Hotel suggestions for Tampa

[tcrowl6]

:confused:

Gloria & Terry -- see my comments about Priceline in this thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=108072&page=14

 

Altosax -- Calling the Devil Rays should give you the most accurate info about any shuttles running from the Tampa area, although it may be too early for them to have all the details for the season starting in April.

 

Thanks Howard,

 

I looked on page 14, didn't see anything. Looked a few pages before and after. Will keep looking.:confused:

[Cracker Ken]

Cathyoo - Yes, I was on Carnival Liberty from 11/20/05 to 11/26/05. We loved it. First Carnival cruise. We look forward to going on one of those ships again (any of the Conquest class ships, including Valor, Conquest, and Liberty, maybe another). We are going on a Hawaii cruise on Carnival Spirit in 04/07. Great beds on that ship. They are the new style similar to the better mattresses we would buy for use at home. I have an album of photos from our Liberty cruise on my Yahoo photo page (see top link in my signature block). We had a thread going on that trip, but it's probably long gone by now. I don't have it saved anymore. There were some reviews on the roll call thread. Dining room food not quite as good as Celebrity, but still very good. Service was good, except for the period of time the waiters do their little song and dance routine (part of the "Fun Ship" atmosphere thing). The room steward was excellent. Dining room waiters were very good. Buffet food and selection was great. We really enjoyed the buffet, and the Taste of the Nations buffet (different nation each day). The Fish and Chips place above the buffet was very good too. I will not go on the short Carnival cruises, like 3, 4, 5 day trips, especially in the summer or during spring break. We aren't "party hardy" types, and the atmosphere on one of the shorty cruises wouldn't agree with me. We were pleasantly surprised. The ship is very new, clean, and well kept.

 

Ken

[altosax]

Daniel,

 

Where did you find the interline rate?? We are interline customers too and looking for a hotel night for 4/28/06 before our cruise. Thanks for your help.:)

 

Hi Gloria and Terry,

 

Sometimes I just call a hotel direct to inquire bout interline rates. In this case, I went to the hotel's website

http://wynres.wyndham.com/pls/wss/html_ui_search.avs?ref=2453746215849&ses=5877772EFBABE24C9B1B9F7983003902EC8A24225E916A6A&pro=TPAHI&rat=&cor=&grp=&arr=&dep=&rms=&adu=&chi=&lnm=&err= (gosh, that's a long URL)

clicked "contact us" and then clicked "email us" and inquired about what interline rate they could offer me for the dates needed and, of course, advised them which airline I work for.

 

Response was by email and you just go from there. I just always have to remember to get my airline ID badge out of the car and take it with me for check-in.

 

Cheers,

Daniel

[signman]

:confused:

 

Thanks Howard,

 

I looked on page 14, didn't see anything. Looked a few pages before and after. Will keep looking.:confused:

 

Sorry, the old cut & paste didn't work right. Try this one.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=273166

[tcrowl6]

Thank you Daniel and Howard. I will look into the interline rates first then try Priceline if I don't find anything. Don't need a room until April 29th.:D

[bookworm61]

Cracker Ken,

Thank you for the information on the Embassy Suites Tampa. It was very helpful. If you don't mind another few questions, do you happen to know if it there is anything within walking distance of the Embassy Suites for dining/shopping, etc ? We will be without a car. We can always eat at the hotel, but it is good to have options.

Also, after the cruise and before the flight home, we are thinking about a ship arranged excursion to the aquarium. The advantage of this is that Carnival holds your luggage while you are there and then takes you to the airport when it is time. Do you have any thoughts on whether this is a good plan? The cruise line charges about $50 pp for this, I believe.

