I also thought a few elements of the trip came up short.
A view from the observation deck on the Rocky Mountaineer.
Monica Humphries/Insider
While the Rocky Mountaineer was a luxe trip, I found that a few aspects didn’t meet my expectations.
The train company advertises an outdoor viewing platform. Leading up to the trip, I envisioned myself enjoying it with the wind in my hair while sparking conversation with other travelers, and enjoying the sunshine in the open-air space.
But when I boarded the train and searched for the platform, I was disappointed. The outdoor space was a small area between train cars with only enough room for two people, and the views were more limited than the ones from the train cars with glass-dome windows.
“Space on the train is very limited and our coaches are meticulously designed to make the best use of the space,” a spokesperson for Rocky Mountaineer said in an email. “Our guests tell us they appreciate the outdoor viewing area as it offers the opportunity to get some fresh air, capture photos, and take in the scenery from a different vantage point.”
My expectations were also not met when it came to my vegetarian meals. When I booked the trip, I had the choice between Asian vegetarian meals, diabetic meals, gluten-free meals, low-fat meals, non-lactose meals, vegan meals, and vegetarian lacto-ovo meals. With so many options, I assumed I’d enjoy a hearty vegetarian meal.
Unfortunately, I thought the reality was a bit lackluster. For lunch on the first day, a vegetarian meal wasn’t listed, so I was served a larger version of the salad that everyone ate as an appetizer. The next day, I appreciated that my train chef whipped up a dish for me, but I hoped for a bit more than was served.
“Our onboard team does its best to accommodate dietary preferences wherever possible. Space in the train’s galley is limited, so when we know in advance, there is an opportunity to work with our culinary team to bring additional meal options onboard,” the spokesperson said. “On the route you traveled, there are typically two selections on the menu. The vegetarian meals are sourced and prepared in addition to the standard menu and may vary, based on the freshest options the culinary team can provide.”