boomonster

I do greatly appreciate you checking them out for us . Super impressed that you could check out the rooms at the Pali. The bar may be nice when the teen sleeps. Makes my choice even harder now. The teen wanted to be by the market (ease of food access I assume 😄 ). I will also check out the Mayflower with air conditioning.  Thanks again everyone for your help . You all Rock!

They do not have air conditioning which isn't a deal breaker for us . The noise wouldn't bother me but may affect the hubs. I really like the price /location and at about $350 cheaper for the 2 days than others we looked at I may just buy him earplugs. If you find anything else out about them Id appreciate it . 

We (hubs, myself and 14 yr old son) are coming in 2 days before our cruise July 19. We are looking at staying by Pike Place Market. We are looking at the Oxford or Palihotel . Are these centrally located to most touristy things ( the Market of course, Space Needle , thinking of doing a harbor cruise and just walking around)? We just booked this cruise because of the deals and hoping to get some great info to lead us in the right direction. 

We have purchased packages on other lines but never on Carnival. Our next cruise is in December with my older (not  21 ) kids. I booked my hubby in a room with one of the younger ones so we only had to purchase one package. He will definatly get the use out of it but if we had to buy 2 packages not a great deal for us.

Our certificates say you can use spouses for a free upgrade not another room .

We have done insides, ocean views , guarantee rooms , and balconies and 1 suite. I prefer a balcony but it all comes down to the price difference and if it's a good value.

We received one this year, first time. we did not have to stay overnight to get it . We are only platinum and were offered an inside so we upgraded to a balcony for $320 total. I was surprised at all the choices for cruises that you had. The promo that came in the mail said only for a 3-4 day cruise but when I went to pick up the certificate they give you a book with all the choices. Holidays were blacked out of course. So we opted for a 7 day out of Tampa. With all the fees and gratuities for Drink package and specialty dining (they were offering 2 free choices when we booked) the cruise for us was about 60% off. So to me it was a good deal but definitely not free by any means. :)

A question. This is our first "comped " Cruise through Harrahs. So do we stand in the normal line for all passengers or go through the CAS line? I wasn't told either way and was wandering. TIA

So are the drinks at 5 OClock Somewhere bar included in the Ultimate beverage package minus the special cups? Sorry new to NCL .

I cannot seem to find how long the malecon actually is or where it begins. We were really thinking of renting bicycles and riding . But the only info I found was from 2014 saying it was about a mile and a half long (not really long enough to bike ride)but they were going to expand it to the cruise port. I was just wondering if they have or if anyone has any info. TIA

When I lived in Indy, we would often use the Holiday Inn Rocky Point as our hotel of choice for cruising from Tampa. We have always had very good experiences with the hotel. They offer a very good cruise package.

 

The HI-RP has an airport shuttle, which saved us on cab fare. They also offer complimentary shuttle service anywhere within a 2 or 3 mile radius. They have a very organized port shuttle with 3 times to select from 10am, 11 and Noon. The one factor that makes this hotel stand-out is the fact that they offer a return shuttle from the port, after the cruise is over. They will take you either to Tampa Airport or back to the hotel for those that used the Park & Cruise. This is a $25 savings as that is the flat-rate fare from the Port to TIA. It is over a $30 savings for guests returning to the hotel.

 

A lot of the Tampa cruise hotels only offer a one-way shuttle to the port so having the return shuttle is a very nice perk ! If I'm not mistaken, I believe that the Hampton Inn Rocky Point and Chase Suites Rocky Point also offer the return shuttle. There are not very many hotels that offer this so do factor in the cost of return transportation when checking out cruise hotel rates.

 

 

 

 

**** OP- There is a LaQuinta located by Tampa Airport. IMO that would be the most economical, budget-friendly hotel to use that would put you in a nice , safe area. The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast and there is a small fee per-person for the shuttle to the port. (not sure of a return shuttle) There is a 24 hr IHOP adjacent and a large shopping mall directly across the street. The mall has lots of options for shopping and dining. http://www.lq.com/en/findandbook/hotel-details.tampa-bay-airport.html

 

 

If it were me, I would price-out the Holiday Inn Rocky Point , Hamption RP and Chase Suites RP. I would then check rates at the LaQuinta Tampa Airport adding in the pp $ for the port shuttle and then factoring in any costs for return transportation. You could use this same calculation for any other hotels that you may find. There are a lot in the Westshore area of Tampa that have good cruise rates ( none, I believe offer return transportation.... so keep that in mind.

 

Although I don't know much about it, there is a Ramada Westshore Tampa that other posters here on CC have used. I do know that they have done a recent remodel and the rates are pretty good...... so you may want to do a price check here too.

 

 

 

 

****** JMHO but steer clear of any hotels in the Stadium or Fairgrounds area.... you may get a good deal but not great areas.

