Alaska cruise coming quick

[DISNEYFOURME]

Well our cruise that seemed so far away will be here really quick (August 11th). Unfortunately airfare from Chicago is still expensive, especially to/from Vancouver. Fortunately we are going to visit my sister in Seattle first. That then requires even more planning. It seems we will take the Amtrak the Saturday before the cruise to Vancouver. I've read it's over a 4 hour ride. We then will stay a few days in Vancouver. Tentatively we are scheduled to stay at a Holiday inn in North Vancouver. Then on the way home the Amtrak train isn't available so we plan on taking a bus to Seattle airport. This all seems so overwhelming.. The idea of planes, trains and automobiles.. in addition to borders and customs..lol. Plus all the excursions while on the cruise.. Luckily my kids are 12 and 17 so no babies. However my youngest is my car sick kid.. hoping this isn't going to be too stressful of a trip! Anyone else do anything similar and survive?!

 

[dclwonderprincess]

Have you joined the cruise meet page or Facebook group yet?

 

[jetskigrl]

Well our cruise that seemed so far away will be here really quick (August 11th). Unfortunately airfare from Chicago is still expensive, especially to/from Vancouver. Fortunately we are going to visit my sister in Seattle first. That then requires even more planning. It seems we will take the Amtrak the Saturday before the cruise to Vancouver. I've read it's over a 4 hour ride. We then will stay a few days in Vancouver. Tentatively we are scheduled to stay at a Holiday inn in North Vancouver. Then on the way home the Amtrak train isn't available so we plan on taking a bus to Seattle airport. This all seems so overwhelming.. The idea of planes, trains and automobiles.. in addition to borders and customs..lol. Plus all the excursions while on the cruise.. Luckily my kids are 12 and 17 so no babies. However my youngest is my car sick kid.. hoping this isn't going to be too stressful of a trip! Anyone else do anything similar and survive?!

We will be doing the same thing as you (planes, trains and automobiles, well bus, LOL). We are on the August 11th cruise with you too
And my kids are 16 and 10 (11 when we cruise)

We are flying from Los Angeles on the 9th and staying at the Pan Pacific two nights. Then after the cruise, we are taking Quick Shuttle to Seattle and staying two nights there. Then we will take the Amtrak (Coast Starlight) back to Los Angeles.

 

[sambycat]

just back from the 9 night alaskan - we flew in and out of seattle and amtraked it to vancouver and back AND SURVIVED!!!!


the train was neat! it wasn’t over 4 hours. it’s like 3.5-ish each way. customs wasn’t bad. the seattle end of the train was a little confusing to me because it was just people and no one telling you where to go (it’s not a big station). baggage check is to the left as you enter, it is separate from the ticketing train platform entrance and you drop your luggage (if you are checking it) with a person to that left side. the corridor area is labeled “baggage” but it’s also the baggage pick up area so we were momentarily perplexed. it’s all every neat. train was cool, customs as you get off the train there. vancouver is beautiful!:good vibes

ETA - also decent snacks/breakfast on the train as well as cocktails! yay!bloody marys!

 

[SG101]

We're flying to seattle in a few weeks and taking Amtrak to vancouver WE are excited to experience the train. After a vacation, I usually just want to get home ASAP so we're flying from Vancouver back to so cal $196 per ticket - worth it in my opinion.

If your youngest gets car sick, I wouldn't drive or take the bus - too long of a trip.

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Omg how stupid am I? The cruise ends on 11th! We will be on the August 4th cruise...I've spent too much time researching airfare and trains today so the 11th is in my brain. Anyway, glad to hear of positive feedback about Amtrack!

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

We will be doing the same thing as you (planes, trains and automobiles, well bus, LOL). We are on the August 11th cruise with you too And my kids are 16 and 10 (11 when we cruise) We are flying from Los Angeles on the 9th and staying at the Pan Pacific two nights. Then after the cruise, we are taking Quick Shuttle to Seattle and staying two nights there. Then we will take the Amtrak (Coast Starlight) back to Los Angeles.

Omg I apparently have been doing too much research on flights, trains and buses today! Our cruise ends on the 11th! Duh!

 

[jetskigrl]

Omg I apparently have been doing too much research on flights, trains and buses today! Our cruise ends on the 11th! Duh!