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On Saturday, 14 May we took Pacific Surliner #774 from Santa Barbara to San Diego. I didn't note the consist but we were in a Pacific Business Class car named Gaviota Park. Its name comes from the State Park west of Santa Barbara. There is a railroad trestle near there which is often used by rail photographers.
The train filled up as we neared Los Angeles and was, according to the announcements, completely full out of Los Angeles into San Diego.
The service was good with a dedicated Business Class attendant from Oxnard through to San Diego. She made sure there were plenty of supplies at the self-service beverage/snack centers and also did the beverage/snack pack service on the second leg.
We ran into several fellow cruisers including a couple we have cruised with before onboard so that made for interesting conversation and the ride seemed much shorter than it actually was. We arrived in both Los Angeles and San Diego very close to ontime.
Between Los Angeles and San Diego we visited the Cafe Car which is where I saw, for the first time, the new Coach Class seat with the very RED grab knobs. They work great and it doesn't bother the person seated. I think a picture was posted here some time ago.
We shared a sandwich, a bag of chips and a half bottle of wine. The tab was something like $27.00!! I tried to use my Amtrak Guest Rewards Card to get the double points but the processor was down.
We had checked our rollaboard suitcases but only had to wait about five minutes to claim them. It was an easy walk/roll from the Santa Fe Depot to the Holiday Inn on the Bay where we had a bay front room with a great view of the Maritime Museum and the Cruise Terminal. The new cruise terminal that is used by Holland-America and Carnival is completed and, I believe, in use. We left from the old one.
A hint if you are staying at the HI. The Deli downstairs does a nice and relatively inexpensive breakfast. I would think that the other meals would be as good. We met even more fellow cruisers there.
We watched Radiance of the Seas arrive early in the morning and boarded at about noon. I won't offend anyone here by going into details about a CRUISE but I will say that we had a great time. This was our fourth cruise on her and it felt like coming home with lots of familiar faces at Guest Relations, the Main Dining Room and the Diamond Lounge.
This was the last cruise before Radiance went into drydock in Victoria, BC for three weeks. Work had already begun running cable for a ship wide wi-fi system. The guys doing the work had obviously been drilled on how to greet passengers and not block their access. They only worked during the day so there was minimal interference with the cruise experience.
Our first port was San Francisco where we were greeted by rain and cool weather. It was a "fine day for Ducks" so we rode "The Duck", an amphibious tour vehicle. We had a good overview of the landside before going into the water at China Basin for a view of the Bay Bridge and a closeup look at ATT Stadium and McCovey Cove.
We followed that with a nice lunch at Scoma's on the Wharf. We ordered from the prix fixe lunch menu so it was not too expensive. I had a cup of very good clam chowder, a huge Crab Louis salad and a decadent chocolate cheese cake dessert. That was $23.95 not including wine or tip.
The next port was Victoria, BC, where we walked from the ship into the city. It was about a 30 minute walk to the Inner Harbour with a couple of photo op stops to snap pictures of the rhododendrons that are now in full bloom.
We did an hour and a half tour of "The Gorge" that was very relaxing and informative. This was on one of the little Harbour Ferries that look like a child's toy. If you've been to Santa Barbara and seen "Lil Toot" here they are the same design.
We had an unsuccessful hunt for a candy store I'd heard about (It is supposed to be behind the Fairmont Empress but I think it may have closed and/or moved.) and then returned to the Harbour to board one of the Shuttles to Fisherman's Wharf for fish and chips at Barb's. This place has been in business for 27 years and one order is more than enough for two people. It was an easy ten minute walk from there back to the ship.
Arrival in Vancouver was early (3AM) but we chose to be in the last group off the ship at about 9:30AM. A cruise friend met us just outside Canada Place and gave us a great tour of his hometown. We had dim sum at a place he has been going to since his teen years. I can't remember the name but it is near Richmond which is now heavily Chinese.
He dropped us at Pacific Central Station and we only had to wait about 45 minutes before the security and Amtrak people arrived to start the check-in and security process. The train was fully booked in both classes partly because there were at least two cruise ships in port and because it was the start of the three day Victoria Day holiday for Canadians.
