jancru12

Re: Embassy Suites Westshore. We are planning a cruise out of Tampa and are looking for hotels with shuttles to the port. Would also like one with a shuttle from the airport if possible. Did you look for such hotels? What made you chose the Embassy Suites? Would you go back?

We originally chose the Downtown embassy because of the proximity to the port and the ability to return our rental car at the hotel. When we were forced to fly in a day early all I was concerned about was an airport shuttle. So I chose the Embassy. I would definitely go back to the westshore hotel again but probably not the Downtown hotel.

Thanks for the feedback. :)

 

I assume "Derik" was either the front desk clerk or the bartender? :confused:

Derik was the front desk clerk that checked us in

We just did Butt's up last week and it was awesome. $35 per person if you make a reservation online. Guides are great, informative and lots of fun.

Just got back from Tampa where we stayed 2 nights at 2 different hotels (because of weather we went a day early).

The 1st night we stayed at the Embassy Suites Westshore and LOVED it. The staff was great, the evening reception was plentiful ( fruit, veggies, snack mix and tortillas with cheese and salsa) and lively and the breakfast was great!

The 2nd night we stayed at the Embassy suites Downtown Tampa Convention Center. We chose this location because we could return the rental car at the hotel. We arrived to find Avis was closed but the valet people were awesome and said they would park it and make sure Avis got the keys in the morning. Upon check-in Derik was not friendly AT ALL. We found trash in the room and the evening reception was stale tortilla chips and spicy salsa and pretzels. The hotel has a shuttle to the port for $5 per person. We found out that Avis also has a shuttle to and from the port for free (we did give a tip).

We spent Saturday in St Petersburg ate at Paradise Grill on the beach. The food was really good and the staff was super friendly. The beach was beautiful and lots of seashells. We then made our way to eat dinner at The Wharf. Although the food was good there is very limited outside seating and its a little warm inside.

Downtown Tampa if you love NY style pizza you have to try Eddie and Sam's NY pizza it was Delicious and very busy!

Did they send you an email alerting you that the new time selections were available? We're cruising in Feb and don't see the option yet. Just wondering if the system alerted you or you just jumped on and check it out yourself.

No I just saw an article on FB and went to the cruise manager to check and it was available to select.

Just saw that Carnival will start staggered check in at Tampa starting 01/15, This is the cruise I am on. So I went in to look at my check in which was previously 1-3. Now It has you select a time but still says boarding times are 1-3. So if we select 11-11:30 arrival does that mean we will wait to board?

great review!! We are on the Pride out of Tampa on 01/15 and Love seeing the pictures.

We are arriving in Tampa via a very early flight January 14th, arriving at 8:35am. We are thinking of doing Busch Gardens for the day. So I have a couple of questions, Should we stay close to Busch Gardens and should we rent a car or just Uber around town? We are cruising out of Port of Tampa the following day. Thanks

Just booked this cruise yesterday morning after noticing the drop from the day before. :)

Did you end up renting a cart in Bonaire? Did you find any nice beaches? We go in March and are looking at options for excursions. I noticed it is quite rocky. Thanks

I'm in the same predicament. I've been watching the flights daily praying they will change or open up the ones that show as unavailable. I'm thinking of changing our return flight to Monday morning since it's $197 verses $413 :eek:

This is one of the most amazing reviews I've ever read!!! :D

Thank you so much for this amazing review!! We are doing ABC's in March 2017 and I'm so excited!!

I called RCL and it is a pullman in the room we are in.

We are booked on a 9 night RCL on Navigator in March. However after seeing the bed for our 6 yr old would be above our heads. We are trying to decide on

A: Go to Carnival and do an 8 night on the conquest similar itinerary (sofa bed)

B: upgrade to a junior suite which would be $1500 more :eek:

C: just lump it, It might not be so bad.

If it was a shorter cruise I wouldn't mind so much. Any thoughts or opinions?

How is Palo brunch?

We will be in port in Nassau on Feb 22nd and I was thinking we would do an Atlantis Day pass. I've check a few of the options that are recommended on here and it seems they are sold out. If this is true what are some other good options? Family of 3 Me, DH and DS 5. Thank you

Drake2014 thank you so much!! Our ship will be in port on a Saturday March 14th

Is it feasible to do the Rum Factory and go to sandcastle in one day? Would it be better to do beach in the AM and Rum factory in the afternoon. Or my other thought is Cruzan and Rainbow Beach. Any Suggestions?

Someone mentioned this site shipcruise.org I found it helpful. You select Alcohol Drink Packages and scroll down to Royal. Hope this helps.