Pre cruise hotel/ Ft lauderdale

[luvkruzin]

I am booked at the Best Western Marina right across from the cruise port. Has anyone stayed there? Can anyone tell me if it is a good loaction and or a good hotel.. THank you

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Caribbean Princess 5/04
Explorer of the Seas 9/03
Victory 9/02
Sensation 10/01
Voyager of the Seas 9/00
Celebration 9/99

[ronl]

I stayed there a couple of years ago the only problem that we had there was there was no heet of course when we went there it was the end of jan u can see the ships coming and going from there from what i was told they have cleaned the place up a little but a good location it will take u less then 5 min. to get to the ships have a good cruise only 272 day for me

Ron

[Linda CruiseDiva]

The location is okay, but it's not a nice hotel. Try the Embassy Suites or even the Holiday Inn Express.

Linda
CruiseDiva

[brucejr]

Marriot Ft. Lauderdale Marina, highly recommended, right across from the port.

<font color="FF6600">
if there's a way to construe my post as non-argumentative, please do so.</font>
Cruise photos on my Home page (http://www.brobertson.org/)<font color="990066">
Spring Break was on the Grand Princess </font>21, March 2004
So when is the next cruise?

[sue d. miller]

A couple of other ones that alot of CC's use are Comfort Inn /airport and La Quinta/airport. Both have free shuttles to The airport and port.

Sue
7 days on Star Princess 10/24

[nomie]

We had to find a motel after a cruise last Nov because it was snowing in Boston. Delta gave us a discount rate which was not really discount at all. Please do NOT stay at this place. They made us wait in the lobby for hours till they got the room ready and they had said on the phone that we could come right over.One couple got to their room and it was not made up yet. The A/C did not work right and the hair dryer was broken. The desk people were rude and in the restaurant they will not let you take your coffee out of the restaurant area.I wouldn't eat there either. Ther are over 200 places to stay in Ft. Lauderdale so I sure would not stay there. I know there have been other people with stories about this place that are worse then mine.

[Cruisin'Chris]

There have been many bad reports about this hotel which is a shame because it has a nice location. Agree with previous posters that you should look elsewhere.

Cruisin' Chris


http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2004;5;19;17;0;00&timezone=GMT+0000 &nbsp;5/19/04 Grand Princess Baltic Heritage

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[KarenTom]

I just wanted to thank you all for this post because i was booked at the Best Western for this Friday night and after reading this I immediately cancelled and booked with Wyndham. They were the best that was left with some open reservations. Thanks again!!! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Marie715]

I stayed there in Feb.2003. The room was so-so, the check-out was a big joke. Had to schlep my own bags down 3 flights of stairs the next a.m. bcs there wasn't enough helpers. The restaurant was HORRIBLE for dinner and costly. No where else to walk to. They even screwed up breakfast! Couldn't take the van, there weren't enough vans for the people registered for the cruises. Took a cab which was hard to get. The only good thing was we had a view of the "Golden Princess" backing into her slip at 5am.It was disapointing to say the least.

[leiloni]

We are staying at the Comfort Suites by the port, before our cruise, does anyone have any information on this one?
LeiLoni

[005flyer]

We stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites. Always get a nice upgrade.

This hotel has free transport from the airport to the hotel and the hotel to the ship.

There is a large shopping plaza right next to the hotel including multiple restaurants and a movie theatre.

We usually stock up on some bottled water and some extra items that we didn't want to lug from NY to FL while we are there.

[BurBunny]

One more voice of caution here against the Best Western Marina. The stories above are not unusual at all, unfortunately.

With you sailing in May, you should be able to get the Embassy Suites or Marriott Marina on Priceline (3* Downtown zone) for under $60. I'd highly recommend going that direction for a much nicer property.

<font face="Imprint MT Shadow" size="5" color="#FFCC00">Amber</font>
<font size="4" face="Berlin Sans FB">Cruise Resource
BiddingFun and BiddingHELP</font>

[Lidi]

Burbunny,
We are hoping to get the Embassy Suites or Marriott in Sept before our cruise on the CP. Any idea what we could get them for at that time of year? We prefer to do priceline. We have had such great experiences with it and got our precruise hotel the Hyatt in Miami last year for $30!

