Has anybody travelled on the Orient Express?

[daisydalrymple]

My sis and I are considering a trip on the orient express. She turns 50 this year. Our dad died recently and we have some money left to us and this is something we’ve both always wanted to do.

Just wondering if anybody has been and would share their experiences?? From arriving at the train station, boarding, clothes worn, do you dress up for lunch, dinner etc. Menu choices, Atmosphere, other passengers, etc etc.

Not much to share, would love to do it myself but my sister's friend was taken by family for her 21st birthday and it looks absolutely amazing.

My ten year old DS says he will take me and DP on it when he’s made his fortune

It goes past our house every few weeks on the way to Victoria and it looks marvellous.

I’m theninterests of research we looked it up. Gulp. ££££££&

Went on my honeymoon Venice to Paris - was all about eating and drinking. We wore evening wear at dinner and smart casual during the day.

Have they installed showers yet?

If i win the lotto i am so doing this!
It just looks amazing

Thanks for the replies.
Yes I too wondered about the washing / showering side of things

DH & I went from London to Venice. It was a wonderful experience to celebrate our 50th birthdays / Silver Wedding Anniversary.
From the moment our luggage was taken from us at Victoria it was like being wrapped up in a cashmere blanket.
Most people dressed up for dinner and lunch was smart casual. Breakfast was served in our compartment by our steward with fabulous views of the Alps. The food was delicious. Drinks were very expensive.
Our compartment came with seats that were converted to bunk beds by our steward while we had dinner. Our Steward was very knowledgeable about the history of the train. Each compartment has a cupboard that has a washbasin. We had beautiful complimentary toiletries. We were allowed to keep the slippers but not the kimono dressing gown. We were very comfortable and it was atmospheric travelling through the night.
There is a souvenir shop on board.
As we neared Venice a Rep approached us about arranging trips for us during our stay in Venice but we declined this as we had already booked our tickets for the Doges Palace.
It was very much a one off experience for us, mainly due to cost, but also I don't think it would have the same impact a second time. We would definitely love to return to Venice one day.
We went at the week before Easter in 2014 and flew home from Marco Polo Airport.
I'm happy to help with any other questions if I can. I'll check the thread again when I get in from work tomorrow.

I have in the UK and only a day trip. I wore smart casual. I'd definitely do it again.

Oh that does sound magical.
Dad was so proud to save his money to know that one day it would come to us. We’ve been very careful with money ourselves having been brought up that way. So we feel we’d love to really treat ourselves with a fabulous experience we’ll remember forever,

I’d hoped we’d go there and back on the train, but it seems trips are just one way? Unless in the U.K.? We’d definitely like to do a sleepover trip as part of it.

We did a day trip to celebrate a big birthday. It was magical.

Dh wants to do London to Venice. I have IBS & the ensuites (I think there are 2-fairly new) prices are astronomical. Though does sound amazing.

Only done the day trip to the Isle of Wight, very nice. Atmosphere was bit similar to a posh afternoon tea place, very pleasant no children. Think you can go both ways to and from Venice but costs more. We used to get offers at times, up to 30% off, think it was from them direct but was years ago.