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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Cruise

Rocky Mountaineer rail and seven-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Calgary

Illustration of Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Cruise

Great Rail Journeys operates this 16-day escorted adventure that combines two daytime rail journeys through the Canadian Rockies with a seven-night cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage. The tour departs London Heathrow with a dedicated UK Tour Manager, beginning in Calgary and moving through Banff, where guests enjoy a gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain and a coach excursion to the turquoise waters of Lake Louise. Over days five and six, travellers board the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class, crossing the Continental Divide and descending through dramatic canyons to Vancouver. After a guided tour of Vancouver's Gastown, Chinatown, and Stanley Park, the group boards Celebrity Summit for a week-long cruise through the Inside Passage. Highlights include sailing past Icy Strait Point with views of humpback whales and bald eagles, a full-day approach to Hubbard Glacier (the world's longest tidewater glacier), and stops at Juneau and Ketchikan to explore Alaska's native heritage and frontier history. Hotel stays are 3-star throughout, with all meals, the Classic Drinks Package onboard, and guided excursions included.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement of GBP 8,099 is significantly higher than half of the double-occupancy price; confirm the exact per-person cost before booking.
  • Port excursions in Alaska are optional, operated by Celebrity Cruises, and payable separately; they are not included in the tour package.
  • Some itinerary stops vary by departure date: the 16 May and 22 August departures visit Skagway instead of Hubbard Glacier on Day 11; the 29 August departure stays at Canoe & Suites in Banff rather than other listed options.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Calgary

    To Calgary on the edge of the Rockies

    Meeting the Tour Manager at London Heathrow, board a direct flight across the Atlantic to Calgary. Arriving around midday local time, check in to the hotel and spend the night in this city of the Canadian west. Calgary has a modern skyline steeped in western culture. Dinner independently.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    The Trans-Canada Highway into the Rocky Mountains

    Travel along the Trans-Canada Highway, passing through Native American reservations before the foothills of the Rocky Mountains gather round the route. Destination is Banff, nestled beneath Cascade Mountain. Check in mid-afternoon; rest of day free. Dinner independently.

  3. Day 3overnight: Banff

    Banff National Park and Lake Louise

    Gondola journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for views across Banff. Coach excursion to Lake Louise, a turquoise glacial lake framed by snow-capped mountains. Continue to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, stopping at Spiral Tunnels Viewpoint. Meet a retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer. Dinner independently. Note: For 29 August departure, stay at Canoe & Suites hotel in Banff.

  4. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Free day to explore Banff at leisure

    A full day at leisure to explore Banff at your own pace. Optional excursions available (payable locally) including guided visits to Lake Minnewanka and Bow Falls. Banff is renowned as one of Canada's foodie capitals. Dinner independently.

  5. Day 5overnight: Kamloops

    The Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops

    Board the Rocky Mountaineer early for the first daylight journey through Canada's scenery on the 'First Passage to the West' route in SilverLeaf Class. Pass Castle Mountain, Kicking Horse Pass, Spiral Tunnels, cross the Continental Divide from Alberta into British Columbia, and descend into Yoho National Park. Arrive in Kamloops for overnight. Dinner independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  6. Day 6overnight: Vancouver

    The Rocky Mountaineer to the Pacific coast

    Continue on the Rocky Mountaineer through Thompson and Fraser Canyons, past Hell's Gate, through arid desert landscapes and into the Fraser Valley, descending towards the Pacific coast rainforests. Arrive in Vancouver for a two-night stay. Free evening to explore.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7overnight: Vancouver

    Exploring the sights of Vancouver

    Four-hour guided sightseeing tour of Vancouver including Gastown (Victorian redbrick buildings, Gastown Steam Clock), Chinatown (largest in Canada), and Stanley Park (totem poles, Seawall). Rest of day free to explore independently, including optional visit to Granville Island.

  8. Day 8overnight: Celebrity Summit

    Setting sail for our Alaskan cruise

    After a relaxing morning, transfer to Vancouver's port to board Celebrity Summit for a seven-night cruise through the Inside Passage to Alaska. Settle into cabins and set sail through the Strait of Georgia towards Alaska. Classic Drinks Package included. First dinner on board.

