North America: Alaska Railroad—New Packages, FAM Opportunities

Alaska Railroad — New Packages, FAM OpportunitiesBy Paloma Villaverde de Rico“This is our centennial year,” Dale Wade, v.p. of marketing and customer service for Alaska Railroad, tells Recommend. It was back on July 15, 1923, when President Warren G. Harding drove in the golden spike signaling the completion of the railroad in Nenana, Alaska. This momentous occasion will be reenacted on July 15th of this year. That said, the centennial celebrations are on-going throughout the year. One of the ways the rail company is celebrating is with the launch of the 12-day Limited Edition: Centennial Special package, available May to early September of this year. Says Wade: “It’s an extensive tour package to really understand the centennial of the railroad and how it functions. So, that will be a lot of fun.” He adds, “Many things have changed in the past 100 years. We’ve updated our equipment, the destinations have grown, and the onboard experience turns many passengers’ in-state travel into a trip highlight. Technology has also made a more sustainable travel experience possible.” Beyond the celebratory year, Alaska Railroad continues to add to its programming, offering a variety of multi-day and day packages. Wade says that one of the most popular packages by ridership is the Coastal Classic, which starts in Anchorage, leaving very early in the morning, heading south to Seward. He notes that the train is nonstop, “except we stop for animal sightings along the way. So, there’s time built into the schedule for slowing down and seeing the wildlife and glaciers.” Once in Seward, he says, there are lots of water-based activities such as the 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise and the 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park Catamaran Cruise, both offering an up-close view of tidewater glaciers as well as marine wildlife. Wade says peak time is May to July. Wade also reminds travel advisors that Alaska Railroad can take their clients to remote spots in the 49th state, including Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, served by the Glacier Discovery Train. Spencer Glacier rises 3,500 ft. from a lake of royal-blue icebergs in the Chugach National Forest just 60 miles south of Anchorage. Activities abound, including hiking, sea-kayaking and rafting. If you want to experience Alaska Railroad for yourself, Wade says that the rail company works with Visit Anchorage to create FAM opportunities. “We love our travel advisors,” he exclaims. For clients looking for hidden gems in Alaska, Wade points to Nenana itself. “It's a port city with river access,” he says, “and there are a number of Native villages downriver. They are on the edge of entering tourism. They have wonderful Dark Nights, therefore it's great for catching the Aurora.“ alaskarailroad.com/travel-trade/travel-requests
AD
SEABOURN COVERSEABOURN IFCCOVEREXPLORA JOURNEYSPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUPTable of ContentsTURKISH AIRLINESEditor's NotesSANDALSATLAS OCEAN VOYAGESIndustry Insights: The Cruise Industry Sails Forward into a Very Bright FutureREGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISESAdvisor Speak: Travel Advisors Talk Luxury TravelHILTON HOTELSCaribbean/Mexico: What's New, What's LuxeCruise Happenings—New Luxe Ships, New Itineraries to MatchOnboard Review: A Marvel-ous Cruise on Disney DreamOnsite Review: W Fort LauderdaleNorth America: Alaska Railroad—New Packages, FAM OpportunitiesEDU.RECOMMENDSEABOURN IBCSEABOURN BC