All Aboard! Rocky Mountaineer Kicks Off 2011 Season

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (April 26, 2011) –The first train of Rocky Mountaineer’s 22nd season departs Vancouver, BC today for a spectacular rail journey through British Columbia and the majestic Canadian Rockies.

To launch the 2011 season, Rocky Mountaineer is rolling out some exciting initiatives including: SilverLeaf Service, a new class of service onboard the internationally acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer train; the debut of Rail and Cruise packages with Holland America departures out of Seattle, WA and a new user friendly website. The revamped site offers a first glimpse into the premium Rocky Mountaineer rail experience and provides guests with the tools they require to make the most of their travels to Western Canada.

Highlights of the 2011 season:

SilverLeaf Service
For the first time, Rocky Mountaineer guests will have the option to upgrade from traditional RedLeaf Service and travel in a single level dome coach, boasting panoramic views, entertaining onboard commentary, and a delicious hot meal service at their seat. Travelling onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West rail trip between Vancouver, BC and Banff, Alberta, guests will tour through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world including the Canadian Rocky Mountains, a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. SilverLeaf Service is available on select departure dates between May and October, 2011.

Rail and Cruise
In partnership with Holland America, Rocky Mountaineer will offer 12 to 17 day Rail and Cruise vacations with departures out of Seattle, WA. These new offerings include a seven night Glacier Bay Inside Passage Cruise beginning in Seattle and two days onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train between British Columbia and Alberta. In 2011, Rocky Mountaineer will offer more than 12 different itineraries with Holland America, departing out of Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA. The company has also entered into a partnership with Disney Cruise Lines for 2011, offering a pre-cruise rail trip to Whistler as a part of an Alaskan cruise onboard Disney’s Wonder. The new Rail & Cruise itineraries debut on May 8, 2011, and are available through September 11, 2011.

Newly Launched Website
Rocky Mountaineer’s new website showcases the company’s award-winning rail journeys, different levels of service and array of vacation offerings with easier navigation and better visibility for prospective travellers. With the understanding that guests want to know exactly what they are getting, the new site illustrates all levels of service and rail routes with numerous pictures, capturing every element of the trip. New products and offers are easily found right on the home page and there is better accessibility to Rocky Mountaineer’s social media channels which includes a brand new guest blog, where travellers can connect about their travels.

The Rocky Mountaineer season runs from April 26 until October 6, 2011. For more information about Rocky Mountaineer, please contact your local travel professional or visitrockymountaineer.com. For the latest news and offers follow us on Twitter @rmountaineer or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RockyMountaineerTrain.

About Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer offers 45 unique Canadian vacation packages and four distinctive rail routes, rich in history and natural wonders, through British Columbia and Alberta. This world renowned, luxurious train travels by daylight through the wild beauty of Canada’s West and is the best way to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over the past 20 years, Rocky Mountaineer has grown to become the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America and has welcomed more than one million guests onboard from around the world. In 2010, Rocky Mountaineer received its fifth World Travel Award for “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” and was acknowledged for the first time for “World’s Leading Luxury Travel Product of the Year.” Rocky Mountaineer has also been recognized by National Geographic as one of the “World’s Greatest Trips” and by the Society of American Travel Writers as “The Best Train Experience in the World.”

Contacts:
Nancy Dery
Manager, Communications
Rocky Mountaineer
Phone: (604) 606-8421
Email: ndery@rockymountaineer.com

Rose Chase
Travel Media Relations Specialist
Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver, British Columbia
Phone: (604) 606-8473
Email: rchase@rockymountaineer.com