Amtrak Viewliner Roomette Trip Report: Silver Meteor 98 CHS-NYP
#16
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
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Thanks for the great trip report. I took the City of New Orleans to CHI in coach because last-minute airfares were sky high (pardon the pun) and I really enjoyed the experience. I'll have to give the roomette a try next time I'm on a long-term trip!
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CHS
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Those North-South routes are the best value for Amtrak Guest Rewards redemptions, you can really find some amazing value in those points.
#18
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 5,921
I am vaguely contemplating the Roomette option for a trip to New Orleans (Crescent) at some point in the future. I've never used a sleeper accommodation on an Amtrak train, though. The one question I have is: are you stuck sitting in your Roomette for the whole trip, except for mealtimes? It seems like it would be (a) claustrophobic, and (b) lonesome/boring, if you're traveling solo. I don't really do a lot of talking to others when I travel anyway, but it is nice to at least be around other people if you're doing a 28-hour trip.
Last edited by travelmad478; Nov 21, 2013 at 5:28 pm
#19
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That was my thought exactly, and I was completely grossed out at the thought of brushing my teeth in the same basin that I (or someone else ) had been using as a toilet! Yechhh! Thanks of the clarification, Globehopper.
I am vaguely contemplating the Roomette option for a trip to New Orleans (Crescent) at some point in the future. I've never used a sleeper accommodation on an Amtrak train, though. The one question I have is: are you stuck sitting in your Roomette for the whole trip, except for mealtimes? It seems like it would be (a) claustrophobic, and (b) lonesome/boring, if you're traveling solo. I don't really do a lot of talking to others when I travel anyway, but it is nice to at least be around other people if you're doing a 28-hour trip.
I am vaguely contemplating the Roomette option for a trip to New Orleans (Crescent) at some point in the future. I've never used a sleeper accommodation on an Amtrak train, though. The one question I have is: are you stuck sitting in your Roomette for the whole trip, except for mealtimes? It seems like it would be (a) claustrophobic, and (b) lonesome/boring, if you're traveling solo. I don't really do a lot of talking to others when I travel anyway, but it is nice to at least be around other people if you're doing a 28-hour trip.
#20
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If you crave human company, you can go to the cafe and sit at one of the tables and see if anyone else is interested in chatting. Otherwise, the experience is much more social on the western trains with Sightseer Lounges and (on the Coast Starlight) Pacific Parlour cars.
#21
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CHS
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Posts: 685
That was my thought exactly, and I was completely grossed out at the thought of brushing my teeth in the same basin that I (or someone else ) had been using as a toilet! Yechhh! Thanks for the clarification, Globehopper.
I am vaguely contemplating the Roomette option for a trip to New Orleans (Crescent) at some point in the future. I've never used a sleeper accommodation on an Amtrak train, though. The one question I have is: are you stuck sitting in your Roomette for the whole trip, except for mealtimes? It seems like it would be (a) claustrophobic, and (b) lonesome/boring, if you're traveling solo. I don't really do a lot of talking to others when I travel anyway, but it is nice to at least be around other people if you're doing a 28-hour trip.
I am vaguely contemplating the Roomette option for a trip to New Orleans (Crescent) at some point in the future. I've never used a sleeper accommodation on an Amtrak train, though. The one question I have is: are you stuck sitting in your Roomette for the whole trip, except for mealtimes? It seems like it would be (a) claustrophobic, and (b) lonesome/boring, if you're traveling solo. I don't really do a lot of talking to others when I travel anyway, but it is nice to at least be around other people if you're doing a 28-hour trip.
Unfortunately, there aren't any Sightseer Lounge or Pacific Parlour cars on the Crescent.
If you crave human company, you can go to the cafe and sit at one of the tables and see if anyone else is interested in chatting. Otherwise, the experience is much more social on the western trains with Sightseer Lounges and (on the Coast Starlight) Pacific Parlour cars.
If you crave human company, you can go to the cafe and sit at one of the tables and see if anyone else is interested in chatting. Otherwise, the experience is much more social on the western trains with Sightseer Lounges and (on the Coast Starlight) Pacific Parlour cars.
The restaurant is a good place to meet people while dining but, given that they're usually busy or at capacity, it likely won't often be allowed to get a coffee and hang out for long.
On routes without sleeper cars, like the Palmetto, which has only a Economy Class and Business Class cars, there is a Cafe Car:
The Cafe car is definitely a good place to bring the laptop, grab a coffee and hangout for a while.
#22
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(Here's a much better picture, but it's too huge to post in the thread, so I'll just link it.)
#23
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Amtrak
Posts: 75
It needs to be mentioned that all Eastern routes with sleeper cars (e.g., Crescent) also have a cafe car similar to the one shown. It's no sightseer lounge, but is a place to hang out.
#24
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#25
Join Date: Aug 2012
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#26
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 143
Hope they get rid of the in-room toilet!
I love Amtrak and have traveled overnight several times, but always from Chicago going west. Have avoided going east because of that in-room toilet. Ewww! No woman would have designed that! Thanks for the nice trip report.
Forgot to add, those sleeping in the upper bunk in a superliner (that would be me) do not have a window. I believe the viewliners have an upper window. Was that nice?
Forgot to add, those sleeping in the upper bunk in a superliner (that would be me) do not have a window. I believe the viewliners have an upper window. Was that nice?
Last edited by Susan4; Dec 23, 2013 at 7:33 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CHS
Programs: DL Diamond, WN A-List, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 685
I love Amtrak and have traveled overnight several times, but always from Chicago going west. Have avoided going east because of that in-room toilet. Ewww! No woman would have designed that! Thanks for the nice trip report.
Forgot to add, those sleeping in the upper bunk in a superliner (that would be me) do not have a window. I believe the viewliners have an upper window. Was that nice?
Forgot to add, those sleeping in the upper bunk in a superliner (that would be me) do not have a window. I believe the viewliners have an upper window. Was that nice?