Just back from Tampa, some thoughts

[asylum575]

We flew down to Tampa on 2/14 and stayed over one night for a cruise on the Grandeur leaving 2/15.

We booked the Hyatt Regency via Hotwire. The hotel looked to have been recently renovated as described on recent Tripadvisor reviews. Room was very clean, a tad small. The bathroom vanity was 24", small. tub and tile work looked to be new. Carpet was very clean. The lobby was a little plain and small but looked new. The staff was excellent. We arrived early and were allowed to check in at 11am. We didn't check out until about 11:15 with no hassle. I was a bit worried.

We used Blue One transportation for the airport pickup and to be shuttled back and forth to Channelside. We are a family of 4, with two kids DS5 and DD2. We were charged $30 for the airport pickup and under $10 to and from Channelside and to the cruise port which is in Channeside. Very prompt, courteous service. They came with small shuttle buses. We didn't bring car seats so this was much safer than a taxi.

Upon disembarkation, "Destination Tampa" has a booth selling vouchers for the airport and you just get on one of the shuttle vans waiting. We were charged $25. We breezed through immigration and basically walked off the ship. From the time we swiped our Seapass cards off the ship to sitting at Starbucks at the airport terminal, it was about an hour. That's including the ride to the airport, checking two bags and going through TSA security.

We had dinner at channelside as we were meeting an old high school friend for dinner.

We had lunch the first day and breakfast the morning of the cruise at Samaria cafe. They were OK. Very crowded on Sunday, understaffed for the crowd. Affordable and convenient to the Hyatt. There was a CVS around the corner from Samaria for some last minute diapers.

 

We went to the Florida Aquarium the first day and was given a tip by the Blue One driver to buy the tickets at the Destination Tampa booth across the street from the aquarium. We paid $43 and the full rate at the aquarium would have been about $75.

 

Any questions, fire away.

[erinmarie424]

Thanks for taking the time to post this - we will be in Tampa in April and I have points for the Hyatt - but wondered what else might be around there, how much transportation would be, etc - you answered all my questions!

 

Erin

[luv2vacation]

Thanks for all the helpful info. Did you notice any car rental vans after you got off of the ship? I am interested in renting a car after my cruise from Tampa and I wondered if any of them offered a pick up from the port to their offices.

[asylum575]

The rental vans were there. I'm pretty sure I saw Alamo.

 

Google "destination Tampa" They will help you out.

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for sharing.

[jtdlmc]

Thanks for the info about Destination Tampa. I was also wondering about car rental if we wanted to venture away from the city and luggage storage in case we just want to use up our time by wandering around Channelside. Found answers to both questions!

 

From http://www.destinationtampa.com :

 

PRE and POST CRUISE TAMPA OPTIONS

 

If you have a late flight or time to take in some of the local sights, stop by our CONCIERGE DESK in both Cruise Terminal 2 or Cruise Terminal 3.

 

Services available:

 

On board Wheelchair Rentals

 

Pre or Post Hotels

 

On site Car Rental with Hertz

 

Luggage Storage

 

Tampa City Tour with Drop off at Tampa International Airport

 

Discount Attraction tickets

 

Airport shuttle service

[spbflseas]

Tampa is a great departure point and Destination Tampa Bay has a long standing reputation for the services it provides. For others coming to Tampa, I continue to recommend a great article that gives what I think are some great tips on traveling to our city. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1227720/a_travel_guide_for_tampa_bay_florida.html?cat=16