In 2013, Rocky Mountaineer will introduce Coastal Passage as a new route, connecting the iconic cities of Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, BC to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Coastal Passage will become the company’s fifth rail route and the first time it will depart from and arrive to the USA.
Following the successful launch of its newest and third level of service, SilverLeaf Service, on the First Passage to the West route in 2012, Rocky Mountaineer is adding SilverLeaf to the Journey through the Clouds route in 2013. A new destination, Lake Louise, Alberta, is also added to Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West route.
ITTN was told of these developments in Dublin on Friday by a visiting delegation comprising Randy Powell, President and Chief Executive; Bob Nicholas, Vice President – Global Sales; and Leslie Peden, Director of Sales – Europe, Middle East & Africa.
Coastal Passage Route
Exclusively available on Rocky Mountaineer’s award-winning GoldLeaf Service, guests on the new Coastal Passage route will enjoy a luxurious three-day all-daylight journey along the glistening Pacific Northwest coastline and through Western Canada.
Guests begin or end their journey in the bustling Pacific Northwest city of Seattle, Washington State. The route takes guests along the stunning coastal shorelines, through the rolling desert hills of the most arid terrain in Canada and into the breathtaking Canadian Rockies.
The Coastal Passage route will have four departures in August 2013: the 21st August departure will mark the first departure from Banff, Alberta, followed by a departure from Jasper on 22nd August. The Seattle departures will take place on 24th and 25th August.
Coastal Passage guests will travel across the USA – Canada border without the hassle of waiting in long customs line-ups. Guests will have the convenience of clearing US Customs in Vancouver and a 20 – 30 minute onboard inspection in Blaine, Washington.
The Coastal Passage route is included in several vacation packages including, Canadian Rockies Highlights and Coastal Passage, Classic Coastal Passage with Alaskan Cruise or Western Explorer and Coastal Passage. Each package includes a three-day all-daylight journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer.
Departing from Seattle’s historic King Street Station, guests will experience stunning vistas of monumental mountains, such as Mount Baker and the Cascade Mountains and the pristine shoreline of the Pacific Northwest. On crossing the Canada – USA border, guests will be en route to the Canadian Rockies, passing through an endless list of extraordinary landscapes, such as raging rivers, arid deserts and lush green mountains.
Panoramic views will allow guests to take in all of the beauty along the Pacific Northwest shorelines and for those who want to be closer to nature, there are outdoor vestibules on each coach.
Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer offers over 45 Canadian vacation packages and five unique rail routes, rich in history and natural wonders, through British Columbia and Alberta. This world-renowned, luxurious train travels by daylight through the wild beauty of Canada’s West and is the best way to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies.
Since its inception in 1990, Rocky Mountaineer has grown to become the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America and has welcomed more than one and a half million guests onboard from around the world.
In 1990 the Federal Government decided to drastically cut Via Rail’s heavily subsidised operation and to privatise its daylight tourist service. The Great Canadian Railtour Company, owner of Rocky Mountaineer, was awarded the right to operate the routes and purchase Via Rail’s equipment.
Under the leadership of company founder Peter Armstrong, a select group of former railroad executives and tourism experts created a vision for the Rocky Mountaineer, a two-day all-daylight journey through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies.
The company launched its Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service, featuring bi-level custom-built glass dome coaches with stunning panoramic views on the upper level, the galley, dining room and observation deck are all located on the lower level. Today, GoldLeaf Service represents more than 50% of all guest bookings.
