Which cruise - limited on dates of travel

[frugaltravel]

Okay, but to me the cruise would be the ideal way to work off 8 hours of time change and jetlag, rather than jumping right into land-based tourism right off the bat.

 

...unless they have a flight delay and miss the ship :mad:

[xlxo]

If it hasn't been mentioned before.... in addition to car and train... there's also a bus option. Some departing from Calgary to Vancouver...

 

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/bus-tours/

[Coral]

 

**Just want to be sure the OP realizes the Rocky Mountaineer is just 2 days on the train and 1 night at a hotel in Kamloops. Any other stops (Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff) are additional hotel nights.

 

This is why I couldn't get it to work - I was trying to get more days/stops into the Train ride. I was looking at 7 nights (the way I would want to do it).

Edited December 22, 2015 by Coral

[Coral]

This gives a longer trip through the Rockies.

 

 

Fly out of UK on the 23rd to Calgary. Direct flight from LHR to YYC arrive on the 23rd.

 

Canadian Rockies Highlights 5 Nights to Vancouver 2016

6 days / 5 nights

 

https://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_US/booking/choose-service/2016/canadian_rocky/first_passage_to_the_west/canadian_rockies_highlights_5nights?departureDate=20160724&total-rooms=0&departureId=105480&&numberOfAdults=2&numberOfChildren=0

 

Some services are already booked but got gold leaf to book.

 

Tour Code:

HBEW

 

July 24

Calgary Tower

Fairmont Palliser Hotel

July 25

Experience Calgary to Lake Louise Tour - Route 3

Summit Helicopter Flightseeing Tour

Banff Gondola

National Parks Pass

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

July 26

Experience Yoho Park Tour, Lake Louise to Banff - Route 6

Rimrock Resort Hotel

July 27

Coach Transfer Banff Hotel to Banff Station

Banff to Kamloops

Kamloops GoldLeaf Accommodation

July 28

Kamloops to Vancouver

Coach Transfer Vancouver RM Station to Hotel

Vancouver Lookout

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

 

=======

 

July 30th Star Princess Vancouver to Anchorage (Glacier Bay and College Fiords) http://www.princess.com/find/cruiseDetails.do?voyageCode=9623

 

Fly back from Anchorage on August 6th or later.

[4774Papa]

Just clarification - are you looking for the train ride for the Canadian Rockies or just planning on driving it by car?

 

I assumed you meant the train ride.

 

There are definitely more options if you plan on driving from Vancouver to Banff/Calgary.

We are considering a Canadian Rockies tour by bus through a firm called Key West. Prices are about 1/3 the price of the Rocky Mountaineer rail tour.

 

Check it out:

Key West Travel & Tours

Phone: 1-604-632-3757

Fax: 1-604-632-3787

www.keywesttravelandtours.com

 

 

 

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/vancouver-tours/

 

Rocky Mountain tours, bus tours are very reasonable.

 

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/canadian-rockies-tours/

 

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/package/circle-west/

[Coral]

We are considering a Canadian Rockies tour by bus through a firm called Key West. Prices are about 1/3 the price of the Rocky Mountaineer rail tour.

 

Check it out:

Key West Travel & Tours

Phone: 1-604-632-3757

Fax: 1-604-632-3787

www.keywesttravelandtours.com

 

 

 

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/vancouver-tours/

 

Rocky Mountain tours, bus tours are very reasonable.

 

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/canadian-rockies-tours/

 

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/package/circle-west/

 

Bus travel may be great for some. I have wanted to do this trip for a long time and I will do it via train when I do it. It sounds like the OP is interested in train travel also. For those who like bus trips - you can definitely safe some money by going your route. The train trips are definitely expensive.

 

At least the OP has some options if the train trip is too expensive.

