Last fall I paid a “successful” visit to the Hotel Thayer via a Short Line overnight package, so I thought I would try another one. This time I chose the Historic Newburgh trip.
The tour package, which cost only $190.00 for a Single, was described as follows - “Enjoy the Newburgh waterfront, take a two-hour cruise on the Hudson River, dine at a fine restaurant, and spend time relaxing”. Looking back, the trip was a bit of a jinx – but it certainly could have been a lot worse.
As with all such Short Line offerings, the trip begins at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. I had two options for departure - 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM. I decided not to have to rise at the crack of dawn, so I selected the later departure time. When booking I was also given the choice of staying at a Ramada Inn or a local bed and breakfast. I chose the Ramada Inn.
I arrived at the Port Authority well ahead of time and had breakfast at Deli Plus before checking in at the Short Line window on the 2nd floor to pick up my instructions, tickets and vouchers. I must point out that I was not given any mention or warning of what might occur by the agent.
The bus, of the Orange County line, was also the one for Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, which apparently is a very popular stop. The lines at Gate 310 were constant, and at one point almost “out the door”. At about 9:45 AM I checked with the gate to see if the current line for my bus. I was told yes and when I asked if I had to go all the way to the end of the line (which was long enough to fill two complete buses) I was asked for my ticket and allowed to board ahead of the “unwashed masses”. So far, so good.
We left on time and took the Lincoln Tunnel to NJ and eventually to Routes 17, 287, and 87 North in New York State. The first stop was Woodbury Common, where all but 7 passengers “debussed”. At about 11:50 AM we were let off at the Short Line Terminal in Newburgh.
The online description of the trip said that I would first go from the Terminal to the Ramada Inn. However the instructions I received that morning said I should call for a free taxi to Newburgh Landing where I would board the Pride of the Hudson for a 2-hour narrated cruise scheduled to leave at 1:00 PM.
According to the Hudson River Adventures website, I would be treated to a cruise on the Hudson with narration by the Captain of the sights along the River including Mt. Beacon, Bannerman Island, Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Mountain, The Catskill Aqueduct, World's End, Cold Spring, and West Point.
I got to the waterfront and located the Pride of the Hudson, but was told that (1) on Thursdays the cruise began at 2:30 PM (it does not run at all on Monday or Tuesday) and (2) there may not be enough passengers to justify running the cruise. Because I was booked in advance by Short Line the ship would go out with just me if I so insisted. I said that I certainly did not want to make them run the cruise just for me and was offered as an alternative the Bannerman Island Cruise and Walking Tour, which apparently was definitely going out, also at 2:30. I was told to go have lunch and return a little after 2:00 to see what was what.
I was actually glad that the cruise departure would be 2:30 instead of 1:00. The package included a $15.00 discount coupon for lunch at the nearby Torches on the Hudson Restaurant and Bar, and I would much prefer lunch at 1:00 to waiting until after 3:00.
I walked to Torches and had an excellent lunch of Seafood Chowder, Crab Cake Sandwich, and Apple Cobbler a la mode. The restaurant’s “Aqua Bar” is the talk of the town, as it features a huge 6,000 gallon salt water aquarium which houses 30 varieties of fish. While dining I overheard someone from another table mentioning that the Bannerman Island excursion involved lots of climbing and walking on steep and rocky ground – so I decided that I would not accept this as an alternative.
I got back to the dock and was told that the ship would not go out unless I insisted and asked, with hopeful anticipation, if I would accept the alternative cruise. I reiterated that I did not want to make the ship waste money if I was the only passenger, but also said that I did not feel like traipsing around an island that I had never heard of, especially as I was schlepping my overnight bag (there were no lockers for storing baggage at the small Short Line Terminal). I said not to worry – I would write to Short Line when I returned and get a “rain check” of some sort.
The ship’s representative was appreciative of my reaction and gave me two (2) gift certificates for a future offering of the cruise and her card so I could get a complimentary cocktail at the ship’s open bar when I came back.
As an aside, my trip to the Hotel Thayer last year was also supposed to include a Hudson River cruise – but the cruise was also not running during my booking and I received a voucher for a free lunch at the hotel instead.
