Alaskan RR GoldStar vs Royal Caribbean Anchorage to Seward

[avatar133]

So there's an excursion train from Anchorage to Seward and for my cruise it's listed at $259, but on the Railroad's website, GoldStar service is listed at $220. Is there a difference between the two? Do they both come with food and the wrap-around glass train?

[LeeW]

Royal train is a charter that unloads on the pier fairly late in the afternoon.  If you want to get to the ship early you need to take a bus.

 

Actual Goldstar (and Adventure class) boards at 6 am downtown Anchorage and gets in to Seward around 11.  This ends at the terminal in Seward, with trolley to pier available (although only about a 15 minute walk).

 

We booked Goldstar for this summer directly with the railroad because we want to get to Seward and the ship much earlier than the charter train.  Includes a meal (but pretty limited breakfast menu), soft drinks, two alcoholic drinks, and the glass dome view.  Adventure class is seating only plus a snack bar and some space in a dome car.  Slower than a bus but we considered this as an excursion and granddaughters haven't taken a large sightseeing train.