I recently took my first luxury overnight train ride aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond train made of historic Orient Express carriages from the iconic service's nearly 100-year-old fleet.
I knew it would be a decadent experience, but I didn't expect there to be certain rules for guests. In the past, I've spent 160 hours traveling by train in seven countries, and I'd never heard of any requirement regarding clothing or tech etiquette.
But before my trip on Belmond's luxury train, I received a document detailing a few rules I'd have to follow, including a formal dress code and no phones at the dinner table.
It made sense given the amount of money guests pay for the once-in-a-lifetime experience; my cabin for just one night on the train, going from Paris to Venice, cost $9,000.
Still, I had to make a few changes to how I usually travel to abide by the rules.
The luxury train requires smart clothing
As a casual dresser, I had to adapt my typical athleisure style to adhere to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express dress code.
According to the company's website, "you can never be overdressed on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express." During the day, "smart attire," like a blazer, for example, is required. At night, the train requests that passengers wear formal evening attire. And there are no jeans allowed at all.
The document I received over email after booking the trip listed a few more rules, including no sneakers, shorts, or T-shirts. The same document said the dress code "enhances the atmosphere for all passengers."
It made packing a little more complicated. My packing list ended up including two pairs of black dress pants, a button-down shirt, a sweater vest, a cardigan, and a black blazer. Since I'm not a fan of wearing gowns, I wore a suit to dinner. And because I couldn't wear sneakers, I wore a pair of black, leather, wing-tipped Chelsea boots throughout the trip.
Although these clothing items were out of my comfort zone, I thought the dress code added to the elegant vibe of the journey — especially at night when guests dressed to the nines for dinner and cocktails. I still made sure to dress comfortably, packing looser pants, low-heeled boots, and a deconstructed blazer so I could feel relaxed on the journey.
I only spotted one person wearing a T-shirt during the entire trip during the final meal on the train — lunch, although the staff didn't seem to mind.
Using technology in common areas is frowned upon
Another interesting rule was about phones and other electronic devices. The document I received recommended that guests use phones and laptops discreetly in common areas.
Since I was traveling on the train as a reporter, I got permission from Belmond ahead of time to take videos and pictures throughout my trip. But being the only passenger documenting every detail of my experience felt odd in dining rooms full of people being present without technology.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has other typical rules, such as no pets and no smoking, but the dress code and technology limitations surprisingly enhanced the luxury experience by creating a cohesive vibe on the train.
If I were a regular guest on the train, I'd appreciate the chance to unplug — though I'd struggle not to take photos of the passing landscapes from the window.
