jessemon

Hello Ken,

Are you out there?

Hey Ken,

I'm trying to think if that was not very "Plant City" or "Polk County".;)

We need to meet some time. Wife will be back in Tampa in 2 weeks.

Still laughing.:D

Jeff

Just to let everyone know, Embassy Suites is now takng reservations for it's new convention center/downtown & Channelside hotel. Reservations are August 1st and after. This will be across from the convention center and the Channelside Mariott. Close to Channelside/Port of Tampa and trolley system. It will give you all another option.

Hope this helps.

Jessemon - I just checked that out. It seems they linked to the U.S. page on the Ports of Call board, instead of the "Hotels- Pre & Post-Cruise" board. The are missing a lot by not linking to this thread. Maybe they didn't link to this because it conflicts with some of the stuff posted? Perhaps we haven't discussed some of the places noted on the promotional page, and they are promoting that as a travel agent thing? Who knows...

 

I don't know how to contact the host as you mentioned. Never tried it before. If you know how, and would like to do so, please feel free to do it.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Ken

Hey Ken,

Sent a message off to Laura S. about the thread.:)

I just send it to LauraS@cruisecritic.com

Speaking of BBQ...did you ever have the Reverends BBQ at Campbell's on Hillsborough (just west of the vet on the south side) before it closed?

Two words...yum-yum...

Jeff

Hey Ken,

Did you notice the home page of CC today? Tampa mini vacation. They had an area in the subject matter (about posts & threads on Tampa) and the biggest thread on that subject...that you help so many people with...WAS NOT THERE...:eek:

I think someone should contact Laura S. about this.

Out of all the hotels pre and post cruise...this is the largest.

Jeff

We are arriving TH nite for a SAT cruise. So, we will have a day available.

 

We'll be staying at the Hilton Westshore. Are there sites worth seeing, a trip to the pier perhaps. If not, a day in at hotel pool and walk to a couple of restaurants works fine for us.

 

Also when will the Veendam allow us to board? We were thinking noon.

 

mark and gretchen

 

Galaxy 3/04

Hey mark1,

The Hilton Westshore is in a good location for restaurants. (Ken can probably fill you in on all the fun stuff):cool:

As far as boarding the Veendam...noon is about right. We went at Christmas and boarded about 12:15. That was right after we arrived. We however had to wait for the cabin to be finished until about 1:30. (The nice surprise though was we were bumped to a suite.)

If it were me, I'd probably get there at 11:30. Make sure you fill out your docs on line with HAL. Makes it alot faster when you arrive.

Does anyone have any info on the Radisson Riverfront Hotel? I have a reservation there for our April sailing and I'm just curious with this being downtown near the port if this is a good section of town? Whar shape the hotel is in and especially if it has safe covered parking since I have booked the Sleep & Sail we will be leaving the car there. I know the port has safe covered parking but this will be a little more convenient and also just a little cheaper. Although I am a little concerned about the pickup after the cruise.

Any help or information will be greatly appreciated!!!:)

butnzb,

We have stayed at that several times when we have the "Gasparilla Pirate Invasion" here in Tampa. It is a nice hotel. Clean with resteraunt, lounge and outside Tiki Hut. Right on the Hillsborough River.

As for parking all I can say is when we have stayed there the valet parks the car in the garage at the hotel. I would just E-Mail or call them o find out if the car is parked inside. But I can't imagine it would not be given the location.

As Ken said a few posts ago about the downtown area...at night I probably would not wander to much. But, you could take the car just a mile away and visit Channelside. Movies, resteraunts and bars. Fun place without being to wild at night. You could take a five minute ride from there and go to Ybor City. great dining and people watching although it can get a little wild and scary at night. Think of Bourbon Street. Although it has calmed down a touch. Watch the side streets.

Hope this helps.

Jessemon- Do you ever try the "Quick Links" tab at the top, towards the R side? Every thread you write on shows up there under "Subscribed Threads" and they stay there until you delete them. That's how I keep track of threads I follow, like this one. It has always worked for me. I've heard of problems with searching before, but this feature has always worked OK.

 

Nasty weather in Lakeland too, but nothing compared to the W Tampa and Pinellas Co floods.

 

Ken

Hey Ken,

Already tried the Quick Linkx thing. Shows that I have no subscriptions. Yes I do. I can get into everything, it is a long process and takes a lot of memory. That would be my memory. Which seems to be workng better than CC's at the moment. (HAR):eek:

Got a question for you. Seeing what you used to do with the HCSD. Wife and I were at the port last Saturday and I was taking a few pics of the Veendam in after refit. In the lot on the other side of the security fence behind the Port Authority Building. I had a Sheriff pull up on the other side of the fence and give me the go away wave. I was polite and waved back and left. Is there a problem taking a pic there? I can go right down to Channelside and take all the pics of the siips there I want.

