Cracker Ken

There are NO convenient stores on Rocky Point. There are NO stores at all. The one little store that used to be out that way was torn down years ago when they started prep for construction work on Courtney Campbell Causeway. The nearest store would be at a gas station located at Cypress and Westshore Blvd. There's a Walgreen's at Westshore and Kennedy.

 

I haven't seen jet ski usage at Rocky Point in ages. At one time, they were rented along the water behind the old Days Inn and Green Iguana which were raised a few of years ago to make way for a couple of high rise hotels. The big new hotel where the Days Inn and Green Iquana was (along with the little beach area where jet skis were rented) is nearing structural completion. I haven't seen a jet ski in the lagoon there in a long time.

 

I work from an office at Rocky Point, and I'm out there 1-2 times a week, every week, for the last 13 years. For a few years, I worked there 5 days a week. I know the area.

 

I haven't written or checked in here in a long while. I have other interests and hobbies, and it was getting to be a real drag to write the same answers over and over and over and over for those too darned lazy to be bothered with reading the stuff.

 

There's hardly a thing anyone can ask or think about that hasn't been covered multiple times in this thread. People pop in, too busy to look things up on their own and ask a question (sometimes answered within the last few entries), and expect someone like me to take the time to re-type the answer. I'm done with it.

 

I just hope whoever bothers with answering your questions here gives correct answers.

 

Ken

Right - No stores at Rocky Point. Closest is the Walgreen's at Westshore and Kennedy, some convenience stores on Westshore or Kennedy, and then the Wal-Mart at Dale Mabry Hwy and I-275. Of course, there are the two malls - Westshore Plaza and International Plaza.

 

Ken

kittymom65 - Thanks. You should be quite pleased with the area of the hotel, and the hotel as well.

 

All of those lots at the port are secure. As I recall, the RCI cruisers park in the parking garage too. The Carnival and RCI terminals are separated by the FL Aquarium. There are photos of the cruise terminals, parking garage, etc, on my Flickr photo album page linked in my signature block. Some of the surrounding area has built up considerably since I took those pictures, however the area of interest hasn't changed any.

 

All the parking garages and lots at the terminals are under the control of the Port Authority and receive the same attention.

 

Years ago, some thieves got into the secure area at the garage and got into a lot of cars. It was due to an inattentive guard. The Port Authority took good care of the victims and suffered a black eye. There have been no reports of problems of any kind since then. I wouldn't hesitate to park down there at all. Actually, I have left my car in the open lot for a week in the past when on a HAL cruise.

 

Ken

This is a very nice, relatively new, hotel. It's in a safe area. The hotel joins the International Plaza Mall, which is an upscale mall and a very nice place. There are restaurants at the mall, including City Grill (a fine upscale steakhouse) and the Cheesecake Factory. There are other very good places to eat on the main road out in front of the mall. It's no more hazardous to leave your car outside at this hotel than anywhere in the area. This area is primarily a business district. You should enjoy it at this location. This is just S of the Tampa Intl Airport property.

 

On Thursday morning the traffic from the Westshore Business District (area of the International Plaza and the Renaissance Hotel) should be cleared out and smooth sailing by the time you need to head down to the port, which should be about 10:00 AM. Traffic on weekday mornings in Tampa is very bad, but it clears by 9:00 to 10:00 AM unless there's a major accident or something like that.

 

Parking at the Port of Tampa is $12 a day, the last time I looked. It's safe. The parking garage at the Carnival terminal is secure and patroled. The outside parking at terminal 6 is well lighted, a high fence, and patroled.

 

Ken

Courtyard by Marriott Brandon/Tampa - Yes. That is your usual Courtyard hotel. Since I live here, I haven't stayed there, but I've stayed at many other hotels of that brand with no problem. I'm very familiar with the area there too. Lots and lots of restaurants within a mile or so. There's a huge mall just the other side of the Interstate. Restaurants include: Maraconi Grill, Smokey Bones BBQ, Sonny's BBQ, Hooters, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse - all of those are either on SR60 or the side road at the mall. On the S side of the mall, on Lumsden Road, there are many more choices. Therer are convenience stores in the area, and larger grocery stores just to the E on SR60 in Brandon. It's easy to head into the port from this hotel too - you just go W. on SR 60 into town.

 

Ken

cruisinlawn - The Hampton Inn in Ybor City is only about a mile from the cruise terminal, and easily accessible to the street car line. It's an OK place to be, but I don't recommend people venturing out on the street at night unless in numbers.

 

The Chase Suites is a nice place, in a very safe and clean area, but it's about 9 miles or so from the port. Shuttles can be arranged, and a taxi would be about $25. The rooms are big and I think they have free breakfast. There is a nice restaurant right next door to the hotel, joining the parking lot, and others nearby.