Thanks again, Bookworm:)

[Cracker Ken]

bookworm61 - If you are at the Embassy Suites on Westshore, everything you need is directly across the street at the Westshore Plaza Mall. Shopping, food court inside, movies, and some larger restaurants towards the S end of the mall on the Westshore side. One good one is Maggiano's Italian, and there's a Steak and Ale out by the road. Just a couple of blocks S is a Walgreens, in walking distance. As for the post-cruise excursion, the convenience might be worth it. It's hard to do anything with luggage in tow. Believe it or not, we have never been to the FL Aquarium, thought I've seen it on local TV and have heard it's a nice place. Here's the web site:

 

http://www.flaquarium.org/

 

The convenience might be worth it. The taxi ride for two of you would be $20-$25.

 

RE: Ybor City - I was down there doing some work yesterday and took a look at the Hampton Inn. It's a nice place. The architecture matches the area nicely. The front office actually looks like the store fronts of the old Latin district, a very nice touch. Further, the TECO Street Car Line runs right next to the hotel. In fact, the street car barn is next door. Quite convenient if one wants to go to the Centro Ybor area, or down to the E. end and go to the Columbia Restaurant. Also, it's easy to hop on the street car and go down to the Channelside District where there are shops, dining, and some night clubs.

 

Ken

[Ltvscout]

RE: Ybor City - I was down there doing some work yesterday and took a look at the Hampton Inn. It's a nice place. The architecture matches the area nicely. The front office actually looks like the store fronts of the old Latin district, a very nice touch. Further, the TECO Street Car Line runs right next to the hotel. In fact, the street car barn is next door. Quite convenient if one wants to go to the Centro Ybor area, or down to the E. end and go to the Columbia Restaurant. Also, it's easy to hop on the street car and go down to the Channelside District where there are shops, dining, and some night clubs.

Thanks for the tips on Ybor and the Hampton Inn. We switched our reservations from the Renaissance to the Hampton. Besides being in amongst more action, it was cheaper to boot! ;)

 

What is the cost of the trolley? Do you have to pay both ways?

[Cracker Ken]

Ltvscout - For the street car fares and schedules, go here:

 

http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/

 

The schedules are under "Weekly News" in the middle of the page. $4 for the whole day isn't bad. Cheaper than taxi rides, and more fun to boot.

 

I had mentioned before that someone could probably drag on a piece or two of luggage and take the car to the cruise terminals. Note the starting times in the schedules. It's noon many days of the week. I noticed one mistake in their writing where they have the times 11:30PM to 9PM on day. It should obviously be 11:30AM. So, if someone wants to get to the dock at 10:30AM, it will be a short taxi ride of about a mile. They should run the street cars later at night, but maybe there isn't enough business for them.

 

Ken

[cathyoo]

Cathyoo - We were pleasantly surprised. The ship is very new, clean, and well kept.

 

Ken

 

Thanks Ken, makes me worry less. I know I'll have a good time wherever and whatever but I recommended this cruise to my traveling companions and so I tend to worry.

 

I loved your pictures, especially your sunsets. Thanks for sharing.

[albertiger]

im going out of Tampa on 4/29/06-Grandeur of the Seas. did a little research on areas, pricing, shuttle availability, etc. and then took my chances with Priceline.

Got the Extended Stay Deluxe Tampa Westshore Blvd. for 3 nights, $35 a night! includes cont. bkfst, and shuttle and has a pool! full kitchens with utensils so i can save a little more by eating in!;)

Thanks for all the info Ken, now im confident im in a relatively safe area at an unbeatable price!:D

[cathyoo]

Thanks for all the info Ken, now im confident im in a relatively safe area at an unbeatable price!:D

 

Now that's a steal... have a great trip

[tcrowl6]

Albertiger...That is a great price. We are going on that cruise also. and then we are staying on for the next leg to Baltimore. I am still looking for a hotel in Tampa. Have never used Priceline and a little chicken to try it...lol

 

 

Have you signed up for the Meet & Mingle ??? Try the roll call for 4/29-5/6 b2b

[signman]

Guys, look for me when you get to Baltimore. I am pier staff.

 

Let me know when you're ready to place a bid with PL.

