Tampa pre/post cruise hotel and transportation

[MentalVacation]

Ok, what's the best hotel to stay in when sailing from Tampa --

 

Factors I consider:

 

Price (yes)

Proximity to cruise ship! (I'd like to be able to see it when we wake up....always cool!)

Eating/entertainment options nearby (preferably walking distance?)

 

AND

 

What do you recommend for transfers for airport-hotel-terminal-and back....for ease of use, cost comparison, etc.

 

Any hotels include those transfers in the price?

 

What are the likely hits if one were to bid on priceline? (I did this many moons ago when we last sailed, but I wasn't sure if that was really an option in Tampa or if it pulls some less favorable options? I need all the info! :) Gotta plan my strategy here!)

 

We haven't bought airfare, but I am pretty confident we will fly in on Saturday for our Sunday sailing.

[firefly333]

Lots of good options, have you gone thru the tampa threads on the florida departures board?

 

There was a hotel listed at a special price about a week or so ago, at $89 with a free airport and port shuttle that sounds like what you wanted.

 

There is a list for tampa showing cruise specials.

 

I used hotwire, choose the 3 1/2 star with free airport shuttle but it will not be near the port.

 

My issue with priceline is you cant pick hotels with free shuttles and I didnt want to pay for both shuttles.

 

lastminutetravel also has some good ones in florida.

 

check out the florida departure boards.

[bguppies]

check out the florida departure boards.

 

THIS for sure and also check your Roll Call thread.

 

That is how we found our deal for our upcoming Legend cruise next month.

 

Bill

[firefly333]

I got Sheraton Suites for $53 on hotwire, the 3 1/2 starts, plus they add about $6 fee, but its now $52 for my date, free airport shuttle, but doesnt meet the OP's criteria for being near the port.

 

The $89 special does meet the criteria.

 

Iv already booked both Tampa hotels for my jewel OTS cruises next spring.

[smallworldtraveller]

holiday inn rock point

pick up at airport

drop you off pier

pick you up at airport to bring back to hotel or airport

 

has shuttle that will take you shopping with in 4 miles of hotel

 

now i know it is on bay just not sure if you can see ships from there

 

food place on hotel site

 

not bad on price, we have group rate for our departure

[flcruiser4]

I recommend the Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn at Rocky Point.

[cuyahoga11]

holiday inn rock point

pick up at airport

drop you off pier

pick you up at airport to bring back to hotel or airport

 

has shuttle that will take you shopping with in 4 miles of hotel

 

now i know it is on bay just not sure if you can see ships from there

 

food place on hotel site

 

not bad on price, we have group rate for our departure

 

We have stayed there and would do it again but you cannot see the ships

[MentalVacation]

thank you guys! I didn't realize there was a florida departures board. I will go poke around over there. :) And while those are my wishes, I may be willing to compromise on one in order to get the deal done.

[firefly333]

Hi, Im home now and I can save you some seaching as I just booked my tampa hotels about 2 weeks ago.

 

This is the link to hotels with cruising deals.

 

http://www.carnival.com/Funville/blogs/faqs/archive/2010/09/02/what-is-the-loyalty-and-cruise-vacation-program.aspx

 

I think this is the hotel that was running the $89 special with both shuttles.

 

http://www.hiextampa.com/specials.php

 

holiday Inn express, so its not a bad hotel.