ONLY airport AND cruiseport free shuttle in Baltimore Best Western & Comfort Inn??

[mitsugirly]

I am having a heck of a time finding where I want to stay for pre-cruise.

 

I HAVE to have airport shuttle AND cruise port shuttle and I'm only finding the Best Western and Comfort Inn, which sit side by side. (We are flying in).

 

The other problem is we HAVE to have something within walking distance for 1) food and 2) a gas station/grocery store/pharmacy for soda.

 

I thought I had narrowed it down, but after reading multiple complaints about the shuttle running late (as long as 4 hours :eek:), I'm second guessing myself as to whether or not I want to book either of these places. From everything I'm reading, they just don't have it together with the shuttle service yet and that scares me.

 

 

So...please tell me there's something else out there that offers both included in their price.

 

Everything I see online is one or the other. People driving in and needing parking and the hotel offers the free shuttle to the cruise port OR they only need shuttle from airport. Even the hotel websites only give 1 or the other.

 

 

IF I can't find anything else and I am pretty much forced to book with one of these 2 places, and IF it comes down to the shuttle not running for hours, how much would it cost me to get a cab from these hotels to the cruise port so I might factor in the cost of this?

[trixiegal]

So sorry you are having such a hard time finding a hotel/motel that fits your needs in the Baltimore area. I'm sure you want something affordable and safe without a whole lot of hassle. Try the Hampton Inn in Glen Burnie. There are a lot of stores within walking distance, as it's on a busy main thoroughfare called Richie Highway. There is also the Country Inn & Suites in Linthicum, very close to the airport. Both of these hotels are supposed to have airport and cruise shuttle packages. I would call for more information instead of just looking online. Check out this thread- http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2064507

Edited March 3, 2015 by trixiegal

[mitsugirly]

So sorry you are having such a hard time finding a hotel/motel that fits your needs in the Baltimore area. I'm sure you want something affordable and safe without a whole lot of hassle. Try the Hampton Inn in Glen Burnie. There are a lot of stores within walking distance, as it's on a busy main thoroughfare called Richie Highway. There is also the Country Inn & Suites in Linthicum, very close to the airport. Both of these hotels are supposed to have airport and cruise shuttle packages. I would call for more information instead of just looking online. Check out this thread- http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2064507

 

This is just really hard to find a great rate with the shuttle to and from...harder than I thought. :(

 

I had messaged several people with reviews of the other 2 hotels on TA that I knew went there for a cruise and so far everyone that has responded has told me what a nightmare it was for the shuttle. They tell me that there's no previous sign up for the shuttle and the morning of the cruise is when they start taking your name for the shuttle as a first come first serve type basis. One cruiser said they were up and ready to go at 6am, signed up first thing (and was first on the list when signs ups started at 8am) and was still told it wouldn't be until 1pm for the shuttle. Another had the shuttle arrive at 2pm. This just isn't acceptable for a ship that's pulling out at 4pm. I also have FTTF and would hate to know that I wouldn't even be able to use it. All of the responses I have received so far have been negative and would indicate that if this happened to me, I would be calling a cab and having to pay extra. Why can't these hotels get it together??? Ugh!

 

 

I did read that thread you posted earlier today and ruled out that O'Donelle street is a no-no for staying there but most of the people on there are driving in and coming from the north/south it looks like, which would put us on the opposite side of town and probably no pick up from the airport to drive to that side. :confused:

 

I will definitely check into the 2 other hotel suggestions you said. Thanks. I hope I can find something soon. I'm cruising in a month and this is getting ridiculous.

[Tammylyne]

say it aint sooo! I booked the best western and for days read reviews on it and didnt read one bad thing, can you please tell me where you read the bad reviews from on the Best Western?

[mitsugirly]

say it aint sooo! I booked the best western and for days read reviews on it and didnt read one bad thing, can you please tell me where you read the bad reviews from on the Best Western?

 

They are all over TA and I messaged several of them asking for specific information about the shuttle from the hotel to the cruise port.

 

 

 

"Problems with this hotel regarding getting to and from cruise ship. Delays and waiting in the cold were an issue. We were quoted it could be 4 or more hours at cruise ship to get a van to pick us up."

