Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska by Sea05 Jun 2023
GEORGE WILLIAM DICKINSON
“what a trip, 17 days of bliss. planes, 3 trains and a 7 day cruse. everything went perfectly and surpassed all my expectations! Just WOW.
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Canadian Rockies Featuring Banff & Lake Louise31 May 2023
PEGGY GASCON KURTZ
“Fabulous service, friendly efficient staff the best in food and presentation. It was not "In the Canadian Rockies for as much time as we expected. ...Definitely LOVED the Gold Lead package and nearly new train car!! All in all it was wonderful!
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Canada Coast to Coast21 May 2023
Dan S.
“Rocky mountaineer experience was fantastic, did not get to experience the jasper to toronto prestige cabin canadian train from Jasper to toronto due to wildfires in Alberta. Some confusion with reservation numbers for various activities.
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Canadian Rail Adventure10 Oct 2022
Susan
“I have been looking forward to this trip since 2020. It did not disappoint. One has to remember that Vacations by Rail is a travel agent, not a tour company. This trip is "independent" travel of sorts in that you don't have a guide doing things for you. Shortly before your departure date, you receive a final itinerary along with vouchers for hotel rooms, tours, train travel, etc. You are responsible for getting to the appropriate places on time. No big deal as long as you don't expect a tour guide to take care of you. You will be with many of the same people throughout your travels so you have the opportunity to make friends along the way.
The Rocky Mountaineer portion was a wonderful experience. I would recommend getting a seat on the left side of the train (we sat on the right side) as 98% of the points of interest were on the left. We booked the Gold Leaf service and I would recommend it. Sitting in the elevated dome car gave you an awesome view of the Rockies and surrounding area. The hosts (upstairs and downstairs) were excellent - efficient, helpful, informative. The meals (breakfast & lunch) were tasty and filling. You were also offered snacks and beverages throughout the day. It was nice going down to the dining car to eat meals and sitting with new people. There were 750+ people on our train. If you are traveling with someone, you'll need to make sure it's noted somewhere so you'll be assigned to the same train.
The hotels (we booked all Fairmont Hotels except for in the one in Kamloops which Rocky Mountaineer booked) were first class. Our view of Lake Louise was stunning. The Fairmont in Toronto was right across the street from the Toronto train station.
The Brewster Sightseeing tours (in Banff, between Banff/Lake Louise, and Lake Louise/Jasper) were all informative; and, the guides/drivers-guides were friendly, patient, and fun. I wish the Niagara Falls tour company was more flexible with what was covered. I would have liked to spend more time at the Falls themselves. That tour gave us a spectacular view of the Falls...on land and on the water. That sightseeing company was a bit disorganized as they told people the incorrect departure time and didn't specify a location (the hotel wasn't sure either)...but it all turned out fine.
I love train travel so I enjoyed the VIA train from Jasper to Toronto. Some people did not realize that the bags they checked were not accessible until they reached their final destination. The rooms are much too small to accommodate full-sized luggage. We had a Sleeper Plus for two people. It had a toilet (in a separate small room) & a sink. The bunk bed are set up/take down by the room steward daily (we elected to keep them down) since we occupied the public areas during the day. Breakfast is first come, first serve. Lunch and Supper are scheduled - there are 3 seating times for each (you reserve your first dinner slot at the station in Jasper before you board the train.). The customer facing staff from Jasper (they started in Vancouver) to Winnipeg were outstanding. They were so efficient, friendly, and knowledgeable; the staff from Jasper to Toronto were fine, but not outstanding.
I would have appreciated having transport arranged to take us from the hotel in Toronto to the airport. We weren't told that the arranged transport wasn't available early in the morning. There should be a note stating the hours of availability so customers can schedule their flights accordingly. The Toronto airport has been experiencing personnel shortages so it is a mess. They really mean it when they say get there 3 hours in advance. People should know there is a phone number they can call to speak to someone at the airport. That person can confirm the departure terminal and how early folks need to arrive. Remember, if you're returning to USA, you go through Border Patrol screening to clear travel into the USA in Toronto. Having NEXUS or Global Entry eased the chaos.
NOTE: tips are not included. I hate having to figure out tips. The travel guides usually recommend you tip a certain percentage of what you paid. It's helpful to figure that out before you leave home. We tipped at the table during meal services but there are many others who rely on tips to augment their wages - hosts on Rocky Mountaineer, guides/drives on tour buses, staff on the VIA train, porters, etc.
I'm recommending this trip to my friends. I would book with Vactions by Rail again.
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Getaway to the Canadian Rockies23 Feb 2019
Fiona H, Raleigh, NC
“Before taking the vacation, I was doubtful that it would be value for money as it was by far the most expensive vacation I have ever taken, or am likely to take. Now I think it was worth every penny. From the booking process to the final departure for home, it was a truly phenomenal experience.
Collected by Vacations By Rail
Best of the Rockies30 Sep 2022
WILLIAM SHERMAN
“It was a well organized trip. Very pleasant. I have two suggestions regarding the Via Canada Rail train ride from Jasper to Vancouver. There was no mention in the itinerary of the time the train was schuled to depart the station and no mention of a time the traveler should arrive at the station. Also, berths are very small on the train and large bags must be checked, They are not allowed in the berths. It should be noted that travelers should carry a very small additional bag containing medications, toilitries, and a change of clothing.
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(54 reviews)
