I'm booked on Chicago to New Orleans 3rd Nov. Any fellow travellers? Wondering about weather and what clothes to bring. Music should make it a fun trip.

Had my 1st holiday with JY in June - Italy and Croatia - really good - so hoping this one will be even better

Jill H

I am on the same trip, there are several others on the Community who are also doing it, their postings might appear under the heading Route 61.

When I was last in Chicago,in October 2012,it was tee shirt weather,generally I find the USA temperatures feel about 10 degrees warmer than the UK equivalent.I expect it will get warmer the further south we go.

It is worth having a fleece,or sweatshirt,in case it is chilly in the morning,or evening.

Best Wishes

Keith

Lots of us on the forum including Stu151, Janib, SteveW, Sue 2 & myself (sure i've missed someone) are on the Nov 3rd trip as you can see if you check the following posts :-

http://www.justyou.co.uk/forum/thread-59318.html 

http://www.justyou.co.uk/forum/thread-65380.html 

And to answer your weather question :-

http://www.justyou.co.uk/forum/thread-66346.html 

I know some of us are staying over at heathrow the night before and have been planning to meet for a meal (via the forum), don't know if you are staying over and its something either of you would be interested in but you would be more than welcome to join us, more the merrier and great way to start the holiday.

Either way will look forward to seeing you then or on the morning at the airport.

Mick

So long ago since we started this conversation, where were you parking the night before and staying overnight ? If I bring my car up and leave it at the hotel or catch the coach, which is the easiest? Less than four months, gone so fast. Looking at hotels when we are there, stayed at the Doubletree in Memphis in 2008. Next door to the Peabody which has the famous ducks which come down in the lift and swim in the fountain- a sight not to be missed :P

Jan

Hello Mick,

So long ago since we started this conversation, where were you parking the night before and staying overnight ? If I bring my car up and leave it at the hotel or catch the coach, which is the easiest? Less than four months, gone so fast. Looking at hotels when we are there, stayed at the Doubletree in Memphis in 2008. Next door to the Peabody which has the famous ducks which come down in the lift and swim in the fountain- a sight not to be missed :P

Jan

Jan,

I'm booked at the Park Inn, got a very good deal with parking at the hotel but booked it a long time ago (£72).

If I remember correctly Stu151 was looking at the same deal.

I know another lady who was booking there but she's not on the forum, have spoke by email, she was on same Nat Parks hol last year.

I''m sure there will be others by then.

Remember the ducks at the Peabody, lol.

Mick

Try this link (hope it works) could be best deals (i got email with extra discounts for holiday extras).

https://v2.holidayextras.co.uk/?agent=WD798&ppcmsg=#hotel_with_parking?arrive=&customer_ref=&depart=LHR&flight=TBC&in=2014-11-14&out=2014-11-03&room_1=S10&room_2=&stay=2014-11-02&term=&terminal= 

Best deals are the first two Sheraton Skyline but you have to move your car in the morning to Heathrow long stay (about £78 includes hotel parking & transfers), the Skyline is only a 5 min walk along Bath road from the Park inn.

Other is Renaissance £96 with parking at hotel, its just across the road from the park inn, doesn't include transfers but i'll be on service bus in morning (free flow zone) and be catching right outside the gates.

Any problems with the link email me, can get address from my blog.

Mick

I'm on the Nov trip.

As Mick said, I'm also staying at the Park Inn the night before, and there may be others as well. I'm sure that we'll meet up for a meal & drinks.

I'm leaving my car with a friend in London.

This is my 6th JY holiday, and I'm sure it will be a good trip.

Look forward to meeting everyone.

Stuart

Booked Park Inn for the Sunday night with Hotel. Com as they have a sale. Shall catch the coach up as it is easier, always sleep well coming home, not advisable to sleep in the car :P

Jan

I'm on this trip too and really looking forward to it and meeting you all. I'm new to the community but read through your posts and am even more excited now!

A

Hi everyone

I'm on this trip too and really looking forward to it and meeting you all. I'm new to the community but read through your posts and am even more excited now!

A

Hi A,

Are you staying over at heathrow on the sunday (and joining the meet up for a meal) or do you live local so will see you in the lounge prior to the flight as we have one provided on this holiday I believe.

Either way look forward to seeing you.

Mick

Just received the paperwork with flight details leaving from Terminal 3 at 13.15. Surprising that I do not remember anything about the return journey going via Miami and a wait over for 5 hours ?

The other thing I noticed was about the optional excursions. I would love to do the Architectural river cruise but not on the date that we are going- boooooooooo :(

Jan

Hello All,

Just received the paperwork with flight details leaving from Terminal 3 at 13.15. Surprising that I do not remember anything about the return journey going via Miami and a wait over for 5 hours ?

The other thing I noticed was about the optional excursions. I would love to do the Architectural river cruise but not on the date that we are going- boooooooooo :(

Jan

Jan,

Also got my paperwork yesterday and not happy with the earlier flight time although my origional paperwork also stated we were going via Miami (3hrs 25 mins at Miami mine says).

However the flight from New Orleans has been brought forward to 14-40 instead of 17-50 as the origional documents.

Now the holiday itinerary states we get morning of day 11 to explore at our leisure then travel to the airport after lunch. I would normally use this time for last minute souvenier shopping but wont happen as we will now have to head for the airport soon after breakfast I believe.

So basically we've had a morning taken off the advertised holiday, not good enough in my opinion. This isn't the first time this as happend to me but wont let it spoil what is a very good holiday.

As for the Architecture boat trip I personally wasn't going to do it as have done similar previously. I checked the Seadog website and they finish for the winter at end of October so were never running in November, why the JY website/brochure never stated this I don't know.