 

"Very disorganized!! Miscommunication between front desk personnel and shuttle driver"

 

"CON'S: waited far too long for return shuttle in the freezing cold"

 

"shuttle was slow"

 

 

Now mind you that most of the comments regarding the shuttle was waiting after they returned from the cruise, out in the cold. So that's the reason why I messaged them asking how their experience was GETTING TO the cruise port and their responses were just as bad. :(

[Tammylyne]

They are all over TA and I messaged several of them asking for specific information about the shuttle from the hotel to the cruise port.

 

 

 

"Problems with this hotel regarding getting to and from cruise ship. Delays and waiting in the cold were an issue. We were quoted it could be 4 or more hours at cruise ship to get a van to pick us up."

 

"Very disorganized!! Miscommunication between front desk personnel and shuttle driver"

 

"CON'S: waited far too long for return shuttle in the freezing cold"

 

"shuttle was slow"

 

 

Now mind you that most of the comments regarding the shuttle was waiting after they returned from the cruise, out in the cold. So that's the reason why I messaged them asking how their experience was GETTING TO the cruise port and their responses were just as bad. :(

 

OK am I looking at the wrong hotel? We booked the Best Western Plus on Dorsey in Elkridge and I just searched again and only found good comments..including these "Shuttle ran every 1/2 hr. in the morning and we were picked up upon arrival " "we took the shuttle bus with no problems. i would stay here again" "Shuttle drivers are friendly and prompt. " These are trip advisor? I am not by any means being argumentative but really got scared when I read you cmments and hoping we are talking about 2 seperate hotels

[rdmurray]

You can stay anywhere in the Inner Harbor as well. Instead of an airport shuttle you can just take the train. It stops right a the airport. I've done it twice. It's a few bucks each person.

[mitsugirly]

OK am I looking at the wrong hotel? We booked the Best Western Plus on Dorsey in Elkridge and I just searched again and only found good comments..including these "Shuttle ran every 1/2 hr. in the morning and we were picked up upon arrival " "we took the shuttle bus with no problems. i would stay here again" "Shuttle drivers are friendly and prompt. " These are trip advisor? I am not by any means being argumentative but really got scared when I read you cmments and hoping we are talking about 2 seperate hotels

 

Yes, definitely talking about 2 different hotels. ;) :D

 

Nothing but good things that I have read about with BW Elkridge. I'm referring to the BW and Comfort Inn on Belle Grove. :)

[trixiegal]

OK am I looking at the wrong hotel? We booked the Best Western Plus on Dorsey in Elkridge and I just searched again and only found good comments..including these "Shuttle ran every 1/2 hr. in the morning and we were picked up upon arrival " "we took the shuttle bus with no problems. i would stay here again" "Shuttle drivers are friendly and prompt. " These are trip advisor? I am not by any means being argumentative but really got scared when I read you cmments and hoping we are talking about 2 seperate hotels

 

 

You are talking about a different hotel. There are 3 Best Westerns in the Baltimore area that offer cruise and park packages, along with shuttle service to and from the port. The one you are booked at is in Elkridge, a suburb of Baltimore about 15-20 minutes south of the port, and the Belle Grove location is in Baltimore County, about 10-15 minutes from the city of Baltimore. The other location is in Baltimore very close to Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Inner Harbor but bordering a sketchy neighborhood.

[mitsugirly]

You can stay anywhere in the Inner Harbor as well. Instead of an airport shuttle you can just take the train. It stops right a the airport. I've done it twice. It's a few bucks each person.

 

Don't really see myself hauling tons of luggage (3 huge, 1 smaller, a tote and carryon full of cases with pop) and a little one in tow on the train. ;) Just saying... :)

[Tammylyne]

Thanks guys :) I was a hot minute away from cancelling my ressies :D

 

I was like whatttt..I literally researched hours on this particular hotel, so glad this was all a mix up!

[mitsugirly]

trixiegal-The only thing keeping me from booking the Elkridge hotel is the fact that I have no place to buy soda prior to the cruise. :(

 

I could deal with going over to the pub I guess for a meal (although more than what I had planned on spending to eat a fast meal the night before), but I still have to have some place to buy soda prior to the cruise terminal.

