traveling on the Crescent

[travelerpaul]

Has anybody traveled on the Crescent from Penn Station to New Orleans? We're thinking of going to New Orleans next spring (March or April), depending on when the Jazz Festival is; and are wondering what kind of accommodations to book (which cars should we look for). Also, what connections would we be making?

Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Shotgun7]

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

 

[Amtrak OBS Gone Freight]

Has anybody traveled on the Crescent from Penn Station to New Orleans? We're thinking of going to New Orleans next spring (March or April), depending on when the Jazz Festival is; and are wondering what kind of accommodations to book (which cars should we look for). Also, what connections would we be making?Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

Well if it were me, I would be sure I was in a room for that distance! You have several meal periods to go through on that route from end to end.

OBS gone freight...

 

[Shotgun7]

And don't forget that all meals are free when you book a room in the sleeping car

 

[sweet tea]

i took the crescent NYP to NOL this march (in a roommette). one of my favorite trips yet.

friendliest crew by far, and great scenery -- watching spring in fast-forward as we traveled south. watching it stall out as our westward and southward progress meant that the loss of the maritime effect and the loss of latitude kept the pace with one another. and then BAM, you're on the gulf and in heaven.

do it.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Has anybody traveled on the Crescent from Penn Station to New Orleans? We're thinking of going to New Orleans next spring (March or April), depending on when the Jazz Festival is; and are wondering what kind of accommodations to book (which cars should we look for). Also, what connections would we be making?Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

Be careful about the Jazz Festival and making early hotel reservations. I know from experience the hotels fill up fast, or at least they used to, pre-Katrina.

 

[ourlouisiana]

We took the Crescent last year from PHL to NOL. One train, no connections or changes. Longer stops in Washington, Atlanta, and Birmingham.

Nice trip (as a railfan and photographer). We took family with kids (total of 8 persons), went by coach because of costs. Would have gone by sleeper if we had gone by ourselves.

Sleeper is best, again if you can get 1910 / 2010 these are closest to diner, farthur from engine, though 1900 /2000 do have a baggage car between. Meals are included - Southbound dinner/ breakfast/ lunch/ and dinner; Northbound breakfast/lunch/dinner/breakfast/ and lunch.

Big problem we found with coach - thereare about 70 people to share 3 restrooms. The 28 hour trip results in clogged toilets. Coach attendant was kept busy trying to deal with that.

Crews on northbound were outstanding, not to take away from southbound crews. Seems as though southbound were a little colder and not quite as outgoing. (Still were excellent)

NOUPT (station) is right downtown, next to the Superdome, just about a mile from Burbon Street, many hotels nearby. Taxi service right out the front door. Don't remember seeing any auto-rental agencies at the station however. If we remember, the Jazz festival is out at the Fairgrounds, which is about 5 miles from NOUPT. Definitely need a rental or taxi.

Have to do it again - we'd take the train - but go by sleeper and leave the rest of the family behind !!!!

 

[AlanB]

Sleeper is best, again if you can get 1910 / 2010 these are closest to diner, farthur from engine, though 1900 /2000 do have a baggage car between. Meals are included - Southbound dinner/ breakfast/ lunch/ and dinner; Northbound breakfast/lunch/dinner/breakfast/ and lunch.

I agree that 1910/2010 sleeping cars, the southbound/northbound respectively, are next to the diner. However, the next sleeping cars closer to the engine are 1911/2011, not 1900/2000. Sleeping car numbers advance by 1's not 10's. The only exception to that rule is where rooms in a trans/dorm is sold to paying customers, that car's number will jump by 10 to distinguish it from the regular sleepers.

 

[The Metropolitan]

Did the reverse of this just a few months ago, travelling from New Orleans to Baltimore on the NB Crescent - a very good move in every way, and one great ride through the South.

Best advice is compare dates a bit, and book early. As I look at it right now, there are some dates in April (such as 4/22) where 2 people in a Roomette comes out to $214 per person way from New York to New Orleans. Keep in mind this includes overnight in the sleeper and 4 included meals per person making the price very comparable to airlines but with a much more calming experience in the travel. But once the spots get booked to a certain level, the prices can jump quite a bit!

