How to Take an Amtrak Train to Your Cruise Port
Ride the train to your cruise port and forget flying!
For those to love to cruise, life is easier living near a cruise ship homeport. There’s less stress on embarkation day with only short drive to the port.
If you don’t live near a homeport, your choices to get there are limited. Endure a long-distance car ride or for even more stress, cram yourself and your family into an airplane. Some people simply refuse to fly, which seriously can limit their travel chances. There is a better way to get to your port: take the train!
Amtrak is America’s passenger train. Arrive at an Amtrak station 45 minutes before your train is scheduled to arrive. After the train attendant helps you step onboard, you’ll nestle into your sleeping compartment or reclining wide seat. With over 500 stations in 46 states and Washington, D.C, there’s bound to be an Amtrak train to get to your cruise ship’s homeport.
HOW TO GET THERE
Florida Cruise Ports
Running from Boston, New York City and Washington DC, all the way to Miami, are two daily overnight trains, operating two different routes.
One train, the Silver Meteor, heads due south along the eastern seaboard, to Jacksonville, Orlando (Port Canaveral), Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.
The other train, the Silver Star, follows much the same route, but at midway, veers inland to service passengers from Raleigh, NC to Savannah, GA.
If you’re cruising from Tampa, the Silver Star will get you there. Almost. Just south of Orlando, in Kissimmee, passengers leave the train to board a dedicated Amtrak motor coach to Tampa. Those headed to Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami stay onboard. Upon arrival at any of the destinations, it’s a short taxi ride to the port or better yet, to a pre-cruise night hotel.
If you’re cruising from Port Canaveral, plan to depart the train in Winter Park or Orlando where you can rent a car or pre-arrange a shuttle service for the easy, 1-hour drive to Port Canaveral or a local area hotel.
Los Angeles Cruise Ports
(Long Beach and San Pedro)
Just because you live hundreds or even thousands of miles from Los Angeles, doesn’t mean spending hours in the sky to get there. Amtrak operates four almost-transcontinental trains from the east coast, Midwest and southern states as well as an overnight train from Washington state.
Your overland journey begins in New York City or Washington DC. Both cities have three overnight trains to Chicago. Westbound from Chicago, there are two trains going to Los Angeles; the California Zephyr in less than 50 hours and the Southwest Chief in about 43 hours.
Arrival into the splendidly restored Los Angeles Union Station is an experience in itself. Taxis are available just outside the station.
Cruises from New Orleans and Galveston/Houston
Whether you live on the west coast, east coast or the Midwest, you can easily get to the Port of New Orleans and the Texas ports at Houston (Pasadena) and Galveston.
The Sunset Limited, originating in New Orleans and Los Angeles, departs three days a week in either direction. Cruisers from the west coast can depart their train in Houston or New Orleans.
Leaving from Chicago, passengers board the famous City of New Orleans train for a quick overnight ride down to the Big Easy. From there, cruise ships head out to the Caribbean and twice a year Transatlantic crossings to Europe.
New York is the departure point for the Crescent, en route to New Orleans via Philadelphia, Washington DC and Atlanta. Heading to Houston, transfer in New Orleans to the Sunset Limited for a short 9-hour train ride. From Houston, Amtrak provides a dedicated motor coach to Galveston.
River cruise anyone? Cruise from the Port of New Orleans aboard an authentic paddle wheeler and step back in time on a northbound Mississippi River cruise. Or leave from Chicago aboard the Empire Builder to St. Paul, MN and begin a southbound cruise on the Mississippi.
Port of Seattle for Alaska and beyond
Travel from New York to Chicago and transfer to the Empire Builder for one of the most scenic Amtrak train rides throughout America. Once the train gets to the western side of Montana, the Empire Builder travels right through Glacier National Park. There’s even a train stop at one of the National Park Lodges, where you could spend a day or two pre- or post-cruise.
From Seattle, train passengers might find a round-trip 7-night Inside Passage cruise more convenient that a one-way cruise to Anchorage. If you opt for Anchorage, either you’ll have to take a southbound cruise back to Seattle or book passage on the Alaska Marine Highway System to Bellingham, Washington. Seattle is only a 90-minute drive from Bellingham.
Those who depart from Seattle for a longer cruise to Asia, Hawaii or even Australia will love Amtrak’s generous luggage regulations. Each person is allowed to carry on 2 bags up to 28” tall and up to 50lbs. Passengers may also check up to 2 bags for free, same height and weight restrictions and 2 additional bags at $20/each. That’s a lot of luggage.
Southern Californians can hop aboard the historic Coast Starlight for an overnight ride to Seattle. Hugging the Pacific Coast for several hours before ascending the Sierra Nevada range, the scenery is spectacular. Not to mention the private lounge and dining car for first-class passengers.
Tips for Taking Amtrak to an embarkation port
- Arrive the day before, just as you should if you’re flying to your ship.
- If you’re traveling in coach, bring a light travel blanket and small pillow.
- First class sleeping compartments include bottled water, juice, sodas, and all meals in the dining car so you don’t need to pack a picnic.
- Rates for sleepers increase as supply decreases. Book your accommodations early. If your plans change, new cancellation penalties allow for some flexibility.
- Purchase travel insurance that covers missed connections, just in case of a severe delay or if you need to cancel for covered reasons.
- Stop in a nearby Amtrak station or call 1-800-USA-RAIL and request a National Timetable to be mailed to you. While the Amtrak website is excellent, it’s very convenient to map out your rail journey with the timetable at hand.
- An Amtrak train ride to your embarkation port may not be the solution for everyone, especially for those that are on a time constraint. For people who live in South Dakota, Wyoming or most of Idaho, this probably isn’t an option, either, as there is no train service to these areas.
But for most of us across America, there is an Amtrak station no more than a half-day’s drive away. Let your vacation begin before the cruise; take the train and arrive refreshed, relaxed and ready for another adventure.
