Priceline Hotel: 4* Newark (Jersey City) Westin

[eden62]

HI all, hubby and I are travelling from Australia to the USA in May this year, and will be going on a cruise out of the terminal in Newark, NJ.

We want to spend about 3 days before this looking around New York City, so wonder if it would be best to fly into JFK and base ourselves in NYC and then taxi to the cruise port, or fly into Newark and base ourselves in Jersey City and train? into NYC??

Any suggestions would be great!

[thereuare]

... will be going on a cruise out of the terminal in Newark, NJ.

Unless you're traveling as cargo :) there is no passenger ship terminal out of Newark.

Are you leaving from the Manhattan Pier, Brooklyn (Red Hook), or Bayone (Port Liberty)?

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[eden62]

Sorry - we're leaving from Bayonne (Port Liberty) on the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas :)

[thereuare]

I'd fly into whichever airport was cheaper, base yourself in NYC regardless of which airport you fly into, then take a taxi to the pier.

If you can swing it (as per your budget and schedule) i would even try to spend 4-5 days in Manhattan as there is enough to do and the incremental cost will be neglible after you consider the cost of airfare and the cruise.

I was on the Explorer last month if you have any questions in that regard too :)

Once you firm up your dates let us know and we'll try to help with your stay.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[eden62]

I'd fly into whichever airport was cheaper, base yourself in NYC regardless of which airport you fly into, then take a taxi to the pier.

If you can swing it (as per your budget and schedule) i would even try to spend 4-5 days in Manhattan as there is enough to do and the incremental cost will be neglible after you consider the cost of airfare and the cruise.

Well I think we will in fact try to get a hotel in Manhattan as you suggest - we will be in NYC from 11th May (flying in from Orlando) and leaving on the Explorer on the 14th so we don't have a lot of time to have a good look around. Also, as the Aussie dollar / US dollar exchange rate is going to be near killing us, the cheaper the better (but not too horrible lol :) )

I was on the Explorer last month if you have any questions in that regard too :)

Actually our daughter works on the Explorer (in the casino) which is the reason for our visit - thought we'd better go while we have the opportunity - being from Australia we'd never generally go to the Caribbean!!

Once you firm up your dates let us know and we'll try to help with your stay.

As above 11th to 13th May 2009 (we'll be checking out 14th May) - and any help would be greatly appreciated!

[thereuare]

You'll need to give us an idea of your budget and the minimum star rating you're seeking, from there we'll be able to suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[eden62]

HI I wonder if you can help me out with a bidding strategy. I am hoping to get the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson in Jersey City for 11th to 14th May.

What should be my strategy for this? I have bid $72.00 for this on Priceline, (region 2, 3.5 star) which was rejected.

Hope you can help!

[thereuare]

Just to clarify, you can't bid on a specific hotel... if you bid for the 3.5* Hyatt you could receive a different property, as well, you could be upgraded to a 4* hotel (which now includes the Westin in this area, as well as potentially the new W Hotel in Hoboken which opens tomorrow)

Are you open to staying in a different 3.5* (or higher rated) hotel than the Hyatt?

We wouldn't want to suggest a strategy that went higher than you were willing to spend, what is your maximum bid for this stay? (per nite before fees and taxes)

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[eden62]

Just to clarify, you can't bid on a specific hotel... if you bid for the 3.5* Hyatt you could receive a different property, as well, you could be upgraded to a 4* hotel (which now includes the Westin in this area, as well as potentially the new W Hotel in Hoboken which opens tomorrow) Are you open to staying in a different 3.5* (or higher rated) hotel than the Hyatt?

Yes we are more than happy to stay in other similar hotels in the area - probably top bid would be about $90 plus taxes.

[thereuare]

At the 3.5* level you have THREE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)

Select 3.5* Jersey City...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Jersey City...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $90

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[eden62]

Ended up with the Westin, Newport... sorry for the delay in responding..

[thereuare]

Thanks for the follow-up.

Can you please add a reply to this thread with the amount of your winning bid so we can add this information to the topic title... you can still view this information by going to PRICELINE and clicking the MY PROFILE >> MY TRIPS link near the top right of their home page.

Please remember to follow-up your threads with whatever you end up doing for the stay, even if you choose to book direct, cancel your trip, etc.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Thanks.

[telezk]

eden62, did your room have one or two beds- or were you given the option at checkin? Thanks!