cruisinkeri

Jeff- thanks for the vote on Dali- I will definitely make it a stop on my trip. How much time should I allow? I think it is about 2-2.5 hrs for me to get from St. Petersburg to Ft. Myers- does that sound about right? Thanks again! Keri

Ken- I hope I haven't screwed up!! Everything I was looking for on Feb. 7 was sold out or very expensive. The cheapest hotel I could find was the La Quinta Airport for 107, I probably should have taken it, but I took my chances and got the Days Inn Airport for $60. Is this terrible? I am only going to sleep there, I will have been on a train for 3 days so I just want to lay down- in a safe, hopefully clean area!! Also, do you know anything about the Salvadore Dali gallery? I am driving down to Ft. Myers the next day to meet my friends who are flying in (I don't fly!) and I have a little time to kill, would love to see it if it is worth the trip--? Thanks again for all of your help!!Keri

Ken, thank you for the advice. I don't want to be in a "questionable" area when I am alone. What about priceline? Would I just choose airport area? thanks!!!

Question for Ken- you were so helpful when we stayed in Tampa a couple of weeks ago pre-cruise. The Embassy Westshore worked out wonderful!! I now need new advice! I am going to be coming into Tampa at the Amtrak train station, 601 Nebraska Avenue. I will be alone and need a hotel for one night. The Embassy is full. Do you have any ideas on a cheap place just for one night for just one person? I am driving to Bonita Springs in the am. I could stay near the train station and pick up my rental car in the am (at airport), or I can take a cab and stay near the airport and get my car that night or in am. I get in around 2:00 pm, is that area safe? Any info will help- thanks!! Keri

We went to Uvas last week. They now charge $7 a person to get in. The beach is very small, it was very crowded last week. There are not enought chairs, the water is not clear, the beach rocky, construction all over. The food is pretty good, you get 2 drinks per person after you pay to get in and they are also ok. Cozumel just isn't the same.

I just posted about the rental cars, but I thought of a couple of other questions- which beach would be better for 6 adults that just want to hang out, snorkel, have a few drinks? We have always gone to Chankanaab in the past and then finished with Carlos and Charlie's and have had a blast. The first cruise we went to Playa Mia (called something else then) and didn't care for it because it was too crowded, lots of kids. It was pretty and Paradise Beach looks beautiful, but we are afraid it will really be crowded. Playa Uvas and Palancar both look good, any opinions on best to relax, snorkel? Thanks!

thank you so much for the info Ken!! Cruisegirl- how do you do the meet and mingle thing?

Ken,

We just got switched from the GOS out of New Orleans to the Legend of the Seas out of Tampa due to Hurricane Katrina deeming NO not ready for cruisers. We leave Jan. 07, 2006, we have booked at the Embassy Suites near the airport. Is this an ok place and area? They have a free airport shuttle, free breakfast, drinks in the evening, and they do have a shuttle you can use if you want, with a charge. They will let us park there for free also. We will have 2 large suvs for 16 people and will probably do our own shuttling- how far is it to pier from Embassy? Thanks for all of your valuable info.