I next decided to explore the waterfront, which, according to the online tour description, “is enjoying a renaissance with 4 new restaurants offering both indoor and outdoor dining, great shops, spa and a shoreline walkway that offers spectacular views”. I discovered only restaurants and bars and a liquor store (where I could get a 10% discount) – but no “great shops”.
The weather all that morning and afternoon was odd. It would start to drizzle, then pour for about 5 minutes, then stop while the sun came out – and continue this process again soon thereafter. I did not have an umbrella, but did not get soaked as timing was with me.
With nothing to do at the waterfront, and the downtown area a long uphill climb away, I decided to go to the hotel. The instructions told me to call for a free taxi back to the Short Line Terminal and then call the hotel to request a pick up by their free shuttle van. I looked for a pay phone, but could not find one.
I went back to Torches where I was told by a bus boy (the host/hostess was away from the station) that there were no pay phones in the restaurant (he did not offer to have someone make a call for me)! I walked up and down the waterfront area again looking for a pay phone with no luck. I stuck my head into a few of the other restaurants and bars along the way and asked if they had a pay phone – but there were none.
Frustrated and tired I walked back to the Torches. This time there was a person at the host station. I mentioned that I had lunch there earlier and needed to call for a taxi – but could not find a pay phone. The host called the Short Line’s designed Bob’s Taxi for me. After thanking the host for his service I asked why there were no pay phones at the waterfront – a public park. He alluded to the assumption that none were needed as everyone now had cell phones. Not so, my friend!
When the taxi arrived I decided not to go through the rigmarole of going back to the Terminal and calling for the shuttle and headed directly for the Ramada Inn Hotel and Conference Center Newburgh/West Point. The hotel was outside of town, on Route 300, not a long trip but certainly not close-by. I was pleasantly surprised when the cabbie told me the fare was only $5.00! It would have been at least three times that much in Jersey City – and more in NYC. It was well worth it to avoid the free but time consuming method in my instructions.
The hotel was pleasant and comfortable. But one more comment on the trip’s online description, which read “The hotel offers great entertainment at their lounge/restaurant for you to enjoy!” - there was Karaoke (if that can truly be called entertainment) on Wednesday nights and a band or DJ on the week-ends – but nothing on Thursday nights.
Similarly, the West Point trip description misled one not familiar with the hotel to think that the Eisenhower Theatre was a part of the Thayer and offered nightly entertainment, when in reality it is a separate building on the West Point campus, similar to the PAC in Newark. Short Line needs to be more accurate in its tour descriptions.
I rested in my room and enjoyed the movie MUSIC AND LYRICS (not to be confused with WORDS AND MUSIC – the fictionalized story of the songwriting partnership of Rodgers and Hart with Mickey Rooney and Tom Drake) on HBO before dining in the hotel’s Café International Restaurant. At first I had the dining room entirely to myself, but was soon joined (in the room and not at my table) by another gentleman dining alone, and then another, and eventually a couple. I taught another bartender how to make a Stinger (Brandy and While Crème de Menthe, 3-to-1) and had Chicken Cordon Bleu, with ice cream for dessert.
In the morning I slept in and had a free continental breakfast in the dining room – again relatively empty. It was not what one would call sumptuous, but it was more than sufficient for me.
The main purpose of the trip was basically to get away from New Jersey and the GD extensions, sleep in a large, comfortable bed (a change from my futon) and hopefully have a leisurely bath (my tub is barely big enough to wash my cat). I succeeded in all but the last – as, while bigger than my apartment tub, the facility was not big enough to comfortably satisfy one of my “girth”.
I checked out at 11:00-ish and sat down in the lobby to do some reading, including proof-reading a tax report I had recently compiled (MY BEST TAX ADVICE). The trip description had said, “When you are ready to return to New York City . . . take any of the regularly scheduled departures” from the Short Line Terminal. I had printed out the schedule beforehand and, as there was nothing to do within walking distance, decided to take the 1:30 bus, which would have me back at the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 3:00 PM. I asked the desk if I could get a ride to the Newburgh Terminal via their shuttle at 12:45 or thereabouts.
There were free copies of the local Times Herald-Record newspaper available in the lobby so I picked one up to read. The front page had a picture of a COACH USA (Short Line) bus with the headline “Nightmare commute – Thousands of families scramble as bus drivers strike.” Going inside I found an item “Short Line workers go out on strike”!