    Meals: Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Celebrity Summit

    Cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska

    Awake in the extraordinary landscapes of the Inside Passage. Cruise through this UNESCO-protected network of waterways, passing stunning fjords and deep inlets along the wild coastlines of British Columbia and southeast Alaska. Watch for marine wildlife from the deck.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Celebrity Summit

    Icy Strait Point

    Sail into Icy Strait Point near the native Tlingit village of Hoonah, with views of snow-capped mountains, dense forests and crystal-clear waters. Watch for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters and bald eagles. Lunch served as we travel to Juneau, the Alaskan state capital. Free afternoon to explore Juneau's waterfront and frontier-era streets. Dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Celebrity Summit

    The ancient ice of Hubbard Glacier

    Cruise towards the Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in the world (7 miles wide, 76 miles long). Onboard naturalist narrates the experience. Watch for calving ice, whales, seals and otters. Note: 16 May and 22 August departures will instead visit the frontier town of Skagway.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: Celebrity Summit

    Free time in Juneau

    Cruise to Juneau, the Alaskan state capital, inaccessible by road. Free afternoon to explore the picturesque waterfront and charming frontier-era streets. Relax by the outdoor pool, peaceful lawn or enjoy a drink at the Sunset Bar on board. Dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  13. Day 13overnight: Celebrity Summit

    Ketchikan – Alaska's 'First City'

    Dock at Ketchikan, known as the 'First City' of Alaska and the Salmon Capital of the World. Explore the world's largest collection of standing totem poles, visit the Totem Heritage Centre and Totem Bight State Park. Museum, souvenir shops, local art and dining options available.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  14. Day 14overnight: Celebrity Summit

    Return to Vancouver

    Last full day on board the Alaskan cruise. Set sail back to Vancouver through the Inside Passage, gliding through isolated islands blanketed in dense rainforests. Pass Vancouver Island through Johnstone Strait and Strait of Georgia.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  15. Day 15overnight: Flight

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, disembark in Vancouver with free time to explore until mid-afternoon. Return to Gastown's galleries, museums or coffee shops, or stroll along the waterfront towards Stanley Park. In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport for the direct overnight flight back to the United Kingdom.

    Meals: Breakfast

  16. Day 16

    Arrival in London

    Plane touches down at London Heathrow, concluding the Canadian and Alaskan holiday. Free to make your way home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Gondola journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for views across Banff, followed by coach excursion to Lake Louise, a turquoise glacial lake framed by snow-capped mountains.
  • Day 5First daytime journey on the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class, passing Castle Mountain, Kicking Horse Pass, Spiral Tunnels, and crossing the Continental Divide from Alberta into British Columbia.
  • Day 6Second Rocky Mountaineer journey through Thompson and Fraser Canyons, Hell's Gate, desert landscapes, and Fraser Valley rainforests to the Pacific coast.
  • Day 11Cruise towards Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in the world at 7 miles wide and 76 miles long, with onboard naturalist narration and views of calving ice, whales, seals and otters.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Celebrity Summit
  • Five-star service onboard Celebrity Summit
  • Wi-Fi onboard MS Celebrity Summit
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • SilverLeaf Class rail travel on the Rocky Mountaineer
  • Direct flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver and Toronto to London Heathrow
  • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Classic Drinks Package onboard MS Celebrity Summit (beer, spirits, cocktails and wine by the glass)
  • All guided tours and excursions during the escorted tour

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips (can be added pre-departure or paid on board)
  • Port excursions (operated by Celebrity Cruises, optional and chargeable, bookable directly with the cruise line)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail travel, including two full-day journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class (glass-domed standard cabins), plus all coach and flight transfers.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London Heathrow throughout the entire 16 days.
What meals are included?
Great Rail Journeys includes 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 7 dinners. All meals onboard Celebrity Summit are included, plus a Classic Drinks Package with beer, spirits, cocktails, and wine by the glass.
Which hotels are used?
Hotels are 3-star properties. Calgary uses Hilton Garden Inn (1 night); Banff options include Caribou Lodge, Elk and Avenue, and Canoe & Suites (3 nights); Kamloops is a local 3-star hotel (1 night); Vancouver is a hotel near downtown and harbour (2 nights). Seven nights are spent onboard Celebrity Summit.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes guided city walking tours in Vancouver and Juneau, a gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain, coach excursions to Lake Louise and other sites, and free time to explore Banff and Juneau independently. Most activity is coach-based or onboard ship.
When does the tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys offers five departures between May 2027 and September 2026, running in May, June, July, August, and September.

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