We boarded Car Two in Business Class and had a mostly uneventful trip to Seattle. We bought a sandwich and some wine to share for dinner. The two $3.00 coupons for the Bistro Car came in handy! Wi-Fi was available virtually the entire trip and many people were using it.
We traveled this time with our new iPad2 and it is fantastic. On the ship I was able to download and upload e-mail so quickly that I ended up not buying any internet time. We had two 30 minute free coupons and that was more than enough.
The only real events of the train ride were the customs/immigration stop at Blaine where agents boarded and we had to all remain in our seats. It took about fifteen minutes.
We also had problems at two stops with the handicap ramp not retracting correctly. Apparently it is designed so that the brakes on the train cannot release until it is properly stowed. The Talgo Rep on board was able to take care of it each time.
The scenery along the sound was beautiful although I heard one cruiser say "It's just more water." Kind of like pine trees in the South, I guess...
Baggage claim at King Street Station was chaotic. A full train with lots of large cruise bags and no help at all inside the station.
We got a cab to our hotel, the Red Lion on Fifth and had a very short night.
I was up early and went to a nearby Mickey D's to get breakfast and then we took a cab back to King Street.
The previous day we'd had a message from a friend who was house-sitting saying that Amtrak had called to let us know that we would be bussed from Seattle to Portland. I guess that because they talked to a live person they didn't try my secondary number which is my cell.
At King Street there was some confusion because many people had not been told about the change in plan. We were quickly checked in, though, and just had to wait for our group to be called.
(In another thread here you can read about Mr. Cubzo's adventure on the NB #14 that hit a tractor trailer rig near Salinas. That caused what was to become our train to be annulled at Portland. Hence, the "bustitution". I was asked if that was really a word and I replied that it certainly is at Railforum.)
Our group was called and we were sent out to a very nice, bathroom equipped coach that rapidly filled up. As we passed through the Baggage Room we were each given a Subway boxed lunch with a sandwich, chips, a very good chocolate chip cookie and a bottle of water.
The trip to Portland went fast with two diversions to Kelso and Chehalis. It was nice to see these towns and their stations. We picked up and dropped off a few people at each.
When we got to Portland we headed immediately to the Metropolitan Lounge, which was rapidly filling up. We had about an hour's wait before we boarded our train. We were in Bedroom C, Car 1131 (32033) The engines were 157 and 67. Our Pacific Parlour Car was Santa Lucia Highlands. I didn't get the car number.
Our car attendant was Norma who said she'd only had three hours sleep. It showed. We didn't get the champagne/apple cider or amenity kits until the next morning.
Catering and supplies had been trucked down from Seattle so it all could have been made available.
Our room was in fair shape. The redone cars are starting to show wear. One arm on the chair was broken and the table wouldn't stay level. You really couldn't use it to put much on without it sliding off. In the shower/toilet the plastic cover for the toilet paper was missing. The roll had to be removed before showering. Another curious thing is that the Amtrak logos from above the mirror and on the towel shelf were missing. This was also true in the downstairs bathrooms. Either they were poorly stuck on or souvenir hunters have taken them.
Nannette in the Parlour Car did her Wine Tasting with help from Andrew, the attendant in the 1130 car. It was well attended with every seat taken.
We chose to have all of our meals in the Parlour Car and they were very good. The lamb shanks the first night were good, the breakfast sandwich was also good although it was on flatbread not a bagel as per the menu. Lunch was a small salad and eggplant Parmesan and a hurried dinner was the Flatiron "steak" and the herbed chicken. We realize that we were close to Santa Barbara so we passed on dessert and arrived thirty minutes EARLY into SBA.
The Parlour Car itself is also showing its age. One of the glass divider panels is missing. It was stolen according to Nannette. The much touted coffee machine is broken. Each service call is $300.00. Nanette expects them to be taken off. The swivel chairs badly need new upholstery and stuffing.
The general opinion of the crew was that the days of the Parlour Car are numbered.