Oi vey! I was supposed to get back to NYC on Short Line – this was, after all, a Short Line package tour. I had not read or heard about a possible strike anywhere before leaving the previous morning (not that I was particularly looking for such information) or that morning as a matter of fact, and, as I said at the beginning, I was given no notice or warning that such an action was eminent, or even possible, when I checked in at Port Authority.
I asked the desk if they had any information and was told that they did not know any more than I did. The article mentioned that Short Line was providing free shuttles to train stations at some bus terminals. There was a train station across the Hudson from Newburgh, a $10.00 taxi ride from the hotel. Worst case scenario, if there was no transportation to the train provided I could call the hotel and their shuttle would come back for me and take me to the local small Stewart International Airport where I could get an inexpensive shuttle bus to the train station.
I decided to “play dumb” (no comments please), take the hotel shuttle to the bus terminal as originally planned, and see what Short Line would tell me. It was my firm belief that, as I was booked on a Short Line tour package and not just some “poor slob” commuter, the bus line was obligated to get me back to NYC at no additional cost. If there were any additional “out of pocket” I would certainly have sent the receipts to Short Line headquarters for reimbursement.
I got to the Short Line Terminal at about 12:45 PM and was told that Trailways would be honoring Short Line tickets, and a Trailways bus would be arriving shortly to take me to NYC. The actual only inconvenience incurred was having to walk the entire length of the parking lot to the revised bus pick-up point (again the inconvenience resulting from my “girth”).
A bus came at 1:00 and I boarded for a non-stop return trip. I was in NYC by 2:30 – a half hour earlier than planned – and by 3:20 I was being greeted at the door to my apartment by a hungry cat!
As I said in the beginning – it could have been a lot worse! Kudos to Short Line and Trailways for working out a deal so that I was not in any way affected by the strike.
While I would book another Short Line overnight in the future, I would make sure to do a lot more homework on the destination and itinerary before doing so.
TTYL
The tour package, which cost only $190.00 for a Single, was described as follows - “Enjoy the Newburgh waterfront, take a two-hour cruise on the Hudson River, dine at a fine restaurant, and spend time relaxing”. Looking back, the trip was a bit of a jinx – but it certainly could have been a lot worse.
As with all such Short Line offerings, the trip begins at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. I had two options for departure - 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM. I decided not to have to rise at the crack of dawn, so I selected the later departure time. When booking I was also given the choice of staying at a Ramada Inn or a local bed and breakfast. I chose the Ramada Inn.
I arrived at the Port Authority well ahead of time and had breakfast at Deli Plus before checking in at the Short Line window on the 2nd floor to pick up my instructions, tickets and vouchers. I must point out that I was not given any mention or warning of what might occur by the agent.
The bus, of the Orange County line, was also the one for Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, which apparently is a very popular stop. The lines at Gate 310 were constant, and at one point almost “out the door”. At about 9:45 AM I checked with the gate to see if the current line for my bus. I was told yes and when I asked if I had to go all the way to the end of the line (which was long enough to fill two complete buses) I was asked for my ticket and allowed to board ahead of the “unwashed masses”. So far, so good.
We left on time and took the Lincoln Tunnel to NJ and eventually to Routes 17, 287, and 87 North in New York State. The first stop was Woodbury Common, where all but 7 passengers “debussed”. At about 11:50 AM we were let off at the Short Line Terminal in Newburgh.
The online description of the trip said that I would first go from the Terminal to the Ramada Inn. However the instructions I received that morning said I should call for a free taxi to Newburgh Landing where I would board the Pride of the Hudson for a 2-hour narrated cruise scheduled to leave at 1:00 PM.
According to the Hudson River Adventures website, I would be treated to a cruise on the Hudson with narration by the Captain of the sights along the River including Mt. Beacon, Bannerman Island, Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Mountain, The Catskill Aqueduct, World's End, Cold Spring, and West Point.
I got to the waterfront and located the Pride of the Hudson, but was told that (1) on Thursdays the cruise began at 2:30 PM (it does not run at all on Monday or Tuesday) and (2) there may not be enough passengers to justify running the cruise. Because I was booked in advance by Short Line the ship would go out with just me if I so insisted. I said that I certainly did not want to make them run the cruise just for me and was offered as an alternative the Bannerman Island Cruise and Walking Tour, which apparently was definitely going out, also at 2:30. I was told to go have lunch and return a little after 2:00 to see what was what.
