorage/Whittier is 2++ hours. And you have the option of taking the regular run of the Alaska RR Anchorage/Whittier that leaves at 10am for significantly less than the cruise line. The route and views are EXACTLY the same on this portion of the Seward Highway and rail.