Sarah Bretz, ContributorPrincess Cruises and Brightline, a central and southern Florida passenger rail route, have partnered to introduce the Rail & Sail program. It will offer guests in Florida quick and easy access to Princess cruise ships departing from Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral.
The partnership also includes the debut of a train with four custom-designed cars wrapped in Princess’ iconic Love Boat branding, complete with its signature seawitch logo and depictions of popular ports of call. The cruise line’s branding will also be featured in Brightline’s five terminals throughout Florida.
Brightline and Princess’ Rail & Sail Service
Princess Cruises guests will have access to Brightline’s full schedule of trains departing daily with 16 round-trip transits between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. Options include:
- Southbound from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale (with stops at West Palm Beach and Boca Raton)
- Northbound from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando (with stops at Boca Raton and West Palm Beach)
- South Florida residents can also take Brightline from its downtown Miami and Aventura terminals with stops in Fort Lauderdale or Orlando.
Princess Cruises will also provide guests with complimentary motorcoach service between Brightline’s Orlando and Fort Lauderdale stations and their embarkation terminal.
Special Discount and Luggage Express Service
Brightline will offer Princess cruise passengers a new luggage express service where they can check their bags upon arrival at their Brightline station and it will automatically be delivered to their stateroom on the ship. The cost is $35 per bag.
Luggage express will initially be available on Orlando-to-Fort Lauderdale trains, with plans to add the service to Fort Lauderdale-to-Orlando trains ahead of Caribbean Princess’ arrival and homeport at Port Canaveral in November.
For a limited time, Princess guests who book a cruise through May 5th will receive a credit that can be used toward Brightline’s signature Premium and Smart class:
- Interior/Oceanview stateroom: $50 per person Brightline credit
- Balcony/Deluxe stateroom: $100 per person Brightline credit
- Mini-Suite/Suite: $150 per person Brightline credit
Brightline’s Smart service includes hand-stitched leather seats, complimentary wifi, and multiple power and USB outlets at each seat. Premium service adds complimentary snacks and beverages and access to a Premium Lounge at the Brightline station.
Princess’ Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral Cruises
Princess Cruises is one of Port Everglades’ largest cruise operators with seven ships sailing out of Fort Lauderdale — nearly half its fleet. Voyages include week-long getaways to the Caribbean as well as longer length 10 to 20-day cruises, including those that go into the Panama Canal.
Caribbean Princess will inaugurate Princess sailings from Port Canaveral on November 27, 2024. It will operate a series of four to 14-day itineraries to ports including Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, Belize, Amber Cove, and Roatán. This program runs through April 2025.
For more information on Princess Cruises and Brightline’s Rail & Sail service, visit princess.com/brightline.
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