 

It's a shame that your two first choices are booked up. It's really nice down there and so close to the terminal. They need more hotels down there, but it seems high priced upscale condos are winning the fight for the real estate.

 

I about forgot - How about the Westin Tampa Harbour Island Hotel? It's directly across the channel from the Marriott Waterside. Nice place too. Safe and clean area. The Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel is further around on the river, a few blocks to the north. I'd stay at either of these.

 

If any further questions, ask, and I'll try to get back with you soon.

 

Ken

Al's_gal - Glad to help. Thanks for reading. If there's an answer you couldn't find, ask me.

 

Hoosier Gal - Thanks for the update and trip report.

 

winncove - Thank you. It's comments like yours that keep me going.

 

Ken

CruisinJul - I'd go with Victrola's suggestion and do breakfast at your hotel. It's free and you can get all you want - besides, you can make up for it on the ship for the next several days. There's no breakfast type place out there at Rocky Point, other than what the hotels offer their guests. The place Signman mentioned is good, plus there are some places on Dale Mabry Highway that have a great breakfast, but you would need a car.

 

cruisnpat - On the post immediately above your question, I referred someone else to a post just above it. That's in post 1653 and 1659, within the SAME page of the thread, just above. Within the last few pages of the thread, this area is mentioned more.

 

PLEASE - Everyone, take some type to read backwards on this thread before asking a question. If you can at least go back 10-15 pages, you will most likely find your answer, probably several times.

]

I've been diligent and courteous over the years, trying to be helpful to folks, which is something I really like doing. I don't like seeing people receive misinformation either, which is why I got involved in this thread way back when. I've even did computer a Google research on items and posted links for people - things they could have done easily on their own. I could probably publish a book using the entries I've made on this thread.

Maybe I'm getting burned out or something, but I'm getting really tired of answering questions over and over that are already posted here and some recently.

 

Ken[/color]

See post #1653, just a few posts above here. I talked about Courtyard, Residence Inn and HoJo downtown, including the trolleys and street car.

 

Those links posted by KreinKrunker are indeed good suggestions.

 

In addition, reading through the last several pages of this thread would reveal loads of information that I am not inclined to write again.

 

Ken

HockeyFamilyCruisers - The HoJo Plaza downtown is a recently refurbished Holiday Inn, high rise type. It has been there since at least 1980, perhaps longer. They have exposed outside parking lots. Don't know if they provide security to the lot. I don't know anything negative about it. Looks OK from the outside. The Courtyard and Residence Inn are close to the HoJo (a block). Nothing much open in that corner of downtown at night. During the day, there is an in-town trolley system that connects to the street car line. I can't recall if the in-town trolley works at night, don't think so. The only restaurant I know of would be in the HoJo hotel. You would have to get a cab to find eating places or go down to the Channelside complex. I don't recommend walking the streets at night, mainly due to homeless people wandering around. During the day, no problem, since this is primarily a business district. This is on the opposite corner of the downtown core from the Channelside cruise complex.

 

Ken

HockeyFamilyCruisers - Yes, stay off of Busch Blvd. There's nothing nice down there, other than Busch Gardens. Urban sprawl is taking over the area. Locations with addresses on E. Fowler Avenue, especially with addresses over 3000 E. aren't bad. There's a couple of hotels in E. Tampa, on 50th St (HoJo's) and on Melbourne (Days Inn) that should be avoided too. Rocky Point is nice (9 miles to the port) and hotels on Westshore Blvd are in a good area as well. If you find something you are interested in, run it by me and I'll tell you what I think.

 

Ken

HockeyFamilyCruisers - It's hard to tell about cancellations. It could happen, but someone else could grab it before you get it. You could keep trying and see what happens. The Hyatt downtown is a nice place, a few blocks further N of the two Channelside hotels. Another place, is the Hampton Inn in Ybor. Too far to walk, but on the street car line. 1 mile from the port.

 

cathyoo - Thanks for the compliment.

 

Luv's Crusin' - That Holiday Inn Express is out in New Tampa, at Bruce B Downs and I-75 - the far NE corner of town. Nice, clean, safe area. I haven't been to that hotel, but have seen it. It's your basic Holiday Inn Express. Lots of good places to eat nearby, along with stores. If you stay out there, you will be 15-30 minutes from the cruise terminal. Taxi ride would be expensive too. I don't know if you can leave your car or not.

 

Ken

ms simba - Once you post a message, you have about 30 minutes to edit it. After that, too late. That's bad. I write on another board, unrelated to cruising, and I can go back days or weeks later and edit.

 

Yes - if you want to send the table to me, here's my address:

 

crackerken at verizon.net

 

I'll go through it in more detail. I'll check it out and get back with you.

