Canadian Rockies, and then Pacific Coast Cruise?

Friends...

We were set to do this cruise on the Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas. It was a 14 day excursion, first there was the Canadian Rockies land tour, followed by a seven day cruise along Pacific Coast. We were really looking forward to it, but financial realities in our retirement years took precedent and we had to cancel. It was the saddest day of my life when I had to cancel a vacation that was something that we had planned for so long, but the costs of life in retirement often outweigh what we wish to do.

I am looking for some advice on similar land and sea tours that will give us both the land experience for the Canadian Rockies, followed by an enjoyable follow up cruise along the Pacific Coast. I'd to experience more time in San Francisco, with an overnight, that might allow us to do some tours for the Napa Wine Valley and also a visit to Alcatraz. This would in 2016... I would love to hear about other options... so far it seems to be too early to decide on a cruise line or itinerary that far in advance.

Pete

I live in Vancouver and have done all 3 componants of what you are planning to do but on separate trips. The most economical way is to co-ordinate the componants yourself. I think the cheapest time to do this is in late September when you can link the shoulder season with a coastal relocation cruise to San Francisco. I think there are the odd coastal offered by Princess scattered throughout the Alaskian cruise season but you may have to do more research.

The Rockies:

DIY: I suggest a 1-way route of Calgary/Badlands to Banff, Lake Louise, Ice Fields, Jasper, Okanagan Wine country, and end up in Vancouver.

http://travelalberta.com/Things%20to%20Do/Scenic%20Routes/Canadian%20Badlands.aspx

http://www.banfflakelouise.com/

http://visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/arts-attraction/attractions/columbia-icefields-glacier-adventure?gclid=CPqM5_rIg8cCFdKIfgodAAcInw

http://www.jasper-alberta.com/

http://www.okwinetours.com/

You can do this by rental car/hotel, rental RV, bus tour, or train tour.

I see these on the road all the time during the summer. I don't know what the costs are but they are extremely popular with European visiters.

http://www.canadream.com/rent-rv-canada/

There's lots of bus companies that do a whirlwind round trip from Vancouver and I'm sure there's 1-way trips as well. "Google" is your friend.

The "Rocky Mountaineer" train is extremely popular but probably the most expensive.

https://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/booking/when-to-travel/2015/canadian_rocky/journey_through_the_clouds/western_explorer?tourCode=15OWWEXPE&tourCode=15OWWEXPW

The good thing is that $1.00us gets you $1.30cdn currently so plan your Canadian stay soon.:)

Friends went with Key West, they offer economical bus tours to/from Alberta en route to Vancouver...

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/

Ideas to save money...

• hotels near the Vancouver cruise terminal offer convenience, but at a premium price. Looking at hotels a few blocks away offers significant savings for multi-day stays. Multi-day stays are desired in Vancouver.
  
• train through Rockies is very scenic.... bus can offer savings.
  
• instead of starting/end your flight from Vancouver... think open jaw.... arrive in Alberta, bus and cruise to Cascadia for the cruise, and then fly out in another city.
  
• are there flight savings flying mid week?
  
• June offers dryer weather in Alaska with savings compared to July/August.
  
• consider an Oceanview instead of a balcony cabin for savings
  
• I notice Celebrity offers a great trip departing from Vancouver this year on August 23, does Alaska and ends in San Francisco after 12 days. Not sure if it's being repeated the following year.
  

Friends...

 

We were set to do this cruise on the Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas. It was a 14 day excursion, first there was the Canadian Rockies land tour, followed by a seven day cruise along Pacific Coast. We were really looking forward to it, but financial realities in our retirement years took precedent and we had to cancel. It was the saddest day of my life when I had to cancel a vacation that was something that we had planned for so long, but the costs of life in retirement often outweigh what we wish to do.

 

I am looking for some advice on similar land and sea tours that will give us both the land experience for the Canadian Rockies, followed by an enjoyable follow up cruise along the Pacific Coast. I'd to experience more time in San Francisco, with an overnight, that might allow us to do some tours for the Napa Wine Valley and also a visit to Alcatraz. This would in 2016... I would love to hear about other options... so far it seems to be too early to decide on a cruise line or itinerary that far in advance.

