Viking River Cruises plans to introduce a baggage transfer service that will deliver rail-cruise clients’ luggage from the UK straight to the ship.
Viking UK managing director Wendy Atkin-Smith said rail-cruise sales had been “phenomenal” this year, but Viking needed the baggage transfer service if it was to expand to destinations further from the UK.
The cruiseline launched rail travel in 2008 for cruises on the Rhine and Seine, which can be reached in one day from the UK, but is trailing a rail-cruise on the Danube for 2010, with an overnight in Cologne either end of the cruise to break up the journey.
Atkin-Smith said Viking’s passengers, who are mainly aged 60-plus, do not want to have to carry their luggage. Transfers to and from the hotel in Cologne will be included in the package, but the journey requires several changes of train.
She said: “We are talking to a company and it looks very positive. If rail-cruise has grown so much when passengers have to carry their luggage, how much better will it be if we can transfer bags for them?”
Atkin-Smith said rail-cruise accounted for 30% of bookings so far this year, and was already standing at 35% for 2010.
In response to client feedback, Viking also now has a representative at Paris Gare du Nord to meet passengers arriving on Eurostar and escort them to their taxi to transfer to another station for their onward travel. The same service is being introduced in Brussels for 2010.
The Danube Rhapsody rail-cruise features in the newly launched 2010 programme, which has discounts of up to £1,500 per couple for bookings made by August 30. A dedicated rail-cruise brochure is being prepared.
Atkin-Smith is also planning to ask Eurostar to allow access to the business lounge for Viking passengers travelling in the train’s Leisure Select class.
She said: “They wouldn’t do it when we launched the rail-cruise options, but maybe they will reconsider given the way our rail business with them has grown. It is something our passengers expect.”