Jayneykul

Someone must be reading my mind! I opened the forum to post this exact question? WE are booked into a SS on Summit in May. Interesting to see your views on tips as last year on Equinox we were extremely unhappy with our steward. There were toenails on the verandah, the bedding was ripped. The bathroom was filthy, stuff missing from the room such as umbrellas and despite making a complaint at guest services nothing was done so we did not leave any extra tips. In fact we were the only ones we spoke to who paid the gratuities at all (perhaps thats because the cruise was mainly British) I think we will just be asking for some room service on the mornings we are in port but that will be very nice

I know the hotel isnt that great Carol but we are only there for 1 day, there is a Carrabas in the Harmon which we really like. The hotel has a pool. We will organize a car from JFK to the airport, then from the hotel to the port and again from the port to JFK. I think that should cover it

I have finally booked something thanks to your advice Carol. Having trawled through every website and possibility over hotels in Manhattan I really couldn't justify the price so I checked out Secaucus and booked a hotel through Hotwire (the Clarion) Even though it hasn't got fantastic reviews on Trip advisor its at the Harmon Mall and I only paid £100 for 2 nights including breakfast so thanks for the heads up Carol

Thanks once again Carol.Im dithering around now!Need to make a decision

So if I book the Lexington Marriot at their website rate of $287.10 for a queen room and then make the claim for the AA room rate of $191.40 they will reduce the rate?

The Crowne Plaza Secaucus is coming up at £143 for the 2 nights and says it is next to Outlets at the cove shopping so this looks like a good option. Could you recommend a car service Carol? I am very grateful to you for your help

Thank you so much for your help Carol. I will have a look at hotels in Secaucse and see what a saving there would be against staying at the Millenium. As long as there are some shops and restaurants to wander around on the Saturday I will be happy.

We are on the Summit sailing from Bayonne on the 4 May 2014. We are flying into JFK on the Friday the 2nd. W(E are looking at the Millenium Hilton near Wall Street at a rate of £282 for the 2 nights and booking a shuttle from JFK to the hotel/hotel to Bayonne and then Bayonne to JFK at the end. Is this the best thing in peoples view as we have never sailed from NY before. We have been to NY lots of times and were really hoping to stay somewhere in NJ the 2 nights pre-cruise and do some shopping (particularly golf stuff as it is usually much cheaper in the US) but it doesnt look from what we have seen on here there is anywhere like that in NJ around the Bayonne area