Newbie with questions

[lenox]

Greetings:

I've been lurking for the past couple of weeks trying to gather information. Thanks for all of the tips & advice. Although this is not my first time traveling by train (I've done Via Rail from Montreal up to thru the Maritimes) I've never had overnight accomodations on Amtrak. I haven't traveled on Amtrak in a while (early 2000's from NYP to Harrisburg PA is the last time I've been aboard)

Ticketed for travel from NYP to Orlando in a roomette. I only have the roomette for the trip going down & coach going back up. Trip is coming soon in the next couple of weeks.

I have a few questions:

1) How early do I have to be "checked in" before leaving from NYP? I'm only planning bringing on two bags that would be allowable if I were flying. Can I just find my track or wait in the lounge for some assisance/figuring out what track to go to?

2) How can I figure out what stops to get off & stretch my legs for 5 minutes or so?

3) I there one shower located in every sleeper car or do I will I have to go to another?

4) I'm currently booked for a Friday & arrive on Sat train. If I decide to travel a day earlier going down Thur, (tropical weather & I'm trying to catch a Sunday cruise on time) how difficult is that to do online or should I speak with a Amtrak rep?

5) The Prices seem to flutuate hourly (lol) Any tips on getting a rep to honor a online quote that I may be looking at while speaking with rep on the phone?

Thanks in advance for all of your help it's appreciated.

 

[ehbowen]

1.) There is no formal "check-in" on the train, unless you are checking luggage. Two airline-size bags should fit in your room (there is a storage cubby above the hallway...stand on the toilet cover to reach it). If you do choose to check luggage, be at the luggage check counter an hour early (MINIMUM 45 minutes, but remember the line!).

2.) The crew will announce "smoke stops", where you may step off for a few minutes. DO NOT leave the platform...stay by the train where you can reboard with a few seconds notice...once the conductor calls "All Aboard", the train does NOT wait around.

3.) There is a shower in each sleeper car. Towels, washcloth and soap are provided; bring your own shampoo/conditioner.

4.) If you need to change your days of travel I would recommend that you do so through a telephone agent at 1-800-USA-RAIL. To do so online you would need to make a new reservation, then cancel the old.

5.) Check the current fares with AmSnag, then hope that nobody beats you to that low-bucket fare while you're in the telephone queue.

 

[PRR 60]

...

4.) If you need to change your days of travel I would recommend that you do so through a telephone agent at 1-800-USA-RAIL. To do so online you would need to make a new reservation, then cancel the old.

...

Reservations can be changed on-line without canceling and rebooking. However, whether done on-line or by phone, changes in existing reservations will result in the trip being repriced into the current fare bucket. That may result in a fare change.

 

[AlanB]

Also keep in mind that going down to Florida, as a sleeping car passenger you are entitled to wait in the Club Acela First Class Lounge for your train. Sometimes they even escort the sleeping car passengers out of the lounge and to the track ahead of the coach crowd.

 

[Lenox]

Thank you all for your advice! Priceless.

Another question. I have been thinking of getting off in Kissimee(to get to my hotel on International Drive). Figure I'll cab it. Will this be a problem & if I do should I alert the conductor?

I've hired a town car to bring me back from the port to catch the early afternoon train back, I'm pretty sure that I should board at the Orlando station (so as to not incurr no show issue). Was wondering in for opinions on how long I might want to wait to try & snag a upgrade if needed to a sleeper (I figure after a busy, cruise I may just chill in my coach chair, but if need be should I ask the conductor if after we've moved further north before nightfall?).

Once again, thanks for the advice. I didn't even know you guys existed until 3 weeks ago

 

[pennyk]

Another question. I have been thinking of getting off in Kissimee(to get to my hotel on International Drive). Figure I'll cab it. Will this be a problem & if I do should I alert the conductor?

I've hired a town car to bring me back from the port to catch the early afternoon train back, I'm pretty sure that I should board at the Orlando station (so as to not incurr no show issue).

Kissimmee is further south than Orlando. I am not sure if you will be permitted to detrain in Kissimmee if you are ticketed to Orlando. If you change your date of travel and you want to get off the train in Kissimmee, you should consider changing the tickets to NYP to KIS.

I hope your stay in Florida is pleasant and that we do not have a tropical storm or hurricane.

 

[the_traveler]

Where are you taking the cruise from?

I know many go out of Miami or Ft Lauderdale, which are both many hours by car from Orlando. Amtrak also serves those stations.

Also, you only have access to the shower as a sleeping car passenger. When you are in coach, you will not have access to the shower at all!

 

[pennyk]

Where are you taking the cruise from?

I know many go out of Miami or Ft Lauderdale, which are both many hours by car from Orlando. Amtrak also serves those stations.

She may be taking a cruise from Port Canaveral in Brevard County. Orlando is the closest station to that port.

 

[Lenox]

Hi Guys:

Thanks for the replies. @the_traveler & pennyk: you are correct, I am traveling from Port Canavaral, but overnighting in a hotel in Orlando (figured I'd pick up some junk for the kiddies)

Most everyone else is flying, but I just wanted to try something different. I used to fly a lot (even enough to get a free ticket or two) but I was looking for a little more leisure, before rejoining the busy life here in NYC.

Wish I had known about this site before, but you learn as you go along, I'll have a chat with the Amtrak rep & see what she says about the Kissimmee stop & if I can re-ticket without a penalty. It's hard to really peg it with the weather, so I'm just gonna try to take one last look, time the call & hope for the best. I spent so much time planning the cruise that the Amtrak portion was an afterthought.

Thank goodness for my mother who reminded me that trains have sleepers. I know the experience will be different from Via Rail, but hey...I've got a pretty good attitude. Plus since I'm the unofficial family gynea pig/travel sleuth, I will have to give a detailed report, so they'll know the options if we decide to cruise again out of FL.

Thanks again & hoping for good weather.

 

[WiCruiseDreamer]

Lenox,



I am taking the train as well before and after my cruise, but am leaving from New Orleans. That being said, something to check, even though you are just a few weeks from leaving, is if there is a discount available for your train portion since you are taking a cruise.



I am in a roomette both ways and saved about $100 by mentioning that I am taking a cruise out of New Orleans.



Candy

 

[VentureForth]

If you do a search on here for cruise lines, you should be able to find the specific discount code for your cruise (each cruise line has a different discount code). It must be called in, and there are restrictions as to how long between your arrival and cruise departure.

I would like to reiterate that Orlando is closer to I drive than Kissimmee. But, Kissimmee is a quaint stop with less people getting on and off. You must be ticketed to Kissimmee, though, and that could jeopardize any cruise discount.