timetoride
Train Attendant
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2008
- Messages
- 19
Hi, everyone. I've never used Amtrak before, so I'm pretty naive. Have done some reading on Amtrak's website as well as this one. I've found some great advice but would like to ask specifically about a "maybe" trip for mid- to late-May 2009.
Proposed trip involves 3 adults traveling to Vancouver, B. C. for a roundtrip Alaska cruise. This will most likely be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so I'd really like to have things go as smoothly as possible. This is what I "think" might work...but I ask for the expertise and advice from those of you who know "reality" of such travel. It may be completely off-track.
1) Jackson, MS (JAN) departure on City of New Orleans at approximately 5:44 PM...based on most recent schedule I have.
Arrive in Chicago, IL approx. 9:00 AM next morning
2) Depart Chicago same day on Empire Builder at approx. 2:15 PM to Seattle, WA (approx. 46 hrs later) then Thruway Service to Vancouver, B. C., arriving approx. 2:15 PM
Pertaining to this first part of the journey:
A) Barring unforeseen problems, is it fairly safe to assume the connection at Chicago can be made okay considering the interval between the morning arrival and afternoon departure?
B} Will have coach seats from JAN to CHI but desire sleeping accomodations from CHI to SEA. What would be most economical for 3 adults? The bedrooms indicate 2 adults max. Is it permissible to reserve 1 bedroom and 1 roomette and let the person in the roomette use the "facilities" of the bedroom? Or do we need to reserve 2 bedrooms? Or is there another possible arrangement?
C) Estimated arrival time at Vancouver is 2:15 PM. Cruise departure (Canada Place terminal) time is shown as 5 PM. I'm thinking this would be cutting it too close to schedule a Vancouver arrival the same day as cruise departure and would be wiser to arrive the day prior to cruise. Yes or No???
D) If we overnight in Vancouver what is a nice lodging close to Canada Place? Not looking for something fancy...just clean, comfortable, and in a safe location. It would be nice if a shuttle was available to the terminal, but not entirely necessary.
After the cruise, we plan to return on the same Amtrak route. I assume the same sleeping accomodations would be needed for Seattle to Chicago segment. Arrival in CHI approx. 3:55 PM. Depart on City of New Orleans (to JAN) approx. 8 PM.
Now more questions!!
E) If we should miss the connection in Chicago due to problems along the way, are we out of luck getting to our destination on time?
F) I read that some cruise lines have offered a Rail and Cruise discount in 2008. Is there anywhere I can find out if there will be discounts offered for 2009? I've seen to "call your Travel Agent" but most of those I've dealt with know little or nothing about Amtrak!!! We have AAA for discount but think the Rail and Cruise discount might be better if available.
G) Are snow or other "weather worries" common factors in delaying travel along the route during that time of year? I know nothing is certain (like all the flooding this year)...but just wondering what your thoughts may be on that.
Feel free to offer advice and/or point out things in the "proposal" that you think won't work or could be improved. I will be VERY appreciative of any assistance. Thank you!!!
Proposed trip involves 3 adults traveling to Vancouver, B. C. for a roundtrip Alaska cruise. This will most likely be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so I'd really like to have things go as smoothly as possible. This is what I "think" might work...but I ask for the expertise and advice from those of you who know "reality" of such travel. It may be completely off-track.
1) Jackson, MS (JAN) departure on City of New Orleans at approximately 5:44 PM...based on most recent schedule I have.
Arrive in Chicago, IL approx. 9:00 AM next morning
2) Depart Chicago same day on Empire Builder at approx. 2:15 PM to Seattle, WA (approx. 46 hrs later) then Thruway Service to Vancouver, B. C., arriving approx. 2:15 PM
Pertaining to this first part of the journey:
A) Barring unforeseen problems, is it fairly safe to assume the connection at Chicago can be made okay considering the interval between the morning arrival and afternoon departure?
B} Will have coach seats from JAN to CHI but desire sleeping accomodations from CHI to SEA. What would be most economical for 3 adults? The bedrooms indicate 2 adults max. Is it permissible to reserve 1 bedroom and 1 roomette and let the person in the roomette use the "facilities" of the bedroom? Or do we need to reserve 2 bedrooms? Or is there another possible arrangement?
C) Estimated arrival time at Vancouver is 2:15 PM. Cruise departure (Canada Place terminal) time is shown as 5 PM. I'm thinking this would be cutting it too close to schedule a Vancouver arrival the same day as cruise departure and would be wiser to arrive the day prior to cruise. Yes or No???
D) If we overnight in Vancouver what is a nice lodging close to Canada Place? Not looking for something fancy...just clean, comfortable, and in a safe location. It would be nice if a shuttle was available to the terminal, but not entirely necessary.
After the cruise, we plan to return on the same Amtrak route. I assume the same sleeping accomodations would be needed for Seattle to Chicago segment. Arrival in CHI approx. 3:55 PM. Depart on City of New Orleans (to JAN) approx. 8 PM.
Now more questions!!
E) If we should miss the connection in Chicago due to problems along the way, are we out of luck getting to our destination on time?
F) I read that some cruise lines have offered a Rail and Cruise discount in 2008. Is there anywhere I can find out if there will be discounts offered for 2009? I've seen to "call your Travel Agent" but most of those I've dealt with know little or nothing about Amtrak!!! We have AAA for discount but think the Rail and Cruise discount might be better if available.
G) Are snow or other "weather worries" common factors in delaying travel along the route during that time of year? I know nothing is certain (like all the flooding this year)...but just wondering what your thoughts may be on that.
Feel free to offer advice and/or point out things in the "proposal" that you think won't work or could be improved. I will be VERY appreciative of any assistance. Thank you!!!
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