Honeymoon on Amtrak

[fyreous]

Long-time Amtrak rider / enthusiast. First-time forum poster...

So basically, I'm getting married in a few weeks, and my fiancée and I wanted to make train travel part of our honeymoon, as she and I both love to ride on Amtrak. So I've booked us a sleeper car on the California Zephyr for part of our trip.

We'll be boarding in Reno (UPDATE: heading east), and basically I have this idea where I'd like to reach someone at Amtrak to find out if they can decorate our room with some flowers or other decorations, and perhaps have a bottle of champagne waiting, for when we board? Something that would make it a little bit cheesy and romantic...

Does anyone know of how I would go about trying to make this happen? Contacting someone at Amtrak? Has anyone ever done something like this before? I tried the regular customer service form on the website, but no luck so far...

Thanks for any help or suggestions!!

-Mike

 

[the_traveler]

I really don't think Amtrak will do something like that for you, but many of our members have taken honeymoon trips on Amtrak. I'm sure they will chine in.

 

[jb64]

I don't know how to help you but just wanted to say welcome to the forum and congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

 

[fyreous]

1335981332[/url]' post='364771']I really don't think Amtrak will do something like that for you, but many of our members have taken honeymoon trips on Amtrak. I'm sure they will chine in.

Thanks! I'm open to pretty much any suggestions that anyone might have.

1335982038[/url]' post='364772']I don't know how to help you but just wanted to say welcome to the forum and congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

Thank you, very much!

 

[amamba]

How about when you board in Reno, you ask your new wife to head to the lounge car for a few minutes? Then you can decorate the room with rose petals and get a bottle of champagne on ice for the two of you. Come get her when you are done, and then bring her back. You are allowed to bring on board your own alcohol when you are in a sleeper, so that wouldn't be breaking any rules. However please note that your own private stash of alcohol must be consumed in your sleeper, you are not supposed to bring it to the lounge or the diner.

 

[Texan Eagle]

Boarding from Reno heading which way? Towards California or towards Chicago? Maybe you could find a friend, send him/her up to the previous station (Truckee, CA if heading east), board the train from there with all the decorative stuff you want and details of your ticket, specifically which bedroom you would be riding, make him/her talk to the Sleeper Car Attendant to see if they allow (maybe even help) in decorating the bedroom (if it is not already occupied) and get off in Reno through another car without your wife noticing. Bingo! When you board in Reno, you will have a decorated honeymoon suite ready for a rocking ride (pun intended).

 

[fyreous]

1335983473[/url]' post='364781']Boarding from Reno heading which way? Towards California or towards Chicago? Maybe you could find a friend, send him/her up to the previous station (Truckee, CA if heading east), board the train from there with all the decorative stuff you want and details of your ticket, specifically which bedroom you would be riding, make him/her talk to the Sleeper Car Attendant to see if they allow (maybe even help) in decorating the bedroom (if it is not already occupied) and get off in Reno through another car without your wife noticing. Bingo! When you board in Reno, you will have a decorated honeymoon suite ready for a rocking ride (pun intended).

Dang, that's a really good idea. Yeah we're heading east to Denver, so it'll be a day's trip... I wonder if I could confirm it in advance with the sleeper car attendant?

 

[Ryan]

That's a pretty good idea. The alternative is to have someone you know near a station before Reno (you don't say which direction you're heading) meet the train and try and give your car attendant a box with some things to stage in the room. You can tell them what car/room you'll be in, but you'll be at the mercy of a friendly car attendant to help you out.

Also, isn't Reno a crew change/smoke stop? You may be able to enlist the assistance of the station agent to get your things out to the train and given to the SCA before you get out there.

Congrats on the marriage! Amy and I just celebrated 2 years, and took our honeymoon on Amtrak as well.

Edit: the boss walked in while I was typing, Texan Eagle had the same idea... You probably can't confirm it with the attendant, as you don't have any way of knowing who is working on the train in advance.

 

[me_little_me]

Read the thread about having pizza delivered to the train. It is possible that at one of the stations, you can pre-arrange it and a local place will meet the train and surprise her.

It can't hurt to ask.

Of course, I'm still trying to do something similar for our 40th anniversary Alaska trip next month. We'll be in Ketchikan and the hotel was all but useless when I asked if they could do something.

 

[sunchaser]

Welcome to the board and congratulations!

Why don't you call the Reno Station and see if they can help set it up for you?

If they are willing, maybe you could go to the station the day before with the "goodies", and then the Conductor or Sleeping Car Attendant can retrieve the stuff and get it set up before you board.

I know that Sleeping Car Attendants bring treats to those celebrating Anniversaries or on their Honeymoon.

We were celebrating our Anniversary on the train, and our SCA brought us Champagne.

If all else fails, you could ask the SCA to set it up after you board. Take your wife to the Sightseer Car for a few minutes so the SCA can set it up. Or maybe have him/her do it while you are at dinner...Or when he/she sets the beds for nightime....

 

[SarahZ]

Or when he/she sets the beds for nightime....

I love this idea, and the SCA will be prepping your room anyway. It would only take an extra couple minutes to scatter the petals and set out the champagne. When you come back from dinner, you'll have a nice, romantic room waiting for you.

Bonus: buy some of those little battery-operated tea light candles. They sell them pretty much everywhere. I've even seen them at Walgreen's. I know it doesn't beat real candles, but hey... it's the thought that counts.

I like this idea the best because, when I board the train, I'm usually focused on putting stuff away, settling in, preparing to relax, etc. I wouldn't be ready for champagne and such just yet. After dinner, you'll be relaxed and ready to cuddle.

Here's a picture of the candles:

 

[sunchaser]

Or when he/she sets the beds for nightime....

