LOMOND LASS

Hi Ken

Many thanks for your prompt reply and I enjoyed reading about the history of Florida. For some reason or another I thought it had only be "colonised" in the early 1900's when they built that long causeway with all the bridge spans - shows you what I know! Also, I thought all the cowboys were in the Western part of the states. We did a fly drive of Florida in 1999 but I do not recall seeing cows - maybe the farming belt is north of Sandford. Anyway, we enjoyed our holiday although being used to hills the countryside was quite flat and reminded us of Holland without the canals.

Will check out Best Western. Do you know if I would be better using a US site or should I stick to the UK or even are you better to book direct with the hotel. So many questions eh!

Thanks again

Regards,

Jan

Hi Ken

Thanks for your prompt response. BTW did you know your first name is of Scottish origin, in fact it has connections with Royalty ? Yes, a way back when we had a King Kenneth of Scotland! We would call it your Christian name here but I know that in the world these days one has to be "politically" correct! A curiousity question your flag, if it is not too cheeky is it a country flag or has it some other connection? If this is too personal just ignore!

Turning back to your list of hotel! I have checked them out and to be quite frank they are too rich for our blood. I spent hours researching hotels/motels and have come up with the Econo Lodge Midtown which would work out for us about £150 for 3days and the room has micro/fridge and it appears to be close to the 96 bus route which would take us into downtown. Can Bo (short for Bob/Bobby) and I have your thoughts?

Thanks for your input to date and like Jeff we owe you a wee dram and look forward to paying up on some future cruise.

Regards,

bjx

Hi Jeff

Thanks for your response. After all my bad postings I thought I had burst this thread! Anyway, someone on our Roll Call (Bob - WBUFan) has suggested the Chase Suites which look ok and the price looks fine but from the map they show it is difficult to tell if they are near transport links. My guess is it is too far out but maybe you or Ken could advise us?

Our Scottish friends are booked into the Hyatt Regency thro cele but it would cost us, according to our TA, about £600 for 3 nights which is way too rich for our blood so we guess celeb gets a real cut price rate.

Can I also ask you your thoughts on Hotwire which Bob also mentioned?

Many thanks and if we ever meet which I hope we might on some cruise or other, it will be our pleasure to buy you a wee dram.

Jan

Double OOPS Jeff! I see my original post has now arrived - wonder where it has been all this time???

Sorry for all the confustion and honestly it is not due to too much of the "hard stuff".

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Regards,

Jan

Apologies for the double post - hicc!

Hi Jeff

Thanks for posting on the Zenith Roll Call for 13th (lucky for some) April. I do not know what happened to my post. Like you I kept looking for it but I think it was a case of gone gone and never called me mother - either that or it had a wee dram and did not tell me!

Anyway, we are looking for advice on where to stay the three nights we are in Tampa prior to our cruise e.g. Westshore sounds as if it is close to the water?. We are looking to be close to public transport for getting about since we consider it could be dangerous for locals (and probably us too!) if we tried to drive!!! We are not looking for fancy just as long as it is clean, safe and welcoming as we would prefer to keep our pennies for trips during the cruise. I noticed you mentioned the Marriot Waterside but I have also noticed a couple of other 3 stars mentioned but unfortunately I cannot properly remember the name I think one was something Ancaster Plaza and Milton or something similar. Also, do you know if UK residents can book through US sites e.g. AAA and if so could you recommend any. Is Busch gardens worth a visit by 60 year olds and could you recommend other things to see and do?

Thanks in anticipation of your help.

Regards,

Jan Shields (Lomond Lass - and as you will now realise I have used poetic licence on the second part of my non de plume!!)

Hi Guys

You have made this thread a very interesting one and forgive me if I am repeating previously asked questions ! My husband and I arrive in Tampa on 10th April, 3 nights prior to our cruise on Zenith and are looking for a reasonably price clean safe hotel that is close to public transport to see various attractions or within walking distance of attractions - we would think nothing of a hours walk as it is one of the best ways to see a place. Fellow Scots who arrive the night before the cruise are booked in to the Hyatt but I seems very pricey, I have seen the Milner and another hotel Ancaster plaza or similar which look quite central but what I think is central might be miles away! Also, I have noted people saying they have got great deals on for example AAA. Do you know if this is only available to US residents or indeed any other US site for good rates for hotels?

Hope your eyes are not too sore ! and thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to give me input.

Awra best, awra time (All the best all the time)

Jan (Lomond Lass - last part used extremely loosely I can just about remember when!)