transatlantic and stay

[delgirl]

We are thinking of going to new york on qm2 with 2 night ny stay and 2 night niagara falls stay. Has anyone done this trip as it seems a bit tight time wise as you are on amtrak for about 10hrs. Also would it be better to do other way around and come back on qm2. We did transatlantic in 2013 but flew straight home after. Also seen 2 night ny and 3 night las vegas but worried about heat as we can only go in august.

[PORT ROYAL]

We are thinking of going to new york on qm2 with 2 night ny stay and 2 night niagara falls stay. Has anyone done this trip as it seems a bit tight time wise as you are on amtrak for about 10hrs. Also would it be better to do other way around and come back on qm2. We did transatlantic in 2013 but flew straight home after. Also seen 2 night ny and 3 night las vegas but worried about heat as we can only go in august.

 

Fly out and sail back. No weight restrictions on luggage, so serious retail therapy can be undertaken, in addition to the serious sightseeing.

[capnpugwash]

I agree that flying out is best, I would say that unless you really like spending a lot of time in Indian casinos that 2 nights in Niagara is too long. The falls are spectacular but there is little else there. There are other places to explore but without a car it will be difficult, if not impossible. Spend the time in New York and maybe visit the Falls another time. August will be hot wherever you are, Nevada is hotter than New York but a hot day in the city normally has high humidity as well.

[babs135]

Definitely fly out and sail home. You'll need the rest after all the retail therapy and sightseeing you've done!!

[ToadOfToadHall]

Half a day at Niagara is plenty. Just how long can you look at a waterfall ? And the rest of the place is Tatsville, Tatshire in Tat County.

[lannp]

Niagara Falls is not that tacky! There are some lovely gardens and interesting things to do, especially on the Canadian side. But August can be very hot and humid and crowded. If you are referring to the train service between New York City and Niagara Falls it can become a very long trip. I have friends who don't like to fly and take the train to NYC when they board the QM2 and they have had some extra long journeys and the arrival has been delayed by 3-4 hours.

[ToadOfToadHall]

Niagara Falls is not that tacky!

 

Well, I did go about 10 years ago so it must have changed then.

[capnpugwash]

Well, I did go about 10 years ago so it must have changed then.

 

I was there two years ago and it was still touristy and very tacky.

[Liberal_Baggie]

I was there two years ago and it was still touristy and very tacky.

 

Hi Capnpugwash!

 

I would say hire a car and see a bit of NewYork state as well as the Falls?

[capnpugwash]

Hi Capnpugwash!

 

I would say hire a car and see a bit of NewYork state as well as the Falls?

 

I'd agree but the OP is travelling by train from NYC, if I were going I'd rent a car and drive up. This would enable them to explore a little more of the Niagara region plus the NY State.

[david,Mississauga]

Niagara Falls is not that tacky! There are some lovely gardens and interesting things to do, especially on the Canadian side. But August can be very hot and humid and crowded. ...

 

I agree that the Canadian side has many areas that are not tacky. The Niagara Parkway is quite attractive. Those from Britain may not be impressed with nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake but there are winery tours nearby and excellent theatre in the town.

[Cancun01]

We just did the crossing both ways and took the train from Florida to NYC. Two pieces of advice based on our experience:

 

1. We did not book in time and it was Christmas, however if you travel overnight on the train try and book a roomette or bedroom. You will be glad you did! I must say that the train ran on time and often early on both segments of the journey.

 

2. If you are booking a hotel through Cunard do not stay at the Doubletree by Hilton on Lexington. Again, we did not book on time and took the hotel that was left. The hotel was a disaster for the money paid. For instance, I am not fussy but when I get out of a taxi with a fair amount of luggage I do not expect the doorman to stand inside the lobby out of the wind watching us drag our luggage into the hotel. I was at a different hotel in July for half the money and it was far superior.

[Thaxted]

The Falls themselves are spectacular, but the towns of Niagara Falls, American and Canadian, are far less appealing. Had you time to travel along the Niagara Parkway, visit a Canadian winery or two, and poke around Niagara-on-the-Lake (superb theatre, as has been pointed out), you would have something to look forward to, despite the sultry weather. But squeezing all this into two days would be challenging, to say the least.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Thaxted

[Salacia]

I'd agree but the OP is travelling by train from NYC, if I were going I'd rent a car and drive up. This would enable them to explore a little more of the Niagara region plus the NY State.

 

Driving from NYC to the Niagara region is a fine idea - provided one is experienced with the difference in driving regulations. Personally, I would not rent a car and drive long distances in the UK because of those differences. Heck, I was almost run over on while crossing a street in London because I was looking in the wrong direction for on-coming traffic! As luck would have it, I was saved by a fellow New Yorker who pointed out my error and pulled me to safety :)

 

If two days is the limit to explore regions of NY State other than NYC, I suggest looking into hotels in White Plains, and from there exploring the Hudson Valley. (If desired, I can expand on that suggestion.) Cheers, -S.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Salacia

[Underwatr]

2. If you are booking a hotel through Cunard do not stay at the Doubletree by Hilton on Lexington.

For what it's worth, I think the Cunard hotel packages cost about twice what you'd pay booking independently - the per-person rates are about what I think the hotel room costs per night. I don't consider the value of the transfer to make for the difference.

[Mysticalmother]

Driving from NYC to the Niagara region is a fine idea - provided one is experienced with the difference in driving regulations. Personally, I would not rent a car and drive long distances in the UK because of those differences. Heck, I was almost run over on while crossing a street in London because I was looking in the wrong direction for on-coming traffic! As luck would have it, I was saved by a fellow New Yorker who pointed out my error and pulled me to safety :)

 

S.

 

Salacia - I don't think it is quite so bad for us Brits driving on the "other" side of the road as most of Europe drive on the "wrong" side :) so many of us are used to it. Most people I know who have rented a car in the US have actually found it very easy.

And in London you take your life in your hands crossing the street whether you are a foreigner or not! :eek:

[DDBINK1]

Half a day at Niagara is plenty. Just how long can you look at a waterfall ? And the rest of the place is Tatsville, Tatshire in Tat County.

 

I do believe you have insulted an entire collection of the US population, not to mention all the fine workers in China that make the plastic collectables that are sold in the shops around Niagara. That said, when I visited Niagara Falls I thought the view was fun, for about 10 minutes and the Maid of the Mist or what ever the boat ride is was fun in a squishy wet manner. The do provide rain coats I believe.

[DDBINK1]

We just did the crossing both ways and took the train from Florida to NYC. Two pieces of advice based on our experience:

 

1. We did not book in time and it was Christmas, however if you travel overnight on the train try and book a roomette or bedroom. You will be glad you did! I must say that the train ran on time and often early on both segments of the journey.

 

Definitely get a roomette or bedroom on any Amtrak Train. Other advice, bring some cleaning wipes for potential messes, and for use in the shared bathrooms. In the bedroom cabin, you will have your own toilet to use and a shower. Do not count on the room attendant for anything. Bring a couple clothes pins, the clip on type, to keep the curtains shut on the windows also if you want privacy, I say this from experience of many rides on Amtrak. Do not count on the food to be anything spectacular. China service in Amtrak trains went out in a budget cut, most foods are pre prepared off train and warmed up for you. They use plastic plates/with metal utensils. There is coffee on the train in the Roomette and Bedroom cars for free. There is also a snack car with very expensive candy and sandwiches available besides the dining car option. The room attendants and service staff in the Dining cars expect tips. They are not always deserving. Use your own judgement.