All in all this was a good trip. The cruise was wonderful (We will be back on Radiance in September for HNL-SYD.) and the train rides were good to very good.
We did have an unpleasant experience picking up our bags in Santa Barbara. The agent, who we have dealt with before, has his way of handling it and that is the ONLY way it is to be done. No pointing out your bags or going behind the cart to look for them. He has to compare each tag to find each bag. We knew what to expect but others were not as understanding.
When I returned home I called Guest Relations (after an abortive call to Guest Rewards where I was lectured to by the only unpleasant agent I've ever dealt with there!) and was given a $200.00 future rail travel voucher for the loss of the sleeper from SEA to PDX. I felt that was more than satisfactory.
This was written in haste so I hope I've covered most points. If you have questions, fire away!
Frank in warm and sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Sounds like a great trip! I didn't know you were coming to SF---I could have met you guys and gone to lunch somewhere on the wharf. Next time!
That's a shame to hear about the condition of the Parlour Car. Didn't they just come out of major refurbishment in late 2008? I can't believe one of those big pieces of glass is missing (stolen). That piece of glass has survived at least, what, 13 or 14 years in those cars without being broken or removed? Bummer.
Regarding those little metal logos of Amtrak on the mirror and on the towel rack in the shower, those started getting stolen as soon as they were put out on the road. I had a brand new Superliner I full-refurb that was released from Beech Grove one week earlier, and already my bedroom (Bedroom C also) was missing those logos. I guess it's possible that a guest did it, but I have my doubts....Amtrak employees have sticky fingers.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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The missing panel was explained by Nannette as stolen. Those of you have met her know you do not argue with her. There is a tender heart under the brusque exterior, though.
She went out of her way to accommodate the larger passengers who wanted to eat in the Parlour Car but couldn't fit in the booths and was very kind to a young man who was extraordinarily bright but who had few social skills. He works at Goodwill in Los Angeles and had saved up enough money for a round trip to Seattle. He went up in coach and booked a Roomette on the way home just so he could ride in the Parlour Car.
We were fully booked in San Francisco but, as you say, next time.
BTW, I see your favorite airline has just started SFO/ORD and LAX/ORD service.
Frank in dark and cool SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Yup!!! I saw that too. I hate to say it because I know of your affiliation with COA, but with the new VRD service to ORD, I have to say BYE BYE UNITED!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I think they've changed their policy. My first call was to Guest Rewards which seemed to make sense to me. It was also what I heard from two agents in Seattle and a conductor on the train. I made the call and got the big lecture from "Mary Lou" about how they "never" refund points and "they never should have told you that". You know me well enough to know that I am a pretty mellow person and have traveled a bit. She was one of the most abrasive and argumentative people I have ever encountered.
I would have hung up on her but I needed her to transfer me to the right place. It appears that everything like this is now handled by Guest Relations. They had to open a "Complaint File" and proceed from there.
"Mary Lou" could learn quite a bit from "Brandy" at Guest Relations.
Smitty--
United and Continental are both offering double mileage on both of these routes. Their pricing is competitive so I doubt they will lose many passengers. It's a war that I doubt Virgin can win. After three years they have yet to show a profit. Richard Branson has deep pockets but they are not limitless.
The Hotel Director on Radiance, during a long chat we had on the last night was speaking about the added restaurants which, with the exception of two, are "pay" venues. He said, "It's all about revenue." You can have a great product but if it doesn't make money it won't be around long.
Frank in dark and cool SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I don't know much about economics or how to run a business, so I can't speak intelligently on that topic. I do, however, recall that when VRD was first launched, they had said that they expect to operate without making a profit for the first 5 years. They've been around I think about 3 1/2 years now, so this might all be part of their "master plan". I know that they just placed an order with Airbus for an additional 60 A-320's (with the new Boeing-style winglets), and should start taking delivery of the new birds fairly soon. They just added 5 new aircraft to their fleet that came from Jazeera Airlines, and they are always talking about adding routes. Every time I fly with them, the plane is sold-out full. So I dunno....I sure hope Virgin is successful and that they make it. The difference in service and on-board amenities is night and day with UAL (I've never been on a COA aircraft or flight).
