Alaska Railroad luggage transfer to cruise ship

Question

We are booked to go from Anchorage to Seward. We're booked on a Kenai Cruise directly from the train and will board our Cruise ship later that day. Will the railroad transfer our luggage directly to our cruise ship?

Thank you.

Answer

The Alaska Railroad offers a convenient way to travel from Anchorage to Seward, and they do provide options for passengers connecting directly to Kenai Fjords or other cruise departures. However, luggage handling depends on the type of service you booked and the cruise line arrangements.

Here’s what you should know:

Direct luggage transfer: Alaska Railroad does offer a service called “Rail and Sail” when booked through certain cruise packages. With this, your checked luggage can be tagged and transferred from the train to the cruise ship. This is typically arranged if you booked your train ticket and cruise as part of the same package.
Independent bookings: If you booked your train and cruise separately, the railroad generally will not automatically transfer your luggage to the cruise ship. In that case, you will need to collect your luggage at the Seward train depot and take it to the cruise terminal yourself, either by shuttle, taxi, or hotel transfer.
Luggage limits: Even with “Rail and Sail” packages, there are limits on the number and size of bags that can be transferred, so it’s important to confirm these with both the railroad and the cruise line.

Recommendations:

Contact Alaska Railroad customer service to confirm whether your specific train ticket includes luggage transfer to the cruise ship.
Check with your cruise line to verify that they will receive and load your luggage from the train.
Have a backup plan in case luggage transfer is not available—consider a short taxi or shuttle from the train depot to the cruise terminal.
Label your luggage clearly and keep any valuables or necessary items with you in a carry-on, in case there is a delay in transfer.

In summary, automatic luggage transfer from the Alaska Railroad to a cruise ship is only guaranteed if booked as part of a coordinated “Rail and Sail” package. If not, you will need to personally transport your luggage from the Seward train station to the cruise ship. Confirming arrangements with both the railroad and cruise line ahead of time will ensure a smooth connection.