Armstrong Collective, the parent company of Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit, is making a renewed push in the New Zealand market with the appointment of a general sales agent (GSA) in the country.

Effective 1 November 2025, Cruise World will act as the sales representative for Armstrong Collective.

“We are delighted to have the knowledgeable and respected team from Cruise World representing our brands and supporting the New Zealand travel community,” said Tony Soden, Director of Sales Australia/NZ for Armstrong Collective.

“It’s an exciting time as we launch our new US brand, Canyon Spirit, for 2026 and we look forward to welcoming many more New Zealand travellers onboard the iconic Rocky Mountaineer in Canada,” Soden added.

The rebranded Canyon Spirit will offer a two-night journey and guests will be able to start or conclude the trip in Salt Lake City.

Meanwhile, Soden said Rocky Mountaineer’s recently launched Passage to Peaks itinerary, introduced due to the expected chaos of the upcoming FIFA World Cup games being played in Vancouver, presents a unique opportunity for travellers to see the “best of both worlds” on the scenic rail journey.

The all Canadian Rockies route is a combination of historic First Passage to the West route from Vancouver to Lake Louise (and onto Banff), and the Journey through the Clouds route, from Vancouver to Jasper. The new route operates from Jasper to Banff, via Kamloops, in June and July 2026. There are also a collection of extended itineraries that include the Passage to Peaks journey.