Virgin 1st Class Refreshments

[Tim B]

My mate and I are having a trip London - Leeds - Carlisle on the S&C then returning on Virgin West Coast to Euston on the 19.49 from Carlisle (18:40 ex Glasgow Central) travelling Wednesday 2 November 2011.

Can anyone experienced in these matters advise what the food / drink offering is likely to be. Will this train offer Dinner or just Light Bites ? The £49.50 1st class fare looks pretty good but just wanted to check.

Thanks in advance

 

[voyagerdude220]

Light bites- in other words two different sandwiches will be offered, alongside cake, fruit, and drinks including alcohol.

For some reason, the 18:40 ex Glasgow only offers the evening meal to passengers boarding at Glasgow, unlike the 16:40, which also offers it to passengers boarding at Carlisle.

Enjoy your journey.

 

[snail]

Light bites- in other words two different sandwiches will be offered, alongside cake, fruit, and drinks including alcohol.

If the previous crew have remembered to order stock. I've been on a few evening services where sandwiches have run out. I find the Virgin offering too unreliable if you are the slightest bt hungry!

 

[Tim B]

Thanks for your advice guys. 1st Class seems not worthwhile. Have got some v cheap 2nd class advance tickets Carlisle- Blackpool North to have the afternoon riding trams and seeing lights, then Blackpool - Euston

 

[SS4]

It is never worth going First Class on Virgin for food alone. I prefer to go to have space to relax (first class quiet zone is empty)

 

[gary47]

Its quite good in the week but at weekends you only get a drink biscuits and crisps and that's only the staff can be bothered to come and serve you

 

[Chew Chew]

Sorry for my ignorance here but what are you actually entitled to?

I notice snail has mentioned about sandwiches running out, would that entitle you to any reimbursement?

Must be honest and say that if I'd spent all the extra money to travel in 1st class and all I was offered was a biscuit I'd be a bit peeved. Then again, I'm from Aberdeen and stingy as hell.

 

[krisk]

Its quite good in the week but at weekends you only get a drink biscuits and crisps and that's only the staff can be bothered to come and serve you

Can be bothered eh?

 

[All Line Rover]

Sorry for my ignorance here but what are you actually entitled to?

I notice snail has mentioned about sandwiches running out, would that entitle you to any reimbursement?

Must be honest and say that if I'd spent all the extra money to travel in 1st class and all I was offered was a biscuit I'd be a bit peeved. Then again, I'm from Aberdeen and stingy as hell.

Sandwiches rarely run out, but if they do, you are not "entitled" to any compensation. It's still worth writing to Customer Relations, though, as compensation is frequently offered on a discretionary basis.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Can be bothered eh?

Sounds similar to the service manager who once asked me to leave coach K to herself, despite G H and J being surprisingly packed and her only needing one seat.
Back on topic, i think the weekend offer is v.crap. I can't even get Hot Choc or Orange J.. I don't drink alcohol, so the lack of it doesn't bother me. But a biscuit for £15/4 hours, longer when engineering work is on..

 

[SS4]

Hence my comment about the food alone not being worth it. However the £10 (as it costs on EUS-BHM) is worth it to get some space and a some quiet

 

[All Line Rover]

Hence my comment about the food alone not being worth it. However the £10 (as it costs on EUS-BHM) is worth it to get some space and a some quiet

Very true. You also (subject to discretion when travelling on Advance tickets) get access to the First Class lounges at Birmingham and Euston. The amount of free food/drink doesn't exceed £5, but many people will pay the other £5 for the extra space, quieter surroundings and free Wi-Fi.

 

[T8KE0FF]

I can't even get Hot Choc/QUOTE]

I asked the man for a hot chocolate a few weeks back on one of the weekend upgrade tickets and he happily went and got me one! You just have to ask and smile!

 

[krisk]

Hot Choc and Decaff I do to request, we dont do juice but I think it would be a nice addition and its quick to serve.

I don't mind what I serve so long as it is easy to deliver

 

[SS4]

Hot Choc and Decaff I do to request, we dont do juice but I think it would be a nice addition and its quick to serve.

I don't mind what I serve so long as it is easy to deliver

I've rarely had any trouble getting orange juice on board

 

[gary47]

Was in first class on a virgin train one Sunday got on at stafford noone came round with drinks so I walked to tea bar on train and they said sorry its closed and I never got my drink

 

[voyagerdude220]

I can't even get Hot Choc/QUOTE]

I asked the man for a hot chocolate a few weeks back on one of the weekend upgrade tickets and he happily went and got me one! You just have to ask and smile!

I know you need to ask, but I got told back in March/April that neither Hot Choc nor Orange Juice were available on the weekend, "because you can upgrade cheaply".. I wasn't happy.

I rarely travel at weekends, so I'm only basing my experience from a 19:30 Euston Pendolino on a Saturday.

I've rarely had trouble getting a hot choc on a weekday.

 

[scotsman]

Was in first class on a virgin train one Sunday got on at stafford noone came round with drinks so I walked to tea bar on train and they said sorry its closed and I never got my drink

Virgin can be short-staffed at weekends. Where were you travelling from and to?