kluv2cruz

We're flying out of SEATAC airport to get to our caribbean cruise out of Texas. I see parking on the SEATAC website, but is there another website that lists private parking options or helps me compare prices to find the most logical place to park (price / convenience / security)? We do not want to consider staying at a hotel (sleep, fly, park) as that doesn't work with time off work. Thanks!

Wasn't so much a ladder as a narrow staircase to discourage carousers. I still see it a bit on some ships on the top out of the way deck areas. Or get a private balcony!

Get up early as others suggest. The metal floor though is hard on your hips/knees/legs! My fave memories are from a Hawaii cruise where I got off as soon as possible in each port with my room key in one side of my sports bra and my drivers license in the other and went for my run. I was back on the ship, showered and smiling, ready for breakfast in time to meet my girlfriend/travel buddy for breakfast before we got off the ship for our day's adventure! Great memories of running in each port. Runners world forums have a travel section of great runs in different cities to inspire you!

Thx again. Walking distance to the oil platform museum and the tall ship might be perfect for arrival day. I can almost hear "are we there yet?" But maybe they'll surprise me!

There is an Art Car Museum though.

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions, all of you. Art car museum and oil rig museum will both be very interesting. AND both my boys have sailed several summers on a tall ship so that's great too. I think we may need to rent a car!

And I like the idea of the boardwalk area for lunch. Sounds like it will be a hit.

Thx!

Glad to hear you are departing late on the day the ship gets back. In Galveston (which we've cruised out of the past two years in the first week of January), fog can be a big factor, and I imagine it will be for Houston too as I think you have to use the same channel to get into the port area. On last year's cruise, we were delayed 7 hours coming in - did not dock until 2 PM, so folks with flights out of IAH 4 PM or earlier were in a bind.

Yikes! Hadn't thought of that. Good to know about. Kluv...

Why don't you contact a local Limo service? They could possibly set a price to drive you around most of the day.

Problem with arriving at 4:30 am is nothing opens until 9 or 10am.

Good luck:)

thanks Galveston Cruiser.

You know when you're in caribbean ports you can sometimes hire a guide who picks you up at the pier, takes you around to interesting sites, parks, architecture, tells you stories, maybe a lunch at a great affordable local find, and brings you back to the ship.

Does anyone know of something like this that is not outrageously expensive for 2 adults, 2 almost adult/teen boys who don't want to sit for hours on the transfer/sightseeing bus the cruiseline offers to get from airport to ship and at the end of the cruise from ship to airport? We arrive at IAH as the birds are barely starting to chirp at 4:30 a.m. and of course have all day to get to the cruiseship at Bayport terminal. At the end of the cruise our flight isn't until 5:30 p.m. We are cruising over New Years.

The cruiseline does have an excursion to get to the airport that includes the space center for $89 - that's $360 for the 4 of us! I know a cab direct airport to port is about $100, so I figure somewhere between these 2 amounts we should be able to see the highlights of Houston and keep us all interested on the day of arrival &/or the day of departure.

The 18 year old loves shopping (but has no$) and the 20 year old is Mr. Outdoor adventure who loves climbing and hiking. He might be interested in the space center. Is there a factory outlet mall or somewhere that would have cool skaterboy type teen clothes for a great price and an REI outdoor type store? Or is there a cool indoor climbing wall? The challenge is of course having all our luggage with us. My DH is into vintage english motorbikes so a vintage (non-harley) bike museum would be a hit too. Keep in mind the transportation challenges of not spending a fortune in taxis. Tall order eh? Thanks for all ideas including a not to be missed easy to get to restaurant for lunch on both arrival and departure days. We arrive and leave on a Saturday. Are there any amazing outdoor markets? Luggage still a challenge :-)

Fettucine Alfredo is "always available" and as an entree, comes in a crunchy Parmesan Cheese Basket. - this is not a secret.

 

And OMG - is it every AMAZING. So many calories, but oh so yummy and comforting on the tummy. On a recent Princess cruise we had a very long series of flights to get to the ship and my son and I were both "a little off" for the first few days and we both had this fettuccine for several nights and it was wonderful. Trust me - it's worth the calories!

better read the "how to bid" info on bidding for travel.... also read the seattle area on bidding for travel. When you're in priceline, by clicking as if you're going to start a bid, it highlights what star level is available for each area so I always check to be sure, but most info comes from bidding for travel.com good luck.

