Maiden voyage of £16k-a-ticket train cancelled

Telegraph

2 days ago

The maiden voyage of a sleeper train that cost £16,000 a ticket has been cancelled.
The weekend tour to Cornwall was cut after the Britannic Explorer needed maintenance the day it was due to depart.
Instead of making the journey from London Victoria to Penzance on Friday, the Belmond operated train was diverted for repairs near Southampton.
It is understood some passengers paid more than £50,000 for a three-night stay in one of the train's three 'grand suites'.
The urgent repairs mean that the July 11 journey to the Lake District has also been cancelled.
The train has fine-dining cars, 18 sleeper-cabin suites and onboard spa treatments. Among its cabins are three grand suites and 15 standard suites. Its dining experience has been designed by Simon Rogan, the award-winning restaurateur.
The company said passengers were offered a full refund 'including associated travel costs'.
The cancellation came just a day after guests had celebrated the train's launch with a three-hour party hosted by Keira Knightley at London Euston station.
Belmond, which also operates the Oriental Express through Singapore and Malaysia, says its lavish service will now depart London for mid-Wales on July 21.
A company spokesman said: 'The adjustment to the schedule was due to final refinements being made to ensure the train operates at the highest possible standard.
'Our team is committed to delivering an exceptional experience.'
In November 2024, Belmond announced it would debut the 'unapologetically British, effortlessly elegant' service in mid-2025.
A spokesman said it would offer three-night journeys 'through the spectacular natural landscapes of Cornwall, The Lake District and Wales'.
Hendrik Huebner, the general manager of the Britannic Explorer, said: 'It's a reimagining of what travel in Britain can be.
'We're creating moments of wonder between iconic stops – slow, soulful, sensory travel that's very much in tune with what luxury travellers are seeking now.'
Speaking about the food on board Mr Rogan last November said he hoped every passenger 'not only enjoys the flavours but also feels a connection between the dishes and the journey, making their time on board truly memorable'.
A trip on the Britannic Explorer in a double cabin starts from £11,000, including a three-night itinerary, excursions, meals, wine and other alcoholic beverages on board, rising to £16,000 for a suite and a double bed.
At £16,000, the cost of an excursion on the Britannic Explorer is enough to fund a 75-day cruise for two around South America and the Caribbean.
It is also significantly more expensive than the firm's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, where berths are priced from £3,885 per person for the two-day journey from Paris.
Belmond had previously said cabins were already 70 per cent booked for this year, with the company highlighting one guest who has made reservations for all three Britannic Explorer itineraries back-to-back.
There are still £8,500 tickets available for it's three-day journey to Cornwall on Sept 19.
Belmond, which was acquired by French luxury goods giant LVMH for £2.34 billion in 2019, was contacted for comment.