[mrsrosner]

Anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Rocky Point? Just booked using points - saving $$$ for Grandeur casino March 11! Safe area? We will be getting in late - around 8 or 9 pm. Driving in from Atlanta.

[signman]

Rocky Point area is just fine. Several nice dining and drinking establishments nearby. Enjoy.

[bellybutton]

Anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Rocky Point? Just booked using points - saving $$$ for Grandeur casino March 11! Safe area? We will be getting in late - around 8 or 9 pm. Driving in from Atlanta.

 

Are leaving your car parked there? Or don't they offer that? Shuttle to port?

[Cracker Ken]

I stayed at this hotel in Dec while attending meetings at our office out there on Rocky Point. I live in the area E of Tampa, so I don't stay at these Tampa hotels very often, but I had an early meeting and couldn't risk the terrible weekday morning drive traffic in Tampa. No problems at all with this hotel. Clean, nice staff. Nice atmosphere out there on Rocky Point. Wuiet, not much traffic. Hotel is on the edge of the water. They have a public computer with Internet in the lobby. As for shuttle to the port, I don't think so. They have an airport shuttle.

 

Ken

[mrsrosner]

bellybutton - I didn't even think to ask about leaving our cars - yes, it will take two to get the girls and all their stuff down there - on the Holiday Inn property. I will call tomorrow and see if they offer this service.

 

signman and cracker ken thanks for the info!

 

Does any one know which terminal Grandeur goes out of?

[Cracker Ken]

I'm used to seeing the RCI ships using Terminal 3. It's right next to the FL Aquarium. As far as I know, the Terminal 3 passengers use the Channelside parking garage. $12 per day, paid as you enter, up front. Master Card, Visa, and Amex accepted.

 

Ken

[jessemon]

I'm used to seeing the RCI ships using Terminal 3. It's right next to the FL Aquarium. As far as I know, the Terminal 3 passengers use the Channelside parking garage. $12 per day, paid as you enter, up front. Master Card, Visa, and Amex accepted.

 

Ken

Hey Ken,

We were at Channelside a few Saturdays ago and the Grandeaur was docked at the Carnival terminal. Can never remember the numbers. So I guess if it is a Saturday departure that is the terminal used since the Legand uses the RCCL terminal every Saturday.

Welcome home Ken.

Jeff

[katie286]

We are staying at the Springhill Suites in August. Does anyone know if there are any restaurants within walking distance from there? Is there a mall close to this hotel? Thanks for your help.:)

[jkrislc]

I just wanted to mention that I used the Doubletree Westshore and had a fabulous stay. I got it on Hotwire for $68 and I felt it was a bargain. Not only was a shuttle provided from the airport, but also to the port the next day. And after our cruise, they picked us up at the port and returned us to the airport, all complimentary. They will also shuttle you to the two malls and to the local Walgreens, also complimentary.

 

While the hotel is older, the rooms themselves were quite nice with upgraded bedding, matresses, furnishings, etc.

[signman]

KLC, Thanks so much for that update on the Doubletree Westshore.

[Cracker Ken]

jessemon - Thanks for the info. I think a lot depends on whether or not a Carnival ship is in port too. I've even seen the Veendam at Channelside (Terminal 2) on a Saturday (January '05) when the Inspiration wasn't in town, while HAL is normally at #6. With that added RCI ship in Tampa for a while, it must make things a little more crowded at our little port. If they get more than 3 at a time, I suppose they would have to use that older place around there on Hooker's Point. I don't think folks would like that so much.

 

katie286 - Yes - It isn't very far to walk to the South to the Westshore Plaza mall. There's a Steak and Ale out front along Westshore Blvd. Joined to the mall is Maggiano's Italian and another place (the name slips me right now). Also, directly E on Cypress is Charley's Steakhouse.

 

jkrislc - Thanks for the info. Lots of people ask about the hotel/port shuttles, and the other things you mentioned - now we know. That hotel was completely remodeled when it changed from a Holiday Inn to Double Tree, not too many years ago.

 

Ken