Hey kcteach12, have you read bidding for travel dot com and looked at the Seattle area where people post their winning bids? Have you read their bidding strategies blog to understand the free rebid system? The easy free rebid way is to bid in your zone (presumably Pike Place), then add another zone that does NOT have 4* availability which allows you to rebid, mostly safely knowing it won't award you that zone because there are no 4* showing for that area (so, you could add Airport) - bump up your bid a bit, say $2-$5, if that's not successful, add another zone, say Bothell, bump up bid again.... etc. There are 10 zones without 4* so you get 10 free rebids. Keep a grid, then if not successful, you can bid again once 24 hrs has passed. So if you start at $73, bump to $77, $81, ..... then the next night, start at maybe $75 and bump up... you WILL get something this way, unless there is a BIG convention that weekend and 4* downtown hotels are all full - you can check availability by checking some of the hotels on their websites. If they're showing full, then you may be in trouble.

The complicated free rebid system is using permutations - from your user name "k C Teach 12" maybe you teach grade 12 and permutations are your idea of fun? If so, there is a posting on that same web site that I referenced that teaches you that - another grid needed, this one probably in excel as it's more convoluted but gives you more rebids.

Seattle is an easy priceline city as there are so many free rebid zones it's never a problem to get a hotel. You might also re-consider whether you need 4*. 4* means more expensive parking, more expensive breakfast, etc. I stayed a couple of weeks ago at the Westin in Seattle for $77, but I've also stayed at a few other 2 1/2 or 3* hotels and they have cheaper parking, sometime a free so-so breakfast, and sometimes a free shuttle to pike place. Good luck and if you have specific questions, post them and I'll try to help you. It's a hoot when you get a deal!

We need a room in Vancouver. They do not offer day rooms but I will call several hotels to see if they would let us check in before 3PM. Thanks for your reply.

Check which port you're cruising into. If you're right downtown, the ship actually docks at the Pan Pacific hotel which is splendid - their website shows $289/night but they might have day room/shower especially if you're maybe a member of their chain's frequent guest club? For the location of the other hotels, check out google maps dot com (all one word with a period not a dot) and plot them - you'll see that the ones you mention are a taxi ride away and taxis will mean a long lineup waiting with other cruise passengers for the next available. How nice instead to come off the ship, take the elevator up to your room in the Pan Pacific. Worth the extra $$ in my opinion!!! Across the street from the Pan Pacific is the Fairmont Waterfront - also spectacular and an easy elevator, across the crosswalk, and you're there.

If you're down in the commercial pier, then there are no hotels within a quick jaunt from there as it's a bit out of the way - then it won't matter which hotel you choose really, and you might be just as well to choose say the absolutely lovely Fairmont Vancouver Airport which is right in the airport and beautiful. They quite likely have rooms for the part day and have a beautiful fireside lounge, great restaurant, spa, very nice.

Final comments - priceline is great for U.S. big city hotels as it's in US$. For Cdn hotels, it's not quite so attractive as you can get OK Cdn$ prices other ways - on the hotel's website, through vancouver tourism, or on travelzoo dot com and travel zoo dot ca sometimes too. Check out on bidding for travel dot com what hotels are coming up in the downtown vancouver area and you'll see it's the ones you mention, which will require a cab. I just was in the Vancouver cruiseship pier 3 days ago and the taxi lineup was nasty and not much fun after your relaxing cruise.

I am trying to have patience for our cruise in late July like Sunny AZ girl suggests and have been trying for a 4* downtown Pike Place for our return in Aug. Don't want to go over $90-$100 and keep getting rejected.

 

I will keep trying and let you all know when I finally have success!

I'm surprised you have not got anything - I bid 3 nights in a row and got the Westin for $77. Seattle is an easy area to bid 4* as there are 10 free rebid zones to add, allowing you to bid 11 times a night. Bid 4* downtown, add University area without changing your *level, then rebid, the add Seattle Centre.... etc. adding Bothell, Lk Union, Renton, etc. Do NOT add Bellevue or Redmond/Kirkland as they have 4* and you may end up with a hotel there. The Westin usually goes for $69-$75 by the looks of things or you could also get Olive 8, Edgewater, etc. Read bidding for travel dot com and you'll get a feel for the pattern of winning bids which will be your guide on what you should be bidding. I started at $53 and increased $1 a zone the first night, then the next I added $2 a zone, then the 3rd night, I thought, I don't have this much time in my life, so I increased $3 a zone from $53 start, and got it at $77, but had I not been impatient, I may have got it for less. Keep in mind these fancy hotels have expensive parking, and expensive food if you eat on site, whereas cheaper 2 or 3* hotels have cheaper parking, cheaper food, sometimes free included food. Good luck and always have a backup hotel held with your visa.

