Do they really Hank? I personally believe they deny the trinity but really believe in a quadrinity as Mary is not only given every title of deity, and honored by every act of worship that belongs exclusively to God but is given even more honor than any individual member of the Trinity.
With regard to the deity of Christ, they pervert his deity through transubstantiation making him not merely God and human but bread and wine.
You are correct, they certainly seem to venerate Mary in a way that is is idolatry.
Yes as a former Catholic I was taught as a child to pray directly to Mary in the same manner as prayer to God the Son and God the father.
Transubstantiation - yes, idolatry as well. Sometimes they put the "sanctified" host in a holder behind a little glass door (called a ceborium) and walk it through the church - everyone must bow down to it.
I was saved in the military in my room reading the book of John after listening to the gospel (several months) on a radio broadcast from Wheeling WV.
Though I was stationed in upstate NY on the BMEWS, the broadcast come through loud and clear at night.
Before that I was a typical catholic worldling never going to mass. After being saved one night, I went back to the Catholic church (out of ignorance) of my childhood and talked with priests about the church and finally left for good after 2 years of talking with them about the scriptures (which I couldn't stop reading and studying).
They were very CRITICAL of my bible studies. Most of my relatives as well.
I couldn't pray to Mary and other idolatries because in my heart I knew it was wrong.
I still don't know about calling them a cult but corrupted Christianity.
I believe some (a few) Catholics are saved but won't leave their church for fear.
Only eternity will reveal this or not.
HankD