I was actually glad that the cruise departure would be 2:30 instead of 1:00. The package included a $15.00 discount coupon for lunch at the nearby Torches on the Hudson Restaurant and Bar, and I would much prefer lunch at 1:00 to waiting until after 3:00.
I walked to Torches and had an excellent lunch of Seafood Chowder, Crab Cake Sandwich, and Apple Cobbler a la mode. The restaurant’s “Aqua Bar” is the talk of the town, as it features a huge 6,000 gallon salt water aquarium which houses 30 varieties of fish. While dining I overheard someone from another table mentioning that the Bannerman Island excursion involved lots of climbing and walking on steep and rocky ground – so I decided that I would not accept this as an alternative.
I got back to the dock and was told that the ship would not go out unless I insisted and asked, with hopeful anticipation, if I would accept the alternative cruise. I reiterated that I did not want to make the ship waste money if I was the only passenger, but also said that I did not feel like traipsing around an island that I had never heard of, especially as I was schlepping my overnight bag (there were no lockers for storing baggage at the small Short Line Terminal). I said not to worry – I would write to Short Line when I returned and get a “rain check” of some sort.
The ship’s representative was appreciative of my reaction and gave me two (2) gift certificates for a future offering of the cruise and her card so I could get a complimentary cocktail at the ship’s open bar when I came back.
As an aside, my trip to the Hotel Thayer last year was also supposed to include a Hudson River cruise – but the cruise was also not running during my booking and I received a voucher for a free lunch at the hotel instead.
I next decided to explore the waterfront, which, according to the online tour description, “is enjoying a renaissance with 4 new restaurants offering both indoor and outdoor dining, great shops, spa and a shoreline walkway that offers spectacular views”. I discovered only restaurants and bars and a liquor store (where I could get a 10% discount) – but no “great shops”.
The weather all that morning and afternoon was odd. It would start to drizzle, then pour for about 5 minutes, then stop while the sun came out – and continue this process again soon thereafter. I did not have an umbrella, but did not get soaked as timing was with me.
With nothing to do at the waterfront, and the downtown area a long uphill climb away, I decided to go to the hotel. The instructions told me to call for a free taxi back to the Short Line Terminal and then call the hotel to request a pick up by their free shuttle van. I looked for a pay phone, but could not find one.
I went back to Torches where I was told by a bus boy (the host/hostess was away from the station) that there were no pay phones in the restaurant (he did not offer to have someone make a call for me)! I walked up and down the waterfront area again looking for a pay phone with no luck. I stuck my head into a few of the other restaurants and bars along the way and asked if they had a pay phone – but there were none.
Frustrated and tired I walked back to the Torches. This time there was a person at the host station. I mentioned that I had lunch there earlier and needed to call for a taxi – but could not find a pay phone. The host called the Short Line’s designed Bob’s Taxi for me. After thanking the host for his service I asked why there were no pay phones at the waterfront – a public park. He alluded to the assumption that none were needed as everyone now had cell phones. Not so, my friend!
When the taxi arrived I decided not to go through the rigmarole of going back to the Terminal and calling for the shuttle and headed directly for the Ramada Inn Hotel and Conference Center Newburgh/West Point. The hotel was outside of town, on Route 300, not a long trip but certainly not close-by. I was pleasantly surprised when the cabbie told me the fare was only $5.00! It would have been at least three times that much in Jersey City – and more in NYC. It was well worth it to avoid the free but time consuming method in my instructions.
The hotel was pleasant and comfortable. But one more comment on the trip’s online description, which read “The hotel offers great entertainment at their lounge/restaurant for you to enjoy!” - there was Karaoke (if that can truly be called entertainment) on Wednesday nights and a band or DJ on the week-ends – but nothing on Thursday nights.
Similarly, the West Point trip description misled one not familiar with the hotel to think that the Eisenhower Theatre was a part of the Thayer and offered nightly entertainment, when in reality it is a separate building on the West Point campus, similar to the PAC in Newark. Short Line needs to be more accurate in its tour descriptions.