 

Do they have any kind of shuttle that takes you some place within a certain radius of the hotel? I know some places have that, but I'm not seeing anything mentioned...unless I'm just missing it somewhere. :confused:

[trixiegal]

trixiegal-The only thing keeping me from booking the Elkridge hotel is the fact that I have no place to buy soda prior to the cruise. :(

 

I could deal with going over to the pub I guess for a meal (although more than what I had planned on spending to eat a fast meal the night before), but I still have to have some place to buy soda prior to the cruise terminal.

 

Do they have any kind of shuttle that takes you some place within a certain radius of the hotel? I know some places have that, but I'm not seeing anything mentioned...unless I'm just missing it somewhere. :confused:

 

 

I live so close that I'm tempted to offer to bring you soda so you can just book a place and have peace of mind! Lol... But I have a habit of offering to do things and then forgetting I already have plans. Like, as I'm typing, I'm realizing I will be in NC that weekend for Easter! Oh well...

 

I would call the hotel directly and ask, Mitsugirly. They very well may have a local shuttle because the other MD casino (NOT the one in downtown Baltimore) is only 10 minutes away and a lot of the area hotels provide transportation there to entice visitors. The casino is at a large outlet mall with a nearby Walmart, Sam's Club and Costco. Also a Safeway and Walgreen's across the road. You could see if they have a casino shuttle and get the driver to let you run into a store for soda when he's dropping off folks at the casino. Never hurts to ask!

[mitsugirly]

I emailed Trinity and they were able to speak to the hotel at Elkridge and found out that they do have the shuttle to transport people down to the mall that is close by. They did however say that the airport people take first priority over anything else. <--this is the part that worries me (not for the mall shuttle because we can go at any time for that) about getting to the cruise port. If they have people coming in by plane that are needing picked up, then they are going to go get them before they take the cruisers to the port. This seems to be the issue with the other 2 places at BWI. The cruisers are waiting around for hours for the shuttle to return with the airport people coming in (or possibly going), therefore making them arrive at the cruise port late.

 

The reviews of the Elkridge seem to be good however they don't have many that have mentioned going to the cruise port, which makes me think "most" people use this destination for a place to stay/park/fly instead of cruise.

 

Can anyone explain how this shuttle taking you to nearby places works? Do they take you to the mall and drop you off and tell you a return time and where to meet? Or will they take you there, let you run in real quick and then take you back? I would hate to be dropped off, told to meet back at a certain time and then be sitting around waiting for hours for them to return because they are stuck doing airport runs. :rolleyes:

[Crusin Karen]

Having a similar problem. I must have posted to 1/2 dozen threads in the past 24 hours! We are driving to the ship. It's only about a 4 hour drive. But we are doing a B2B and it would cost us $210 to park at the ship for 2 weeks.For that amount of $ I figure we can go down the day before, stay in a hotel, have a good night sleep, free breakfast and free shuttle to the ship. BUT I am NOT willing to wait for hours for a shuttle to take us there and pick us up. It would be about an $80 difference, but then you have to factor in dinner out and I wonder if the $80 is worth the "inconvenience" of it. I was also given the name of a company that we could park our car and they would shuttle us to the ship and pick us up for $131.00, but the shuttle doesn't leave until 1pm and I'm not sure I want to get to the ship that late. I just don't know what to do! If the BW in Elkridge has early shuttles to the ship, we'll book that hotel...any advice? :confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

[mitsugirly]

The people at Trinity emailed me and gave me their contact person at BW Elkridge to call and ask questions.

 

Of course when I called today, the contact person was already gone for the day.

 

I did however ask the person on the phone about transportation to the cruise port. I still need to call back because I'm not completely satisfied with the answers I received.

 

I ask how the transportation/shuttle to the cruise port is conducted. I was told that when you check in, you sign up for what time you would like to go.

 

I ask about the airport shuttles taking priority over the cruise shuttle and how others have reported waiting up to 4 hours to make it to the cruise port using the hotel shuttle at OTHER locations and that was a concern for me.

 

She stated you sign up for a time and that's the time you go. She mentioned others signing up and everyone going together but stated "We shuttle 24 hours a day!" Which of course threw me off when she stated that. So...I ask "I'm referring to the cruise port shuttle only and it sounds like you are talking about the airport shuttle." She said "no, we shuttle 24 hours a day to the cruise port too." :eek: Um...somehow I don't think you need 24 hour a day shuttle to the cruise port so... I'm thinking I will need to call back on Monday for a more "definite" answer.