Sorry Brossy, don't know about shuttles. I priceline'd a hotel (new verb!) right near the cruise ship pier but there are highways snaking all over so in the end it still cost a bit for a taxi. Another time we stayed a bit away and then just drove there in the morning in our rental car - husband dropped the kids & I, then returned rental car which was right across from the cruise ship (I think?) then he walked back I think. Make sure you know where your ship will be docked as there are a couple of piers. Good luck.

Hi guys

 

I have lots of questions about priceline, I hope you can answer for me please :).

 

If I was to bid on San Pedro 3/1/2 star, what hotels does it usually give you?

I have been told I should get Doubletree or Crownplaza is this true?

I was thinking of putting a bid of $75 is this too high or low?

What are the additional costs after my winning bid?

We are a family of 5 (2 a, 3 c - 9,7,5) and will need to get two rooms - will this be okay or do I have to get 3?

 

Thanks in advance :).

Hey Brossy - I notice you're from Australia - something else to research on biddingfortravel.com - I'm from Canada, and until recently priceline would not accept some canadian charge cards nor a canadian address so I learned on biddingfortravel how to "fake it out" by giving it a US address and using american express. In the last 2 years, it seems to now allow canadians to bid and I now use a visa to pay.

Also, regarding *level - I've realized recently (teen boys) that I'm better to give up the posh of a 4* and go for a 2 or 2 1/2* because they often include a free breakfast which is worth it now! Check out biddingfortravel and you'll learn a lot. Oh - and San Pedro is located under "los angeles and surrounding area" and then inside that, you click "San Garbriel Valley/Long Beach hotel list". The 2* is the Holiday Inn and kids eat free there, but the Crowne & Doubletree that have come up under 3 1/2* don't include food. You will also get that 2* for a maybe less than the 3 1/2*. Something to think about anyway.

Good luck!

Found the listing on biddingfortravel.com for San Jose - it's under LA Suburbs, then San Gabriel Valley.

Here's my Priceline tip. I always have tried to get 4* or resort but recently on a trip to Seattle & Portland, it occurred to me to bid 2* or 2 1/2* depending on what hotels biddingfortravel.com suggests typically come up (don't want too scuzzy, nor a biker pub downstairs). A 2* is often a Best Western, or Holiday Inn Express which include breakfast. On that trip, I won the Springhill Suites in Vancouver Washington for $34. My 2 teens boys, and my husband & I really enjoyed our free hot breakfast, and the 2 Q beds and double sofa bed! Cruising out of Seattle, I've also stayed at the Springhill Suites by REI off the I5 and again, free breakfast and 2 Q's and a D sofabed is worth the compromise on * quality. I'm now a reformed 4* bidder (only when travelling with those teens of course, otherwise it's Westin 4*/Resort all the way if Priceline will award it to me!)

Thanks Sunny AZ Girl and Nanatravel. I've done Priceline lots so I'm good with the logistics of bidding. I just couldn't quickly find the listing of hotels that have come up in the past when looking on biddingfortravel.com. Do you know Nanatravel if Crown Plaza & Doubletree offer FREE shuttle to cruiseship? Thanks for the LAX shuttle suggestions and hint to look for discount code. That will come in handy. I think last time I Priceline'd a hotel in San Pedro I was travelling with my kids so the taxi was a cheaper option, so had forgotten to think about the airport shuttle.

I am cruising out of San Pedro in Nov with Princess. On Priceline, Long Beach, LGB, San Pedro, Torrance-Carson are each their own zones. To save me hunting around on biddingfortravel.com has anyone found these zones on there?

Any must stay places to cross fingers and hope to get, or a particular * level that is worth shooting for? Any free shuttles to the cruise ship that would make a particular hotel worth just paying for and skip the whole priceline game??

Is it more logical to stay near LAX and taxi in the morning, or taxi from airport, stay the night, then taxi again to ship in the morning?

I'm travelling with a friend which does make a dif on type of hotel to stay at.

Thx for suggestions. K