In a collaboration that is set to transform the travel landscape in Florida, Princess Cruises and Brightline have announced the launch of the groundbreaking ‘Rail & Sail’ program. This innovative program offers guests unparalleled ease and convenience by seamlessly connecting them to Princess cruise ships departing from the vibrant homeports of Fort Lauderdale and Orlando (Port Canaveral).
A key highlight of the Rail & Sail program is the introduction of a newly designed train composed of four custom-designed cars adorned with Princess’ iconic Love Boat branding. These striking designs feature the signature seawitch logo and enchanting depictions of popular ports of call, promising travelers a visually captivating journey from start to finish.
Guests embarking on the Rail & Sail experience can look forward to a luxurious and swift journey, arriving at their chosen homeport in record time thanks to Brightline’s efficient intercity passenger rail service. The integration of Princess branding within Brightline’s five terminals across Florida further enhances the seamless transition from train to cruise ship, creating a harmonious travel experience for passengers.
Additionally, the partnership between Princess Cruises and Brightline introduces a value-added luggage express service, offering guests the ultimate convenience. Through this service, travelers can check their bags at their Brightline station, knowing that their belongings will be securely waiting for them in their stateroom upon reaching the ship.
To celebrate the launch of the Rail & Sail program, Princess Cruises is offering special discounts of up to 15% on Smart and Premium Rail & Sail packages booked through Brightline’s website. Furthermore, guests who reserve a Princess cruise prior to May 5 will receive a generous Brightline credit of up to $150 per person, applicable to the renowned Smart and Premium class services based on stateroom type.
Commenting on this groundbreaking partnership, John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “A Princess cruise is already the best value in travel, and this new collaboration with Brightline enhances the journey for our guests, making sailing from South and Central Florida even more accessible and enjoyable. Our aim is to provide a seamless travel experience, from booking to boarding, ensuring our guests can relax and entrust us with every aspect of their voyage.”
Likewise, Patrick Goddard, President of Brightline, highlighted the longstanding connection between cruisers and Brightline, emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering unparalleled travel experiences. “Today’s partnership with Princess Cruises and the unveiling of the Love Boat-branded train wrap further solidify the bond between cruisers and Brightline, showcasing our dedication to enhancing the vacation journey for all our passengers,” Goddard remarked.The introduction of the Rail & Sail program signifies a new era of travel convenience and luxury, setting a high standard for seamless and integrated transportation solutions in the region. With its innovative approach and customer-centric focus, Princess Cruises and Brightline are poised to redefine travel experiences for guests seeking unparalleled comfort and convenience on their journeys.
One-of-a-Kind ‘Rail & Sail’ Service
Princess guests will have access to Brightline’s full schedule of convenient 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 will also provide guests with complimentary motorcoach service between Brightline’s Orlando and Fort Lauderdale stations and their embarkation terminal.
Special Discount Offer, Convenient Luggage Express Service
With the convenient new luggage express service guests can check their bags upon arrival at their Brightline station and their luggage will be automatically delivered to their stateroom, making their cruise experience seamless and hassle-free and saving valuable time and effort. The cost is $35 per bag. Luggage express will be initially 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 only, Princess guests who book a cruise through May 5 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 connections at each seat while Premium service adds complimentary snacks and beverages and access to a Premium Lounge.
Love Boat Sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Space Coast
- Fort Lauderdale: Princess is one of Port Everglades’ largest cruise operators with seven ships – nearly half its fleet – sailing from Fort Lauderdale. Voyages include week-long getaways to the Caribbean to longer length 10- to 20-day cruises offering guests a chance to explore a host of tropical island destinations, including through the Panama Canal.
- Port Canaveral: Caribbean Princess will inaugurate Love Boat cruises from Port Canaveral November 27, 2024, with a series of four- to 14-day sailings visiting some of the western Caribbean’s most picturesque locales, including Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, San Juan, Belize, Amber Cove (Dominican Republic) and Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan). The program runs through April 2025.
Additional information on the new Rail & Sail service is available at princess.com/Brightline or gobrightline.com.