Recent content by SUTTONK11

THAT PRICE IS WAY OUT OF LINE - MY WIFE AND I DID THE 3 NIGHT PACKAGE WITH LUXURY CLASS TRAIN FOR $1100. GCR HOTEL IS OK, TRAIN IS GREAT FUN BUT MAX & THELMA'S RESTAURANT IS PROBABLY THE WORST FOOD I HAVE EVER BEEN SERVED. MIGHT TRY JUST ROOM AND TRAIN AT GCR AND EAT IN WILLIAMS ( 3 MINUTE WALK)...

Before starting my trip report on the Coast Starlight there are a few things I would like to mention as they may be of benefit to future travelers. First of all, my wife and I disembarked the Empire Builder in Seattle and immediately boarded Holland America's ship the Westerdam for a 7 day...

I tried to use the Rail and Cruise discount but ran into roadblocks every way I turned; quite honestly, I don't believe there is a discount. The best way to approach this is through the cruise line you choose. Remember that even if you can't find a Rail and Cruise discount, you can receive...

You are in fora great trip - I just did the same trip except I started in Richmond, VA, and took a cruise out of Seattle. I very much agree with all the advice thus far offered and would like to add my two cents worth. Absolutely arrive the day before your cruise or you will worry about it all...

If you were traveling with your wife on that trip it would more than likely end in divorce; traveling with your brother should be a great adventure. I also totally agree with Jacka on the CS upgrade - the lounge car is awesome.

It has been awhile since I flew Singapore Airlines and I can't remember what a "lounge dragon" is but the growing number of "lounge lizards" on Amtrak trains will be the end of the Observation Cars if something isn't done. Definition of a "lounge lizard": a person who buys the lowest price...

I am in absolute agreement with your philosophy on hunting.

Sorry, I had the wine tasting in my trip notes but left it out for some reason. Yes, they still have the wine tasting for First Class in the dining car for a price of $5 per person. We participated and found it well worth the time and money.

After having walked all over Chicago for several hours and eaten at Giordano's, we were more than ready to board the Empire Builder and settle into our bedroom for the longest segment of continuous train travel. Once settled we went to the Observation Car where we were able to find a couple of...

Having been fortunate enough to have taken the CZ to Disneyland when I was 12 (1958), I have always had a longing to return to the rails, especially after 33 years of air travel all over the world. Well, I started planning our trip in November of 2007 and we departed from Richmond, VA. on May...

Having recently completed a trip around the country by rail on the Capitol Limited, Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief and the Cardinal, I offer my commentary on train travel: There is no better way to see this country than by train. Rail travel truly exhibits the best and the...

Just finished a ride on the SC and you are right. They did wash what windows one man with a bucket could get to in 40 minutes which was not many and none on the bedroom side. From Washington, D.C. to Seattle to L.A. and back I do not remember one clean window.

I really like your thought process and think it would work great with a few tweaks here and there - lack of bathrooms and showers for roomettes may be a problem. I would even carry the new configuration a step further in trying to attract the wealthy traveler by turning 3 bedrooms into 2 nice...

It depends on your definition of "wrong". You are correct that there is nothing wrong with sleeping in the lounge car as far as any Amtrak rules I have seen although there should be. I agree with MStrain that simple human courtesy is quickly coming to be a thing of the past; it already has if...

No kidding! I stand corrected and have corrected.