I go in August, you can get a bed no problem at all. It's very quiet. Double digit return visitor to PBC.

Looking to book this resort, is there room service? Or does literally all food shut down at 9pm?

Thanks for your very informative video, which has helped me decide whether to visit this resort or not👍🏽

Aw ❤❤ - Its Arlo 😁😁

For all inclusive restockkkkkkkkk smh each time smh

Thanks for the heads up, not keen on all the beds being picked out. Just like resorts here in Europe. There in October from the UK

Nice video! I’d also recommend the Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle. As far as rooms go, a bedroom is definitely the way to go if you can spring for it, as the bottom bunk is bigger and can fit two people for sleeping at night and the room is less stuffy overall. I also personally prefer staying on the upper level because I feel the views are much better and there may perhaps be less background noise. The only downside as someone mentioned is you get more foot traffic, but it’s not a deal breaker for me. You can also call Amtrak after booking in order to change your room number (if there’s availability) as rooms are randomly assigned during booking - I do this almost every trip. Also, depending on the route (or consist that day), the sleeper cars may be at the rear of the train as opposed to the front, which will be much better for whistle noise. However, passengers have no control over this. Regarding your room attendant, the next time you’re unable to locate him/her, you might try stopping by their room (they typically occupy room 1 on the upper level). I wouldn’t make a habit of doing this though as it can be annoying, but the call button is simply a light and chime and the room attendant has to be in the car to notice and/or hear it. Sometimes they may be assisting with other duties - or sometimes you get a bad attendant (can be hit or miss). Glad you enjoyed your trip! I also always tip the room attendant at the end of my trips, especially if I have my meals delivered to the room!

So just got off the Southwest Chief and there was an incident on the train from Chicago to LA (track work made it end in Fullerton, CA, Jan 26, 2023). The incident involved train staff removing a woman from the train at Albuquerque, NM. The Conductor immediately got on the public address system and angrily reported the removal of this woman from the train - AND insinuated that this could happen to any other passenger. I don't like being threatened by anyone. This matter should have been handled "quietly" by train personnel and other passengers did not need to know this, AND literally be threatened by the very officious Conductor. I sent a note to Amtrak to voice my opinion, hopefully they will handle future incidents like this in a more dignified manner without threatening other passengers.

Your experience on Amtrak is governed mostly by your expectations. There is no question that air travel is faster and cheaper, but the experience, I find, is terrible considering the airports at each end. travel to and from the airports and the TSA experience. I took a 12 day trip with my cousin last month on 5 different trains and loved every minute.

We will take this route in next weekend we are traveling from LA to Chicago do you recommend on which side of train we should seat we will be in coach class

Zephyr is awesome….i’m going for the second time in two weeks. Ear plugs and sleep mask is a must for sleep.

You live and learn. Definitely book on the top level next time, it's much quieter. We sleep fine in a roomette bed, but we've done overnight Amtrak trips so many times that it comes natural to us. In fact, the rocking of the train and whistle keeps me sleeping like a baby! Definitely take the California Zephyr next time... the views are amazing! PS: As for the attendant call button, it literally only lights up outside of your room. If the attendant isn't in the hallway or in the car, he/she isn't going to see it.

I rode that train back in the late 50s. Vegas to Chicago. With mom.

I have taken the Southwest Chief five times in the last two years, from Lamy, NM (the stop just north of Albuquerque) to Kansas City. And back. Mostly family issues, and one just for me. I normally book a roomette. Since I'm a solo traveler, that's plenty of space. The most recent trip, just last month, I was able to score the family bedroom, which is also on the lower level. It was wonderful. Not only was the space across the car, but the bed they made up for me was essentially a double bed, and was immensely comfortable. I would book it again if I get the chance. Oh, and I think the advice to pack lots of snacks comes from, and is aimed at, people in coach, since they don't get meals included. I happen to vastly prefer the lower level. There is a LOT more privacy there, as no one is walking by except those also on that level. I'll say that I've never been bothered by noise, or others speaking, while down there. The downside is that when you want to go to the observation or dining car, you have to climb up and then back down those very steep, windy stairs. Amtrak is really not ADA compliant. I'm 75 years old, and those stairs are getting to be a bit of a problem for me. The one time recently I had an upper level roomette, it was nice to only climb those stairs twice: once when boarding, once when departing. Plus, the car attendant cheerfully hoisted my carry-on bag up those stairs, which I could not possibly have done. I might reconsider my preference for the lower level in the future. Or, I might take all of my meals in my roomette. The one and only one time I've been on the upper level, I was very aware of how many more people walked by my roomette. Plus, there is only one bathroom there, and no showers. On the lower level there are three bathrooms and a shower. I find the food on Amtrak is pretty decent. Keep in mind you can order off the children's menu if you wish, and since I have a fondness for hot dogs, I often do that. I am actually hoping to take what I call a Land Cruise sometime in the near future. From New Mexico to Chicago on the Southwest Chief. The next day, the Empire Builder to Seattle. That's two overnights, which should be wonderful. Then two, maybe three days in Seattle as I have people there I want to see. Then the Coast Starlight to Los Angeles. In 2015 I took it in the other direction, and back then they still had the old first class lounge car, which was wonderful. I know I will miss it. Finally, the Southwest Chief again back to Lamy, NM. This would be a ten or twelve day trip, and I think would be fabulous. I call this a land cruise because I've taken exactly two ocean cruises and loved them. This will be something similar, even if totally different, and my only hesitation about doing it is leaving my cat for that long. Although I now have a wonderful pair of cat sitters. Yes, that costs money, but she does very well with them.

