Must read!!! Hilton riverside "cruise special" in New Orleans

[like2cruise]

That was some bad typing on my part. I apologize. I meant to type that I called Hilton and I was told that the rates for 2005 were not yet negotiated. This was information Auntienance was asking. Sorry for not proofing better!

[auntienance]

Thanks! I really appreciate all of the information here!:)

[JMS920]

I wish I could get this cruise special package. I booked months ago at the rate of $318 for a double room (I only did it because friends are staying there with a free room ) Our cruise is 12/5/04. We are staying 2 nights the 3rd and 4th. No one told me about this when I booked. I called to confirm my reservation around May and the girl I spoke with mentioned it. Bit saod tjeu weren't offering at that time to call back around the end of June. I did and was told the hotel is full for that weekend and they wouldn't offer it. :mad: I keep reading about people who are paying $50 for the same room.......doesnt' make me too happy. If it weren't for our friend staying there I would cancel and book someplace else but that won't work. Any of you TA have any suggestions for me?
Thanks for any help.
JoAnn

[NinaCO]

JoAnn, why [color=red][b]not[/b][/color] try for a room in the same area via Priceline? As long as you're a quick walk away, would it be so bad? I realize it might be for you guys! :) I wouldn't think twice about it . . . as long as the hotels were in the same area.

[JMS920]

Thanks NinaCO. It is a good suggestion,andwe did think of it. But we really want to stay at the Hilton and our friends 4 of them want us to stay there with them so much that they want to split the cost of our room 6 ways. (since they got their room free. It's more the principal than the money,
..Seeing others getting the same room for in the $50 range and on a holiday weekend to boot. I had no problem paying this amount when I booked it.....it was after I was hearing about all these cruise specials..No.matter what I'm sure we'll have a blast......... Thanks again

[injunjoe]

Good suggestion re: staying near the Hilton. What properties ARE near the Hilton?

Thanks

[cruisinqt]

Joann,when I booked my room with the Hilton, they told me it was their policy to allow guests to cancel free of charge up to 3 days before your arrrival. So what I would do is just call them and try to book the "cruise special" and see what happens. You could try priceline for one night and the "cruise special" ( only available for one night) for the next night.;) Dont' let them know who you are, just see if you can book it at the discounted price. I have a hard time believing that they are sold out on such an odd date. Normally, the first week of December is cheap. No one goes anywhere because they know they will be getting off for Christmas in a couple weeks. I wonder if they don't want to let go of your hefty donation.:cool:

Just be sure to call and confirm that there would be no penalty if you cancelled your reservation before you try this. And I wouldn't call the New Orleans Hilton directly, they wouldn't give me the deal. If you call their nation wide number at 1-504-561-0500 you are more likely to get the deal, I did.:D

If none of this works, you might try asking for the manager and complaining about the situation. Ask him why other "friends" of yours are getting such a good deal and you are getting the shaft? I have found that if you escalate the situation up to management level, you get more accomplished. :) Managers have the authority to waive fees, comp rooms, and change prices where others don't. It's worth a try in my opinion! I think the price you are paying is pretty steep. This hotel is very nice, but it is by no means new. Older hotels, even Hilton's, tend to drop their prices and "deal" with you more. The $318 would be okay in my opinion for a holiday weekend or something. But for an odd time like Dec. 5th, it seems kind of pricey.

Injunjoe, Harrah's is right across the street from the Hilton. If you are interested in gambling, it has the only casino in town. There is a trolley nearby (very cheap) that can take you just about anywhere in town.

[NinaCO]

[quote name='injunjoe']Good suggestion re: staying near the Hilton. What properties ARE near the Hilton?

[/QUOTE]
Priceline 4* in the Convention Center area: Hilton, Sheraton, Renaissance Arts

Priceline 3* in the Convention Center area: Doubletree, Wyndham

I ended up getting the Doubletree. The hotel has gotten mixed reviews (knew that before I bid), but the location is great and I got it for about 25% of the cheapest price I could find it for at other websites.

[like2cruise]

Would you mind telling me your bidding strategy? We use priceline for most of our hotel bids...I find it helpful to monitor everyone elses bids. Thanks!

[Cotton]

[quote name='cruisinqt']If you call their nation wide number at 1-504-561-0500 you are more likely to get the deal, I did.:D[QUOTE]

[b][color=darkslategray] I just checked my N.O. phone book. The number above is the local number of the Hilton Riverside. (504 area code is N.O.) You just got lucky! :) [/color][/b]
[b][color=#2f4f4f]----------[/color][/b]

[b][color=#2f4f4f]Also - About Doubletree, I don't know where somleone saw bad reviews, but rest assured it's a first class hotel.[/color][/b]

[NinaCO]

[quote name='like2cruise']Would you mind telling me your bidding strategy? We use priceline for most of our hotel bids...I find it helpful to monitor everyone elses bids. Thanks![/QUOTE]
Don't think you'd necessarily [color=red]want [/color]to follow my strategy. I was open to staying in the Quarter or Convention Center districts. I went into Priceline and bid $50 for a 4* hotel in the Quarter. Absurd price, especially during Halloween weekend. Then, I changed it to 3*. Still wasn't accepted, but no suprise. So, I added the Convention Center District. Not sure whether the bid was $50 or $60 at this point (printout's at the office). What I [color=red]should[/color] have done [color=red]first [/color]was try bidding 4* (not 3) in the Convention Center District. But, I'm happy with the Doubletree. Last time I checked it was $200 a night for Oct. 29 & 30. At $50 or $60 a night, I got a good deal.

[sea_u_onboard]

[size=4]When I called the Hilton Riverside this week I was informed that YES by booking the cruise special you get free parking for the 7 days you are on the cruise - BUT - you still have to pay for parking for the night you stay - which is $22.00. [/size]


[size=4]Still a good deal. I heard that if you book through priceline you will not get the free parking (less than the $22.00 a day but I don't remember how much) - so you may get a good price for the room and end up paying more in the long run by paying for parking. [/size]

[size=4]Be sure when you call on a special that you have ALL the details before booking. What may look like a great deal on the surface may cost you more in the long run.[/size]

[MizzouMary]

[quote name='sea_u_onboard'][size=4]When I called the Hilton Riverside this week I was informed that YES by booking the cruise special you get free parking for the 7 days you are on the cruise - BUT - you still have to pay for parking for the night you stay - which is $22.00. [/size]


[size=4]Still a good deal. I heard that if you book through priceline you will not get the free parking (less than the $22.00 a day but I don't remember how much) - so you may get a good price for the room and end up paying more in the long run by paying for parking. [/size]

[size=4]Be sure when you call on a special that you have ALL the details before booking. What may look like a great deal on the surface may cost you more in the long run.[/size][/QUOTE]
Hello, we are staying at the Hilton in November on the "Cruisin" package deal for 99.00/nite including the 7 nights parking. I was told we WOULD NOT pay any extra parking since we are coming in on this package and it includes all parking fees. You should not have to pay the $22 for parking. If they try to charge you, I would speak to the manager on duty.

[NinaCO]

Everyone else has said they paid $22 for parking the first night (night before the cruise) and that the free parking is for the duration of the cruise.

[cruisinqt]

Mfinn, the "cruise special" comes with 7 days of free parking. But you will be coming in a day early. Therefore you will be staying 8 days, not 7. The extra day is $22. But I'll pay $22 for 8 days of parking in NO anytime!:) Parking in NO can be very expensive, and $22 is chump change when it comes to parking for over a week!

[MizzouMary]

I have the name of the person who told me this info., so I will talk to the manager and if I have to pay the $22, then it's no biggie. This is just what I was told.