681 train sleeper compartment types

I am not sure this is the right forum, but I can't find a better forum on the web...maybe some members here have experience on overnight trains?

I am trying to book an overnight from Palermo to Rome on trenitalia.com. There are two types of private cabins for 2 people: "2-bed compartment" and "double-seat compartment". Since the latter costs more than the former, I assume "seat" is just a translation problem. But can anyone tell me specifically how these 2 types of compartments differ? Does the more expensive one have wider berths? Shower? Meals included?

The sleeper types described on the trenitalia web site---classic, tourist, excelsior---have no apparent relationship to the types offered when I try to make a booking. The "2-seat" cabin seems expensive enough (at 220 euros for 2 people) to be Excelsior---the kind with a shower and other "hotel type" facilities---but that's not made clear anywhere. Of course Trenitalia doesn't answer e-mails.
Many thanks,

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/30/2005 - 04:08

Go to

[url]http://www.wagons-lits.com/gb/italy_night_trains.html[/url]

This should help

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/30/2005 - 04:10

Although we have never actually done it, we did look into it a year or two ago. I cannot remember all the details but I do remember that the type of sleeper accomodation supplement you paid depended upon whether you had paid for a 1st or 2nd class ticket. I think the tourist type was only available to those who had bought a 2nd class ticket and the excelsier for 1st class passengers. I am afraid I do not know anymore but hope this is of some help. You could always try phoning the Trenitalia Help Desk on 0039 06 8833 9537, they should be able to give more specific information.
Enjoy the journey
Anne

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/30/2005 - 09:53

[QUOTE=alan haynes]Go to

[url]http://www.wagons-lits.com/gb/italy_night_trains.html[/url]

This should help[/QUOTE]
This site lists the same types (classic, tourist, excelsior) as on trenitalia's informational web page, which I had already seen. However, the types offered when booking have no relationship to these three types (see original post).