I rested in my room and enjoyed the movie MUSIC AND LYRICS (not to be confused with WORDS AND MUSIC – the fictionalized story of the songwriting partnership of Rodgers and Hart with Mickey Rooney and Tom Drake) on HBO before dining in the hotel’s Café International Restaurant. At first I had the dining room entirely to myself, but was soon joined (in the room and not at my table) by another gentleman dining alone, and then another, and eventually a couple. I taught another bartender how to make a Stinger (Brandy and While Crème de Menthe, 3-to-1) and had Chicken Cordon Bleu, with ice cream for dessert.
In the morning I slept in and had a free continental breakfast in the dining room – again relatively empty. It was not what one would call sumptuous, but it was more than sufficient for me.
The main purpose of the trip was basically to get away from New Jersey and the GD extensions, sleep in a large, comfortable bed (a change from my futon) and hopefully have a leisurely bath (my tub is barely big enough to wash my cat). I succeeded in all but the last – as, while bigger than my apartment tub, the facility was not big enough to comfortably satisfy one of my “girth”.
I checked out at 11:00-ish and sat down in the lobby to do some reading, including proof-reading a tax report I had recently compiled (MY BEST TAX ADVICE). The trip description had said, “When you are ready to return to New York City . . . take any of the regularly scheduled departures” from the Short Line Terminal. I had printed out the schedule beforehand and, as there was nothing to do within walking distance, decided to take the 1:30 bus, which would have me back at the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 3:00 PM. I asked the desk if I could get a ride to the Newburgh Terminal via their shuttle at 12:45 or thereabouts.
There were free copies of the local Times Herald-Record newspaper available in the lobby so I picked one up to read. The front page had a picture of a COACH USA (Short Line) bus with the headline “Nightmare commute – Thousands of families scramble as bus drivers strike.” Going inside I found an item “Short Line workers go out on strike”!
Oi vey! I was supposed to get back to NYC on Short Line – this was, after all, a Short Line package tour. I had not read or heard about a possible strike anywhere before leaving the previous morning (not that I was particularly looking for such information) or that morning as a matter of fact, and, as I said at the beginning, I was given no notice or warning that such an action was eminent, or even possible, when I checked in at Port Authority.
I asked the desk if they had any information and was told that they did not know any more than I did. The article mentioned that Short Line was providing free shuttles to train stations at some bus terminals. There was a train station across the Hudson from Newburgh, a $10.00 taxi ride from the hotel. Worst case scenario, if there was no transportation to the train provided I could call the hotel and their shuttle would come back for me and take me to the local small Stewart International Airport where I could get an inexpensive shuttle bus to the train station.
I decided to “play dumb” (no comments please), take the hotel shuttle to the bus terminal as originally planned, and see what Short Line would tell me. It was my firm belief that, as I was booked on a Short Line tour package and not just some “poor slob” commuter, the bus line was obligated to get me back to NYC at no additional cost. If there were any additional “out of pocket” I would certainly have sent the receipts to Short Line headquarters for reimbursement.
I got to the Short Line Terminal at about 12:45 PM and was told that Trailways would be honoring Short Line tickets, and a Trailways bus would be arriving shortly to take me to NYC. The actual only inconvenience incurred was having to walk the entire length of the parking lot to the revised bus pick-up point (again the inconvenience resulting from my “girth”).
A bus came at 1:00 and I boarded for a non-stop return trip. I was in NYC by 2:30 – a half hour earlier than planned – and by 3:20 I was being greeted at the door to my apartment by a hungry cat!
As I said in the beginning – it could have been a lot worse! Kudos to Short Line and Trailways for working out a deal so that I was not in any way affected by the strike.
While I would book another Short Line overnight in the future, I would make sure to do a lot more homework on the destination and itinerary before doing so.
TTYL
1 comment:
mr. flach: Too bad you didn't visit bannermans castle. its only been open to the public recently. previous locals would have to sneak out to it on what ever would float; a rite of passage for most kids in the area. and an alluring mysterious place that beckoned most! The city of newburg also is fun to discover a old and decadent place for sure, many great buildings and houses still exist amoungst the rot one has to peruse its history a bit which should whet your appetite. pick cooler seasons to walk and take your time
Post a Comment