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Norway 5/11

[BurBunny]

September is still low season. I'd antiicpate under $60 then a well http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Good luck!

<font face="Imprint MT Shadow" size="5" color="#FFCC00">Amber</font>
<font size="4" face="Berlin Sans FB">Cruise Resource
BiddingFun and BiddingHELP</font>

[jimmy2x]

Amber - will be on on Coral in Feb and would like to do atwo night prior stay at the Marriott Marina - is it too early to bid? What price would you recommend?

Jim Schaeffer
USS Oriskany CVA-34 1972-1975
Ryndam '98
Volendam '99
Grandeur of the Seas '00
Century '01
Brilliance of the Seas '03
Brilliance Feb '04
Coral Princess Feb '05

[BurBunny]

Jim - never too early to bid, but may be too early for acceptances. I've seen wins into November so far, but nothing in 2005. Fortunately, there's no harm in trying http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Just don't bid too often this far out. I recommend every couple weeks at the most frequent. Also, be sure you learn about immediate rebid zones - it makes the process MUCH easier and more productive.

<font face="Imprint MT Shadow" size="5" color="#FFCC00">Amber</font>
<font size="4" face="Berlin Sans FB">Cruise Resource
BiddingFun and BiddingHELP</font>

[westerdam42]

Amber, Can you help me out with a hotel during Spring Break 05? I need a room for March 8 and I would be interested to know what I can expect to pay for the "high season" Thanks.

4/11/04 Coral Princess

[BurBunny]

Spring break is tough, as many hotels don't release inventory to Priceline/Hotwire during that period. For most dates in March (there were some which had no success whatsoever), this year the Hyatt Pier 66 was going for between $80-120, the Marriott was at $120-135 (with the exception of some early wins last fall around $60), and beach properties were close to $100.

Fortunately you're early in spring break, so you have good likelihood of getting something, but I'd recommend booking a cancellable backup to have security, then begin to bid whenever you feel comfortable with a non-refundable reservation.

<font face="Imprint MT Shadow" size="5" color="#FFCC00">Amber</font>
<font size="4" face="Berlin Sans FB">Cruise Resource
BiddingFun and BiddingHELP</font>

[luvkruzin]

thanks to all for your input....i have canceled my room at the best western marina, we are now trying the hampton inn and suites airport....they seem affordable, have free shuttle to and from airport and cruise port....are there any good or bad opinions on this hotel out there....i love all this help....it takes so much worry out

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Caribbean Princess 5/04
Explorer of the Seas 9/03
Victory 9/02
Sensation 10/01
Voyager of the Seas 9/00
Celebration 9/99

[geejaymel]

We got the Sheraton Yankee Clipper for $51 for next December 1st. I bid and got it at least two months ago, so it shouldn't be too early to start bidding for January.
Good luck!

[005flyer]

Hey luvcruzin - see my post above regarding the Hampton - I totally recommend it!

[westerdam42]

Were those prices through the hotel web sites or Priceline/Hotwire?<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BurBunny:
Spring break is tough, as many hotels don't release inventory to Priceline/Hotwire during that period. For most dates in March (there were some which had no success whatsoever), this year the Hyatt Pier 66 was going for between $80-120, the Marriott was at $120-135 (with the exception of some early wins last fall around $60), and beach properties were close to $100.

Fortunately you're early in spring break, so you have good likelihood of getting something, but I'd recommend booking a cancellable backup to have security, then begin to bid whenever you feel comfortable with a non-refundable reservation.

<font face="Imprint MT Shadow" size="5" color="#FFCC00">_Amber_</font>
<font size="4" face="Berlin Sans FB">Cruise Resource
BiddingFun and BiddingHELP</font>

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

3/9/05 Eastern Caribbean
Sun Princess

[BurBunny]

Westerdam - those were Priceline/Hotwire prices.

<font face="Imprint MT Shadow" size="5" color="#FFCC00">Amber</font>
<font size="4" face="Berlin Sans FB">Cruise Resource
BiddingFun and BiddingHELP</font>

[coiran]

Burbunny

Do you have any experience with priceline hotels in Honolulu, Oahu - October 2004?

NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA Oct. 2004
SUN PRINCESS 2004 Caribbean
REGAL PRINCESS 2003 Europe
GOLDEN PRINCESS 2002 Canada New England
SUN PRINCESS 2002 Panama Canal
SUN PRINCESS 2002 Mexico
DAWN PRINCESS 2001 Caribbean
DAWN PRINCESS 2001 Caribbean
SEA PRINCESS 2001 Alaska
REGAL PRINCESS 2000 Mexico
REGAL PRINCESS 1999 Panama Canal
PACIFIC PRINCESS 1999 Europe
SUN PRINCESS 1998 Caribbean
ROYAL PRINCESS 1996 Panama Canal

[BurBunny]

Honolulu isn't as cut and dried as Fort Lauderdale through Priceline, but still fairly straight forward. Some nice deals to be found. I've seen wins up to September so far.

<font face="Imprint MT Shadow" size="5" color="#FFCC00">Amber</font>
<font size="4" face="Berlin Sans FB">Cruise Resource
BiddingFun and BiddingHELP</font>

[coiran]

Our problem is this - we will be arriving in Honolulu on Oct. 19 - our NCL cruise is leaving Oct., 24 - I would like to get a 3 star at a reasonable price - a car - and need to know where the ship docks in relationship to the airport and hotel I may get - would like to arrive - get a car at the airport - a hotel for the 5 days - and be able to drop the car off at either the pier or the airport and get some reasonable transportation from the car/airport to the ship.
Similar problem when landing back at Oahu on the 31 - want to go perhaps to the big island for a few days then somewhere else then bsck to Honolulu to catch a plane back on Nov. 8.

I know this is asking a lot, but any help from anyone would be appreciated.

PS - would maybe like a condo .

NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA Oct. 2004
SUN PRINCESS 2004 Caribbean
REGAL PRINCESS 2003 Europe
GOLDEN PRINCESS 2002 Canada New England
SUN PRINCESS 2002 Panama Canal
SUN PRINCESS 2002 Mexico
DAWN PRINCESS 2001 Caribbean
DAWN PRINCESS 2001 Caribbean
SEA PRINCESS 2001 Alaska
REGAL PRINCESS 2000 Mexico
REGAL PRINCESS 1999 Panama Canal
PACIFIC PRINCESS 1999 Europe
SUN PRINCESS 1998 Caribbean
ROYAL PRINCESS 1996 Panama Canal

[westerdam42]

Has anyone stayed at the Comfort Inn/South. They have a free shuttle from the airport and to the port, and free breakfast

3/9/05 Eastern Caribbean
Sun Princess

[LindaKE]

Burbunny,
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>...never too early to bid, but may be too early for acceptances. I've seen wins into November so far, but nothing in 2005. Fortunately, there's no harm in trying Just don't bid too often this far out. I recommend every couple weeks at the most frequent. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Why no more often that every couple weeks? Is this just for our benefit or is there some other reason like some kind of record they keep? We, too, are hoping to get something for Feb.

LindaKE

Sun Princess(Alaska)
Carnival Inspiration

[BurBunny]

Linda - it's for your own benefit. Bidding more often than that and you tend to get frustrated and start bidding more or making decisions because you're burned out from bidding. This far out, every couple weeks or so is plenty. If rooms are released, you'll get one. If not, no harm, no foul, but you won't get worn out on the process.

<font face="Imprint MT Shadow" size="5" color="#FFCC00">Amber</font>
<font size="4" face="Berlin Sans FB">Cruise Resource
BiddingFun and BiddingHELP</font>

[LindaKE]

Thanks Amber. I'm sure I'm not alone in appreciating your willingness to help newbies like me. Everyone is so helpful on this board!

LindaKE

Sun Princess(Alaska)
Carnival Inspiration

[JanC]

We were booked at the Best Western Marina, and I have just changed over to the Sleep Inn. We are just staying one night, but I am smart enough to listen to my Cruise Critic Board friends! Thanks everyone http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

WooHoo, cruisin' again in May 2004!

[sue d. miller]

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Sue
7 days on Star Princess 10/24