Thanks so much for your video. I will be taking my first Amtrak journey in December (Chicago to LA Union Station) on the Southwest Chief and am so excited. Just a random question. I have been saving singles and 5's and 10's (for gratuities) for the car attendant and for meals (based upon what other trip videos have shared around the etiquette for tipping). I'm excited to be able to eat in my room since I'm single and looking to sort of not be around groups of people (except in the observation car, of course) so I wanted to know - when you had the meals delivered to your room, were you able to tip the car attendant or could you tip the dining staff somehow. If I have my meals in my room, I don't want to slight the dining team (by not tipping them, related to their work to prepare the meals). Just curious about your thoughts on this within your recent experience. Great content - can't wait to check out more of your videos!

Oh, yeah, upper level has less ambient 'noise,' an Amtrak journey is always an adventure, and attitude factors hugely!

SWC is a hidden gem; just in NM, it travels thru a Civil War battle site (Glorieta Pass, Kit Carson was involved), the K-Pg boundary is visible north of Lamy, and Raton (the Iridium layer associated with the dinosaurs' demise), the Raton Pass tunnel, the transition of white-bark trees- Cottonwoods to Aspens to Sycamores along the route, so much, oh my...

We want to try that too!!

Good da-yinsane ,Getaway.

The hazelnut old fashioned at Enzo's Hideaway is fantastic!

Can you recall the name of the female comedian you didn’t like? I’ve been on a bunch of cruises and would appreciate a heads up. Thanks for your efforts. Great channel.

I love San Juan! A good guide book and great walking tour. El Morro fort, statues, monuments and wonderful stores and street food.

Also we love BB King. When busy, just raise your hand, then they come but not interrupt the performance. All drinks have the tip added. No need for cash.

Menus are also on the TV. Love HAL ships. But good and honest opinion.

Ensenada is known for their seafood. Especially the carts that have ceviche. Ensenada is actually our favorite port in Mexico but outside of that we normally don’t leave the ship in Mexico.

Thank you. Have gone to Alaska yet. I’m leaving on the Soltice next year in July.

Personally, after taking 40 cruises, I would’ve gone down to guest services and complain to the hotel manager Director of the furniture on your veranda. I’m sure they would’ve replaced it if you would’ve complained to someone down there not just to your cabin Stewart we always go to the desk services when we have an issue with our cabin. Sometimes your cabin attendant does not relay the proper message. We also have heard from so many people that taking an aft view cabin, you always get soot all over the furniture and all over the railings. This is not a cabin we would ever select and have never in the past. I’m sure it is very hard for the cabin attendants to keep up, wiping the soot off of the aft facing balconies when the ship is constantly moving.😢

Really would’ve liked a little bit better review and explanation of the cabin. Are those storage above the bed? Is there also storage in the desk? Is there also drawers in the bathroom? Please

as i live in the bay area, i am not especially interested in ensanada (or san diego) as ports either...however, i just wanted to get away and a 5 day coastal cruise was what i could afford. i plan to go ziplining in ensanada.

Hi, We were on the another Solstice cruise to Mexico as you and had similar and different experiences. Miko brought extra hangers, made and tidied our room every day when we were at breakfast and always was polite. He was actually a highlight of the trip for us. The condition of the room was rough with a broken down couch, dirty and holy drapes, and little varnish on the veranda furniture. We should have waited for a cruise after the ships dry dock clean up. The food was limited and mediocre for us except for the Tuscan Grill. Le Petit Chef was fun but the quality of food was not great and our server was rude. The Wi-Fi was terrible and we paid extra just to use Facebook. We liked Puerto Vallarta where we went to a fiesta with great dancing and had a tequila tasting. It is fun to compare our experiences. Thank you

Thank you for your wonderful video.

i read the solstice was updated in 2019 ? when was this cruise ?

thats sad,, i was just on Princess Discovery and could call my attendant any time,, he was great ,, try a Princess cruise,, your state room attendant is so important

It is first name last name my son has 2 middle names and a lot of systems won’t allow both names

The name on your Passport is supposed to match your cruise ticket. That’s the rules, so that lady was actually being cool by letting you by. I would never consider not having my cruise ticket match my Passport name because you might run across someone who’s a hard liner and then you’re out of luck 👎

Sailing with HAL for third time to Alaska Sept 2022 in Neptune suite. I hope the lobster finds it’s way back to menu by then. Will not be happy. Thanks for video