 

...and just for another clarification of needing to call back again on Monday...when the girl answered and said the "contact person" had left for the day and would be back tomorrow, I ask what time she would be in tomorrow, she put me on hold, came back and ask "how can I help you?" I told her I was waiting on information about the contact person and she stated again "She has left for the day and works Mon-Fri 9-5pm" I said "You just told me that she would be in tomorrow and put me on hold to find out what time she would be coming in" and she stated "yes, she'll be in tomorrow." I said "tomorrow is Saturday" and she said "Yes, she is suppose to come in tomorrow on Friday." :eek: :rolleyes: :cool: and every other face that can go with this.

 

Yep, I'll be calling back on Monday to get a "real" person because there's no way this person can be real. :confused:

[markeb]

You do realize that under a worst case scenario, it's a $35 cab ride from the cruise terminal to the airport? All the airport hotels will have a shuttle from the terminal. Many have shuttles to the cruise terminal. If it's going to cost more than $30 to get a hotel that does both, catch a cab...

[mitsugirly]

You do realize that under a worst case scenario, it's a $35 cab ride from the cruise terminal to the airport? All the airport hotels will have a shuttle from the terminal. Many have shuttles to the cruise terminal. If it's going to cost more than $30 to get a hotel that does both, catch a cab...

 

 

I did not know how much it would cost for a cab. But no, it doesn't cost anything for the airport to hotel and hotel to cruise port shuttles. It's part of their service. :)

[markeb]

I did not know how much it would cost for a cab. But no, it doesn't cost anything for the airport to hotel and hotel to cruise port shuttles. It's part of their service. :)

 

That seems to be the question, though, doesn't it? If you were sure they did, and it fit your plans, you wouldn't still have questions.

 

If you can get from the terminal to the hotel and the hotel to the cruiseport for free, it's a flat fee back to the airport by cab if you're pressed for time. That might help your peace of mind!

[Crusin Karen]

The people at Trinity emailed me and gave me their contact person at BW Elkridge to call and ask questions.

 

Of course when I called today, the contact person was already gone for the day.

 

I did however ask the person on the phone about transportation to the cruise port. I still need to call back because I'm not completely satisfied with the answers I received.

 

I ask how the transportation/shuttle to the cruise port is conducted. I was told that when you check in, you sign up for what time you would like to go.

 

I ask about the airport shuttles taking priority over the cruise shuttle and how others have reported waiting up to 4 hours to make it to the cruise port using the hotel shuttle at OTHER locations and that was a concern for me.

 

She stated you sign up for a time and that's the time you go. She mentioned others signing up and everyone going together but stated "We shuttle 24 hours a day!" Which of course threw me off when she stated that. So...I ask "I'm referring to the cruise port shuttle only and it sounds like you are talking about the airport shuttle." She said "no, we shuttle 24 hours a day to the cruise port too." :eek: Um...somehow I don't think you need 24 hour a day shuttle to the cruise port so... I'm thinking I will need to call back on Monday for a more "definite" answer.

 

...and just for another clarification of needing to call back again on Monday...when the girl answered and said the "contact person" had left for the day and would be back tomorrow, I ask what time she would be in tomorrow, she put me on hold, came back and ask "how can I help you?" I told her I was waiting on information about the contact person and she stated again "She has left for the day and works Mon-Fri 9-5pm" I said "You just told me that she would be in tomorrow and put me on hold to find out what time she would be coming in" and she stated "yes, she'll be in tomorrow." I said "tomorrow is Saturday" and she said "Yes, she is suppose to come in tomorrow on Friday." :eek: :rolleyes: :cool: and every other face that can go with this.

 

Yep, I'll be calling back on Monday to get a "real" person because there's no way this person can be real. :confused:

Thank you for posting this. I "caved in" a few hours ago and booked us for an overnight stay here (BW Elkridge) I drive myself NUTS sometimes going back and forth and needing every single ounce of information and have it confirmed 8 dozen times. If you read my previous post (and posts on a bunch of other threads!) you will see that we are just about 4 hours from the port, but we are doing a B2B and for $210 parking fee, it seemed better to do a park and cruise. By the time we pay for hotel and food and drinks the night before, it will probably cost just about that much and why not have a good night sleep, free parking/shuttle and breakfast and an enjoyable day before visit to Baltimore. So I am keeping my fingers crossed I made the right decision. But I'm sure it will work out. I would REALLY appreciate you letting me know the outcome of your conversation with whoever you happen to get on the phone. If you want, I can give you my email addy. Have a good weekend and again, thanks for sharing this.