The one drawback to Virgin is their frequent flyer program. Unfortunately, they do not offer "tiers"---such as Platinum, Gold, Silver, or whatever. Everybody has the same "rank", and you can not use your points (called "Elevate") on upgrades at the gate or anything like that. You can only use your points to buy a ticket. I wish they would change it around and be like the legacy carriers, so that they can board 1K members first, provide bumps up to FC, etc...But for now, I have to settle with just a basic point system.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Thanks for the interesting report. Makes me want to take a train ride.
Sounds like the Starlight might be due for a makeover. Let's hope Amtrak does that rather than back off their train upgrade program that seems to have stalled after the EB and Starlight.
Seems their improvement plans for the trains are mostly smoke and mirrors. No doubt funding, as always, is the main culprit. In the current issue of Passenger Train Journal that reviewed 40 years of Amtrak, I was stuck by how frequent and substantive (new trains, routes, equipment) were the changes that Amtrak made through the 90's. Now a change of 10 minutes is considered a big deal.
I'm surprised the cruise lines seem to be adopting the fee for everything approach of airlines. Is it still possible to avoid the fees and have a good cruise?
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by palmland: I'm surprised the cruise lines seem to be adopting the fee for everything approach of airlines. Is it still possible to avoid the fees and have a good cruise?
Absolutely. Many people never use any of the pay amenities and don't go to the casino or purchase alcohol. Sadly, there is also a very small minority who also don't pay any gratuities. We had prepaid ours (and added extra for everyone except the Assistant Head Waiter who we only saw twice) and there were numerous opportunities to do that during the cruise. It's simply more convenient. My take is that Royal Caribbean no longer automatically adds the gratuities to your final bill.
Our bill at the end of this cruise was a record setting low of $239.18 which included one spa treatment and tip, two bottles of wine and a couple of mixed drinks (at 25% off because of our status in their loyalty program. That doesn't include a memorable dinner at Chops, the steakhouse, which we prepaid at $25.00 pp including gratuity.
Frank in sunny and soon to be warm SBA.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Since I've never been on a cruise, I'm interested in hearing about the tipping procedure. How do you pre-pay a tip? Do you go and seek out the various people and hand them cash, and then hope that the service is acceptable? What happens if you pre-tip someone and they turn out to be a dud? Or, what if someone is an extraordinary employee and you want to tip more?
Thanks for any clarification. I have GOT to take a cruise.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I don't understand why you were put on a bus to Portland. I don't have an up-to-date timetable, but I believe there is an early morning Cascade that would arrive in Portland in time to connect with the s/b Coast Starlight.
Posts: 524 | From: Toronto Ont. Canada | Registered: Mar 2001
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You can include them in your original booking (Required if you book My Time Dining or any of the variants.) or you can go to Guest Relations/Pursers Desk and have it added to your on board account.
The next to the last day you will receive vouchers and envelopes to give to the service personnel. At that time you can add extra cash which they keep. The prepaid amounts are pooled and shared by everyone in that group equally.
With one exception, we've never had a dud so that's never been a problem. If it did happen, you could go to Guest Relations and ask that that person's portion be removed. In actual fact, I suspect they would ask you to remove everyone and then tip those you felt deserved it in person.
The "dud" we had was on NCL America's Pride of Hawaii -- now Norwegian Jade. Because she was sailing entirely within US waters most of the crew (90%?) had to be U.S. citizens or Green Card holders. The level of service was mediocre at best with a couple of exceptions. Our cabin steward was from the Philippines but had established residency in Guam. The waiter in the French Bistro was from the U.K. and was appalled by the lack of motivation and skill of most of the other servers. There was also a bar tender who had "run away from home" at 65. He was from Wisconsin and his kids were driving him crazy wanting to spend all of his retirement money. As a bar server he automatically got 15% on every drink but we gave him more at the end of the cruise.
