Celebrity Train to Seward

[ahwahoo2006]

Does Celebrity still have a chartered train to Seward for departures? The regularly scheduled Alaska Railroad train departs at like 7am, which is a little early considering we get in at like 9pm the night before. There doesn't seem to be an option to purchase transfers via Celebrity - is it still too early?

[GTJ]

4 hours ago, ahwahoo2006 said:

Does Celebrity still have a chartered train to Seward for departures? The regularly scheduled Alaska Railroad train departs at like 7am, which is a little early considering we get in at like 9pm the night before. There doesn't seem to be an option to purchase transfers via Celebrity - is it still too early?

The regularly scheduled train departs even earlier than that: 6:45 a.m. I have heard nothing of Royal Caribbean Group suspending its chartering of train service, and thus I assume that service will be provided for Celebrity Cruises departures. The Royal Caribbean Group charter train service is expected to operate every Friday, from May 10, 2024, through September 13, 2024, departing the Anchorage airport (not downtown Anchorage) at approximately 1:00 p.m., arriving in Seward at 5:30 p.m. From downtown Anchorage use People Mover bus route route to the airport and its train station.

[ahwahoo2006]

1 minute ago, GTJ said:

I have heard nothing of Royal Caribbean Group suspending its chartering of train service

 

Thanks! I'll keep checking. Worst case we end up taking one of the charter busses.

[GTJ]

1 minute ago, ahwahoo2006 said:

 

Thanks! I'll keep checking. Worst case we end up taking one of the charter busses.

The buses chartered by Royal Caribbean Group for its Celebrity Cruises passengers might only depart from the airport. Additionally, beyond chartered buses there are regularly scheduled buses that might be better priced or scheduled. This includes the "Park Connection" service operated by Premier Alaska Tours and brokered by Alaska Tour & Travel, departing the Dena'ina Civic Center in downtown Anchorage at 3:00 p.m., arriving in Seward at 5:45 p.m.; and the service operated by Alaska Cruise Transportation departing the Anchorage airport at 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m., arriving in Seward at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively.

[ahwahoo2006]

Thanks again. We've taken the ACT bus in the past, but we really hoping to be able to take the train. Fingers crossed!

[ahwahoo2006]

29 minutes ago, GTJ said:

I have heard nothing of Royal Caribbean Group suspending its chartering of train service

I actually just heard back from my TA who said they contacted Celebrity and they aren't offering train service anymore, but I'm going to try to confirm directly with X.

[GTJ]

It is perfect that you have both an intended plan and a Plan B. Also, I did not mention in the prior post, that the "Park Connection" also includes a morning departure from downtown Anchorage, at 7:00 a.m., arriving in Seward at 10:00 a.m.

Edited January 2 by GTJ

[GTJ]

8 minutes ago, ahwahoo2006 said:

I actually just heard back from my TA who said they contacted Celebrity and they aren't offering train service anymore, but I'm going to try to confirm directly with X.

I would be wary of both Celebrity representatives and travel agents that do not specialize in railroad travel. Neither can be expected to have much, if any, knowledge of railroad operations. You might receive a better response by communicating with the Alaska Railroad directly, reservations@akrr.com, and inquire as to whether there is a contract, or a contract is expected to be signed, for train service chartered by Royal Caribbean Group. This is a substantial business for the Alaska Railroad, for it not only involves the Friday service for Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, but also the Thursday service for Silverseas Cruises. Absent a contract, the Alaska Railroad be left only with the Carnival contract (the most substantial) and Norwegian Cruise Line (operating only on alternate Mondays).

Edited January 2 by GTJ

[ahwahoo2006]

1 hour ago, GTJ said:

You might receive a better response by communicating with the Alaska Railroad directly

Thank you! You have been so helpful!

[ahwahoo2006]

Updating in case anyone else is looking for this information. I heard back from X and they confirmed that they would be offering train service.

 

"We highly appreciate your patience; we can confirm that we will be offering this service for the season. However, our teams are working on finalizing pricing and operational requirements hence the reason is still not available for sale."

[Northern Aurora]

Thanks for the update.  For those interested in booking the cruise line chartered train the train cars are boarded at the Seward cruise terminal (think warehouse) along the ship.

[Coral]

The train ride to Seward is stunning - definitely worth it. I personally would go with Alaska RR and get into Seward early as you can then take in a Kenai Fjord trip before you get on the ship.

[SoloAlaska]

We had a flight come in late last year and had the early morning train (got 4 hours sleep) and it was still worth it. We then took a tour with Seward City Tours which was fabulous.