Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (March 14, 2006) – When Rocky Mountaineer Vacations launches Canada’s newest tourist train, the Whistler Mountaineer on May 1, 2006, it will provide a vital link between Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., making it an ideal pre- or post-cruise shore excursion for Alaskan cruise ship passengers.  Hundreds of thousands of tourists travel to the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver every year to board a cruise destined for Alaska, and many of these guests choose to spend time exploring Canada’s West and all that the area has to offer.  The new three-hour Whistler Mountaineer rail journey not only offers a unique way to travel, it also enables cruise ship passengers to visit the four-season resort town of Whistler, B.C. for one or more days.

“There are over a dozen cruise lines offering Alaskan itineraries on their roster this summer,” states James Terry, Executive VP & C.O.O. of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations.  “The new Whistler Mountaineer train experience will give those visitors interested in exploring Western Canada the chance to enjoy breathtaking views with the highest level of comfort and service.  This kind of service has never been offered to cruise passengers before.”

With northbound and southbound departures, seven days a week, the Whistler Mountaineer features some of British Columbia’s most magnificent scenery.  Following the internationally renowned Sea to Sky corridor, this unique new train hugs the scenic shoreline and travels by such stunning sights as cascading waterfalls, sparkling Pacific waters and soaring mountain peaks.  On northbound departures, the train will leave North Vancouver at 8:30 a.m. and arrive at its destination at 11:30 a.m., giving guests plenty of time to explore Whistler Village.  Southbound departures are scheduled to leave Whistler at 2:30 p.m. and will arrive back in North Vancouver at 5:30pm. 

For those cruise ship passengers who choose to spend more time enjoying Whistler, the train can be booked alone or as part of several different vacation packages.  For the 2006 season, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations has created two packages specifically for Alaskan cruise ship visitors.  The Pre-Cruise Escape and Post-Cruise Escape are two nights/three days in length and include rail and motorcoach transportation to and from Whistler, two nights accommodations and admission to the Whistler Gondola.  Transfers to and from the cruise ship terminal are also part of these spectacular new packages.  Prices begin at $380 CDN/ $327 USD (based on double occupancy).

Onboard the train, guests will be pampered by attendants who provide a meal service and fascinating commentary about the region. The Whistler Mountaineer offers two different types of experiences:  Glacier Dome and Coast Classic.  The Glacier Dome is a single-level, custom-built dome coach complete with panoramic views and a refined yet relaxed atmosphere.  A delectable breakfast or afternoon tea is served to guests at their seats depending on which direction they are travelling.  Coast Classic features a traditional rail carriage environment with large picture windows, assigned seating and a light meal service.  All travellers will have access to the unique Heritage Observation Car, which puts everyone that much closer to the breathtaking scenery. 
 
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (RMV), owned and operated by Armstrong Hospitality Group, offers year-round vacation packages to the most unique regions of Canada, including the world-acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer train, a two-day, all daylight rail journey between Canada's West and the Canadian Rockies.  Since its inception in 1990, the company has grown to become the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America and has hosted over 800,000 guests from around the world.  The Rocky Mountaineer train operates from mid-April to mid-October (with select December departures) while a portfolio of non-rail holidays, under the umbrella of Spectacular Canada, is featured year-round. In May 2006, RMV will premiere the Whistler Mountaineer train and the new Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery Route, which will operate between Whistler and Jasper, Alberta with an overnight stop in Quesnel B.C.  Rocky Mountaineer Vacations was recently honoured with a prestigious World Travel Award as, “World’s Leading Travel Experience By Train.”  Armstrong Hospitality Group, one of Canada’s leading tourism providers also owns Gray Line West motorcoach operations in Banff, Alberta and Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria, British Columbia.

Contacts: 

Michelle Dunn
Manager, Communications
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations
(604) 606-7324
mdunn@rockymountaineer.com 

Joan Bloom/Joan Brower/Brenda Urban
M Booth & Associates
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations  
(212) 481-7000
rmvteam@mbooth.com
   
www.rockymountaineer.com