Miami to Alaska by Sleeper Train

Miami to Alaska by Sleeper Train
Quizzed ESL Activities

Miami to Alaska by Train and Ferry: A 12,000-Mile Journey

This epic journey begins in Miami, where the narrator boards a sleeper train to start their 12,000-mile adventure to Alaska. The trip takes them through 10 states and into Canada, showcasing life on board, including accommodations, food, and scenery, on one of the world’s longest railway journeys.

Leg 1: Miami to New York City

The narrator travels in premium class, enjoying comfortable seating, complimentary food and snacks, and modern amenities like soft drinks and Wi-Fi. The train makes stops in West Palm Beach, Orlando, and other cities, giving passengers a chance to stretch their legs and take in the sights. The narrator and their dad visit the Viewliner 2 Carriage, which features updated sleeper accommodations, and dine in the dining car, where they enjoy traditional meals like steak and salmon.

Leg 2: New York City to Toronto

After an overnight stay in New York City, the narrator boards the Maple Leaf train, which takes them on a 12-hour journey to Toronto. They travel in coach class, which is comfortable and equipped with amenities like adjustable seats, power outlets, and a foldout table. The train makes a short stop in Albany to change engines, and the narrator enjoys the views of Upstate New York, has a picnic, and eventually reaches Niagara Falls, marking the US-Canada border.

Leg 3: Toronto to Vancouver

The narrator checks into the historic Royal York hotel in Toronto before boarding the Canadian, one of the world’s longest train services. They travel in Prestige class, which offers luxurious amenities like a leather corner sofa, TV, and on-demand movies, as well as a small closet and en-suite bathroom. The train journey takes 5 days, covering 2,700 miles through several Canadian provinces. The narrator enjoys the scenery, good food, and exclusive access to the bullet Lounge and park car.

Leg 4: Vancouver to Alaska

After arriving in Vancouver, the narrator and their dad rent bikes and visit Stanley Park before boarding the Amtrak Cascades train to Bellingham, Washington. From there, they take a ferry ride on the Alaska Marine Highway, specifically on the MV Kennicott, which has a capacity for 500 passengers and vehicles. The ferry features basic cabins for accommodation, and the narrator books the best room on board, which is clean but shows signs of age.

Life on Board the Ferry

The ferry has a dining room that offers a mix of buffet and made-to-order items at reasonable prices. The narrator and their dad opt for a salmon burger and a Philly cheese steak, and then retire to their room after a long day of travel. The next morning, they sleep well despite some rockiness during the night and then head for breakfast, where pancakes are a popular choice. The ferry also features unique accommodation options, including pitching tents on deck during summer months, and activities like playing games or taking an afternoon nap.

Arrival in Alaska

After a 52,000-mile journey from Miami, the narrator and their dad finally arrive in Ketchikan, Alaska. The total cost of the trip was $29,000, but they deem it worth it. They celebrate their arrival with dinner and drinks and are excited to explore Alaska.

Accommodations and Amenities

Throughout the journey, the narrator and their dad experience a range of accommodations and amenities, including:

  • Premium class on the sleeper train from Miami to New York City
  • Coach class on the Maple Leaf train from New York City to Toronto
  • Prestige class on the Canadian train from Toronto to Vancouver
  • Basic cabins on the MV Kennicott ferry from Vancouver to Alaska

They also enjoy a range of amenities, including:

  • Complimentary food and snacks
  • Modern amenities like soft drinks and Wi-Fi
  • Exclusive access to the bullet Lounge and park car
  • Dining room with buffet and made-to-order items

Scenic Highlights

The journey takes the narrator and their dad through some of the most scenic landscapes in North America, including:

  • The East Coast of the United States
  • Niagara Falls
  • The Canadian Rockies
  • The Inside Passage
  • Alaska

They experience a range of activities, including:

  • Visiting historic landmarks like the West Palm Beach station
  • Taking in the views of Upstate New York
  • Enjoying the scenery and good food on the Canadian train
  • Exploring the ferry and its amenities

