European Rail Travel - 3 persons in Deluxe Double cabin, 2 or 3 beds? (CNL)

Looking at Zurich to Amsterdam citynightline train for 3 people. (2 adults + 1 child) We want to reserve a sleep carriage and the DB site offers us the following:

3 persons in Economy Double cabin
or
3 persons in Deluxe Double cabin

Does this mean the 3 of us will share 2 beds? Just for inquiry I changed the child to an adult and still gave me the option of 3 persons in Double cabin.

I have seen on other routes they offer 3 persons in Deluxe 3 person berth??

I tried calling the DB Germany phone but there was no option for English and I couldn't connect to the UK office.

Thanks!

Looking at Zurich to Amsterdam citynightline train for 3 people. (2 adults + 1 child) We want to reserve a sleep carriage and the DB site offers us the following:

3 persons in Economy Double cabin
or
3 persons in Deluxe Double cabin

Does this mean the 3 of us will share 2 beds? Just for inquiry I changed the child to an adult and still gave me the option of 3 persons in Double cabin.

I have seen on other routes they offer 3 persons in Deluxe 3 person berth??
Looking on bahn.de for 2 adults and 1 child (aged 6-14) on CNL40478 on random dates in April, I get the following options:
3 persons in Economy 3-berth cabin
3 persons in Economy double-berth cabin
3 persons in 1 Economy Double + 1 Economy Single cabin
3 persons in 3 Economy Single cabins
3 persons in Deluxe 3-berth cabin
3 persons in Deluxe Double cabin
3 persons in 3 Deluxe Single cabins

Assuming this is a single-decker carriage (CNL have double-decker sleeper cars on a few route, which have a different configuration), then the carriage is physically constructed with only two types of compartment: 'economy' (berths plus washbasin) and 'deluxe' (berths, plus ensuite shower/toilet). Both types of compartment have 3 berths, and the CNL staff fold up/down the right number of berths for the number of passengers allocated to the compartment (based on how it has been sold; they would not be happy if for example, someone booked a 2 berth compartment and then tried to fit 3 people in it). Note that reservations are sold by berth, not by compartment, so you don't need to occupy a whole compartment in order to book a berth. (For example, if a single traveller books a berth in a 2- or 3-berth compartment, they will find themselves sharing with 1 or 2 other passengers of the same sex).

I therefore understand the above offers as follows:

3 persons in Economy 3-berth cabin
3 people in one compartment, with all 3 berths down; no other passengers in the compartment (as it is at max capacity)

3 persons in Economy double-berth cabin
3 people, each in a shared 2-berth compartment, with one other passenger per compartment (ie: with the group spread across at least 2, and possibly 3, different compartments). This means that each person could be in a different compartment, sharing with a 'stranger' (ie: across 3 compartments in total), although it is likely that 2 people will be put together, and the third will be sharing with someone unknown (ie: 2 compartments in total). (If you click on "Book Selected Offer", it will ask you to indicate the gender of the passengers; I think it assumes that all three are the same gender, as presumably mixed gender groups either have to book an entire compartment, or make separate bookings).

3 persons in 1 Economy Double + 1 Economy Single cabin
2 people in one compartment, with 2 berths down; and 1 person in another compartment, with 1 berth down (ie: no other passengers in either compartment)

3 persons in 3 Economy Single cabins
3 people, each with their own compartment with 1 berth down; and no other passengers in any of the compartments.

3 persons in Deluxe 3-berth cabin
3 people in one compartment, with all 3 berths down; no other passengers in the compartment (as it is at max capacity)

3 persons in Deluxe Double cabin
3 people, each in a shared 2-berth compartment, with one other passenger per compartment. (ie: with the group spread across at least 2, and possibly 3, different compartments; and at least one compartment shared with someone else).

3 persons in 3 Deluxe Single cabins
3 people, each with their own compartment; 1 berth down, and no other passengers in any of the compartments.

I assume that what you want is the "3 persons in Deluxe 3-berth cabin" option. I am not sure why this is not being offered to you. Is it not listed at all, or is there a red cross against it (which means there is no availability for that day)?


I tried calling the DB Germany phone but there was no option for English and I couldn't connect to the UK office.
I don't think the DB Germany helpline has an automated option for English, but if you get through to a German speaker and ask (in English) to speak to someone in English, they should at least understand enough to be able to transfer you to an English speaker.

Which number are you trying for the DB UK office? Their current number, and opening times, are at: http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/home/contact/contact-in-the-uk.shtml

3 persons in Economy double-berth cabin
3 people, each in a shared 2-berth compartment, with one other passenger per compartment (ie: with the group spread across at least 2, and possibly 3, different compartments). This means that each person could be in a different compartment, sharing with a 'stranger' (ie: across 3 compartments in total), although it is likely that 2 people will be put together, and the third will be sharing with someone unknown (ie: 2 compartments in total). (If you click on "Book Selected Offer", it will ask you to indicate the gender of the passengers; I think it assumes that all three are the same gender, as presumably mixed gender groups either have to book an entire compartment, or make separate bookings).


Which number are you trying for the DB UK office? Their current number, and opening times, are at: http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/home/contact/contact-in-the-uk.shtml

THANK YOU so much, that was the exact info I was looking for! I couldn't figure out the 3 people in the "double" room. You explained this perfectly and sincerely appreciate your time typing that out! I think other train rookies will find this post helpful!

I was also reading somewhere online that some CNL sleeper trains have adjoining rooms! that may be an option for us if we book 3 persons in 1 Economy Double + 1 Economy Single cabin.

I was calling the +44 8718 8080 66, it would ring then hang up. I was calling during posted UK hours.

Thanks again!^

THANK YOU so much, that was the exact info I was looking for!
You're welcome - pleased it was useful.


I was also reading somewhere online that some CNL sleeper trains have adjoining rooms! that may be an option for us if we book 3 persons in 1 Economy Double + 1 Economy Single cabin.

I had momentarily forgotten this option, but I think you're right. Economy compartments have a door (normally locked) to the adjacent economy compartment; and Deluxe compartments have the same to the adjacent Deluxe compartment. If you occupy both compartments, then you can unlock the door.

However, If you want to book this option, I would strongly advise to do so by phone, as I am not sure that bahn.de would necessarily assign you two compartments that have an interlinking door.

Having 2 interlinked Economy compartments may give you slightly more space than 1 Deluxe compartment (but note that it still won't be that spacious, and you won't have the ensuite shower/WC, of course).


I was calling the +44 8718 8080 66, it would ring then hang up. I was calling during posted UK hours.

Then I would suggest calling +49 (0) 180 5 99 66 33, and asking for an English speaker.

I just booked a deluxe sleeper on CNL from Mannheim to Copenhagen for my parents. If there is a third bed in the sleeper, will they put a stranger in that bed? They wanted it to be just the 2 of them and I am afraid now that I may have just made it so a stranger is in there too. Any thoughts?

I just booked a deluxe sleeper on CNL from Mannheim to Copenhagen for my parents. If there is a third bed in the sleeper, will they put a stranger in that bed? They wanted it to be just the 2 of them and I am afraid now that I may have just made it so a stranger is in there too. Any thoughts?

No worries - if you booked a deluxe double, there will be no strangers in there.