Leaving from Tampa

This is my first time leaving from Tampa. What hotels do you suggest and where do you suggest parking? We are driving to Florida. I looked up the Marriot and for February 5th (that's the date I need) it says $240 for 1 night. I'm not willing to pay that much.

We've used the Marriott Residence Inn downtown with good results. They have a cruise package that has a shuttle to the cruise terminal.

We've used the Marriott Residence Inn downtown with good results. They have a cruise package that has a shuttle to the cruise terminal.

That's what I tried to book but it was $240 and I'm not willing to spend that much on one night unless I have to.

The same question was asked on another board yesterday. Apparently the already fully booked hotels and high prices are a result of February 5 being the opening weekend of the Florida State Fair.

Hi there - feel free to research this on the Florida Departures board. It is discussed often. You can use the "search this forum" button there and type in "Tampa hotel". You will get, literally, hundreds of hits. This may be moved there by a moderator, anyway.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

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Since you are driving you have the luxury to not have to stay in Tampa proper. Look a little east, maybe Plant City area. only about a 30 minute drive to the port.

That's what I tried to book but it was $240 and I'm not willing to spend that much on one night unless I have to.

I would also try the Florida Departure forum. There may be more experience there:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

Hi there - feel free to research this on the Florida Departures board. It is discussed often. You can use the "search this forum" button there and type in "Tampa hotel". You will get, literally, hundreds of hits. This may be moved there by a moderator, anyway.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

 

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Thank you for that! I will check it out.

Look into Premier Parking port of tampa or the parking doctors. Both offer discount cruise parking. I believe Channelside also offers some cruise parking options (very limited I believe )

There are some hotels in the Rocky Point area - Chase Suites and Hampton Inn are the most often suggested - that offer cruise packages including parking and shuttles to/from the port.

With a car you could easily stay as far away as Orlando and just drive into Tamp the morning of your cruise. Parking at the port is about $15/day and is convenient and safe. ;)

or try the Brandon area. Straight shot down Brandon Blvd (or US Highway 60) to the port area, maybe 15-20 min.

Try this https://www.stay123.net/TampaCruiseportHotelParking I see Both CLARION HOTEL TAMPA AIRPORT & TAMPA STADIUM HOTEL formerly HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS TAMPA AIRPORT Both for $129/night including parking & shuttle.

Also see this site http://www.parkingstay.com/p/tampa.html

This is my first time leaving from Tampa. What hotels do you suggest and where do you suggest parking? We are driving to Florida. I looked up the Marriot and for February 5th (that's the date I need) it says $240 for 1 night. I'm not willing to pay that much.

We booked parking at the Parking Doctor.....good online pricing. Can't help with hotel as we are cruising in April but are staying at LaQuinta by the airport.

We are also cruising out of Tampa next February and driving from Canada, did not find anything that was in our budget, so we've decided to stay in the Kissimmee region the night before for a much nicer price!

We are also cruising out of Tampa next February and driving from Canada, did not find anything that was in our budget, so we've decided to stay in the Kissimmee region the night before for a much nicer price!

Smart! 1000's of hotels in every price range in the Orlando/Kissimmee area :cool:

We are also cruising out of Tampa next February and driving from Canada, did not find anything that was in our budget, so we've decided to stay in the Kissimmee region the night before for a much nicer price!

Smart thinking we just booked a hotel in Clearwater for the night. Since we are driving in it won't be a big issue to just get up and drive to the port in the morning.

Exactly! No need to pay 200$ for a night!!!!;)