Seabourn is rolling out a new pre-cruise trip for 2019 with stops in the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park. The luxury cruise line announced the seven-day experience this week with a program that will take Seabourn guests through the mountains on the way to Banff, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Canada’s oldest national park. They also visit the Instagram-friendly Lake Louise and spend two days on a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey traveling in a luxury, glass-domed coach.
Seabourn says guests can start taking a UNESCO Banff National Park & Rocky Mountaineer journey during the upcoming 2019 season in Alaska and British Columbia. Itineraries are designed along the lines of other pre- and post-cruise Seabourn Journeys around the world, with time dedicated to local culture, history and scenery. Travelers can expect accommodations at first-rate hotels and restaurants as part of the package, which will be available for select departures onboard Seabourn Sojourn.
“This new Seabourn Journey is a perfect example of how Seabourn heightens cruising with land-based exploration of the stunning scenery and culture of the most beautiful places on the planet, with the rail cars being a perfect complement to the overall luxury travel experience,” said Rick Meadows, president of Seabourn. “For anyone planning a trip to Alaska and British Columbia in 2019 this will be a relaxing, eye-opening adventure in a stunning region that guests will not want to miss.”
Some of the highlights from the week-long trip include a scenic drive by premium motor coach through the Canadian Rockies to Banff. Along the way, travelers see the Hoodoos rock formations, Tunnel Mountain Drive, and Surprise Corner, which opens up suddenly for some remarkable views of the Fairmont Banff Springs and surrounding area. There’s also a stop at Emerald Lake, the largest of Yoho National Park’s 61 lakes and ponds.
Rocky Mountaineer, the Canadian rail-tour operator, handles the train travel, taking guests deep into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. While onboard, they will see canyons, valleys and the coast of British Columbia. As part of the package, seating is reserved in the bi-level, glass-domed GoldLeaf Service coach, where hosts offer historic context and storytelling.
Seabourn’s 2019 Alaska and British Columbia season features a series of 11-, 12- and 14-day voyages between June and October 2019. The pre-cruise package is available on the June 7 and Aug. 20 sailings from Vancouver to Anchorage (Seward). It’s also offered before the July 2 and Sept. 14 itineraries, which are 12-day round-trip cruises from Vancouver. For more information contact Deluxe Cruises.