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Rocky Mountaineer Train Review

Gayle Takashima

I highly recommend a rail journey for people who love scenic vistas and the relaxing lifestyle of cruising. Having personally ridden on Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer railway, I can attest to the high levels of service, delicious cuisine and excellent tours that travelers enjoy on a Rocky Mountaineer trip.

train going through scenic landscape
Castle Mountain, courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

In many ways, Rocky Mountaineer’s seamless travel product is a “deluxe cruise on rail.”
As part of a professional development seminar, I was lucky enough to take part in a 5-day trip, involving 2 days on Rocky Mountaineer Rail from Vancouver to Banff.

We began our journey with a one-way Amtrak train from Edmonds, Washington, to Vancouver, British Columbia. This is a great way to avoid long lines at the airport and waits at the Canadian border. Many other Rocky Mountaineer guests were also taking the train that morning to Vancouver.

Here is the full itinerary I experienced:

  • Day 1 Edmonds to Vancouver B.C., (Amtrak) overnight at Vancouver Fairmont hotel
  • Day 2 Vancouver B.C. to Kamloops B.C. via Rocky Mountaineer rail, hotel in Kamloops with dinner
  • Day 3 Kamloops to Banff via Rocky Mountaineer rail, spent 2 nights in Banff at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
  • Day 4 Tour of Banff and visit to Chateau Lake Louise with a luncheon
  • Day 5 Banff to Calgary via motorcoach, then a flight home from Calgary
trail on rail bridge
Scenic Views, courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer exclusively travels the rails during the day and provides hotel accommodations for each night. This is the best of both worlds: sleep in a comfortable hotel bed each night and save the train simply for soaking in the views! Not to worry, Rocky Mountaineer takes care of your bags between the train and hotel each time, so they appear and disappear like magic.

Two Levels of Service

Rocky Mountaineer offers two classes of service onboard, SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. I had the opportunity to experience both levels of service. The first evening I utilized the SilverLeaf level of service. This service offers the following:

  • A custom-designed single-level dome coach
  • Oversized glass-dome windows for taking in the spectacular views
  • At-your-seat meals for breakfast and lunch
  • Reclining, comfortable, pre-assigned seating with ample leg room
  • Two hosts and one culinary team member
  • Storytellers to entertain and educate guests about historic sites, flora, fauna and wildlife
  • Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Gourmet snacks
  • A small outdoor viewing platform
  • Baggage delivery to your overnight hotel

For the first night, I stayed at the SilverLeaf (moderate) hotel property in Kamloops, B.C. Accommodations were certainly acceptable, but not considered luxury.

inside a Rocky Mountaineer railcar
Host Narrating, courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

My second night, and for both days of the ride, I experienced the GoldLeaf service, which is superior. The value of it far exceeds the additional cost. This service features several upgrades:

  • Bi-level dome coach with seating above and dining below
  • Full glass-dome windows with panoramic views
  • Gourmet à la carte meals in the lower-level dining room
  • Reclining, comfortable, pre-assigned seating with ample leg room
  • Three to four hosts plus a full culinary team
  • A large exclusive outdoor viewing platform
fine cuisine
GoldLeaf Service Cuisine, courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

Plus, GoldLeaf Service includes these other fine features enjoyed by SilverLeaf guests:

  • Storytellers to entertain and educate guests about historic sites, flora, fauna and wildlife
  • Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Gourmet snacks (both afternoons we enjoyed warm chocolate cookies)
  • Baggage delivery to your overnight hotel

The dining in GoldLeaf Service, especially with the wine included, enhances the experience tremendously and makes the days fly by while watching the gorgeous scenery. Additionally, during my GoldLeaf level of service I stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which I absolutely loved! This is a large and most unique property offering small, but nicely appointed rooms with beautiful views from almost every room. I also toured and had lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel, which is a beautiful property in a remote setting. This hotel is an excellent choice for active travelers, as it is within a wonderful natural setting with quick access to hiking, rock climbing, biking, fishing, and more.

beautiful lake scene with mountains
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta, courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

I would highly recommend Rocky Mountaineer in the GoldLeaf level of service to travelers who are avid train enthusiasts, who love to watch beautiful scenery, or for those who would like a nice, very relaxing vacation. There are plenty of opportunities to make your own fun with board games, chatting with fellow travelers; and of course, the animal spotting — imagine landscapes dotted with bighorn sheep, bear, elk, deer, coyote and wolf — some even right near the rails.

Canadian Rockies wildlife
Wildlife Near Athabasca River, courtesy Rocky Mountaineer

In addition, these journeys are a fabulous extension to an Alaska cruise that ends in Vancouver or Seattle.

I will craft these arrangements into one seamless vacation so you can experience the spectacular vistas of Canada’s Rockies plus Alaska’s stunning glaciers and wildlife all in one dream vacation. If you already work with another Cruise Specialists Cruise Consultant, they also have the tools and knowledge to arrange this type of vacation. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

See Rocky Mountaineer Rail Journeys here.

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General Interest, Pre / Post Cruise Tours, Tours, Trains & Resorts, Trains Add new tag, Alaska Cruise Reviews, Rocky Mountaineer, Ship Reviews, Train Review

Comments

  1. Tony Smith says

    July 23, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    Hi Sharon – thank you for the information. I am currently planning a similar trip for my 40th. Am I right in thinking you can just book the Alaskan cruise through you and the rail separately?

    I have just been in touch with Rocky Mountain Holidays and they have been very helpful and can offer the rail part of my vacation. I am checking out their packages for 2011 at //rockymountainholidays.com/rocky-mountaineer-holidays.html – do you have rates for 2011 yet? I need to coordinate!

    So much planning to do but after reading your article, I know it will be worth it!

  2. Alysia Murillo says

    July 26, 2010 at 5:39 pm

    Dear Tony,

    Yes, we can book you on an Alaska Cruise vacation separatley and help you match it up with your Rocky Mountaineer trip. We do also handle Rocky Mountaineer reservations and would be more than happy to coordinate your Alaska cruise and Rocky Mountaineer train trip for you. Sharon will be in contact with you privately with all the details.

    Take Care,
    Cruise Specialists

  3. Scenic Railways says

    January 3, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Hello There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

  4. Ted Noakes says

    February 15, 2012 at 1:22 am

    Your clients should all be aware that the onboards attendants that serve and give commentary have been locked out since June 22, 2011. They have been replaced by SCABS. Guests will have to cross picket lines unless the company chooses to lift the lockout. So far that doesn’t appear to be going to happen.

  5. Alysia Murillo says

    February 22, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    Thank you for the information Ted.

    To all – we are currently investigating the situation and will post an update soon.

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Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile.
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