Caledonian Sleeper Honeymoon

[samshltn]

One week today, my husband (still feels strange calling him that!) and I will be taking the sleeper from Euston to Fort William to begin our honeymoon.

We have done this once before, and we remember struggling to get seated in the lounge car for our dinner. Please can someone help us?

- We remember arriving at the lounge car and not knowing what to 'do'? Do you wait to be seated? Or do you make for, and occupy, the nearest table?
- What's the best way to be assured a table? We were thinking of quickly 'dumping' our kit in the compartment and hot-footing it down the platform to the lounge car as quickly as possible. Is it possible to reserve a table? We'd obviously love to have a nice romantic dinner (Last time we did this I think we ended up having a sandwich sitting on our lower bunk!

If anyone's interested, we're getting on the Jacobite from Fort William. Still waiting for them to reply to my website enquiry about luggage, but that's not for here!

 

[telstarbox]

I think a strategic phone call to Scotrail telesales could be useful

 

[samshltn]

Really? What do you think I should say to them? Ask them the same questions?

 

[Be3G]

One week today, my husband (still feels strange calling him that!) and I will be taking the sleeper from Euston to Fort William to begin our honeymoon.

A wonderful idea. A trip on the sleeper with (if you're lucky enough) the sun peering through the Highlands in the morning is probably the most romantic journey one can make in the UK.

- We remember arriving at the lounge car and not knowing what to 'do'? Do you wait to be seated? Or do you make for, and occupy, the nearest table?

The latter: just wander in and take a seat. Think of the lounge car as being a bit like a café, in that you're left to your own devices most of the time except for if you want to order food or a drink. (I highly recommend the cheese board by the way.)

- What's the best way to be assured a table? We were thinking of quickly 'dumping' our kit in the compartment and hot-footing it down the platform to the lounge car as quickly as possible. Is it possible to reserve a table?

There is a facility to reserve a table, but I've never seen any cast-iron details about how to arrange it. I get the impression it's a facility for first-class travellers only though; if that describes you, then by all means do as telstarbox suggests and give Scotrail a bell to see if they can arrange a reservation for you. Otherwise, yes, your best bet is to do pretty much as you suggest, although you don't quite need to worry about ‘hot-footing’ it – it takes a little while for the lounge to fill up, so provided you board the train as soon as it becomes open for boarding, you should be fine without having to really rush.

 

[CallySleeper]

Contrary to what be3g suggests there is not the facility to reserve a lounge car table as far as I am aware. Also, the lounge car is available to all passengers, you're welcome to either 'sit in' (in which case, grab any free table) or take any refreshments back to your cabin. The only rule is that the attendants may ask that only first class passengers can sit down[\I] if it is sufficiently busy; you're still welcome to buy stuff to take back to your cabin. I'm assuming you're travelling standard.

Best bet of getting a seat however is as you say being ready to board (platform 15) when it starts, checking in, dumping stuff in your cabin and then making your way to the lounge car. Bear in mind that as far as Edinburgh, the Fort William portion doesn't have its own lounge car so you'll be sharing with Aberdeen passengers: you'll be in the front to carriages of the train, the lounge car will be 6-7 cars back.

Hope that helps. Enjoy!!!

 

[gord]

Wow, you're going to have a great time. Wish I had thought of it when I married!

When we did the sleeper last year we didn't board until around quarter to nine and still managed to get a seat in the lounge car. The tables started to clear around Milton Keynes and we were able to sit down and order food. By Stafford there was only 3 or 4 of us left in there and they were still serving food. So if all else fails you could go into the lounge car a bit further up the line.

This was in the Inverness portion of the train though, don't know if that makes a difference.

Hope you have an amazing time!

 

[Be3G]

Contrary to what be3g suggests there is not the facility to reserve a lounge car table as far as I am aware.

There definitely is, or at least was, because I've seen a little ‘Reserved’ sign sat on one of the lounge car tables!

 

[telstarbox]

All I'm saying is that the word 'honeymoon' sometimes opens a few doors.

 

[yorkie]

- We remember arriving at the lounge car and not knowing what to 'do'?

Arrive early, try to be among the first to board. One of you check-in, while the other goes straight to the lounge car. If you have a lot of bags/luggage, is there anyone who could accompany you to help you?

Failing all that...

We were thinking of quickly 'dumping' our kit in the compartment and hot-footing it down the platform to the lounge car as quickly as possible.

...that will work providing you're among the first to check-in.

On busy trains (e.g. Friday night departures) they may state that the lounge car is only for First Class ticketholders. Technically it's First Class accommodation, but passengers holding sleeper berth reservations in Standard are permitted to use it, subject to availability.

Is it possible to reserve a table?

I know people who have asked. The answer has always been "no". Maybe they'll make an exception, worth a try...

If anyone's interested, we're getting on the Jacobite from Fort William. Still waiting for them to reply to my website enquiry about luggage, but that's not for here!

We have a Trip Planning section, but there's no harm in anyone answering in this thread if anyone reading this knows!

Enjoy!

 

[DarloRich]

Assuming you have First class tickets:

board asap, send husband (with luggage!) to berth while you take up a seat in the lounge awaiting his return.

Sit back, relax, enjoy haggis neeps and tatties and a have nice drink!

 

[bkhtele]

The trick is to sit down & get your order early, so far I have never been asked to leave "1st class" lounge car, have fun

 

[samshltn]

I've been in touch with ScotRail via Facebook, and they've said that they'll inform the 'relevant managers'. Not sure what that means, but I'm sure I'll have a great trip anyway! Thanks for everyone's help, I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Techniquest]

Have a fantastic time!

Just pondering, but to me I'd prefer to occupy my berth with my new partner and enjoy the snugness with each other than use the lounge car. Obviously everyone's different, but I don't find the lounge car that special!

Oh, and expect some banging about of coaches at Edinburgh when you get there, and some sharp braking as you get there. Not exactly what you want at 0315 in the morning! Yes that was a personal experience and you may be fine, but just don't be overly surprised...

 

[samshltn]

Thanks for the advice about banging, and your warning about the banging.

 

[TheEdge]

Thanks for the advice about banging, and your warning about the banging.

Insert obvious honeymoon innuendo here...