The good news for you on that part I was emailed at the weekend by another traveller concerned about this so I had a look online and found another company that does a architecture river cruise. Its actually the people I did it with a few years back and they go from close to our hotel, you'll have no problem booking while in Chicago i would think.The cost was $30(+tax) but they offer group discounts so if can get a few of the group to do it may get it even cheaper.

Mick

On 3rd Nov trip just read comments about long stopover in Miami did not notice it before thanks for pointing it out. Think about booking airboat swamp tour anybody know is it worth it ?

Travelling down on day so see you all at airport.

Tony

Hi all

On 3rd Nov trip just read comments about long stopover in Miami did not notice it before thanks for pointing it out. Think about booking airboat swamp tour anybody know is it worth it ?

Travelling down on day so see you all at airport.

Tony

Hi Tony,

I have booked for the airboat,I did one in Florida some years ago and enjoyed it.

See you in November

Keith

Look forward to meeting you in the executive lounge prior to the flight.

Mick

Hello All,

Just received the paperwork with flight details leaving from Terminal 3 at 13.15. Surprising that I do not remember anything about the return journey going via Miami and a wait over for 5 hours ?

The other thing I noticed was about the optional excursions. I would love to do the Architectural river cruise but not on the date that we are going- boooooooooo :(

Jan

Jan,

Been doing a little bit of homework and our origional flight leaving New Orleans to Miami does not fly in November so why it was included in my paperwork i don't know.

Our holiday seems to get shorter with every bit of paper i recieve as the initial flight to Chicago is later than first advertised and now our return journey is over 3 hours earlier than we were led to believe.

And 3 hours 25min at Miami Airport isn't good and I've been doing some homework, hopfully someone from JY n answer these questions :-

1. If we must leave New Orleans on the 14-40 flight why do we have to spend 3 hrs 25 mins at Miami ?

Note there is a flight from Miami AA56 to Heathrow at 19-05 which mean only spending 1hr 35min at Miami and getting into London 2 hrs earlier.

2. Have JY looked at other routes ? without even looking at other airlines and sticking with AA one route i've checked is travelling back via Chicago.

AA4303 leaves at 16-35 arriving in chicago at 18-55

1hr 40min stopover

AA6196 (operated by BA) leaves at 20-35 arriving in London at 10-10.

3. Our holiday is now not as advertised, we should have a morning free time in New Orleans, this part of our holiday clearly will not happen, how will this be compensated ?

I personally would be happy if we got a earlier flight to Chicago and gained the 3 hours back at the other end.

Julia,

Can you please ask these questions to the powers that plan these holidays.

Look forward to the response.

Thanks

Mick

I fancied the architectural tour but having been to Chicago before on the Route 66 tour I've a good idea where the tour goes, so will probably go to the science and industry museum instead as it is somewhere I wanted to go but didn't get the chance on my last visit there.

I'm up for the swampboat tour, rooting around the internet most of the swampboat companies virtually promise you'll see an alligator and it looks like it's only a half day tour anyway.

I'm flying down from Manchester on the morning and have to claim my baggage transfer to terminal 3 and recheck my baggage so am quite glad that I have got over 3hrs to do this, especially as last time I flew down to Heathrow from Manchester the flight was delayed for 1 hour. So probably see everybody about a hour and half before so probably not worth booking one of the executive lounges.

Regards,

Steve

You probably realised that I had forwarded you message on to a member of our customer care team who I believe has spoken to you directly.

For others who are interested my colleague provided me with the following:

"Our contract does not allow us to use the BA code share flights and the reason we have to wait for the AA38 flight MIA-LHR is that MIA is a very busy airport so need a min of 2hr30min connection so that all customers can make the flight comfortably. In addition to this, previous feedback from customers on other USA tours is that they would like to be able to get a proper evening meal before flying back to the UK."

I'd also like to advise travellers about the River Cruise. Sadly our incumbant supplier is unable to offer this on your departure. However, our team are trying to source an alternative cruise on this date.

Kindest regards,

Julia

I got my paperwork on Saturday and checked the times, yes I thought we were getting the morning free in New Orleans so a bit disappointing. But on the bright side they've allowed more than one hour for the connection in Miami, with deboarding and boarding and the increased security checks, we'll probably only have about 2 hours in Miami airport. But worse I've got over 7 hrs waitover to get back up to Manchester from Heathrow on my return.

I fancied the architectural tour but having been to Chicago before on the Route 66 tour I've a good idea where the tour goes, so will probably go to the science and industry museum instead as it is somewhere I wanted to go but didn't get the chance on my last visit there.

I'm up for the swampboat tour, rooting around the internet most of the swampboat companies virtually promise you'll see an alligator and it looks like it's only a half day tour anyway.

I'm flying down from Manchester on the morning and have to claim my baggage transfer to terminal 3 and recheck my baggage so am quite glad that I have got over 3hrs to do this, especially as last time I flew down to Heathrow from Manchester the flight was delayed for 1 hour. So probably see everybody about a hour and half before so probably not worth booking one of the executive lounges.

Regards,

Steve

Steve,

You are welcome to a lift back to Selby on return, can get direct train to Huddersfield (be home quicker than flying),

I'm planning to do the Science and Industry Museum instead of the City tour as like you done previously and its a few years since i visited and its a very good museum (its about a 30 min bus ride) and you need a few hours there.

Also going on the Swamp tour.

As for the Architecture Cruise customer services contacted me this morning with regards to the flights and I pointed him in the direction of another company that does this trip and he is going to check it out, they run trips until end of November.

Just a point but the Executive Lounge is included in the price so see you there, a few Brandy Coffees always help the flight pass quickly.

Mick