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Rail & Cruise Holidays
The ultimate adventure
Picture this: You’re relaxing on your private balcony, a chilled glass of bubbly in hand, watching the dramatic fjords slide by. Behind you lies the vibrant city of Vancouver. Ahead, the wilderness of Alaska. After a day spotting whales and bald eagles, listening to the thunder of calving ice, and standing face-to-face with a glacier, you’re wondering if it could possibly get any better. And you smile because this is only the beginning. On a Canada rail and cruise holiday, your experience doesn’t stop there. You get the best of both worlds with two incredible holidays in one.
An Alaska cruise paired with a trip on the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer train is one of the finest ways to explore Western Canada and the only way to see the Rockies and Alaska if you want to do things properly. Onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s daylight train you’ll be treated like royalty. The impeccable service, gourmet dining and dramatic views continue on your cruise. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with memories that will last forever. In Eastern Canada, VIA Rail links the vibrant cities while a cruise of the St. Lawrence River is the best way to see Ontario and Quebec.
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Special Offers
Included Rail Upgrade
Enjoy an included service upgrade on rail holidays
Book a rail holiday in the Canadian Rockies and get an included service upgrade. Rail tours sell out quickly so book now to avoid disappointment. Book by 31st March 2025.
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Rocky Mountaineer Offer
Save up to £290 per person on 2026 Rocky Mountaineer holidays
Applicable for selected 2025 & 2026 two or three-day rail only journeys on Rocky Mountaineer's Canadian routes. Book by 31st March 2025.
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Save up to £500 per booking
Book by 31st March and take advantage of our exclusive savings
• Save £500 on bookings over £10,000
• Save £350 on bookings between £7,500 - £9,999
• Save £300 on bookings between £5,000 - £7,499
• Save £250 on bookings between £2,500 - £4,999
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5GB of FREE data
Stay connected with up to 5GB of FREE data
Stream, surf, and share more with up to 5GB data on us. Book by 31st March 2025.
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Holland America Line Start Your Journey Sale
Receive a free stateroom upgrade plus reduced kids' fares and up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom
Offer is valid for selected 2025 sailings. Offer applies to guest 1 & 2. This offer is available until 31st March 2025.
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Recommended Holidays
Explore a collection of our handpicked rail & cruise holidays below
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Alberta, British Columbia & Alaska
Our most popular Canada rail and cruise combination transports you from the everyday into the majesty of Western Canada and Alaska. A luxurious, daylight journey on Rocky Mountaineer's plush train uncovers the hidden gems of Canada's Rocky Mountains.
See places in Alberta and British Columbia that are only accessible by rail. When your train tour ends, board a Holland America Line cruise from Vancouver along Alaska's Inside Passage for round two of spectacular scenery.
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Ontario, Quebec & Atlantic Canada
When you explore Canada and New England by rail and cruise, your adventure starts in bustling Boston. A stopover in Maine's Bar Harbour gives you a taste of the delicious lobster to come before you sail into Atlantic Canada.
Explore the gorgeous beaches of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and keep an eye out for whales as you cruise up the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Quebec. Finally, tour Quebec and Ontario's glittering cities, finishing in Toronto.
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West Coast city stops
The highlights of a rail and cruise journey in Western Canada include the Wild West city of Calgary - a common start or end point for your tour. The action-packed Rocky Mountain towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper promise incredible mountain views with memorable sightseeing.
Vibrant Vancouver is where your cruise to Alaska will depart from. Along the way, you'll take in the boardwalks of Ketchikan, the glaciers of Juneau and the Gold Rush history of Skagway.
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East Coast city stops
A New England and Canada cruise starts off in famous Boston before sailing to the summer-houses of Bar Harbour. Nova Scotia's capital, Halifax, is a bustling metropolitan city that stands side-by-side with colourful fishing communities and beautiful beaches.
Sydney, on Cape Breton Island, is a stunning spot to take in cliff views. Prince Edward Island's Charlottetown is a scenic stop-off before you reach the French-inspired architecture and romance of Quebec City and Montreal.
End your tour in Toronto.
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What to pack for your Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska cruise holiday?
A major concern for any travellers to Alaska is the weather. Surely a cruise filled with icebergs and glaciers will be cold?
Well actually, if you’re travelling in summer, it’ll be about the same as a UK spring. Pack layers for those warmer days and a jacket, hat and gloves for colder days on the deck or in the mountains.
Sturdy shoes, comfortable trousers, warm layers, gloves and hat, and a camera will do for both the train and the cruise.
Most guests wear casual dress, so wear clothes you are comfortable sitting in and sturdy, flat shoes to cope with the motion of the train.
A comfortable top with a warm fleece or jumper and windproof layer on top will cover all bases.
Don’t forget your binoculars to spot wildlife!
Rocky Mountaineer has no dress code.
The cruise will have one or two formal evenings, but it’s up to you whether to dress up or go smart-casual.
Don’t forget that you’ll be visiting two countries in one holiday if you visit Canada and Alaska.
As well as your passport, Canada requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter the country.
The USA has different requirements, needing an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
Both must be obtained in advance online.
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Did you know?
Canada is home to some of the most scenic cruising destinations in the world. From the glaciers and waterfalls of the Rocky Mountains to the charming coastal villages of the Maritimes, there is something for everyone to enjoy on a Canadian cruise.
Immerse yourself in the views
See some of the sights for yourself by watching the video below
Why should you book with us?
Price Match Guarantee
If you manage to find the same Canada holiday for cheaper with another UK operator we will happily match the price
'Excellent' on Trust Pilot
We are rated 'Excellent' on Trust Pilot from over 4,000 reviews
30 Years Experience
We have 30 years experience in providing outstanding holidays to Canada
Award Winning Canada Experts
We've won over 25 awards with votes from our peers and customers
ATOL Protected
We are registered members of ABTA and ATOL, so when you book a holiday with us your money is protected
Our Expert Team
Speak to one of our Canada travel experts and start planning your dream holiday to Canada today. Take a look at our Meet the Team page to find out more.
Julie Heath
Julie has been at Canadian Affair for nearly three years and has been working in travel for thirty-three years.
Mark Carson
Mark has been working for Canadian Affair for over three years but has been travelling to Canada regularly since 1989.
Karen Dougan
Karen has been working at Canadian Affair for over ten years, making her the true definition of a Canada travel expert.
Jemma Price
Jemma has been at Canadian Affair for two years and has extensive travel experience across North America.
Hannah Littlewood
Hannah joined Canadian Affair last year after having lived in Canada for two years prior to this, giving her expert local knowledge.
Kate Mitchell
Kate has been working at Canadian Affair for over a year and has travelled to various parts of Canada multiple times.
Andrew Blenkiron
Andrew has worked in travel for over twelve years, with two years as a Canada specialist, and has travelled all over Canada.
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