Contemplating 2 tickets to NYC from Boston in April...roughly $220 (with the v383 code) for Regional Amtrak Service and about $350 for Acela... the time saved is about 30 minutes on each leg... is Acela worth the extra?

Only if the time saved is that valuable to your plans.

For business travel I do take the Acela, but for personal stuff I think it's pretty expensive for what you get.

I think the Amtrak regional trains are fine, just might take a little while longer.

In my opinion, No, the "amenities" offered by Acela are not worth the expense for so short a trip.

No. Even if the Acela arrives on time - which it often doesn't - it's not worth the extra.

I have read (perhaps here) the Acela is worth the difference from NYC south, but not on the leg b/w NYC and Boston, mostly b/c it's rarely ontime.

Have to agree that it's not worth the money. We took it between Baltimore and New York on a Saturday morning, and the train was packed by the time it got from DC to Baltimore, and we couldn't even sit together. Coming back on Sunday evening was no picnic either, but at least we could sit together. I've taken the regular train at the same times and it's not as bad and half the price.

Nope

Not worth the 30-40 minutes saved when it does run on time.

I took it once for business. Agree it's not worth it.

Here's a tip: Drive to New London CT and take train to NY from there. Only 60$!!!!!!!!!

Another way to save--not all tickets for the same service cost the same amount. The price is higher for trains during more popular times of day. On regional trains along that route, the price can vary by almost $20 per ticket, for Acelas even more. Since you're talking about two tickets, the savings could pay for a nice lunch.