The Maitre d' in the Main Dining Room -- a stunningly beautiful room, btw -- was in sneakers with pants that were rolled up. She was yelling at passengers and was clearly out of her depth. She would have been fired at McDonald's.
There is good reason why NCL America has now gone from three ships to only one. I believe they've gotten around the staffing issue by sailing to Fanning Island on enough of their cruises to be able to get around the law.
Frank in VERY windy SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Thank you for all of that information, Frank. Before I take a cruise, it looks like I have a lot more information to research. I guess there is "cruise etiquette" things that I'm not aware of. I have plenty of time to plan...I'm in no hurry. I would still love to do a short positioning cruise or just a simple 3 or 4 day cruise so that I can see what it's all about. And since I like warm weather, a Hawaiian cruise doesn't sound bad! I could live on mai tai's and luau food for a few days. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty, You can also often get very good buys on last-minutes Inside Passage cruises to Alaska from Seattle or Vancouver BC.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Thanks, sojourner. I'll look at the options, but the only thing about that trip is that it is ccccccccold. I definitely prefer something warmer and more tropical. When I go on vacation, I like wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I don't like packing heavy, warm clothing. I think I'll play around online this morning and see if I can find a short tropical cruise somewhere. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm wide open! This is a nice day to search and see what's out there.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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You've just about missed the short coastal cruises unless you want to try one of the Carnival "Booze Cruises" out of San Diego.
Start looking again at September/October when ships are moving from Alaska to Mexico and the Caribbean.
Our first cruise was only two nights on Dawn Princess from Vancouver to San Francisco. It got us hooked. She is now on a 107 day World Cruise that started in Sydney last week. I've been following a great blog by an Australian couple who are doing the whole thing.
Frank in, finally, calm and sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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107 days?!?!? Wow....Although I recall seeing a Nat'l Geographic special on a ship called, "The World", where people own each individual cabin and they live on-board. The ship is always cruising somewhere, and the residents just stay aboard and get to see the world and the various ports of call.
That's too bad I missed the short/warm cruises. I can wait until September/October though---no problem. A booze ship like Carnival.....no thank you. That is definitely not my style. Maybe 20 years ago it might have been, but surely not now.
One more question on this (sorry if I'm bugging you, but you have a lot of great information!): Do you have any suggestions as to which cruise company I should look into for taking a short coastal cruise during that time frame?
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Most of them do the repositioning cruises. Princess is sort of middle-of-the road, Holland America is a bit more "mature" (Kill me later, Vicki!) and a tad classier, Celebrity is about the same. Royal Caribbean is pretty much pulling out of the west coast market so those would, most likely, be longer cruises.
We mostly do Royal, Celebrity and Azamara because they are all in the same "family" and we enjoy the perks that come with rising in the loyalty program.
Frank in CALM SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Thanks, Frank. Azamara is a name I've never heard of. It sounds like our traveling tastes are about the same. I have zero interest in night life, and just enjoy being a tourist and seeing the sights. That, and of course the casino for blackjack!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Great report... I hope those Parlour Cars have at least one more month in them as I have a ticket to ride in June!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I think you're safe! If Nannette is your attendant in the PPC say hello from Frank and Norm. Tell her we left without dessert at SBA and will be back.
What is your itinerary? When will you be passing through here?
Smitty--
It's actually Azamara Club Cruises now. Azamara is the "High" end of the RCL family. They have two older, smaller ships. We did a transatlantic from Barcelona to Miami and loved it. They now offer complimentary wine with lunch and dinner and several other perks above Celebrity or RCL.
Frank in sunny and warm SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by royaltrain: I don't understand why you were put on a bus to Portland. I don't have an up-to-date timetable, but I believe there is an early morning Cascade that would arrive in Portland in time to connect with the s/b Coast Starlight.
Very likely insufficient capacity
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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I think you hit it, George. It was a Saturday morning of a Canadian three day holiday weekend. It would also have been an earlier departure (7:30AM vs. 9:45AM). We were pleased with the re-accommodation and the travel voucher.
Frank in sunny and calm SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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