Empire Builder with Alaska Cruise via Glacier Bay

Arrive at Chicago's historic Union Station for your 2:15 pm departure aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder. Settle in for the 2,206-mile journey through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. As you travel northwest to Winona, Minnesota, meet volunteer park rangers occasionally from the Chicago/Mississippi National River and Recreation Area who will share stories and artifacts from the region as part of the Trails & Rails program. This evening, enjoy a hot meal in the Dining Car and settle in for your first evening aboard the train as you travel through the Wisconsin Dells and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Overnight train. (D)

As you awake this morning, the train makes its way through North Dakota and into Montana's Big Sky Country. As you enjoy a delicious breakfast in the Dining Car, review the route map and take note of today's scenic highlights. Don't miss the spectacular Gassman Coulee Trestle west of Minot in the morning. Keep your camera handy today as you'll be passing through unspoiled natural beauty ripe with wildlife including bison, elk, prairie dogs, foxes, muskrats, white-tailed deer, and bald eagles. As the train continues to move westward, the landscape gives way to rolling hills, canyons, gorges, and rugged mountain terrain. The Sightseer Lounge, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, is the best place to enjoy the passing scenery, especially as the train rolls through Glacier National Park this evening. Overnight train. (B, L, D)

You know you are nearing the end of your rail journey when you glimpse the peaks of Mount Rainier in the distance. With a mid morning arrival in Seattle, you have the better part of the day to explore the city at your leisure. Don't miss the city's main attractions including the imposing Space Needle, the Experience Music Project, Pike Place Market, and historic Pioneer Square. Overnight Seattle. (B)

This afternoon board your included transfer to the pier and prepare to board Holland America's ms Oosterdam for the second half of this memorable vacation. Your ship sets sail at 4:00 pm, giving you plenty of time to settle into your cabin before heading on deck to wave good-bye to magnificent Seattle. With the next day at sea, there is ample time to explore the ship and all its amenities and activities. Overnight ship. (D)

Today indulge in some of the ship's finer amenities. Treat yourself to a hot stone massage at the spa, spend time at the Culinary Arts Center-presented by Food & Wine Magazine-or play a game of chance at the casino. Enjoy a gourmet meal and dancing this evening. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Alaska's capital city of Juneau is located on the Gastineau Channel in Alaska's panhandle and is home to the Juneau Icefield. Sitting atop steep mountains is the Juneau Icefield, a large ice mass encompassing more than 30 glaciers including the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. In addition to the Juneau Icefield, consider a visit to the lush Tongass National Forest, browse the rustic local shops, or climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for beautiful views and a great spot to hike. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Hubbard Glacier is up to 213 feet wide at its face and 164 feet tall, but that’s only the tiniest piece of the ice: The main channel of this frozen river begins 76 miles back, pouring down from around the 11,100-foot mark off the shoulder of Mt. Walsh. Hubbard is the longest tidewater glacier (meaning it ends at the ocean) in North America. But unlike nearly every other tidewater glacier on the continent, Hubbard is advancing, not retreating; it’s forever pushing a little further into the bay. Chunks of ice that break off become floaties for seals, who like the bergs because orca sonar doesn’t work well among them. The deep blue of the face of the glacier on a sunny day—the color made by compression of ice crystals that can be a foot or more long—is the blue of the furthest stars. The glacier is on the move.

Situated on the west side of Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago, Sitka is flanked by majestic mountains and the glistening Pacific Ocean. The town's history as a Russian settlement can be seen in its early architecture, like the onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral, a National Historical Landmark since 1962. Spend the day uncovering the town's storied history. Enjoy a performance by the New Archangel Dancers, meet Tlingt natives, and stand on the spot where the United States took possession of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million-less than two cents per acre. Visit the Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska's oldest federally designated park. Hike the scenic coastal trails within the park and discover a collection of cedar totem poles donated by Native leaders in southeast Alaska. Or, shop in the downtown district and pop into the Sheldon Jackson Museum, Alaska's oldest museum with collections that represent the state's rich history and diverse cultures. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World" and home to the world's largest collection of totem poles, Ketchikan is the southernmost city in Alaska and today's port of call. Appreciate the town's sights and attractions with a self-guided walking tour. A highlight of your route can include Creek Street, a wooden boardwalk featuring museums, galleries, restaurants, and popular local shops. The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center provides insight into the profound significance of the Tongass National Forest. Or visit the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center to get a firsthand look at the state's salmon hatchery program and see rescue birds and its rehabilitation program. The Totem Heritage Center showcases a collection of 19th century totem poles, and the Saxman Native Village and Totem Bight State Park respectively offer a glimpse into native Tlingt traditions. A must-see attraction in Ketchikan is Misty Fjords National Monument, a protected area of more than 2,294,000 acres of Tongass National Forest in Alaska's panhandle. These deep water fjords left by retreating glaciers created granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls tumbling into tranquil waters. Try a flightseeing trip to get an up close and personal perspective on this breathtaking sight and gain a unique vantage point from which to snap priceless souvenir photos. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

The ms Oosterdam sails into Victoria, British Columbia today. The city's British heritage is evident from the double-decker buses and horse-drawn carriages to the tea rooms and vibrant gardens. Victoria has earned the reputation as the "City of Gardens," and no trip to this beautiful city is complete without a visit to the 55-acre Butchart Gardens with its year-round brilliantly-colored blooms. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Your magical Alaska cruise comes to a close this morning as you dock in Seattle. Consider extending your stay in Seattle to fully explore the city, or your transfers are included for your return flight after 1:00 pm. (B)