Personal experience: the pros and cons of traveling on a luxury train in the USA

Monica Humphreys, a journalist, spoke about her two-day $1500 luxury train ride across the US Southwest and explained why she won't repeat it, reports Insider.

Photo: IStock

Stepping onto the red carpet, Monica boarded the Rocky Mountaineer train with a backpack, an iced latte, and big expectations.

Last May, she boarded the Rocky Mountaineer in Denver, Colorado, bound for Moab, Utah.

“This will be my first major rail trip in the US, and also one of the most expensive trips I've ever booked. My individual ticket for a two-day trip costs $1465, although I bought a ticket on sale for $1052,” Monica said then.

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Rocky Mountaineer considered one of the most luxurious trains in the world. The railroad operates three routes from Western Canada, and last year launched its first U.S. route between Moab and Denver.

“When I booked a two-day trip, I was lured by the glass domed windows, quality food and endless alcohol. I admired the company's commitment to appreciating the landscapes the train passed through: each carriage had a conductor who spoke about the history of the region. Also, the Rocky Mountaineer advertises itself as a “daylight only train,” so I stayed overnight at a hotel in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, which was included with the train ticket,” Monica said.

On the whole, in her opinion, the promise of luxury lived up to expectations, but when she got off the train, she thought that the trip could not justify the cost of it.

“For me, Rocky Mountaineer will most likely be a once-in-a-lifetime trip,” Monica said.

“My ride on the Rocky Mountaineer train was unforgettable. “I met new people, heard fascinating stories and saw grand views,” she added.

When the train arrived in Moab, she wasn't sure she would book another of the train's routes. “Even though the decorations were awe-inspiring and the customer service was top notch, I don't think I could justify the price,” she said. — Many elements of the two-day trip were filled with luxury. Throughout the two days, I noticed thoughtful details that made the trip a breeze.”

“Flowers were waiting for passengers as they boarded the train, my luggage was delivered and waiting for me in my hotel room at the end of the day, and the panoramic windows sparkled without a single spot,” the girl added.

“All the train staff told interesting stories and it was the best customer service I have ever experienced while traveling. But I wish I had more time to appreciate and enjoy the scenery instead of quickly driving by,” Monica said. “When we crossed the Colorado-Utah border, our train conductor, who was our guide for most of the journey, excitedly told us to get our phones out and get ready for a photo shoot. Just a few moments later, our guide said we would pass a staircase carved into the rust-red La Sal Mountains, which were created by the Ute people hundreds of years ago.”

Monica saw the stairs for a split second, and all the travelers quickly started checking to see if their photos were blurry.

“As the train passed by, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed: I wanted to admire the stairs for more than a few moments,” Monica said. “This feeling was the theme of my train ride as we passed through historic tunnels, stunning views and powerful rivers. It seemed to me that I was seeing nature, but not feeling it. As I sat in the leather chair sipping prosecco, I realized I'd rather be walking, sweating and snacking on fast food."

She noted that she found out too late that she could not be the target traveler for these excursions.

“I'm at a point in my life where adventure in the wilderness is where I find my joy. I’d rather be in nature than look at it from a glass dome window,” says Monica.

She added that she is at a point in her life where exploring the wild makes her happy, and she is also at a point where $1000 is a lot of money.

“Spending over $1000 on a two-day train trip that doesn't include return travel costs is something I wouldn't be able to do unless I was writing a trip report for my job,” she said.

The remaining five days of her stay in Utah cost just over $2100, including food, lodging, national park entrance fees, entertainment, gas, and car rental.

During those five days off the train, Monica thought about the fact that she drove 1120 km across the state and learned more than a dozen pit stops. She stayed in hospitable castles in Utah's Little Switzerland and ate at famous Moab eateries.

She noted that if she decides to book another train ride to the West, she will consider Amtrak. According to the Amtrak website, a similar journey from Denver to Green River, Utah, about an hour north of Moab, will cost passengers $50 for a seat on the bus and about $418 for a private compartment.

She suggests that riding the Amtrak will feel less like a vacation and more like a commute, but Monica isn't sure the amenities of the Rocky Mountaineer, while far more luxurious than the Amtrak, were worth the significant price difference.

She also thinks that some elements of the trip didn't go well.

“While Rocky Mountaineer was a luxurious ride, I found that some aspects did not live up to my expectations,” says Monica. — The railroad company is advertising an outdoor observation deck. In the lead up to the trip, I imagined myself enjoying it with the wind in my hair, striking up conversations with other travelers and enjoying the sunshine under the open sky. But when I got on the train and started looking for a site, I was disappointed. The open space was a small area between the cars, with only enough room for two people, and the views were more limited than from the glass-domed cars.”

“There is very little space on the train, and our cars are carefully designed to make the best use of space,” a Rocky Mountaineer spokesperson said in an email. “Our guests tell us that they appreciate the outdoor observation deck because it gives them the opportunity to get some fresh air, take photos and admire the scenery from a different vantage point.”

Monica's expectations also fell short when it came to her vegetarian options. When she booked her trip, she had a choice between Asian Vegetarian, Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Lactose Free, Vegan, and Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo options. With so many options, she assumed she would enjoy a hearty vegetarian meal.

“Unfortunately, the reality was a little lackluster. For lunch on the first day there was no vegetarian option listed so I was served a large version of the salad that everyone was eating as an appetizer. The next day, I appreciated that my cook on the train had prepared a dish for me, but I was hoping for something more than what was served to me,” she said.

“Our onboard team makes every effort to accommodate dietary preferences where possible. Space in a train galley is limited, so when we know ahead of time, we have the ability to work with our culinary team to bring additional food options on board,” the spokesperson said. — On the route you've been traveling on, there are usually two options on the menu. Vegetarian meals are supplied and prepared in addition to the standard menu and may vary depending on the freshest food the culinary team can provide.”

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“I probably won't be riding the Rocky Mountaineer again anytime soon, but that doesn't mean it wasn't an epic trip,” Monica says. — While I disembarked the Rocky Mountaineer unsure if I would book another trip, the train ride rekindled my love for the American West and left me with unforgettable memories. And the other travelers on this train agree with me.”

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