Orient Express - What an attitude

[Funniebunny]

I have a client that has asked me to look into an Orient express trip for her 60th birthday. She is wanting to take her family so there would be 10 people plus a child of 15 months and is willing to spend a good amount of money as it's such a special occasion.
Well I called them today to get prices for a trip to Venice and was told that "Orient Express discourage children from their trains as they are not allowed in the restaurant or bar". Not only that but the parents would have to split up and have two room! For the first time in a while I was speechless. I understand that the type of clientelle that would do these trips may not want the noise of children but this totally alienates families.
I have had to send an email to my client explaining this. It goes to show money can't buy everything

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Don't think that sort of thing was built for children (there is barely enough room to swing a hamster, let alone for a toddler to "toddle"). I think that the cabins are very small (two seperate births per cabin) and so nowhere to put the toddler in the same cabin as the parents.

Am not sure how easy it is to have a big group on the Orient Express either - because of the nature of the restaurant, they are very likely to find themselves split up (and not sitting in one big group).

The group might be a lot better off on a cruise or something similar - a lot more room. Lots of space and room to "toddle", they could have a BIG table and all sit together, some good kids activities and - to be perfectly honest -a LOT more going on...

Boo

 

[ariel75]

Oooh i'd love to be a travel agent i'd go bankrupt if i had that job

 

[Funniebunny]

I now totally agree that the train is not really suitable for a toddler but hadn't thought about it until I called reservations. I think what really annoyed me though was the attitude of the guy on the other end of the phone. He was so rude

 

[wils]

I suppose the exclusivity of the trip and the price tag means that they can afford to be selective (but there is no need to be rude about it!)

I had a very enjoyable day on the Orient Express (supplier jolly!) but I can't imagine a toddler finding it too much fun. Now a cruise sounds much more the ticket!

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I suppose the exclusivity of the trip and the price tag means that they can afford to be selective (but there is no need to be rude about it!)

Agreed... never any excuse to be rude. It doesn't make sense either - if they are rude to a travel agent, can't see that agent passing much business at all their way in the future... You would think that agents working for a company like Orient Express would have the HIGHEST levels of customer service... maybe Funniebunny just caught an agent on a bad day... Still, no excuse - ick!

Cruise definitely makes sense - there are so many fantastic ones out. If they REALLY want something special (and are willing to pay for it), then look at Silversea (http://www.silversea.com/default.aspx), Regent (http://www.rssc.co.uk/) and Crystal (http://www.crystalcruises.com/) and Cunard (http://cunard.co.uk/). They are probably all a "step above" the rest (i.e. P&O., Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Royal Caribbean etc.). You would need to check with each line whether there would be any "problems" with travelling with a toddler (i.e. what provisions there are for dining, babysitting, childrens activities etc).

Still, you probably know all of that, being a travel agent.

Good luck finding something FANTASTIC for your clients

Boo

 

[Funniebunny]

The clients are going on a cruise later this year, either the QE2 or the QM2. I will wait and see what she replies to my email but I agree a cruise may be more suitable for a group. Maybe I could convince then to take a trip to WDW