Alaskan Cruise: Taking train from Seattle to Vancouver on embarkation morning?

[JenMarie82]

We will be flying into Seattle the Saturday before boarding on Monday morning. We would like to spend all of Sunday in Seattle if possible since we will be spending an extra day in Vancouver at the end of the trip, but our kids have been wanting to do a train ride for a few years now. Has anyone ever taken it embarkation morning? I've mainly seen reports of taking it up the day before. It says we would arrive approximately 11:45 am, but unsure how far the train station and the cruise port are apart, which would make a bit of a difference. I think it is an okay option, but was wondering if anyone had actually done it and what your thoughts were.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

We took the Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver last June, but it was the day before departure, on Sunday. It left Seattle at 7:40 AM and arrived at 11:40 AM in Vancouver. It was one of our favorite parts of our trip, as the scenery out window was quite spectacular at times. Can you theoretically do it the day of departure? Sure, it's only a few minutes in a taxi to the port from the train station. But I would not risk it. It's not worth something going wrong and you missing the sailing. (The folks on the train told us that sometimes they are significantly delayed at the border crossing.) Besides, there is tons to do in Vancouver. We went to Queen Elizabeth Gardens on Sunday before the cruise and after the cruise we spent Monday afternoon in VanDusen Botanical Gardens and the next day in Stanley Park (our flight back was Tuesday night).

 

[bumbershoot]

Knowing the foibles of Amtrak, that is not something in my comfort zone. The train station and Canada Place are an easy cab ride apart, but I've been stopped on the tracks for an hour because of a broken down freight train before, we have gotten to the station only to find that we would now be on a bus because of a landslide on the tracks 2.5 days before. Amtrak doesn't own the rails; freight does, so freight gets priority. And amtrak is known to get delayed the more stops they have.

I am SURE that plenty of people have done just what you intend and it has gone just fine. It's just not something I would do.

Plus, I find Vancouver to be an even more awesome city than Seattle, and would (and have) spend extra time touring Vancouver over spending a day in Seattle.

 

[MUN]

Are you flying out of Seattle on the way home? If so, have you thought about switching it around and spending your time in Vancouver b/4 the cruise and Seattle after the cruise? That may make more sense as far as getting to and from the airport.

MUN

 

[southerngirl528]

I've done the Cascades train from Vancouver TO Seattle after our Alaska cruise a couple of years ago, which gave us several hours to explore Vancouver which we enjoyed. I do have to agree that I don't think I would risk doing the train the day of the cruise.

The train trip was fun, btw, and we had our 2 little ones who were scarcely 3 & 5 and it was great!

 

[xlxo]

8 minute cab ride...
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Pac...1!1s0x5486719d24e2e021:0xb7057fe085c86109!3e0

Note, if there are landslides along the track... train passengers are directed to a bus.

Most slides/train interruptions happen in winter. But a series of Spring storms can make things complicated. Quick shuttle may be safer (not missing the Wonder) and more predictable.

 

[MelSpees]

There are a number of people taking the train on embarkation day of the Hawaii cruise. We live in Bremerton across from Seattle. While this is tempting, we're not going to chance it. It would be fun to take the train, though. It's a beautiful trip. We'll either go up the day before or have our son drive us early on the day. There are many more options should something happen on the road, than there are on the train.

 

[JenMarie82]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone! We need to fly into Seattle and out of Vancouver due to flight times and such (using a different airline there and back), but may be able to add on an extra day at the beginning in Seattle and then leave for Vancouver Sunday morning. I appreciate all the info and suggestions. Happy cruising, everyone!