I love this idea, and the SCA will be prepping your room anyway. It would only take an extra couple minutes to scatter the petals and set out the champagne. When you come back from dinner, you'll have a nice, romantic room waiting for you.

Bonus: buy some of those little battery-operated tea light candles. They sell them pretty much everywhere. I've even seen them at Walgreen's. I know it doesn't beat real candles, but hey... it's the thought that counts.

I like this idea the best because, when I board the train, I'm usually focused on putting stuff away, settling in, preparing to relax, etc. I wouldn't be ready for champagne and such just yet. After dinner, you'll be relaxed and ready to cuddle.

Here's a picture of the candles:

Great Idea!!!

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

To make sure something is going to happen. Bit of a budget buster.

Have a friend travel west with your box of stuff, and one stop west is plenty, and grab the east bound train and set up your room for you.

Issues:

Amtrak will tell you your room number, how ever you might have to ask. You should book the room between those stops, do it on the phone, to get the same room assignment, for the friend.. Amtrak might need to over ride it, the more human involvement the better chance of a lower rate.

Don't have a free friend, use a event planner agent. You pay for there time but it will happen.

Your agent or friend will need a cooler and a box to carry and store the gear, but it will look sweet when you enter it.

Flowers, ice bucket, large cloth napkins, tape to string up the flowers around the door. Vase to hold flowers, some cupcakes. General cleaning stuff, just in case the room need a little help. Maybe some holiday lights (white). If your wedding is using a certain colour, have it in the room, or just use white, it will work. Have a small bag to send the stuff home with.

Might need to send your friend further west, even to the start point, this could be a big production.

Why yes I am available, why do you ask?

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

I love this idea, and the SCA will be prepping your room anyway. It would only take an extra couple minutes to scatter the petals and set out the champagne. When you come back from dinner, you'll have a nice, romantic room waiting for you.

Bonus: buy some of those little battery-operated tea light candles. They sell them pretty much everywhere. I've even seen them at Walgreen's. I know it doesn't beat real candles, but hey... it's the thought that counts.

I like this idea the best because, when I board the train, I'm usually focused on putting stuff away, settling in, preparing to relax, etc. I wouldn't be ready for champagne and such just yet. After dinner, you'll be relaxed and ready to cuddle.

Dang good idea, blow the budget tip big do both.

 

[pennyk]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. I do not have a suggestion, but am very impressed by the great suggestions - especially the ones from men. It has almost restored my faith in men. :wub: :giggle:

 

[the_traveler]

Congratulations to you both!

It has almost restored my faith in men. :wub: :giggle:

Almost but not quite! I have yet to get out from UNDER the doghouse!

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. I do not have a suggestion, but am very impressed by the great suggestions - especially the ones from men. It has almost restored my faith in men. :wub: :giggle:

No this thread, and the ideas on it, from us guys just shows our normal self. It's all "over the top" or nothing. Standard guy stuff. The idea of have the room turn down with the electric lights with rose pedals is the best way of doing this. Of course that one came from a lady. Simple plan, easy to do, sweet, and romantic. We guys can't be simple, only "over the top".

It just who we are.

Best of luck to the new couple, let us know how it works out. (G-Rated part only)

 

[TraneMan]

I agree with the post about getting in touch with the station.. Have you ridden Amtrak enough to know someone well on the train? If you know of someone, get in touch with them and they may be able to help.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Nice to see honeymooners riding Amtrak. This means that Amtrak is getting better and better. I hope they will be able to arrangesomething for you, but I hope you understand that RNO is an intermediate station, so don't expect the CZ to hold too long. Have a nice trip!

 

[rrdude]

Nice to see honeymooners riding Amtrak. This means that Amtrak is getting better and better. I hope they will be able to arrangesomething for you, but I hope you understand that RNO is an intermediate station, so don't expect the CZ to hold too long. Have a nice trip!

Except in the original post, he stated ".........They both like trains............" which kind of blows a hole in your idea that "Honeymooners riding Amtrak".

Granted, factually you are correct, but I highly, highly, doubt that Amtrak is very high on any honeymooner's list of ideas. (Although I did it twice!, But again, railfan to start with.........)

 

[Shanghai]

Congratulations to both of you.

I hope you enjoy your train ride

and have many happy years together.

 

[fyreous]

Wow! Thank you all for the awesome suggestions! These are great... now it looks like I've got some sorting out and budgeting to work on over the next couple days...

 

[fyreous]

Thanks also to everyone who sent their congrats too! I'll definitely be updating this thread with how things turned out (only the G-rated parts, of course!!) after we get back home at the beginning of June. If anyone still has more suggestions though - please feel free to keep them coming!

 

[sunchaser]

Thanks also to everyone who sent their congrats too! I'll definitely be updating this thread with how things turned out (only the G-rated parts, of course!!) after we get back home at the beginning of June. If anyone still has more suggestions though - please feel free to keep them coming!

Another way to pull this off could be to write a note for your Sleeping Car Attendant with your requests, then slip it to him/her upon boarding.

You know your Lady best, does she like Strawberries and Chocolate? If so, get a basket of Strawberries, wash them, (leave stems on) and some Hershey's Syrup, and a small bowl. Or you could bring along a box of her and your favorite chocolate candy. You can ask (in the note) for the SCA to set it up in the bedroom while you're at dinner, or when he/she sets the beds up. Or a meat/cheese plate-just buy it at home and bring it with. He/she may also be able to do the same thing with dessert from the diner. Just include that in the note! Don't forget to tip your SCA!!!! If the SCA cannot do it for you, make an excuse to go back to the room before dinner (while you are waiting to be seated) or from the Sightseer Car, go back to the room and set it up. You could do the same while he/she is setting the bed for the night. :giggle:

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I was wondering if the candles might spill over and burn out of control.