Your experience is fairly typical for the Adirondack route. It has also been subject to increased border delays as of late (in both directions). Being the only train in the Amtrak system that takes double-digit hours to traverse its route and yet still has just coach seating, the Adirondack's service is uniquely lackluster, on top of the routine delays. In the fall months, Amtrak often equips the train with a spacious, historic dome car, but that's only a handful of days each year.

I'd say that the vast majority of other Amtrak trips that long would offer a better service experience. Your best bet would be to redeem your points for overnight First Class sleeping car travel on the long-distance routes (5 of which serve NYP). As has been discussed on many other threads, it's a very good value for point redemption (especially if you bring the wife, since the redemption levels are the same for one passenger or two). The accommodations, while compact and not lavish, can be quite comfortable, and your ticket includes meals in the dining car. It's usually a very novel experience for anyone new to it. I hope this helps!