Rocky Mountaineer is sharing changes to its 2021 travel season in consideration of the continuing travel restrictions and uncertainty of when they will be lifted.
The luxury train company is extending the inaugural season of its new route in the United States, Rockies to the Red Rocks, by four weeks, and delaying the start of its Canadian travel season until June 1st.
“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 chief executive 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.”
He added: “We also have high hopes for the preview season of our newest rail route in the south-west 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 United States domestic travel season for the year ahead.
“After the challenges of the past year, we truly appreciate the support and interest we are receiving for this route.
“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 August 15th and, with the extension, will run until November 19th.
With some departure dates nearing capacity, Rocky Mountaineer is adding rail cars to increase the guest capacity on all dates and adding 16 new departure dates to the preview season.