 

It does sound sort of funny to take a bus trip through Canada with a company called Key West :)

Edited December 22, 2015 by Coral

[NancyIL]

Celebrity also has a Canadian Rockies cruise tour before or after the Infinity sails from Vancouver. This is the pre-cruise tour: http://www.celebritycruises.com/cruises/cruise-package-IN12CC1B?packageid=IN12CC1B&dest=ALCAN&shipCode=IN&shipName=Celebrity%20Infinity&sailDate=1160731&cabincls=BALCONY

 

I looked at Canadian Rockies options for September - before a Pacific Coastal cruise from Vancouver. The Rocky Mountaineer cost a lot more than I was willing to spend for a train, so I abandoned that idea pretty quickly. For train travel, there's also VIA Rail (http://www.viarail.ca) overnight from Jasper to Vancouver. Had I decided to plan a DIY land trip, I would've combined VIA Rail with a few days via rental car from Calgary to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Then I started looking at tour companies. I'm going on an OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) land tour in South America this February, so I looked at parent company, Grand Circle Travel, for Canadian options. Their 14-night Canadian Rockies tour fit perfectly with our cruise departure from Vancouver, so I booked it: https://www.gct.com/trips/land-tours/north-america/best-of-the-canadian-rockies-calgary-to-vancouver/2016?icid=global:landtours:crg2016.

[Coral]

Celebrity also has a Canadian Rockies cruise tour before or after the Infinity sails from Vancouver. This is the pre-cruise tour: http://www.celebritycruises.com/cruises/cruise-package-IN12CC1B?packageid=IN12CC1B&dest=ALCAN&shipCode=IN&shipName=Celebrity%20Infinity&sailDate=1160731&cabincls=BALCONY

 

 

That does work well - I hadn't looked at Celebrity as they mentioned Glacier Bay. With this, it works with their dates.

 

At least they have some good options now.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Coral

[Coral]

Celebrity also has a Canadian Rockies cruise tour before or after the Infinity sails from Vancouver. This is the pre-cruise tour: http://www.celebritycruises.com/cruises/cruise-package-IN12CC1B?packageid=IN12CC1B&dest=ALCAN&shipCode=IN&shipName=Celebrity%20Infinity&sailDate=1160731&cabincls=BALCONY

 

I looked at Canadian Rockies options for September - before a Pacific Coastal cruise from Vancouver. The Rocky Mountaineer cost a lot more than I was willing to spend for a train, so I abandoned that idea pretty quickly. For train travel, there's also VIA Rail (http://www.viarail.ca) overnight from Jasper to Vancouver. Had I decided to plan a DIY land trip, I would've combined VIA Rail with a few days via rental car from Calgary to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Then I started looking at tour companies. I'm going on an OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) land tour in South America this February, so I looked at parent company, Grand Circle Travel, for Canadian options. Their 14-night Canadian Rockies tour fit perfectly with our cruise departure from Vancouver, so I booked it: https://www.gct.com/trips/land-tours/north-america/best-of-the-canadian-rockies-calgary-to-vancouver/2016?icid=global:landtours:crg2016.

 

Nancy - I hope you get the colors in Canada! I was in Whistler in September (LOVE WHISTLER) and the colors were gorgeous. Please post a review when you return.

[Gardyloo]

...unless they have a flight delay and miss the ship :mad:

BA 85 (which is being served with an A380 this summer) is due to arrive at 6:45 PM on the Saturday and the Infinity sails at 4:30 PM the next day. I've flown that route several times and have never had a 22-hour late arrival.

[NancyIL]

That does work well - I hadn't looked at Celebrity as they mentioned Glacier Bay. With this, it works with their dates.

 

At least they have some good options now.

 

The Celebrity web site isn't very informative, but I'm pretty sure this cruise tour travels from Jasper to Vancouver on the overnight VIA Rail. I think a Rocky Mountaineer package (such as the one you suggested) will probably be of more interest to the OP.

 

Nancy - I hope you get the colors in Canada! I was in Whistler in September (LOVE WHISTLER) and the colors were gorgeous. Please post a review when you return.

 

 

Thanks - I hope to see some fall colors, too! The GCT tour is a lot longer than any DIY tour I would've planned, but it ticks every Canadian Rockies box I have! :D

 

By the way, I was trying to decide between a Canadian Rockies land trip and an Alaska land trip + southbound cruise before our September Pacific Coastal cruise on Infinity. Since I've done the Alaska trip several times and have never been to the Canadian Rockies, the latter won. However, I recently booked a HAL Alaska cruise for after an RCI Honolulu to Vancouver cruise in May 2017. :)

[frugaltravel]

BA 85 (which is being served with an A380 this summer) is due to arrive at 6:45 PM on the Saturday and the Infinity sails at 4:30 PM the next day. I've flown that route several times and have never had a 22-hour late arrival.

