Precruise stay, priceline or book direct?

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Jeryl Moore

Guest
Just wondering if you are better off to book your precruise stay directly with a hotel or through priceline? I keep seeing where people are saying what wonderful prices they were able to get with priceline. . . much better than anything I have been able to find! My only concern is that you don't know what hotel you may end up with. Does it usually work out in your favor or do you end up regretting the fact that you just didn't spend the money to stay where you choose. We are cruising from Miami in October on Royal Caribbeans "Freedom" and are so excited that we want to make our plans now. If anyone has any suggestions please send them our way! Thank you!!!
 
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Hal

Guest
We have used PriceLine for our last several cruises, even reserving four separate rooms for the last cruise with the grandparents. As you we were very skeptical at first, but , we have yet to get a bad hotel and the PriceLine categories seem pretty good. However, if you are set on a specific hotel, it is not a good option. Also, sometimes it is impossible to book through PriceLine this far in advance. we have had the best luck between 30 and 7 days. Another way to go is to make a reasonable reservation through the hotel of your choice, that is refundable, and then try PriceLine. If you get a hotel, you can then cancel the other reservation. Remember, however, once you book with PriceLine you cannot cancel

For example, we have reserved the Hyatt Regency Miami for $50 per night and the Holiday Inn in Ft. Lauderdale, on the beach, for $70 this last Christmas. Otherwise, we have been placed in hotels in otehr cities for similar prices, including Marriots, Mariott Reseidence Inn, Fairfield Inn, Sheraton, Hilton, etc. Also, PriceLine usually cannot be beat for rental cars, where we usually pay right around $20 per day for a full size.

Hal
Enchantment - Christmas 2005
Voyager - Christmas 2004
Zaandam - Christmas 2003
Norwegian Sea - Christmas 2002
Monarch - Christmas 2001
Color Festivale - Summer 2001
 
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montekat

Guest
We have used both Priceline and Hotwire for hotels and have been very well pleased. Got much cheaper prices than from the hotel direct. I paid $58 for a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale for a room that was going for over $200 on the hotel's website. Occ. you can call and get specials by talking with the hotel directly.
 
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Mbandy

Guest
We've had good luck with priceline. Not much good for our upcoming trip though. No good rates during spring break :(
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
Do a little research. Priceline lists the hotels it uses. Priceline also offers to book you into one of its listed hotels for its price. Then ask to set your own price. Priceline then tells you how much certain hotels are going for. With this information you can figure out which hotel you are likely to get. If it is acceptable, then bid on it.
 
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Hal

Guest
Don't write off the possibility of a spring break deal in Miami. We typically curise over the Christmas break holidays and are able to get PriceLine priced rooms then. give it a try.

Hal
 
J

Jeryl Moore

Guest
Thank you all for your input! I tried priceline for a few days with no luck. I finally decide to just book the Holiday Inn Port of Miami direct. I wasn't comfortable with the fact that I could not include my children in the room on the bidding page and was afraid we would arrive there only to be told we would have to pay additional for them. Anyway after reading alot of reviews with reccomendations for that hotel since it is located across from the port and you can request a balcony to view the ships we thought it would be nice. Directly booking it we got it for $110. a night. Just incase anyone is interested in the staying there that is what we were quoted for October 27 & 28 2006. Happy Sailing everyone!!!! Thanks again for your time!!
 
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