Amtrak-NJ to Fl andsleeping car ??

[LisaNJ25]

I am in the very early planning stages of a trip Dec 2006. I am thinking the first week so it wont be to crowded but christmas decorations will be up. I would like to take my than 7yo daughter on a solo trip. Since I am expecting my 4th child I figure I better start saving now.

In the past as a family we have taken the auto train. I dont feel comfortable myself driving from NJ to VA.

I am thinking of taking the regular train from Newark, NJ. Do you recommend getting a sleeper car? Prices for this year I am finding $145 fro the train RT and an additional $160 each way for the Viewliner Roomette. My concern is mainly since I would be traveling solo with a young child is bathroom times. This way there would be one our room. I know it says meals are included which will be helpful.

Also I thought Amtrak provided a discount for kids? The rail price is coming up the same for both of us.

 

[DVC Chris]

Lisa,

The sleeping cars that Amtrak uses from Newark to FLA is called 'viewliner'. These single level cars are a bit different from the double-level 'Superliner' cars that are used on the Auto-Train. While I have not taken the train from NY, I have seen pictures and descriptions that suggest that the Viewliner roomettes, have a commode in them. Therefor you may not need to leave the room to use the 'facilities'. In fact, the Amtrak website states that the roomettes, have a 'sink and toliet' in them.

Hope this helps.

 

[njchris]

I know this is a few days old, but I've taken the train from Newark to Orlando 3 times alreayd and I have gotten a viewliner Room each time. It's got a toilet and sink in the room (not seperate, so when I travel with someone one of us steps out into the hall while the other uses the facilities. )

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[luvpooh]

just a thought, the sleeper cars you are referring to are very small; a 7 year old won't have a lot of room (any really) to run or play and burn off energy. There's also very limited common areas to go to; a dining car and a snack car was all I saw.

 

[dtsaos]

luvpooh,
they may be small, but they're a heck of a lot better than going coach-don't ya thinK?

 

[goldcupmom]

luvpooh,
they may be small, but they're a heck of a lot better than going coach-don't ya thinK?

DEFINITELY better than coach! We've traveled Amtrak with our 3 at least once a year since my youngest was not quite 3 - she's now 13. We've only done coach a few times. It was uncomfortable for me, especially when just myself and one child, to leave our spot and things to go eat, potty, etc. And I didn't want to leave her alone while I went potty. Also hard for me to sleep knowing there were dozens of other people and I was no longer aware of exactly where/what she would be doing.

When in a roomette, DD and I usually leave the top bunk down so she can go up there and have room to spread out. On a viewliner there is even a window up there. The roomettes also have electrical outlets, so a portable DVD player can be plugged in as can video games. We always take a small surge protector that doubles as a short extension cord. Travel board games, small crafts, music, books and books on tape also help to pass the time. I can't begin to count how many games of "go fish" and "slapjack" we played when she and I went from NM to CHI to American Girl Place.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I know this is a few days old, but I've taken the train from Newark to Orlando 3 times alreayd and I have gotten a viewliner Room each time. It's got a toilet and sink in the room (not seperate, so when I travel with someone one of us steps out into the hall while the other uses the facilities. )

Let me know if you have any questions.

So there is no door on the toilet right? Is it in a little cubby atleast and not in the open?

 

[njchris]

So there is no door on the toilet right? Is it in a little cubby atleast and not in the open?

your room is basically 2 seats facing each other with the toilet next to one of the seats. The room itself has a sliding door, so it's totally private.

I think Amtrak's site has it.. try this: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am2/am2Popup&accomm=Viewliner Roomette

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

i hope this doesnt sound to stupid, but we usually travel in coach. well after a while you know the bathrooms arnt as fresh as when you first get on. so we were wondering , if in the room-ette if the toilet has no door , does the rooms get "not as fresh as when you star the trip"??.

 

[Sandy22]

i hope this doesnt sound to stupid, but we usually travel in coach. well after a while you know the bathrooms arnt as fresh as when you first get on. so we were wondering , if in the room-ette if the toilet has no door , does the rooms get "not as fresh as when you star the trip"??.

I was just going to ask the same thing. In fact, I remember that everytime I flushed the toilet in coach seating, the smell coming up was HORRIBLE - I had to hold my breath or I would have puked. So, the idea of having a toilet right next to my seat in a small enclosed area....not appealing.

 

[njchris]

i hope this doesnt sound to stupid, but we usually travel in coach. well after a while you know the bathrooms arnt as fresh as when you first get on. so we were wondering , if in the room-ette if the toilet has no door , does the rooms get "not as fresh as when you star the trip"??.

I never had a problem with it, and I shared it with someone else. If you are worried you can always bring air freshener to spray.

 

[goldcupmom]

There has never been a "freshness" problem when I've travelled. My DD and I have traveled a lot just the 2 of us and it is a GREAT Mom DD experience.