 

That flight departs LHR at 5.15pm. Pretty much no other options out that night if that flight is canceled. The only other option if BA were to put you on another airline would be the AC flight departing the next day at 10.05am arriving YVR 11.35am. That would not be in my comfort zone for the 4.30pm cruise departure. If BA would only rebook you to OneWorld airlines, they would miss the cruise.

 

And yes, I have been delayed more than once for a full day on international flights. Consider yourself lucky!

Edited December 22, 2015 by frugaltravel

[Budget Queen]

I've driven the Canadian Rockies, and taken the train twice. Assumptions seem to think these are the same route?? Nope- the train offers some spectacular views not seen by the road. I would never consider a bus, I used a round trip rental car, included Lake Lousie and Banff. With the train, I rented cars at stops as well. Saw WAY more than "tours". Worth the layovers for my touring priorities. This was several years ago, but my time is more valuable to me, than any "costs". My situation only, but the basis for my planning. If I want to do something- I do it. :)

[NancyIL]

I've driven the Canadian Rockies, and taken the train twice. Assumptions seem to think these are the same route?? Nope- the train offers some spectacular views not seen by the road. I would never consider a bus, I used a round trip rental car, included Lake Lousie and Banff. With the train, I rented cars at stops as well. Saw WAY more than "tours". Worth the layovers for my touring priorities. This was several years ago, but my time is more valuable to me, than any "costs". My situation only, but the basis for my planning. If I want to do something- I do it. :)

So do I - hence why I booked the bus tour. :D Edited December 22, 2015 by NancyIL

[hjd36]

Definitely train for the Rockies, not coach or car.

Also, need to leave plenty of time to allow for emergencies when flying in to catch a tour/cruise. OH doesn't worry about such things but I do..

[Coral]

Definitely train for the Rockies, not coach or car.

Also, need to leave plenty of time to allow for emergencies when flying in to catch a tour/cruise. OH doesn't worry about such things but I do..

 

I would still try to aim for Glacier Bay as it isn't missed. Hubbard Glacier often isn't approachable by the cruise ships and can only be seen 8-9 miles out which is minimal and IMO really doesn't count for seeing it. Though I agree, when you do get close, it is a great glacier to see. I still prefer Glacier Bay (many glaciers, incredible day).

 

Princess and NCL often do 2 glacier days on their one ways - either Glacier Bay and College Fiords or Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.

[NancyIL]

I would still try to aim for Glacier Bay as it isn't missed. Hubbard Glacier often isn't approachable by the cruise ships and can only be seen 8-9 miles out which is minimal and IMO really doesn't count for seeing it. Though I agree, when you do get close, it is a great glacier to see. I still prefer Glacier Bay (many glaciers, incredible day).

 

Princess and NCL often do 2 glacier days on their one ways - either Glacier Bay and College Fiords or Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.

 

Agreed! My first visit to Hubbard Glacier on HAL Veendam in 2008 was on a very foggy day, and we didn't get close at all. The ranger onboard said it was due to ice. (I think our captain didn't want to have a confrontation with the captain of the Millennium that was parked in front of it! :rolleyes: ) I mentioned that the Celebrity ship didn't seem to have trouble with the ice, and she replied that the Celebrity ship was bigger than the Veendam. That was true, but it sounded like a lame excuse to me!

 

The Star Princess (July 30) will go to Glacier Bay and College Fjords. The Island Princess (July 27) will go to Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay.

 

NCL Sun goes to both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier on its July 25 cruise from Vancouver to to Seward. However, you would then need to fly from Anchorage to Vancouver (or Calgary) for your train journey. The August 1 NCL Sun from Seward to Vancouver goes to Glacier Bay, and picks up passengers who do the small boat excursion at Sawyer Glacier after a half day in Juneau. For your first and maybe only trip to Alaska, don't skimp on Juneau.

[4774Papa]

Definitely train for the Rockies, not coach or car.

Also, need to leave plenty of time to allow for emergencies when flying in to catch a tour/cruise. OH doesn't worry about such things but I do..

