Coveguy4 Posted February 2, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Hi, Looking to book a hotel for the night before upcoming cruise on Empress to Cuba. Any with free shuttle to pier that you would recommend? Haven't been to Tampa in over 30 years and would appreciate any suggestion. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzrman Posted February 3, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I cruised once out of Tampa two years ago and at that time stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Ybor District. It was a great location, very close to the Port of Tampa. Back then they had a complimentary shuttle which if I'm not mistaken took us ( party of 4) free to the port. Of course I tipped the driver. Hotel also close to some nice restaurants and nightlife. Courtesy shuttle also took us shopping and waited for us.. No charge. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTO-Girl Posted February 3, 2017 #3 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Hi, Looking to book a hotel for the night before upcoming cruise on Empress to Cuba. Any with free shuttle to pier that you would recommend? Haven't been to Tampa in over 30 years and would appreciate any suggestion. Thanks Marriott Waterside and Embassy Suites Downtown. Less than a mile to the port..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet524 Posted February 3, 2017 #4 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Embassy Suites. Great hotel location. Good restaurants close by. Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 3, 2017 #5 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Courtyard downtown has a cruise ship package with shuttle from the airport and shuttle to the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted February 3, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 3, 2017 We stayed at Barrymore a couple week ago. Reasonable price and free shuttle to the pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coveguy4 Posted February 4, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Thank you EVERYONE for the great suggestions !! This board makes it so easy to reach out and get answers! Now to book my flights and hotel without a worry..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahini Posted May 18, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 18, 2017 I second the thank you for the information. Am also cruising on the Empress in October, and I will be flying in from Detroit and meeting a friend who will be driving over from Daytona Beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foster10 Posted May 18, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 18, 2017 What about a hotel with free cruise parking as well as shuttle? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostate_Momma Posted May 18, 2017 #10 Share Posted May 18, 2017 We stayed at Barrymore a couple week ago. Reasonable price and free shuttle to the pier. I'm booked at The Barrymore next week before our cruise. How were the rooms/amenities? Not that it has to be great-we're only going to sleep there. Also, were there restaurants/shops nearby (walking distance)? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelJ Posted May 18, 2017 #11 Share Posted May 18, 2017 In January of 2016, we stayed precruise at Le Meridien in Tampa. It is a federal courthouse that was converted into a hotel, and it's beautiful. They have a wonderful restaurant and a bakery as well. They had a free shuttle to the port. They use big bus-like luxury vans, and you can also have them shuttle you for free anywhere within a so-many mile radius. http://www.lemeridientampa.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveanaruss Posted May 18, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 18, 2017 I live in Tampa, The Barrymore is nice, but towards the end of the Tampa Riverwalk. you are within walking distance to a lot of restaurants. I would recommend Ulele for a nice dinner the night before your cruise. Take a walk on the riverwalk also, its 2+ miles long with great views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilkySal Posted May 18, 2017 #13 Share Posted May 18, 2017 What about a hotel with free cruise parking as well as shuttle? Sent from my iPhone using Forums I'd like to know this as well since we will have a vehicle. If no free cruise parking at hotel, is there a secured lot nearby or is parking at the terminal fairly reasonable?:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted May 18, 2017 #14 Share Posted May 18, 2017 I'd like to know this as well since we will have a vehicle. If no free cruise parking at hotel, is there a secured lot nearby or is parking at the terminal fairly reasonable?:rolleyes: Terminal parking is $15/day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilkySal Posted May 18, 2017 #15 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Terminal parking is $15/day. Well, that's not too bad but, if a hotel offers free parking, we'll need to mull it over. We parked at the terminal @ PC and it sure was super convenient to get to our car immediately and head out!!!:D:hearteyes: Will need to decide whether or not we want to be pampered, I guess!!;) Haha! Thanks Bob!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firerecruit71295 Posted May 18, 2017 #16 Share Posted May 18, 2017 I second the vote for Le Meridien! It was awesome. And I actually did some searching before booking it and found that if you do the "name your own price option" on Priceline.com and chose a certain area and certain amount of "star rating" hotel that this is the hotel you get. We did it and it put us at Le Meridien for I believe was less than $100 for the night. The shuttle was an awesome Mercedes Benz luxury transport/shuttle bus. Rooms were great and very clean. Would highly recommend. We did this a few years ago so Ill do some research and see if I can find the blog that said what area and what star rating to bid on to get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firerecruit71295 Posted May 18, 2017 #17 Share Posted May 18, 2017 biddingtraveler.com showed that you need to bid for "downtown" Tampa for a 4 star and you'll either win The Westin Tampa Harbour Island or Le Meridien. Suggested to bid between $94-96 for the night and you should get it. We did this and ended up with Le Meridien and it was AWESOME. If you are a person who HAS to know where you are staying when you book then this probably isnt the way to go but I was comfortable knowing it was going to be between the two hotels listed above and for an unbeatable price. Happy bidding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostate_Momma Posted May 18, 2017 #18 Share Posted May 18, 2017 I live in Tampa, The Barrymore is nice, but towards the end of the Tampa Riverwalk. you are within walking distance to a lot of restaurants. I would recommend Ulele for a nice dinner the night before your cruise. Take a walk on the riverwalk also, its 2+ miles long with great views. Awesome! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foster10 Posted October 20, 2017 #19 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Has anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore-airport? They offer a cruise and stay rate with parking and a shuttle. Is it decent? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveanaruss Posted October 20, 2017 #20 Share Posted October 20, 2017 It’s a pretty decent hotel. The area is pretty heavy with traffic on weekdays as it’s smack middle of the Westshore business district. But you do have a shopping mall about a mile away with some good restaurants. It’s a HoLiday inn, so nothing special, but it is clean. It’s a pretty good haul to Port of Tampa from there (about 20 mins) But the shuttle is free and breakfast included. You won’t find anything closer with parking included. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foster10 Posted October 20, 2017 #21 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Thanks Stevenaruss! We are driving down from MN so won’t get in till late and wanted something with parking and a shuttle so I guess it will do!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveanaruss Posted October 20, 2017 #22 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Enjoy! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 20, 2017 #23 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Has anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore-airport? They offer a cruise and stay rate with parking and a shuttle. Is it decent? Yes, nice hotel.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve20832 Posted October 21, 2017 #24 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Ybor City, downtown Tampa, the airport area. All good areas. Uber isn’t more than $15 from those areas to pier if you can’t find a shuttle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 21, 2017 #25 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Ybor City, downtown Tampa, the airport area. All good areas. Uber isn’t more than $15 from those areas to pier if you can’t find a shuttle I believe taxis from the downtown area to the pier are a flat rate of $6 per person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now