Tampa Help From Those Familiar With The Area

[GTO-Girl]

We have never sailed out of Tampa before, but probably will be this Winter.

 

We will be driving down I-75 from the Atlanta area and are thinking about parkng at the port. I was thinking about staying at Hampton Inn in Wesley Chapel and just driving in that morning, but the cruise leaves on a Monday so now I am worried about work traffic.

 

I keep reading about the Rocky Point Area and downtown near the port, which both sound good.

 

Since I am totally unfamiliar with the Tampa area could someone please give me an idea of what I should do??

 

Thanks a bunch!!!

[Dacruiseman]

We drove down to Tampa and stayed at the Chase Suites in Rocky Point and used their park and cruise option. The hotel was awesome with a nice pool and breakfast included, plus you leave your car there while you cruise and they shuttle you to and from the port.

[JohninDC]

The Rocky Point area is very nice with lots of hotels and dining options. I would search the hotels there offering a cruise parking package. We've stayed at the Chase Suites and I would recommend it - very clean and well run, but not luxurious like a Hilton, etc.

 

You can stay near the port but the hotels will cost more (Marriott and Embassy Suites are closest) and will charge for parking; parking at the port is reasonable and close by - by the time you arrive at the port (10:00 or later) most of the rush hour traffic will be gone.

[GTO-Girl]

Thanks John......I will look into the Rocky point area. How far from the port would we be should we decide to park at the port?

[JohninDC]

Depending upon the ship, about 100+ yards to the garage once you exit customs/immigration.

[GTO-Girl]

Thanks John......I will look into the Rocky point area. How far from the port would we be should we decide to park at the port?

 

 

LOL.....sorry John......what I was trying to ask is how far driving time from Rocky Point to the port (if we decide to park at the port).......:D

 

Thanks so much for your advice!!!

[JohninDC]

LOL.....sorry John......what I was trying to ask is how far driving time from Rocky Point to the port (if we decide to park at the port).......:D

 

Thanks so much for your advice!!!

 

Oops! :o About 15+ minutes to drive to the port.

[TBR]

I would recommend the Brandon area I 75 and Hwy 60. There are several hotels on either side of I 75 with 20 or so restaurants and a large shopping mall all located in the area. Hwy 60 is a direct shot west to the port of Tampa about a 7 mile drive,15 minutes in non rush hour traffic. Here are a few of the 10 or so hotel,motels nearby

 

http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/brandon/tpabr/hoteldetail

 

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpabr-courtyard-tampa-brandon/

 

http://embassysuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/embassy-suites-tampa-brandon-TPABDES/index.html

[GTO-Girl]

I would recommend the Brandon area I 75 and Hwy 60. There are several hotels on either side of I 75 with 20 or so restaurants and a large shopping mall all located in the area. Hwy 60 is a direct shot west to the port of Tampa about a 7 mile drive,15 minutes in non rush hour traffic. Here are a few of the 10 or so hotel,motels nearby

 

http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/brandon/tpabr/hoteldetail

 

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpabr-courtyard-tampa-brandon/

 

http://embassysuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/embassy-suites-tampa-brandon-TPABDES/index.html

 

Thanks so much......I will take a look at this area!