bluvsu2 Posted October 11, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) Leaving from Tampa Fl. Booked La Quinta on East Fowler Ave Cruise is Carnavial 09/05/2018 I am not cruising until Sept. 5th of 2018. Is it crazy that I just booked a room for the night before the cruise. I found a good deal for 100.00 a night not far from Port. It's the La Quinta Inn. It is refundable and being split between 2 people. Any advice or should I cancel and wait? I am just trying to get as much done as cheap as possible. TIA for all the advice. Edited October 11, 2017 by bluvsu2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted October 11, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I would advise just keep an eye on the rates as they may go down, but that is presupposing that you can cancel the room without penalty. I don't think it's crazy to book your room this far in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmf11699 Posted October 11, 2017 #3 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Don't think it's crazy at all. If you feel it is a good deal then you should get it. Additionally, there could be price increases between now and then. If you're happy, move on to the next thing that needs to be priced and reserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 11, 2017 #4 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I am not cruising until Sept. 5th of 2018. Is it crazy that I just booked a room for the night before the cruise. I found a good deal for 100.00 a night not far from Port. It's the La Quinta Inn. Any advice or should I cancel and wait? I am just trying to get as much done as cheap as possible. TIA for all the advice. Not crazy at all, what's the downside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted October 11, 2017 #5 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Of course it's not crazy! :D Better than the other way around - lots of posts by people who waited way too long and now can't find anything. Heads up - there are many ports and many La Quinta Inns. Next time you post, if you could mention your embarkation city that would be helpful. People who know the area or have stayed there can give their advice that way. Also, when we book hotels we book with a refundable rate. That way if something less expensive shows up or we have to change our plans, it is easy to just cancel without penalty. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluvsu2 Posted October 11, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Updated with all the information about when and where. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted October 11, 2017 #7 Share Posted October 11, 2017 We also book hotels far in advance when we think rates are good. I guess you did the right thing. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted October 11, 2017 #8 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I always book as far in advance as I can but I get a fully refundable booking. Then I watch prices. If they go up I am protected. If they go down I followup for the lower price. If I need a rental car I do the same thing. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haladdict Posted October 11, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 11, 2017 We book rooms as soon as possible. Car rentals. Anything we can get done. Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted October 11, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 11, 2017 If prices go down, you can cancel and save money. If they go up, you will have saved the difference. If they stay the same, you will have lost the investment income you might have earned - probably not much - possibly even a loss. It's just like booking the cruise itself: when you see a deal you like, take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloriDan Posted October 11, 2017 #11 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Leaving from Tampa Fl. Booked La Quinta on East Fowler Ave... Is it crazy that I just booked a room for the night before the cruise. I don't think it's crazy! But as others have said, I'd keep an eye on it. And while I was at it, I'd keep an eye on prices around downtown, closer to port. If this is the LaQuinta I'm thinking about (up by USF), it's not super close. I'm guessing around half an hour, give or take. But if that's the one, traffic getting from there to downtown can be a pain. Another option worth considering is looking east of downtown in the Brandon area. That's farther from the airport, but you could jump on one of the two expressways (if you're willing to pay the toll) and be at the port in about 15 minutes. That's my daily commute and it's largely free of the traffic snarls we see elsewhere in Tampa. Bon voyage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdGuyMG Posted October 11, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Leaving from Tampa Fl. Booked La Quinta on East Fowler Ave Cruise is Carnavial 09/05/2018 Is it crazy that I just booked a room for the night before the cruise. It's the La Quinta Inn. Heads up - there are many ports and many La Quinta Inns. Next time you post, if you could mention your embarkation city that would be helpful. The OP mentioned port was Tampa. By the way. I'm not a fluent Spanish speaker but years ago someone told me "La Quinta" means Behind Denny's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tank's Mom Posted October 11, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I'm from the area. I would keep looking in the Ybor or Downtown area as they are super close to the port. Even South Tampa is closer. I've heard of many using Hotwire to get riverfront hotels allowed than 100. It was the Westin I believe. There are several hotels in the area. The Barrymore is often found lower as well on Hotwire. I once got 75. But, it's not a bad price if you can't find cheaper. The cab/Uber will be a little more. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hey Tina Posted October 11, 2017 #14 Share Posted October 11, 2017 The OP mentioned port was Tampa. By the way. I'm not a fluent Spanish speaker but years ago someone told me "La Quinta" means Behind Denny's. OP edited the post which was noted in a follow up post and in the header of the OP as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlb91454 Posted October 11, 2017 #15 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I don't think it is crazy, I book my hotel ASAP. But like others have said keep an eye on it just in case the price drops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare whogo Posted October 11, 2017 #16 Share Posted October 11, 2017 By the way. I'm not a fluent Spanish speaker but years ago someone told me "La Quinta" means Behind Denny's. Love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 12, 2017 #17 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I always call the hotel directly to book....sometimes, they have "in house" specials that the 800 number doesn't have. I NEVER use 3rd party booking sites....too many hoops to jump thru if you want to change or modify something. You can get the address from the "travel/hotel" website...look up their local phone number and call directly. I've gotten all kinds of "special rates".....it's great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhageerah Posted October 12, 2017 #18 Share Posted October 12, 2017 We have a cruise planned for June 22 2018 any and all reservations have already been made, if the major stuff is out of the way now you can sit back relax and focus on the small stuff like what shore excursions you plan on doing or what you would like to do with that day that you arrive early. The main thing is that you have already done one of the major smart things and are planning on arriving one day early! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sprint180 Posted October 12, 2017 #19 Share Posted October 12, 2017 If it is a good price I would book. Chances are that the price will not go down since it is a port city. If this is a hotel usually booked by cruisers that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted October 12, 2017 #20 Share Posted October 12, 2017 The one thing I would not do is to book one that you would pay a fee to cancel. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 12, 2017 #21 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Just keep checking the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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