I have taken many pics at that spot before. You think he was just having a bad day or can you not take pics at the port?:confused:

Jeff/Jessemon

PS: Hope they are not doing this to tourists. Boy, wouldn't that look great!

Jessemon - Things are really screwy these days on CC. Hard to figure it out. The other night I made a post 3 times without knowing it.Sometimes it's so difficult to use that we give it up. DW is on here a lot during the day, and sometimes she gives up on it. I know it would be very unpopular, but I think a solution to the problems could be to disallow the various little cute icons that do animations, countdown clocks, lots of pictures in signature blocks, etc. Nothing but the littl emoticons should be allowed. If that was tried for a week, there could be a huge difference. Think of the bandwidth all that "data" demands when moving around? Some of the things people have on their posts draw upon another web site while it's up on the screens, and that's more bandwidth. I lot of people couldn't stand it if those things were turned off.

 

Ken

Hey Ken,

CC site is turning into lots of fun. After last weeks "upgrade":confused: I can no longer get into all threads associated with "Jessemon" in search by user name. This is how I always looked at what I was following daily. The only thing I can get in that search anymore is cruiseline threads I might have answered something on to help someone. No rollcalls (on which I have a thread I started for Zenith at Christmas2006) or special subjects (Hotel suggestions for Tampa) which I always got. Laura & Walt are looking at this. It just makes things harder to navigate.

I have even tried entering tests like I did on this thread to see if it would come up the next time I logged on...NOPE.:mad:

Oh well, I'm sure they will figure it out. I hope soon.

Jeff

PS: 9 1/2 inches of rain here in the pool in West Tampa today. Couldn't even drain it fast enough.

Hey Ken,

Hope no one minds but I'm using this post as a test. Having a little problem with the boards for some reason. The only thing I can get to come up on my sign in search is cruiseline threads I'm in.

Thanks for understanding.

Jeff- thanks for the vote on Dali- I will definitely make it a stop on my trip. How much time should I allow? I think it is about 2-2.5 hrs for me to get from St. Petersburg to Ft. Myers- does that sound about right? Thanks again! Keri

Keri,

I would allow at least 2 hours at the museum. If you like Dali, allow a little more. Getting back on the highway is easy and travel south about 2 hrs. By the way, you will be going over the Sunshine Skyway...hav a dollar ready for the toll.:eek:

Ken,

They are building a condo at the old Days Inn/Green Iguana. Boy I miss that Green Iguana. Spent more than a few beautiful afternoons there. The condo sold out in about 120 days. The penthouse went for 3.5 mil. Rumor also has it that on the same property they are going to build a hotel somehow. I heared it was a Wyndam resort.

Jeff

Ken- I hope I haven't screwed up!! Everything I was looking for on Feb. 7 was sold out or very expensive. The cheapest hotel I could find was the La Quinta Airport for 107, I probably should have taken it, but I took my chances and got the Days Inn Airport for $60. Is this terrible? I am only going to sleep there, I will have been on a train for 3 days so I just want to lay down- in a safe, hopefully clean area!! Also, do you know anything about the Salvadore Dali gallery? I am driving down to Ft. Myers the next day to meet my friends who are flying in (I don't fly!) and I have a little time to kill, would love to see it if it is worth the trip--? Thanks again for all of your help!!Keri

Hey Keri.

Ken is the master of hotels here in Tampa. We live here and only use a few for events. But if you want to do the "Dali Museum" I can help. It is a MUST SEE. Do a guided tour. The info the guide will give you is amazing. If you don't do the guided tour you will miss alot. This is the second largest "Dali" museum in the world. There are 4 masterworks there. They are approx. 4 x 8 paintings. The "Hallucinogenic Toreador" is worth the price of admission alone. You can look up everything you need to know (including directions) at www.salvadordalimuseum.org. This is a must see museum.

Again...make sure you do the guided tour to start...:cool:

Jeff

jessemon - . 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

Ken

Hooker's Point? I'm going to do it again. (Not very PC.) The ladies might not appreciate it much put the gentlemen might.:D

Just kidding.

See you are going out on the Zenith. Wife and I are going at Christmas. Wish we could go earlier. Oh well. We still need to meet up sometime here in Tampa. Channeside or someplace on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Jeff

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

This must be the longest and most informative thread ever! Thanks for all your knowledge, especially Ken! That's why I'm asking you if we should stay in Clearwater (or there abouts) or would there be a problem getting to Tampa Sun AM? We're renting a car and going down 2 days early. Also is there a rental agency at the cruise terminal to drop off the car? Thanks again!

Welcome to Tampa. Staying in Clearwater or there abouts you will have no problem getting to the port of Tampa. As far as the rental and the port goes, there is no drop off there. But, "WherewillIgonext's" post #486 on this thread has found that several car rental agencies will take you to the port and then pick you up and take you back to the airport. Check it out.