 

Pete

Hi Pete

In case it's of any interest this has links to videos I made of a drive through the Rockies from Banff-Vancouver (numbers 7-17)

We flew from the UK to Calgary and spent 2 nights at Banff, 3 at Jasper and one at Kamloops (to break the journey to Vancouver). I think we most of the major 'sights'. All the best, Tony

I would look to do this itineary in the spring - may as you will get longer days much more day light as by Sept dusk comes much earlier... Weather wise chances of good weather are about the same - "Luck of the Draw"!

Think about flying to San Francisco and spending your desired time there then pick up a repositioning cruise to Vancouver and you can always look to do a B2B crusie up to Alaska too!

Once off in Vancouver consider renting a car and driving thru to Calgary that allows you to spend time where you want rather than on a schedule... good roads all the way!

Fly home from Calgary...

We are booked on the September 25-October 2, 2016 Celebrity Infinity Pacific Coastal cruise: http://www.celebritycruises.com/cruises/cruise-package-IN07R017?packageid=IN07R017&dest=ALCAN&shipCode=IN&shipName=Celebrity%20Infinity&sailDate=1160925&cabincls=INTERIOR&promoType=80 I have also considered doing a Canadian Rockies pre-cruise land trip, as well as a southbound Alaska cruise that ends in Vancouver just before the Celebrity cruise begins. The Rocky Mountaineer train would be nice, but it's a lot more money than we're willing to spend.

we have booked something similar for July 2016 (no it's not too early, some good offers on at the moment). Depends where you are flying from, but as we are coming from the UK the cost of breaking the flight (to Vanvouver) in Calgary is negligible. I know people will say you need to drive from the Rockies to Vancouver, the roads and the scenery are great, but you need to overnight in a hotel, add meals, add fuel and add one way car rental - compared to free flight stopover it's a no brainier if budget matters. Of course that doesn't get you to San Fransisco, but it might work to list out what you would like to do, cost them and prioritise them and see what you can do for the budget you have set. Remember the excursions in Alaska are likely to be expensive so don't forget to factor them into your planning.

I agree with flying in to Calgary and renting a vehicle - 5 days should do it and gives plenty of time to see the sights. There is a 10 day cruise on the Star Princess leaving Vancouver on April 19, 2016 that has an overnight stay in San Francisco. The cruise returns to Vancouver (stops in LA, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island with the overnight in San Francisco so you get 1.5 days there) with 2 days either end of sea days. Gives you the option of touring Vancouver either before or after the cruise - I'd give at least two days in Vancouver if you've never been. I'm doing this cruise myself :-)

Friends went with Key West, they offer economical bus tours to/from Alberta en route to Vancouver...

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/

 

Ideas to save money...

• hotels near the Vancouver cruise terminal offer convenience, but at a premium price. Looking at hotels a few blocks away offers significant savings for multi-day stays. Multi-day stays are desired in Vancouver.
  
• train through Rockies is very scenic.... bus can offer savings.
  
• instead of starting/end your flight from Vancouver... think open jaw.... arrive in Alberta, bus and cruise to Cascadia for the cruise, and then fly out in another city.
  
• are there flight savings flying mid week?
  
• June offers dryer weather in Alaska with savings compared to July/August.
  
• consider an Oceanview instead of a balcony cabin for savings
  
• I notice Celebrity offers a great trip departing from Vancouver this year on August 23, does Alaska and ends in San Francisco after 12 days. Not sure if it's being repeated the following year.
  

I found the Key West tours of the Canadian Rockies and was very pleased by their prices, especially compared to the Rocky Mountaineer rail tours.

I would like to see reviews of someone on cc that has take one of these tours.

Rocky Mountain tours, bus tours are very reasonable.

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/canadian-rockies-tours/

http://keywesttravelandtours.com/package/circle-west/