The train would be nice, but we have done some bus tours where the site-seeing is very good.

 

When the price of a rail tour is more than three times the cost of a bus tour, I will be very happy with a bus.

[Coral]

Agreed! My first visit to Hubbard Glacier on HAL Veendam in 2008 was on a very foggy day, and we didn't get close at all. The ranger onboard said it was due to ice. (I think our captain didn't want to have a confrontation with the captain of the Millennium that was parked in front of it! :rolleyes: )

 

There was a real issue the year I went (2002 - http://www.uas.alaska.edu/arts_sciences/naturalsciences/envs/faculty_staff/pubs/motyka_truffer2007.pdf ) and no ships got there for a long period of time. Being 9 miles out, I could kind of see something in the background but had no idea how immense a glacier was until the following year when I hit GB and College Fiords. I finally did get to see Hubbard Glacier and it is great to see but Glacier Bay is a sure thing. Hubbard is not.

[NancyIL]

The train would be nice, but we have done some bus tours where the site-seeing is very good.

 

When the price of a rail tour is more than three times the cost of a bus tour, I will be very happy with a bus.

 

Different strokes for different folks - but I'm with you on this!

 

Here are a few Trip Advisor threads that may be of interest:

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g659487-i11598-Canadian_Rockies_Alberta.html - see Top questions about Canadian Rockies

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g154922-i80-British_Columbia.html - see Top questions about British Columbia

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12567-k8468574-Canadian_Rockies_drive_or_train-Road_Trips.html

[frugaltravel]

Different strokes for different folks - but I'm with you on this!

 

Here are a few Trip Advisor threads that may be of interest:

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g659487-i11598-Canadian_Rockies_Alberta.html - see Top questions about Canadian Rockies

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g154922-i80-British_Columbia.html - see Top questions about British Columbia

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12567-k8468574-Canadian_Rockies_drive_or_train-Road_Trips.html

 

So there is a general consensus from locals on those threads that you actually see more by road than by rail. Very interesting!!

[xlxo]

By going by road, you get more time to explore the towns. Bus tours do this as driver rest stops. I prefer the flexibility of bus tours.

[NancyIL]

Before this thread turns into an argument about train vs. bus vs. car - the OP has stated that she and her husband want to take the train! I have no bones to pick with those who choose the Rocky Mountaineer. My sister and brother-in-law were on the Rocky Mountaineer several years ago and loved it. If they had offered to pay my way - I'd have been more than happy to go, too! :D ;)

[Budget Queen]

Agreed! My first visit to Hubbard Glacier on HAL Veendam in 2008 was on a very foggy day, and we didn't get close at all. The ranger onboard said it was due to ice. (I think our captain didn't want to have a confrontation with the captain of the Millennium that was parked in front of it! :rolleyes: ) I mentioned that the Celebrity ship didn't seem to have trouble with the ice, and she replied that the Celebrity ship was bigger than the Veendam. That was true, but it sounded like a lame excuse to me!

 

The Star Princess (July 30) will go to Glacier Bay and College Fjords. The Island Princess (July 27) will go to Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay.

 

NCL Sun goes to both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier on its July 25 cruise from Vancouver to to Seward. However, you would then need to fly from Anchorage to Vancouver (or Calgary) for your train journey. The August 1 NCL Sun from Seward to Vancouver goes to Glacier Bay, and picks up passengers who do the small boat excursion at Sawyer Glacier after a half day in Juneau. For your first and maybe only trip to Alaska, don't skimp on Juneau.

 

Some errors- There aren't any "rangers" on board at Hubbard Glacier. Southbound NCL cruises, do NOT go to Glacier Bay and the cruise ship does sail Tracy Arm. The option to visit Hoonah could be of interest as well.

 

Every cruise involves compromises. :)

[Budget Queen]

So there is a general consensus from locals on those threads that you actually see more by road than by rail. Very interesting!!

 

Sometimes locals and visitors are looking for very different things. :)

 

I've done both, the scenery from the train was spectacular and a wonderful trip.- which I liked better. :) Everyone is different, certainly both transits are worthwhile.

Edited December 24, 2015 by Budget Queen