loretta5ue Posted May 16, 2016 #1 Share Posted May 16, 2016 We're cruising in the Carnival Elation 12/17- 22, and have time off from work 12/15-Christmas. Southwest opens flight bookings on Thursday 5/19, and I need some advise on where to stay in Jacksonville. We plan on flying in precruise with at least 1 hotel night, though I'd rather fly on the 15th (the 16th is my birthday)... I'm also looking at staying post cruise just so we don't have to rush to the airport but it's completely dependent on Southwest, Christmas is on a Sunday, we leave the ship on Thursday. Hoping to stay in a budget up to $150 per night, and would like to stick with Uber or Taxi for transport if not included in the room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohninDC Posted May 16, 2016 #2 Share Posted May 16, 2016 How late will you arrive? Lots of hotels near the Jax airport along with chain dining and some shopping options. Most of the hotel shuttles will transport you within a couple of miles for tips. Taxi from the Jax airport and nearby hotels to the port is about $30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loretta5ue Posted May 16, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted May 16, 2016 How late will you arrive? Flights don't show up until Thursday so we won't know our options until then Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijacobs Posted May 17, 2016 #4 Share Posted May 17, 2016 We're cruising in the Carnival Elation 12/17- 22, and have time off from work 12/15-Christmas. Southwest opens flight bookings on Thursday 5/19, and I need some advise on where to stay in Jacksonville. We plan on flying in precruise with at least 1 hotel night, though I'd rather fly on the 15th (the 16th is my birthday)... I'm also looking at staying post cruise just so we don't have to rush to the airport but it's completely dependent on Southwest, Christmas is on a Sunday, we leave the ship on Thursday. Hoping to stay in a budget up to $150 per night, and would like to stick with Uber or Taxi for transport if not included in the room. If you are staying at the Northside area you can find lots of different hotels, we stayed ones at the Red Roof Inn (65-70dlls per night). The easy way is to rent a JAX airport shuttle booking directly from the Internet, that worked for us. Its going to be an awesome trip at a Carnival Cruise!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohninDC Posted May 17, 2016 #5 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Flights don't show up until Thursday so we won't know our options until then Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app If you look at the schedule for the closest month available the flight times should be about the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loretta5ue Posted May 17, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted May 17, 2016 If you look at the schedule for the closest month available the flight times should be about the same. I've been doing that to estimate how many points we'll need: So either arriving early or late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted May 19, 2016 #7 Share Posted May 19, 2016 The Hilton Garden Inn near the airport offers a reasonably priced shuttle to the port. It is clean, comfortable, and much nicer than the Red Roof which is kind of sketchy IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elklemi Posted May 19, 2016 #8 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in April for my cruise and agree that this is an excellent choice. Very nice and they will give you a number to call for $8 shuttle to cruise port. Restaurants within easy walk altho they have a bar and restaurant. I already have reservations there for my April 2017 cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loretta5ue Posted May 19, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted May 19, 2016 The Hilton Garden Inn near the airport offers a reasonably priced shuttle to the port. It is clean, comfortable, and much nicer than the Red Roof which is kind of sketchy IMHO. Thanks for the tip on the Hilton Garden Ducklite & Elklemi - I've been looking at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville - Blount Island, but our flight will probably be arriving late 11p and staying closer to the airport might be better (Flying in 2 days prior to cruise.) The flight I wanted to take (the schedule changed for the holiday time block so it isn't the screenshot) left at 5:30am any my guy gets home from work at 4am so that would be cutting it too close... Also we have a plane change and he'd be too sleepy for that. Our return flight options have an 11:55am departure and a 2:45pm, I've done the early flight thing and we do have FTTF but I'm nervous about cutting it that close, and it has a 30 minute longer layover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loretta5ue Posted May 20, 2016 Author #10 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Air purchased & We're booked at that Hilton Garden It looks like it's a mile from a shopping center with a movie theater which is great because the next Star Wars movie comes out on 12/16! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted May 20, 2016 #11 Share Posted May 20, 2016 It is very close to a large shopping center with any number of stores, restaurants, the theater, etc. I am pretty sure the HGI will provide a shuttle, if not it won't be more than a $5-6 Uber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottie-goes-crusin Posted May 21, 2016 #12 Share Posted May 21, 2016 If you go to that theater. Go before dark. My Father and I eat at the Ruby Tuesday right infront of the Hilton. We like it better than longhorn. On the other side of I-95 ( the mall side). There is a BJ brewhouse. And a Carrabba's / outback. Right next to each other... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loretta5ue Posted May 22, 2016 Author #13 Share Posted May 22, 2016 If you go to that theater. Go before dark. My Father and I eat at the Ruby Tuesday right infront of the Hilton. We like it better than longhorn. On the other side of I-95 ( the mall side). There is a BJ brewhouse. And a Carrabba's / outback. Right next to each other... Hey, thanks... You know that area well, where should we get our wine and maybe a bottle of scotch for at the hotel? I see a grocery store and a Walmart that should sell wine. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottie-goes-crusin Posted May 22, 2016 #14 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Yea. I lived a few miles from there for a cpl of years. The Walmart has a separate liquor store. 747 lounge, which is a bar/ package store is walking distance. If it is still open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted May 22, 2016 #15 Share Posted May 22, 2016 If you go to that theater. Go before dark. My Father and I eat at the Ruby Tuesday right infront of the Hilton. We like it better than longhorn. On the other side of I-95 ( the mall side). There is a BJ brewhouse. And a Carrabba's / outback. Right next to each other... The theater is perfectly safe at night. I have no idea why you would think otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loretta5ue Posted May 22, 2016 Author #16 Share Posted May 22, 2016 The theater is perfectly safe at night. I have no idea why you would think otherwise. I think the other poster meant about walking back and forth at night, that's something we're careful about especially around cars at high speeds Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottie-goes-crusin Posted May 22, 2016 #17 Share Posted May 22, 2016 The theater is perfectly safe at night. I have no idea why you would think otherwise. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/12/600-people-involved-in-movie-theater-brawl-5-arrested/ No, I meant that it is not always safe in the area surrounding the airport, I frequent the mall where the movie theater is and have eaten in all of the restaurants that are there.. I always aware after it get dark to be extra vigilant. I constantly get panhandlers asking for money My house was robbed, and all the neighbors in the neghorhood where I moved from still report continual drive-bys of teens looking for optimistic theft. My neighorhood was 2.5 miles from the mall. So ducklite, that is why I think otherwise Just like any other place where there is crime. If you are smart and don't look like a target you will be fine. If you look like a tourist with loads of cash on you, someone may notice you and decide to rob you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijacobs Posted May 31, 2016 #18 Share Posted May 31, 2016 We're cruising in the Carnival Elation 12/17- 22, and have time off from work 12/15-Christmas. Southwest opens flight bookings on Thursday 5/19, and I need some advise on where to stay in Jacksonville. We plan on flying in precruise with at least 1 hotel night, though I'd rather fly on the 15th (the 16th is my birthday)... I'm also looking at staying post cruise just so we don't have to rush to the airport but it's completely dependent on Southwest, Christmas is on a Sunday, we leave the ship on Thursday. Hoping to stay in a budget up to $150 per night, and would like to stick with Uber or Taxi for transport if not included in the room. Hope you have enjoyed your Christmas vacations, not sure for what service you decided, but here is another one in case you need it in the future, for Jacksonville I book for a jacksonville airport shuttle is a good service, drivers are so professional in their job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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