[mitsugirly]

Thank you for posting this. I "caved in" a few hours ago and booked us for an overnight stay here (BW Elkridge) I drive myself NUTS sometimes going back and forth and needing every single ounce of information and have it confirmed 8 dozen times. If you read my previous post (and posts on a bunch of other threads!) you will see that we are just about 4 hours from the port, but we are doing a B2B and for $210 parking fee, it seemed better to do a park and cruise. By the time we pay for hotel and food and drinks the night before, it will probably cost just about that much and why not have a good night sleep, free parking/shuttle and breakfast and an enjoyable day before visit to Baltimore. So I am keeping my fingers crossed I made the right decision. But I'm sure it will work out. I would REALLY appreciate you letting me know the outcome of your conversation with whoever you happen to get on the phone. If you want, I can give you my email addy. Have a good weekend and again, thanks for sharing this.

 

I'm probably going to do the same (after doing a little more research on the net to see if I can find any more "cruisers" reviews about getting to the port this weekend). It's driving me crazy as well.

 

I will definitely let you know what I find out and report back.

 

That seems to be the question, though, doesn't it? If you were sure they did, and it fit your plans, you wouldn't still have questions.

 

If you can get from the terminal to the hotel and the hotel to the cruiseport for free, it's a flat fee back to the airport by cab if you're pressed for time. That might help your peace of mind!

 

I'm sure they provide the service...both from the airport to the hotel then from the hotel to the cruiseport. That's not the issue. The issue is do they have delays and problems with the shuttle service from the hotel to the cruise port like BW BWI and Comfort INN. Multiple complaints about waiting for the shuttle for up to 4 hours and not arriving at the cruise port until 1-2pm...which is too late for us.

 

I'm trying to find out if they have the same issue with shuttling cruisers to the cruise port as well.

 

I don't have an issue with getting off the ship and waiting for the shuttle to take us back to the airport. We have hours to spare for that and will be in no hurry. :)

[Crusin Karen]

I'm probably going to do the same (after doing a little more research on the net to see if I can find any more "cruisers" reviews about getting to the port this weekend). It's driving me crazy as well.

 

I will definitely let you know what I find out and report back.

THANK YOU!!!

 

 

 

I'm sure they provide the service...both from the airport to the hotel then from the hotel to the cruiseport. That's not the issue. The issue is do they have delays and problems with the shuttle service from the hotel to the cruise port like BW BWI and Comfort INN. Multiple complaints about waiting for the shuttle for up to 4 hours and not arriving at the cruise port until 1-2pm...which is too late for us.

 

I'm trying to find out if they have the same issue with shuttling cruisers to the cruise port as well.

 

I don't have an issue with getting off the ship and waiting for the shuttle to take us back to the airport. We have hours to spare for that and will be in no hurry. :)

Just to set your mind at ease: the "straw that broke the camel's back" and made me FINALLY make my decision and make the flippin' reservation was a post by Chris/mapleleafvoyage. It is the thread titled: Overnight in Baltimore. Put it in the search. See post #7 by her. I am sure it will all work out, and since you are going a month before me, if it DOESN'T, you can warn me and I can cancel! :p We can book a cruise together for another time and I'll owe you a drink!

[mitsugirly]

Just to set your mind at ease: the "straw that broke the camel's back" and made me FINALLY make my decision and make the flippin' reservation was a post by Chris/mapleleafvoyage. It is the thread titled: Overnight in Baltimore. Put it in the search. See post #7 by her. I am sure it will all work out, and since you are going a month before me, if it DOESN'T, you can warn me and I can cancel! :p We can book a cruise together for another time and I'll owe you a drink!

 

Sounds like a good reason to book another cruise to me. :D

 

 

I will definitely go look that up. Thanks so much. :)

[Crusin Karen]

Sounds like a good reason to book another cruise to me. :D

;);) Twisted your arm, did I???

 

 

I will definitely go look that up. Thanks so much. :)

Just paying it forward! :)

[fer]

I am really hoping that once the Pride returns to Baltimore (at the end of March) we will get more reviews of people's experiences in Baltimore prior to their cruises.