Rocky Mountaineer Train Journeys

The parent company of Cruise Specialists, Internova Travel Group, is at the forefront of an important trial aimed at enabling safer travel in the time of COVID-19. Internova joined The Commons Project Foundation in successfully testing its CommonPass digital health pass for travelers to document their verified COVID-19 test status on a transatlantic flight. Here are more details as reported by Internova Travel Group: In a global initiative to enable safer air and cross-border travel, Internova Travel Group joined The Commons Project Foundation in successfully testing its CommonPass digital health pass for travelers to document their verified COVID-19 test status on a transatlantic flight. photo credit: Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash The successful international trial of CommonPass, tested on a flight from London to New York, was led by Internova executives J.D. O’Hara, CEO; Peter Vlitas, Senior Vice President, Airline Relations; Jason Oshiokpekhai, Managing Director, Global Travel Collection (GTC); and Arif Kamal, Director of Revenue Management, GTC. The purpose of the trip was to establish the viability of a verified “digital health pass,” which provides a global framework for lab results and vaccination records to be verified and shared with border control. Testing the CommonPass App Internova has been working closely with The Commons Project and the World Economic Forum to find a long-term solution to replace travel bans and quarantines with the ability to verify individual health and test result data while maintaining privacy standards. The executives traveled Oct. 21 on United Airlines Flight 15 from London Heathrow to Newark Liberty International Airport. Prior to departure, they downloaded the CommonPass app, answered screening questions and took a COVID-19 test at the airport. A negative test result generated a digital health pass via a QR code, which allowed them to board the flight at London-Heathrow Airport. Scanning the CommonPass App “The ability to verify health information in a secure, verified manner will allow countries and regions to open borders and restart the travel industry along with the economic activity that comes with it,” said O’Hara. “This CommonPass pilot demonstrates that we have a means of enabling safer cross-border travel by giving both travelers and governments confidence in the COVID-19 status of every traveler.” O’Hara said his commitment to finding safer ways to restart travel fueled his interest in participating in the transatlantic trial to experience the viability of the process. He described the experience as “easy to understand, quick and efficient,” adding, “I consider the trial a resounding success and feel sure that travelers will soon have the confidence to get back in the air in a safe and secure manner.” J.D. O’Hara (at left) Paul Meyer, CEO at the Commons Project, stated, “The goal of the trials is to replicate the full traveler experience of taking a test for COVID-19 prior to departure, uploading the result to their phones, and demonstrating their compliance with entry requirements at their departure and destination airports. The digital health pass allows countries and regions seeking ways to ‘thoughtfully reopen’ their borders an alternative to travel bans and quarantines.” At present, COVID-19 test results for travel are frequently shared on printed paper – or photos of the paper – from unknown labs, often written in languages foreign to those inspecting them. “It’s critical that we find safe ways to reopen travel. Travel and tourism accounts for 10 percent of global GDP, or nearly $9 trillion. A verifiable and standardized way to share test or vaccine status on an international scale is critical to restoring confidence in our air transportation system,” said Internova’s Vlitas. “The safety of its citizens is paramount to any government’s decision to replace quarantines with testing. We are at a point that effective testing, a reliable medical registry, such as CommonPass, combined with contact tracing done by travel advisors can offer that solution.” CommonPass adheres to tight privacy principles and is designed to protect personal data in compliance with relevant privacy regulations, including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). “Without the ability to trust COVID-19 tests – and eventually vaccine records – across international borders, many countries will feel compelled to retain full travel bans and mandatory quarantines for as long as the pandemic persists,” said Dr. Bradley Perkins, Chief Medical Officer of The Commons Project and former Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “With trusted individual health data, countries can implement more nuanced health screening requirements for entry.” CommonPass and the CommonPass Framework are being launched by the World Economic Forum and The Commons Project, a Swiss-based non-profit foundation building global digital services and platforms for the common good, in collaboration with a broad coalition of public and private partners around the world, including government representatives from 37 countries across six continents. The nonprofit received start-up funding from the Rockefeller Foundation. The volunteers involved in the United Airlines trial adhered to all entry and testing rules. At London Heathrow, tests from private testing company Prenetics were administered by the travel and medical services firm Collinson in the dedicated COVID-19 testing facilities set up with their partner Swissport. United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are observing the trials. Learn more about Cruise Specialists. Get to know the Cruise Specialists Cruise Consultants here. ... Read more