Thanks Jessemon for the good info. I did look at post #431, but that was back in October and the new Holiday Inn Express did not open until Mid-November, so I assume Ken was referring to the older version of the hotel which is now being operated by a different chain. I was hoping to find some feedback on the brand new one.

 

We are sailing on Grandeur for the holiday break.

Hey cruise3122,

I see you listed the new location at 4750 N. Dale Mabry. The old one is at 4732 N. Dale Mabry. It is probably one in the same property. I will be going by there either tomarrow or Thur. and will take a look. This is a rather large peice of property. We stayed at this location (at that time a Holiday Inn) when we moved here for two weeks.

By the way...we have cruised on the Grandeur twice. The first time was the third or forth time it sailed. She's a pretty ship. I don't know if you have ever cruised on this class of ship (Vision Class) but they are called "the ships of light". Almost anywhere you go in public areas you can see outside. The atrium is beautiful. The Skooner Bar is great. The ship is beautiful from the outside. At night it truely is the ship of light. All the lights from inside glowing through the green glass windows.

Hoping you can help me make my decision between the Springhill Suites near the airport and the "brand new" Holiday Inn Express near the stadium. Family is planning to stay at one or the other for 2 nights pre-cruise at Christmas.

 

I know the Springhill would be okay, but has anyone heard anything about this newly opened Holiday Inn Express (4750 N. Dale Mabry) down the road from the older version? Is there much of a distance between the two and the airport or the pier? Thanks!

cruise3122,

Look at page 18 post #431. Ken makes mention of this hotel. It is next to Sam Seltzer's Steak House. Good steaks and prime rib for the price. If you have a car while in town you will have many options for dining close by. From inexpensive to the sky is the limit. Two malls close by. Tampa Stadium to look at. Oh, by the way if you stay at Holiday Inn Express up the street to the north (about 1/2 mile) is Mom's diner. The man who owns it won a lotto but decided to keep working because his customers wouldn't have a place for breakfast. Makes a great breakfast. Highway access about a mile south if you want to go exploring.

Dale Mabry is a major road in Tampa and is very busy all the time. Springhill area might be a little quieter. They are not far from each other though.

?...What ship are you cruising on at Christmas. My wife and I are doing the Veendam.

Hope this helped a little.

Jeff

Ken,

Have a great trip.

Jeff/Jessemon

PS: I'll try.

Hi Ken, I will be driving to Tampa from Gaineville for our cruise next month. Can you tell me the best (least traffic) way to get to the port from I-75. Thanks

I would at the moment and for the next year or so take I-75 to I-4 west. The question is after that which exit to take. You can take the 50th street exit and go south (left) to Rt. 60 and go west (right). A little more of a drive through town but it avoids traffic at malfunction junction. Follow Rt. 60/Adamo Blvd. Stay on it and you will see th signs for the cruise terminals before a two lane left turn. Or, I-4 to exit 1 (Ybor City) 22nd ST.. Head south (left) to RT. 60 /Adamo and take a right. Follow signs to cruise terminals.

Hope this helps.

Jeff/Jessemon

Jessemon - I agree with you completely about looking up things on the thread. Some folks are too busy I guess. My index reference idea may be a good thing, if I get time to mess with it. BTW - I'll let you fill in for me here for a couple of weeks. We are leaving Sunday on Carnival Liberty out of Ft L'dale, then we return on 11/26 and move over to Celebrity Century for 9 more days. I'll be in touch when we get back. Have fun!:)

Ken

Hey Ken,

I will try to help. I might not be as "Plant City" as you are.;)

We have friends who are going to be back on Sunday on the Liberty. Hope you have a great time. Then the Century BTB with this. That is down right mean. Wife has been out of town most of the year. We did 3 cruises last year and get to do one this year.:mad:

I will try to help as much as I can while you are away. You really should find a way for folks using this thread to look through it to find what they are looking for. It seems it is easier for some not to look and to ask than to look and learn. I love looking up my own info. But like you said, my life might not be that busy...right.

I will be as Polk County as possible.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!

JEFF/JESSEMOM:D

We will be staying at the Garnd Hyatt soon and I would like to know if I will be able to walk to the International Plaza? I know from Map Blast it is a couple of miles but I do not want to walk were there is not sidewalk.

 

Second seating

Absolutely not. No sidewalks...and traffic beyond belief. Call Hyatt and ask if they will shuttle you there. 5 minute ride at most.

vgottlieb,

If you are staying at the Grand Hyatt just down the street is "Landray's Seafood Restaurant." We have friends that go there every year for Thanksgiving. They love it. Seafood, beef, turkey and all the fixins. It like the Grand Hyatt sit right on the bay. You can see one from the other. I think the price is $25.00. But don't hold me to it.

Hope that helped. You might need to make reservations. I'd call Tampa information for the # and call them.

I got the Hyatt from Priceline for $75 a night pre Veendam cruise. Could you suggest a restaraunt for Thanksgiving Day dinner?

Which Hyatt, down town or on the Courtney Campbell?