By accomodations, you do mean on the train, right? And by cars to look for, do you mean which sleeper to try and get into? Necessary accomodations definately depend on how many people you're bringing, availability (as there are typically only 4 larger bedrooms on this train), and how claustrophobic you are. This train operates with two, maybe three Viewliner sleepers all next to each other and sandwiched between the baggage car at the front and the diner at the back so which car you're in doesn't really matter all that much. Unless you're easily disturbed by the train horn, in which case you're safer requesting a room(s) in what I think would be the 1910 car, that is the sleeper just in front of the diner. What do you mean by connections? I'm assuming by you're opening statement that you know the Crescent travels direct between NYP and NOL without any need for changing trains. If you're referring to connections to/from the stations, I'm clueless... quite possibly because I've never personally taken this train or traveled by Amtrak to New York or New Orleans.
Have an awesome time
-Paul
Yes, by accommodations I meant sleepers. I noticed that the sizes seem to vary by letter. Do they go from a to h? By cars, I was referring to Superliner vs Silverliner or Viewliner. I'm confused about that. There's just me and my wife, so we don't need a big bedroom. Good to know that this is a direct trip.
Bedrooms are labeled with letters and roomettes are labeled with numbers. Both are designed for two people--the bedroom simply has more space (especially nice for day use) and an in-room bathroom with shower. The roomette is quite small and can get cramped for day use.
There are also a couple of special kinds of bedrooms--the family bedroom (only on Superliners) and the accessible bedroom. Otherwise, your choices are between a roomette (usually cheaper) and a standard bedroom.
Amtrak operates two kinds of sleeper cars (as mentioned above)--Superliner and Viewliner. There isn't such a thing as a Silverliner (not now, anyway--sounds like something out of the '50s!). Viewliners are single-level and Superliners are bi-level--George explained why Superliners don't really exist on the East Coast. The consensus here seems to be that viewliners are actually nicer (especially in roomettes), as there is a second window that the top bunk can see out of.