 

Something I've been wanting to do for ages, is take the time to go through the entire thread, from post 1 forward, and make an alphabetical index of topics, and the post numbers where the answers can be located. With that, folks would know exactly where to go for answers that are already here. Probably about 90% or more of the answers are already here, at least one time, some many times. That should help out a lot.

 

One thing I try to do when answering questions for people, is keep their safety in mind. There are places in Tampa where I wouldn't stay, even if I was toting a concealed firearm (I have a licence). Some of those places are nationally known chains too. I try to steer folks from those places and areas if possible.

 

Pretty soon, if I can catch a Sunday with clear blue skies (that makes the best outdoor photos), I'm going over to Tampa and take some updated photos of some areas of interest, like Channelside and the new Embassy Suites next to the Tampa Convention Center downtown. I'd also like to get some photos of the places we talk about out at Rocky Point.

 

MikeNKim - Thanks for the good info. That's new and very useful. People ask about that from time to time. It's good to hear from folks who have experienced things in Tampa that are of interest.

Nice table and info - Thanks. I think there is some dated info there, like perhaps a hotel that isn't there anymore. Radisson Bay Harbor is still there, at least for a while to come.

 

Two additional restaurants at Rocky Point: Crabby Bills and Bahama Breeze. One that isn't at Rocky Point anymore: Crawdaddy's (torn down).

 

Marriott Waterside isn't always $308.

 

What's bad, is that within a few days, someone will ask a question that's answered on the table and even within a couple of pages. The reason this thread is 80 pages long, is because folks have always asked the same questions over, and over, and over, and over - instead of taking some time to read. If the redundancy was taken out of the thread, it would probably be only 1/4 as long.

 

I started writing on this thread to try and prevent misinformation and keep folks up to date. I've had instances, not just on this thread, where people who have only been to Tampa once give people messed up info.

 

Just last week, someone asked a question that was answered no less than 8 entries above. At times I've been aggravated and have quit answering for a period of time. I type a lot in my job (writing long reports), and sometime I don't feel like it in the evening. If folks would spend a small percentage of the time I've spent typing and putting things together on this thread, and read it, we would all be better off. I don't see where anything written on the thread is confusing - there's just a lot of it here.

 

Sometimes people ask for an update, or something different or particular, and I certainly don't mind answering their questions.

 

When I get a chance, I'll carefully go through the tables and info posted above, and if there is out of date info or other comments, I'll post them.

 

Ken

ms simba - Try posting the image on Photobucket.com. It's easy, and free. Then, you can attach the image in large size here by using the URL from your photo/image in Photobucket on your entry in this thread using the "Insert Image" thing (it's a little yellow rectangle with mountains in it. If you do that, it will be large on the thread. That's the way I posted the picture of the street car station below. This is across the street from the Marriott Waterside.

 

 

Ken

There should be no problem at all getting a taxi from the ship to the hotel. I don't know if the street cars allow luggage, since I've never tried it, but if they do, that's another option. The taxi ride between the airport and the hotel/cruise and terminal area is $22.00.

star65 - Yes. That's a nice area of town. Clean. Relatively safe. What's good, is the street car system. The street car station separates the Marriott Waterside and the Embassy Suites downtown. Those two hotels are only a short block apart, with the street car station sitting between them. You could walk out the door of either hotel and be at the street car in 30 seconds. It's cheap too. Just be sure to check the schedules so you can make certain that you don't get stranded. The street cars run right by Channelside on the same side of the street, and there are one or two stops there. I'd do that instead of walking. It's faster, safe a night, and will keep you dry if it's rainy. The FL Aguarium practically joins the Channelside complex, with a street car stop right out front. It's roughly 1/2 mile from the hotels to Channelside, maybe a little less.

 

Ken

Please check the last 2 or 3 pages for answers.

 

Ken

caribbean crazy - The ES on Westshore has that parking garage there. If it's secured, I'd have no problem with it. I think it is secured, be sure to ask. If you go to my Flickr photo album page and go to the Tampa album, you can find some pics of the ES on Westshore, as well as the area of the ES downtown. These pics were taken before ground was broken for the ES downtown. The pics of the street car station, Tampa Convention Center and the Marriott Waterside will give you an idea of the area. I don't know if you can leave your car behind downtown.

 

Ken

sledhead - Please read post #1582 just above, and following. It's all there - already.

 

Ken

caribbean crazy - The Embassy Suites downtown by the Convention Center is brand new. Very nice. Excellent location for cruisers, since it's just down the street (west of) the cruise terminals. It's right next door to the street car terminal giving easy access to the Channelside complex and Ybor City.

 

The Embassy Suites Westshore is further away from the port, like 6 miles or so. It has been there a long while. The building was there when I went to work at the building right across the street in 1991. Embassy Suites tends to operate decent places, so I wouldn't expect it to be a worn out dump. Some folks who write reviews will condemn a place bad if it doesn't look brand new (including cruise ships). The Westshore location is in a decent and clean area. It's directly across the street from the Westshore Plaza Mall. There are nice places to eat in front of the mall, all within easy walking distance. This one is closer to the airport.

