Rocky Mountaineer has extended the inaugural season of its new route in the United States by four weeks, and delayed the start of its Canadian travel season until 01JUN, 2021 due to the continuing travel restrictions and uncertainty of when they will be lifted.
“The travel landscape is almost unrecognisable from 17 months ago when we last operated our trains, and much uncertainty remains around when the Canadian and provincial governments will lift the travel and health restrictions that make it impossible for us to welcome guests on board our Canadian routes,” said Peter Armstrong, founder and interim CEO, of Rocky Mountaineer.
“We are hopeful the vaccination programs underway in the United States and Canada will soon be sufficient, so we can get back to doing what we do best, which is hosting guests for an incredible experience on board our trains.”
The luxury rail company has “high hopes” for the preview season of its new rail route in the Southwest USA, Rockies to the Red Rocks.
“We are seeing a strong interest from travellers with some high-demand dates nearing capacity, and signs are pointing to a strong U.S. domestic travel season for the year ahead,” said Armstrong. “We are adding more departure dates for 2021 and adding rail cars to each departure, so we can host even more guests throughout the preview season.”
Rockies to the Red Rocks is a two-day train journey between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The preview season for the route starts on 15AUG, 2021 and, with the extension, will run until 19NOV, 2021.
For guests affected by the delayed start to travel in Canada, Rocky Mountaineer is offering:
- a future travel credit equivalent to 110 per cent of monies paid
- holding its 2021 and 2022 rail pricing at 2020 levels
- and providing a price guarantee for its vacation packages
Guests can choose to transfer their booking to the Rockies to the Red Rocks, with an added incentive to return to travel on the Canadian routes in the future.
Rocky Mountaineer is allowing guests to change their departure dates up to 30 days ahead of travel, without charge or penalty.