Markanddonna

taking the Leonardo Express to Termini and using a company called enjoyrome dot com and doing one of their tours to the Appian, Way, Aqueducts, Catacombs, etc. We took that our and enjoyed it very much! You can explore the museum near Termini also.

Ship - Mariner

Deck - 6th deck

Stateroom # - 6284

Stateroom Category – E2

Starboard or Port Side - starboard, midship

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Very quiet, there are no staff doors or rooms nearby. We never heard sounds from above or below.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - no

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Normal

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal

Was wind a problem? - This was on a TA so we unfortunately did not use the balcony as much as we would have liked. It was too windy at times, but nothing ever blew off the balcony.

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - NA

Any specific problems with this cabin? - We were very impressed and happy with this cabin. A good choice!

Any other comments? -

I've been trying for two different nights- one 3 and then a 3 1/2 star downtown and another night a three star Seatac. Two years ago, I got Red Lion downtown for $75 and a great one at Seatac for $45. This year, I stopped/as rejected at $85 3 1/2 star and $75 3 star downtown and $70 three star Seatac. I just booked Sleep Inn at Seatac both nights for $71 on their site. Tripadvisor gave them really high ratings.

I've been to downtown Seattle a few times so I am not enthralled with staying downtown for a high price. BTW- these dates were for end of May/June.

When I was on a 16 night TA, there was a Catholic priest who did daily mass, someone who did Sabbath Friday services for the Jewish passengers and a few groups of Christians who did Bible studies in the chapel, but no formal service. There was a nondenominiational service for Veteran's Day lead by a PCA pastor. These were mostly posted on the communications board with the main events in the daily.

On our first trip, we took the railway and then shuttle which was a wonderful adventure. We noted that the road was not heavily traveled so we rented a car through Avis the next time. The scenery really is worth while. Get to the rental place ASAP as the rental line was quite long, but efficient. Check out where the town gas station is for your return fill up and just follow Murray's Guide.

My dad had "just dementia" (forgetfulness) and he would have enjoyed the cruise but he needed no extra help. If it is more like the emotional states of Alzheimer's, I would say a big no. Since you are considering bringing a private aide, it sounds like your mom is in a pretty advanced stage and the whirlwind of a cruise may have a really negative impact. I remember taking my mom out for just a calm, hour trip on a boat and she had major fears and delusions for hours after that. That taught us that new adventures aren't usually a good idea.

Bless you for wanting to do this though!

I booked three hotels and a rental car through Priceline and was thrilled with the hotels and our room. We had $75 at the Red Lion on 5th Ave in Seattle- fantastic location. $90 at Red Lion in Port Angeles- best hotel in town, room nice, outside being repainted, and $40 at Doubetree at SeaTac- best experience so far, lovely room, view, service, shuttle to SeaTac. The car rental from Seatac was $24 for a Cobalt.

Advice: start bidding way ahead, maybe at 1/3 the rack rate, increase your bid by the minimum amount each day and don't take the bait if they tell you that they might accept it for $17-18 more than your previous bid. Plan ahead and be patient. Very efficient check-in. I'm hooked on Priceline!

We had a sensational experience with them. Got to see a superpod of maybe 15-20 whales bubble net feeding. Same cost as you would pay to go on the ship's big boat where you are like sardines.

I'm so glad I read your posting. I started at $40 for a 3 1/2 star at Seatac and also got the Doubletree (postcruise) for that price. I'm addicted to Priceline. I also got a great downtown Seattle hotel for $45 (precruise)- the Red Lion.

Donna

I started with 3 star SEA area, 5/20 to 5/21. $35 bid was rejected. Increased bid to $40 and added 2-1/2 stars to search. I won Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport (3*, go figure) for $40.00, total with tax $53.07.

My first PriceLine win - that was fun!

 

Liz

Red Lion at 5th ave. in Seattle July 4, $75.00 I'm happy!!!!

Great: 5 $500 certificates plus an upgrade coupon for my card that hasn't been used since Nov., 2008.

Poor: 1 upgrade certificate for the 500+ points I had on the new card I diligently used until Dec. 31st. It looks like the problems arose when we all kept charging until the end of the fiscal year. Class action suit, I say! Let's wait a week and see what happens.

BTW- both cards are retired.

and the one upgrade was included also. I have another account and didn't receive that one yet. I am so glad I didn't put big purchases on at the end of Dec. like I had planned. Not using the BOA card again! Went to Chase Freedom

Hi,

Oh, shoot. I was waiting until today to put a charge on my card and then, remembered that it wouldn't be actually on the card until after Jan. 1st and also I discovered that the card I was using only had a $5,000 limit and I can't put that planned charge on it anyway!

So, here is my question. I will have about $420 in excess of the $2,000 credits. Slap me for waiting until the last minute. So, I will get one of those upgrade vouchers for a two passenger upgrade, 2 levels. I have a cruise booked and if I could apply that voucher, I could get a balcony room rather than a DD cabin, which is what I selected. Can I use both the $2,000 voucher and get the upgrade from an Oceanview to a Balcony?

Or, do I have to use it on another cruise?

Donna...so sad for me...I love a bargain!