Tampa hotel recommendations prior to cruise

[pvangordon]

Anyone have a good recommendation for 1 night stay prior to cruise departure in December? I arrive around 4 pm and would like something relatively close to the port, either a Marriott or Starwood property, with room service or dining very close by.

 

Thanks,

Pam

[All too soon...]

Pam,

 

We stay at the Marriott airport quarterly for business conferences. Nice enough rooms, and good dining options, plus a bunch of airport restaurants right there, too.

 

It is literally IN the airport, which is nice when we have carryons only, and would still be convenient for pre-cruise to save one more schlepp before boarding.

 

Making plans for December? We'll probably be staying there with you, and it would be fun to get together.

 

We'll arrive late (11ish or midnight) but be happy to join you for a nightcap, and will just take the first Crystal bus in the morning from the airport to the ship.

[pvangordon]

Thanks, RJ (still can't think of you as ATS!), I'll check that out. It would be nice not to have to hop a taxi somewhere else, then another taxi in the morning. And after my last pre-cruise fiasco in FLL, I want this to be as simple as possible.

 

You'll probably be tired when you get in. Maybe we can have a late breakfast and get the bus over together. Are you just signing up for the Crystal transfers then?

 

I'm looking forward to this trip and interested to see what kinds of excursions will be available. This is also the first time I don't have anyone going "with" me. I know a number of CCers will be on this cruise, so I hope we'll have a get-together and I can join some of you at the same dining table (not to mention the specialty restaurants)!

[BEAV]

I think our flight arrives around 5:00pm on Dec 5. I hadn't even begun thinking about a pre-cruise hotel yet, so thanks for the idea, Pam!

 

ATS, thanks for the recommendation. Yes, the schlepp factor is always something to consider!

 

As to downtown, I just surfed Expedia and it looks like Hyatt, Marriott & Sheraton all have properties in the waterfront area. Does anyone know whether the waterfront area in Tampa is nice? By "nice" I mean safe, clean and someplace you'd want to stroll at night and be deluged with lots of restaurant choices for dinner!

 

Sure wish Crystal would publish their shore excursion options for this sailing! We sailed this exact itinerary in reverse on Celebrity in 2003. Just a 'heads up' the town of Puntarenas is very impoverished. We took an independant catamaran sail to the island of Tortuga for the day, which was very nice. The country and scenery is beautiful. This trip, I was thinking about possibly taking a day trip to San Jose (if Crystal offers it) but I'm skeptical since our sailaway is 5:00pm. It's a good 2-3 hour drive to/from San Jose which would leave very little time in the city itself.

 

Huatulco is a gem of a port. In 2003, it was still relatively undiscovered and very unspoiled by commercialism. Very quaint, and the Mexican people were very friendly and welcoming. A far contrast from Acapulco!

 

Wish December would get here a little faster. I'm overdue for a Crystal fix.

[BEAV]

Here's a little something to whet your appetite, Pam! ;)

[pvangordon]

Now I'm even more anxious!

[jwh]

Hi Pam,

I'll be on this cruise too and will have a group of other singles with me. I'll introduce you when we get on board so you can look forward to making some new friends from 'Down Under'. I have booked the group into Chase Suites which was formerly a Marriott I understand. If anyone has any experiences with this property, I'd welcome your comments. Roll on December. :)

Cheers

Judith

[paws10]

Judith,

There's a link you can check out on this board called 'cruise discussions'. Go to "Hotels, pre and post cruise". There is a recent thread on Tampa hotels and I believe Chase Suites is mentioned.

Looking forward to seeing you again! Sorry to hear Natalie cancelled. :(

Any familiar faces going on this cruise from the Alaskan cruise?

 

Patty

[Keith1010]

Like ATS, we have also stayed at the Marriott at the airport as well. We too have arrived later at night and it was nice to be able to just walk right from the plane directly over to the hotel to check in. The hotel is fine and that way you can just relax there that evening, have a leisurely morning before you head over to the pier. There might be other hotels close to the pier but unless you plan to do anything in the area prior to the cruise, this way you avoid taking transporation multiple times.

 

Keith

[TheBamBam]

Hi everyone,

Unfortunately, I won't get able to get in till the morning of the cruise. I get in around 10:30 AM, so with the ship leaving in the evening, I am still giving myself enough cushion to make the ship.

 

I am looking forward to meeting everybody onboard or at the pier.

 

Joel

[feist]

If you are not locked into Marriott, I can recommend the Tampa Airport "Westshore" Hilton.

 

It is within walking distance of the NFL stadium and the Yankee Spring Training facility, has a pool, decent restaurant (and room service) and I know handles some pre-cruise business as my husband and I have seen them there.

I think they have shuttle service, too, though I can not guarantee the shuttle goes to the port.

 

It is located on Lois Street; an easy on/off to the major highway.

 

We have been there twice (most recently March 06) and it has been a satisfactory experience.

 

Hope this helps.

[pvangordon]

I ended up booking the Marriott at the airport for now. It has good reviews and I like the convenience factor. Even though the rate is high, I can still get points for the stay. However, there's plenty of time to change my mind if a "better deal" comes along. :)

 

Marriott is also offering 1k points for flights booked through 7/14 on their website. I can get American from LAX to SJC for only $93. The flight's at 11:55 am, which I assume is plenty of time to get from the port to the airport.