Not sure of when Jazzfest is next year, but if it mirrors this year, this date may well serve you well. You can always consider booking the train to lock in the good rate and cancel if the dates don't pan out for a full refund as long as you elect to pick up the tickets at the station and cancel at least 7 days from travel.

 

[travelerpaul]

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.

 

[George Harris]

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.

Sleeper is a viewliner. Only trains in the east with Superliners are Capital Limited and Auto Train. Reason: Superliners won't fit into New York station and approaches. Also, Superliners are built for low platform loading/unloading, so if you did get a Superliner into Penn Station, the platform would be at about waist level to the person on the car and only the top half of the door would be above platform level.

 

[jackal]

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.

 

[wayman]

There isn't such a thing as a Silverliner (not now, anyway--sounds like something out of the '50s!).

Not on Amtrak... but Silverliners are the cars running on SEPTA's commuter rail. The oldest ones still running date from the '60s, not the '50s, though.

 

[Rail Freak]

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.

&, If I may as a rookie, The only bedrooms with windows on each side is the H or family bed room in a Superliner.(lower level).

Am I correct folks of more experience? :unsure:

 

[BobWeaver]

It may be a long shot, but if you'd be willing to spend the night in coach, you could reserve a sleeper from Atlanta south, and on the return, New Orleans north to Atlanta. The majority of the times that I've created dummy bookings, I was able to reserve a bedroom for anywhere from $70-94 and a roomette from as little as $47. It may be something to think about if the dates that you are traveling on have high-priced sleepers on the overnight portions of the trip. The train's load is relatively light from NOL to ATL. Plus, you get 3 free meals out of it.

But either way, Crescent is one of the more popular east coast trains, so be sure and book your trip as quickly as you can to take advantage of the best fare.

Edit: Also, Amtrak.com now has a 3D Viewliner tour link on its main page.

 

[jackal]

&, If I may as a rookie, The only bedrooms with windows on each side is the H or family bed room in a Superliner.(lower level).Am I correct folks of more experience? :unsure:

I am only slightly more experienced than you, but I believe you would be correct!

 

[travelerpaul]

It may be a long shot, but if you'd be willing to spend the night in coach, you could reserve a sleeper from Atlanta south, and on the return, New Orleans north to Atlanta. The majority of the times that I've created dummy bookings, I was able to reserve a bedroom for anywhere from $70-94 and a roomette from as little as $47. It may be something to think about if the dates that you are traveling on have high-priced sleepers on the overnight portions of the trip. The train's load is relatively light from NOL to ATL. Plus, you get 3 free meals out of it.
But either way, Crescent is one of the more popular east coast trains, so be sure and book your trip as quickly as you can to take advantage of the best fare.

Edit: Also, Amtrak.com now has a 3D Viewliner tour link on its main page.

Thanks for the tip, Bob.I just looked into the fare for 2 using a roomette both directions. The price I came up with was about $940. I was thinking that there must be a better way.

 

[AlanB]

&, If I may as a rookie, The only bedrooms with windows on each side is the H or family bed room in a Superliner.(lower level).Am I correct folks of more experience? :unsure:

I am only slightly more experienced than you, but I believe you would be correct!

That is true on the Superliner cars only. The Viewliner sleepers don't have a family room and in the H or Handicapped room, one cannot see out of both sides of the room.

 

[Bill631]

I take this trip, from NYC to New Orleans several times a year aboard the Crescent.

It is always a fun trip. One thing I would stress is that the fares, especially for sleeping accommodations, tend to vary a great deal depending on the time of year you go. If you can book very early, you can usually get a great price for a sleeper. For the holidays, Mardi Gras, Jazz Festival,etc., the fares are always high unless you book early. Also, this train seems to always leave Penn Station right on time, so make sure and get there a little early.

Bill