Rail and sail?

[BadHairBill]

a couple of years back there was talk in the travel press of cruise lines introducing 'rail and sail' trips. I think the Orient Express or similar would have been part of it.
Did this happen? And if so, who is doing it?

Thank you

[CaroleF]

I have seen adverts for rail/cruise trips which have the rail journey on the Orient Express (usually on the return journey) and the cruise on Cunard and Silverseas. Some of these are advertised by "Imagine Cruising" and "Readers Offers". There's one in the Daily Telegraph today. Its a 14 night trip - London Eurostar and then rail to Nice - a two night stay at the 5* Hyatt Regency (can fly if preferred) then transfer to Silversea Silver Cloud in Monte Carlo for 11 night journey to Venice. Then overnight stay on board in Venice and transfer to Orient Express to London. They are advertising a Veranda Suite for £7,499 or a Vista Suite for £5,999. This is a Readers Offers advertisement.

Carole

[Jan Rosser]

Hi Bill - if you look under Cunard on this site you will see a report from Melsea who has done a cruise and rail trip - she gives a very full account of her experiences on both the QE2 and the Orient Express. She booked with Imagine Cruising - they seem to do a lot of this type of trip combining a cruise with a train ride or a few days in the Lakes - are you tempted? By the way Mel flew out to the ship.

[GillD46]

I have seen adverts for rail/cruise trips which have the rail journey on the Orient Express (usually on the return journey) and the cruise on Cunard and Silverseas. Some of these are advertised by "Imagine Cruising" and "Readers Offers". There's one in the Daily Telegraph today. Its a 14 night trip - London Eurostar and then rail to Nice - a two night stay at the 5* Hyatt Regency (can fly if preferred) then transfer to Silversea Silver Cloud in Monte Carlo for 11 night journey to Venice. Then overnight stay on board in Venice and transfer to Orient Express to London. They are advertising a Veranda Suite for £7,499 or a Vista Suite for £5,999. This is a Readers Offers advertisement.

Carole

Wow, those aren't bad prices, I might take a look.

[Dark Knight]

Merv has just done one to Alaska

[daib GC]

I have seen adverts for rail/cruise trips which have the rail journey on the Orient Express (usually on the return journey) and the cruise on Cunard and Silverseas. Some of these are advertised by "Imagine Cruising" and "Readers Offers". There's one in the Daily Telegraph today. Its a 14 night trip - London Eurostar and then rail to Nice - a two night stay at the 5* Hyatt Regency (can fly if preferred) then transfer to Silversea Silver Cloud in Monte Carlo for 11 night journey to Venice. Then overnight stay on board in Venice and transfer to Orient Express to London. They are advertising a Veranda Suite for £7,499 or a Vista Suite for £5,999. This is a Readers Offers advertisement.

Carole

Wow, those aren't bad prices, I might take a look.

Gill my sentiments exactly. I have always wanted a SS cruise.

[GillD46]

We have tried Regent and found them very good - though we do dislike the port intensive aspect. It was more the VSOE that appealed and the timing works for us in September. Still hate the fact there's no shower on board and a shared loo though and Tony may well veto it on that basis.

[BadHairBill]

thank you all very much for your replies. Yes, we are tempted, not for this year or 2015, but will certainly take a look. Wife is very keen!

[Marie Lloyd]

We did an 'Imagine Cruising' trip last year: Flight to Durban, 3 day Rovos Rail trip to Jo'burg, flight to Cape Town for 3 day stay then cruise back on Aurora. Rail trip was excellent. It included several stops for tours including a mini safari and a trip to Spion Cop where we had an excellent lecture. The train was very luxurious and stopped in a siding at night so as not to disturb our sleep. Hotels in Durban, Jo'burg and Cape Town were also good. Transport arrangements between airports and hotels were a bit chaotic but, in the end, it all added to the fun.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Merv has just done one to Alaska

We certainly did. Flew to Calgary. Rocky Mountaineer train to Vancouver. Cruise to Anchorage. All in all 16 nights including some two night city stopovers. Excellent trip.