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. 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 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. 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 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. 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. 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. ... Read more

Springtime heralds the return of cruises to Alaska. Each year, dozens of ships ply the waters of Southeast Alaska and the Canadian province of British Columbia en-route from Vancouver or Seattle to the “Last Frontier.” While cruises to Alaska are familiar to most, Alaska Cruise Tours may not be. These pre-and-post tours are available from nearly every major cruise line sailing to the region. For those with the time and the money to do so, adding a pre-or-post-cruise tour in Alaska can greatly enhance your vacation experience. Why Should I Take an Alaskan Cruise Tour? Southeast Alaska – where the majority of cruises spend their time – is but one area of the very diverse and sprawling state of Alaska. While towns like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway are must-see sights for the first-time visitor, Alaska offers plenty of attractions that can’t be reached by ship. Few things can compare with the beauty of visiting Denali National Park. This sprawling six-million-acre park is the state of Alaska’s crown jewel, and the largest cruise lines (think Holland America Line and Princess Cruises) operate their own hotels on the fringe of the park. It’s the perfect combination: hotels that offer all the seamlessness of a cruise (if, perhaps, not quite the same level of comfort), situated just minutes away from the Park. It’s a good thing, too: a modest exploration of Denali National Park can run 10 hours or more. Other frequently-visited locales on Alaska cruise tours include the cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks, as well as the quaint town of Talkeetna. Situated just outside Denali National Park, the latter’s claim to fame is an excellent brewery and an honorary mayor named Stubbs the Cat. The late feline (Stubbs passed away in July of 2017) took up residence in the town’s General Store, and the folks of Talkeetna are apparently looking to replace Stubbs with a new honorary mayor. While some cruise tours are conducted via motorcoach, others travelling through the heart of Alaska will be operated by rail. Celebrity, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have their own dedicated rail cars, hooked up to an Alaskan Railroad locomotive that pulls them from Denali down to embarkation ports in Seward and Whittier. Whittier in particular is a fascinating city, as it is completely cut off by a gigantic mountain range. Engineers bored a hole straight through the base of it, allowing for road and rail access via the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel which runs for 13,300 feet (or 4,100 meters) and is so narrow that traffic must alternate and wait in staging areas on either end. Amazingly, the highway that links it – the Portage Glacier Highway – was only fully completed on June 7, 2000. A few very special cruise tours venture even farther north, to remote locales like Barrow and Prudhoe Bay. These journeys tend to be longer, and can push the total combined duration of your cruise and land tour into the three week region. Another popular cruise tour option is available for sailings that begin or end in Vancouver, and has nothing to do with Alaska at all. A Canadian Rockies extension is offered by most major cruise lines sailing to Alaska. These tours begin or end in Calgary, Alberta and include a scenic journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies aboard the legendary Rocky Mountaineer train service that operates from Jasper, Alberta to Vancouver’s Central Station. Which Lines Offer Them? Nearly every major cruise line operating in Alaska will offer at least one cruisetour packages. The bigger mainstream lines may offer a dozen different combinations, and some lines like Holland America even offer truncated four-day cruises that pair with a longer overland journey. Are Cruise Tours Available on Every Sailing? The short answer: no. The majority of all cruise tours are only offered on sailings departing from Vancouver, Seward or Whittier. Cruises from Seattle typically don’t offer cruisetours, as unlike Vancouver departures, Seattle sailings tend to be roundtrip voyages. For established lines like Holland America and Princess that have maintained an Alaskan presence for decades, nearly every sailing from Vancouver, Whittier or Seward will offer one or more options for a pre-or-post cruisetour in Alaska. However, select tours may only be available on sailings aboard certain ships. If you’re particular about which cruisetour you take, you may have to take a particular ship in order to make that happen. Likewise, if you’re particular about the ship you sail aboard, you may find different cruise tours are offered to that ship. Cruise lines with only one or two ships deployed in Alaska, or smaller operators like UnCruise Adventures, may only have cruise tours available on select departures. Some of these will be designated as pre-cruise only, while others may be post-cruise only. Many cruise tours, however, can be taken either pre-or-post-cruise. It is always a good idea to pick up a physical brochure from your favorite cruise line, or check with your favorite cruise line’s website, to see what cruise tours are offered on your chosen departure and ship.  Ready to explore all of Alaska? See our featured Alaska sailings >> Talk with a Cruise Specialists consultant (888) 993-1318   ... Read more