bajathree

If it were me I would be looking for a hotel in the Channelside district or Water St. district...many hotels to choose from in all categories and budgets....from budget to 5 star. Many more places within walking distance such as restaurants, attractions and bars....as well as depending on the exact location in the 2 areas above I suggested, you might even be able to either walk to the port or take a free trolley.

This is an older property in a pretty remote location....defiantly newer properties in better locations available. Only restaurant in walking distance is Bahama Breeze....or if you go over to the Westin.

Oasis class ships were the same...priced crazy high for the first season....wait a year and pricing will drop to less than half. They keep pricing crazy high on the newest ship....it makes things look more attractively priced for the rest of the fleet. Have to fill the "older" ships first, they know they can always book out the latest ship last minute if they need. They will also keep it priced crazy high and comp it out to Club Royal and such before lowering pricing. I have already received Utopia offers via Club Royale.

Not anything good....try to find a good cigar shop...there are many in FL.

I never had an issue parking at PORT EVERGLADES

Not sure about how many taxis......but Uber or Lyft shouldn't be easy to get in Tampa.

Yup....they made it at second attempt once they got back in line behind the other ships arriving....odyssey just dock at 7:45am...about 2hrs behind their scheduled time.

Just read that Odyssey missed its first attempt into Port Everglades this morning and will be trying again shortly.....so looks like things will be delayed there.

Thanks for the updates.....safe travels!

Marine Traffic is now currently showing Odyssey as heading to Puerto Plata with an ETA of 22:15.....maybe a medical emergency?

Have friends sailing Odyssey and curious what's going on...haven't heard any updates. I see they diverted to Labadee today but cruise mapper currently has them now sailing east away from FL? They are due in Port Everglades Sun but seeing their current heading wondering if they already made a decision to stay out at sea till this storm passes.

I would switch hotels as anything in that area is going to be very difficult to get to at that time.

Agree....you are fine.

Port everglades has such easy parking right at the port. I have always just used their own parking. It's also safe and secure parking.

The aquarium is right at the port.....the History Center just a block away.

Go to the Tampa Aquarium or the Tampa History Center.....have lunch at Columbia Cafe at the history Center....both are walking distance of the port.

I have always parked at PE no problems.....and been on over 50 cruises out of there. Maybe people who say they have had problems arrive late in the day???

Surface lot E is for oversized vehicles. As per port of Miami web-site: Surface Lot E Open lot with no overhead clearance with designated spaces for oversized vehicles Accommodates oversized vans, recreational vehicles and vehicles with trailers $22 per space, per day. If two spaces are utilized, $44 per day If assistance is needed to park an oversized vehicle, please call 305-960-5463 or 305-960-6454

If you choose a hotel in the Channelside/Water St area you could take the free trolley to the port or even be in walking distance to the ship.

Not at all.

I used to live just a couple blocks from the Riverside. The boat parade is a huge event in FLL with the Riverside hotel area being pretty much ground zero for the event...they set up the judges stand just adjacent to the hotel. The "morning/day" of the parade should be ok with traffic building during the afternoon and the area being crazy by early evening. The morning/day after the parade is pretty much back to normal. It's a great fun event to attend....if you are checking into the hotel the morning of the boat parade you should be fine but just know the area will be packed that afternoon/evening and traffic will be crazy during that time. Restaurants and bars will be crazy packed. Do know that parts of the outdoor pool area of the Riverside where the Boathouse restaurant is located will be a private/paid event.

I live in Tampa and always drive down the day before I sail out of Port Everglades or Miami. Way to stressful the day of as all you need is one accident to shut down 75 or the alley for a while and you're in trouble. Plan on it taking you around 5 hours to drive to Miami....4 to Port Everglades.

Maybe look around staying in Clearwater Beach...lots of hotels and resorts. The nicest beaches are going to be around the Anna Maria Island area....but thats around 75-90 minutes south of Tampa and is going to be more house rentals.

Sign into your account and click on "upcoming cruises"....then click "view more".... if you don't see your luggage tags available then check back when you are < 30 days to sailing.

They did away with the "spa" classification....they are now just J1, J2 and J4's....all just considered "junior suites".