Key Vocabulary

Term Definition Example Usage
Premium Class A high-end travel class offering luxurious amenities and services. The narrator traveled in premium class from Miami to New York City, enjoying comfortable seating and complimentary food.
Coach Class A standard travel class offering basic amenities and services. The narrator traveled in coach class from New York City to Toronto, finding it comfortable and equipped with amenities like adjustable seats.
Prestige Class A luxurious travel class offering high-end amenities and services, often including exclusive access to lounges and priority boarding. The narrator traveled in Prestige class from Toronto to Vancouver, enjoying luxurious amenities like a leather corner sofa and exclusive access to the bullet Lounge.
Viewliner 2 Carriage A type of sleeper carriage on a train, offering updated accommodations and amenities. The narrator visited the Viewliner 2 Carriage, which featured updated sleeper accommodations and modern amenities.
Maple Leaf Train A train service operating from New York City to Toronto, offering scenic views of Upstate New York and the Niagara Falls area. The narrator boarded the Maple Leaf train from New York City to Toronto, enjoying the views of Upstate New York and a picnic on board.
Canadian Train A train service operating from Toronto to Vancouver, offering scenic views of the Canadian Rockies and luxurious amenities. The narrator traveled on the Canadian train from Toronto to Vancouver, enjoying the scenery, good food, and exclusive access to the bullet Lounge.
Alaska Marine Highway A ferry service operating from Bellingham, Washington to Alaska, offering scenic views of the Inside Passage and basic accommodations. The narrator took a ferry ride on the Alaska Marine Highway, specifically on the MV Kennicott, which featured basic cabins and a dining room with buffet and made-to-order items.
MV Kennicott A ferry ship operating on the Alaska Marine Highway, offering basic accommodations and amenities. The narrator booked the best room on the MV Kennicott, finding it clean but showing signs of age, and enjoyed the dining room and activities on board.
Inside Passage A scenic waterway along the coast of Alaska and British Columbia, known for its stunning natural beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities. The narrator traveled through the Inside Passage on the Alaska Marine Highway, taking in the scenic views and enjoying the ferry’s amenities.
Canadian Rockies A mountain range in western Canada, known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. The narrator traveled through the Canadian Rockies on the Canadian train, enjoying the scenic views and luxurious amenities on board.

Watch The Video

Miami to Alaska by Sleeper Train

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a long journey or trip’ in the context of the provided text?

A) Accommodation
B) Scenery
C) Adventure
D) Destination

2. What does ‘Prestige class’ refer to in the context of the train journey from Toronto to Vancouver?

A) A type of sleeper train
B) A class with basic amenities
C) A luxurious class with amenities like a leather corner sofa and en-suite bathroom
D) A type of ferry ride

3. Which of the following is NOT a type of accommodation mentioned in the text?

A) Premium class on the sleeper train
B) Coach class on the Maple Leaf train
C) Prestige class on the Canadian train
D) First-class airline ticket

4. What is the name of the ferry that the narrator and their dad take from Vancouver to Alaska?

A) MV Kennicott
B) Amtrak Cascades
C) Canadian train
D) Maple Leaf train

5. How much did the narrator and their dad’s 12,000-mile journey from Miami to Alaska cost?

A) $10,000
B) $20,000
C) $29,000
D) $40,000

Answer Key:

1. C
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Using the Present Perfect Continuous Tense to Describe Ongoing Actions

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. It is formed using the present perfect tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (has/have) + the present participle of the main verb (the -ing form). For example, in the context of the journey from Miami to Alaska, one could say, “They have been traveling for 12,000 miles,” to indicate that the action of traveling started in the past and is still ongoing. This tense is particularly useful for describing the progression of the journey and the experiences the narrator and their dad have been having along the way, such as enjoying scenery, visiting places, and using various amenities.

Grammar Quiz:

1. By the time they arrived in Vancouver, they ____________________ their bikes for a week.

  • have been renting
  • rent
  • had rented
  • were renting

2. The narrator and their dad ____________________ through several Canadian provinces by the end of their fifth day on the Canadian train.

  • have traveled
  • travel
  • had traveled
  • are traveling

3. Since boarding the MV Kennicott, they ____________________ a variety of meals in the dining room.

  • have been eating
  • eats
  • had eaten
  • are eating

4. The narrator and their dad ____________________ their journey from Miami to Alaska for several months.

  • have been planning
  • planned
  • are planning
  • plan

5. By the time they reached Alaska, they ____________________ over 12,000 miles.

  • have traveled
  • travel
  • had traveled
  • were traveling

Answer Key:

  • 1. have been renting
  • 2. had traveled
  • 3. have been eating
  • 4. have been planning
  • 5. had traveled