 

Downtown Tampa will put you closer to the port but you will not find any with an airport shuttle. Many do offer shuttles to the port.

 

Ybor is another popular area near the port but again.... no airport shuttles.

 

 

Good luck to you.

 

 

 

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So we have never cruised out of Tampa and your suggestions seem like an awesome deal for what you get. Odd question is it safe to walk that area at night. We are flying in and would possibly walk down to The Rusty Pelican from the Chase . It would be my hubby and I . Just wondering if it is Pedestrian friendly or if you could even rent bikes somewhere close. TIA

Never mind found what I was looking for

Thanks. Going in suitcase now

I would like to know how is the noise level?, I know it is under the galley and guest services. Is it disturbing or hard to sleep? and how was your room and balcony? can you keep the door open a bit?

Was wondering the same thing. I like the fresh sea air.

Our Marcella is pretty awesome too.

Just returned on January 25 2014 cruise on the Dream on day 4 in the casino I received the free drink card for the casino only after I got the 1500 points. I asked the staff how much did I have to spend to get the free drink card and did not get answer only told "enjoy you have free drinks". I ended up with more money than I went with (had luck on slots a few times). ONLY played slots. Tried to search this answer but do not see a straight answer. Does anyone know how much money you have to play to get the free card. I was at 3000 points when I left but got my card at 1500 points. Also read that it depends on how much you play and not amount but me a my friend played same amount of time but she never got to 1500 points.

 

By the way Loved the DREAM!!! Great ship

My brother in law placed $500 on the table to play cards (I am unsure what game it was either blackjack or 3 card poker, his games of choice)and within 30 minutes he was given the card. We were on the Freedom . I know he didn't drink enough to cover his losses :)

Hello all cycling enthusiasts

 

Westbayloop Team here ......apologies to everyone who has difficulty getting us, we are NOT open yet and our website has only just gone live so we are still having problems with emails etc. We will make an announcement as soon as we are officially open for business which we hope is very soon.

 

Apologies to all fellow cyclists, the loop is a wonderful trip and I look forward to being open for business and getting you all round this beautiful part of Grand Cayman.

 

Contact me through the Westbayloop website and I will help you if I can in the meantime

 

Richard

Westbayloop http://www.westbayloop.com

Do you have an expected date to open? Just wondering if we need to find something else to do in port.

Thanks

Hi Everyone!

 

I have just started the West Bay Loop Bike Trail in West Bay in Grand Cayman.

It is a 10 mile coastal Bike loop that runs through the Barkers National Park and little villages around the coast of West Bay.My minibus does pick up and drop off at the Cruise Ship Terminal. I also hire a range of Adult and Children road bikes and beach cruisers depending on what you need.

All the details are on my website, I am Cayman's only dedicated bike operation. I look forward to meeting you soon.

 

Richard McKee tel 345 939 0911

http://www.westbayloop.com

 

December 2013

We've been trying to contact you and have heard nothing there a few of us trying to find out some info . We are on a different thread "Bike Rental"

Did you end up hearing back from them? This sounds lovely, something my husband and I would really enjoy! although the lack of response/reviews always makes me worry!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

No I've tried twice now. I tried contacting through their webpage and then directly through email and nothing. I am hoping maybe when we get off the ship there may be something at the port for them .

If I hear from them I'll let everyone know .

They have lockers there. I think they are about 8 bucks if I remember. I personally would not leave my stuff on the bus . We were told what time to be back at the bus to go back to the port. Well we were missing a family of 3 .We waited until the driver said he could wait no more . He told someone in the parking lot and we left. The family did make it back to the boat because we saw them .But sometimes you never know whats going to happen .

We take our sign and sail and drivers license with us . Passports are in the safe in room . Although before we leave for the cruise we scan everything into our computer and email it ourselves so just in case something would happen all we have to do is check our email and we have a copy of everything.

We did this tour a couple of years ago and it was awesome. I would say if possible get the very last car . We had a guide in the front and one in the back but he stayed pretty far behind us. With being in the back we could slow down a little from the front car and then floor it through the mud puddles and such. Way more fun than going the same speed as everyone else and not getting the thrill of going balls out. Our clothes got extremely dirty since we were there for offroading and thats what we did. We just pitched them and switched into ones we brought with us. We didn't buy the pictures but 1 lady did only after walking away the first time then they dropped the price by 1/2. It was awesome but extremely bumpy/ rough but we would do it again in a heartbeat.

I tried contacting them and heard nothing back. Kinda leery of booking if they cant answer an email. Otherwise sounded awesome to do may try again since we still have a month before we head out

We usually book a balcony but also did a last minute and got did an inside. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I got the best sleep in there. As long as I was on the ship I would sleep anywhere.

We took a boat tour . I don't remember the name of the company but it was at the marina in Bayside Marketplace. Took you around all the really nice houses even the one they used for Scarface and you cruised passed all the cruiseships. We really enjoyed it.