 

It just depends on the money you want to spend...(doesn't it always?)

 

LINANRIC - I agree with Signman. Also, see above. You may just have t pay a taxi to get around town. There are not many places that will do everything for you for free. It's $22 from the airport to the cruise terminals.

 

ronrythm - Those are great places that Signman mentioned. They are both uniquely Tampa. Every taxi driver in Tampa knows where they are. Bern's costs more than the Columbia. Both are great. Another nice place, on Kennedy Blvd just W. of downtown and the University of Tampa (not too far from the Courtyard and Residence Inn, across the Hillsborough River on Kennedy) is the Valencia Garden Restaurant. Very nice, Spanish cuisine. The have the best Paella in Tampa. I could write the rest of the evening about eating places in Tampa, of almost any type you can imagine (except Sushi - I prefer my fish cooked :) ).

 

luvmytbear - I'd suggest the Chase Suites. NOTE: Call them on the phone to make your reservations. Tell them specifically (DO NOT ASSUME) that you want the package including transport to the cruise terminal. I've read where some folks have messed up and not communicated this clearly, and have been left using a taxi. The rooms at Chase Suites are large. Folks with my company have stayed there on business, some for extended periods. As I recall, this was once a Residence Inn by Marriott. There is a decent place to eat right next door. This location is to the W of the Tampa International Airport, by about 3-4 miles. The cruise terminals are E and somewhat S of the airport, on the SE corner of the downtown core, about 8-9 miles from the airport. Taxi from Chase Suites to the cruise terminal could be $25-$30. Hopefully, you can get the transport deal at Chase. I know about the Double Tree at Rocky Point, where it its, and what it looks like, but I haven't stayed there and I don't recall anyone writing about it. They are usually nice hotels, and the one at Rocky Point looks good.

 

Eating, etc., at Rocky Point - Bahama Breeze (located between Chase Suites and Holiday Inn Express/Hampton Inn), Landry's Seafood, Rusty Pelican, Crabby Bill's, and The Castaways. There is no fast food. There are no stores, and no liquor stores. The Rocky Point area is hotels, office buildings, and some restaurants. That's all. It's quiet and clean out there. If your room faces the W or S, you can have nice views.

 

Y'all have fun. :)

 

Ken

Poolguppy - Go for it! There's nothing wrong with that area or the hotel. I don't use those "take a chance" systems on the Internet either, no matter where I go.

Poolguppy could also end up with an older "No-Tell Motel" or one of the fine "Patel Hotel" chain properties over on Nebraska Avenue. :D I guess you would have to live here to appreciate my joke...maybe not. :cool:

[B]flvillager - [/B]That's probably the best option. We have parked in the terminal parking before with no problems. They take credit cards of all types, except Diners Club, and you pay as you enter. When you get ready to leave, there's no stopping to pay. Even the outside lot at terminal 6 (usually for HAL cruises) is secure with a really high fence and lots of lights (and security). As for traffic, if you are coming into town around 10:30-11:00, the traffic shouldn't be much of an issue. I go through there regularly after about 9:30, and it's usually moving OK.

[B]Brenda Bell[/B] - A couple or three pages back someone asked about Sheraton Riverwalk and mentioned seeing a score of 2.5 on trip advisor. I was by this hotel this past week. It has been spruced up on the outside, a lot, and there's a big banner saying new owner and new management. Looks nice and clean. I have attended conferences in that hotel before, and stayed there one night, but that was a long while back, like maybe 8 years. It hasn't been long that this hotel was refurbished and turned back into the Sheraton name. As a rule, Sheraton hotels doesn't operate bad places. I've stayed at many of them since the company I work for used to be part of the ITT group when it owned Sheraton, and it was our hotel of choice when traveling. It would be good if someone reading this thread who has stayed there recently would report in. As I mentioned before, I take most Trip Advisor reports with a grain of salt. I sometime think most people reporting there are aggravated about something and there's no balance.

Also, see my posting on the street car and trolley system - it goes by the Sheraton Riverwalk too.

Ken

I don't know of any that are close. I consider "close" to be like within a few blocks or up to a mile.

I believe there may be a couple of places in Tampa that are several miles away, and that is covered quite a bit in this thread, even within the last few pages.

Maybe someone else knows of something.

One thing for certain, I'm not leaving a car for a length of time in any area, anywhere in Tampa, that isn't in a fenced or walled secure compound (such as secured lots or parking garages of the type they have at the port). I wouldn't just leave it in a parking lot of a hotel somewhere unless I was prepared to deal with the hassle of it being gone when I return.

Ken