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Best place to say in Tampa

Last post Tue, Sep 30 2008 8:53 PM by xrayjd. 67 replies.
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  • Tue, Jul 1 2008 8:27 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    Wow thats crazy that it is booked that far out!  What hotel are you currently booked at? There is also the Hyatt on Harbor Island which is right by the Marriot.

  • Tue, Jul 1 2008 8:29 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    Don't worry...I've been hooked ever since I joined too!  I'm counting down the days now....Inspiration, 7/19 and CANT WAIT!!

  • Tue, Jul 1 2008 8:31 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    GetMeOnAShip:

    What about the Embassy Suites Westshore (sorry, I called it Westpark before LOL)?

     

     

    This is where we are booked.......being St. Patty's weekend, we figured on many places being sold out already.

  • Tue, Jul 1 2008 8:39 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    That will be a great place to stay... The area is good, and they serve up one heck of a breakfast :)   Your right with St Patty's day, people will be staying down there so they can be close to Ybor! 

  • Tue, Jul 1 2008 9:35 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    Terri & Andrew:

    I live in Tampa, so hopefuly I can help.  Depending on your price range, you have alot of great options. If it were me I would be staying at the Marriot waterside, its really nice and its in walking distance to the ship as well as channelside. Channelside is a really neat area full of places to eat, drink and shop!  Its a very nice area! There is also the Rocky Point area which is near the airport and any place you find there is going to be great. If you decide to do that, make sure you check out Crabby Bills and Bahama Breeze.  I know there are several places to stay near the ship, but honestly the Waterside is worth every penny!  Infact we may stay down there the night before our cruise Oct 5th , just to go out and get in cruise mode !  lol  :)

    Seriously though please let me know if you have any questions about the hotels you may book, I know this area so well. Im a realtor and its my job to know, so please feel free to ask before you book your hotel.

     Cheers,

    Terri

     

     

    Thanks Terri, glad to hear Rocky Point will be a good area.   I've looked into other Tampa hotels that include a free shuttle from airport to hotel, from hotel to cruise ship, and from cruise ship to airport a week later.  The problem is we are arriving after 10pm and many of the hotel airport shuttles stop at 10pm so we will stay w/Hampton Inn Rocky Point :) since they will pick us up anytime.

     

    FrannyK

    Costa Riviera 85
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    CCL Fantasy 00
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    CCL Legend 08
  • Wed, Jul 2 2008 4:20 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    Hello. We are staying at the Westin Tampa Harbour Island. How far away from the port is this. They said they had a shuttle to pick us up at the airport and can take us to the ship. We are flying in the day before and this is our first cruise. Any good places to eat near by? Thanks

  • Wed, Jul 2 2008 5:09 PM In reply to

    • Frank
    • Top 500 Contributor
      Male
    • Joined on Fri, Feb 22 2008
    • Posts 81

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    My DW & myself just returned from the Carnival Legend, and we stayed at the Westin Harbour Island. Very nice Hotel and accomodations. They do have a shuttle, and I believe they go to Tampa Airport. We used their shuttle the 1st day in Tampa before the cruise. They took us to Channelside and picked us up as well. They also took us to the port on the day of embarkation. The Hotel is about 7-8 blks from Pier #2.

    The customary "tip" to the driver was $5 each way to channelside and to the pier. Not sure what the customary tip was for Airport to the Hotel. I noted in the Airport that the Westin was not listed at the courtesy phone board. I suggest you contact the Hotel.

    I was given the direct # to the front drive phone where they make note of requests for shuttleing.  1-813-204-2008   I would also suggest when you arrive to request a time for transfer to the pier, and confirm early that morning, since I'm sure there are numerous requests for transport.   The Hotel courtesies and services were exceptional. We used starwood points for the room, since the Westin is part of the Sheraton Hotel Chain.

    They have a good restauant in the Hotel, however there are many restaurants in Channelside. We had dinner at Gallagher's Steakhouse on the 2nd floor at Channelside. They are normally on the expensive side, but had a special the nite we were there. Irrespective of the price, the quality was exceptional. There's a Bennigan's as well as other chain's. Go on-line through google and you will find all of the places available at Channelside, and check for internet coupons as well. There's a regular and IMAX theatre there too. Since we had rain our 1st day in Tampa the Aquarium & Movie theatre and then dinner worked out well. We just had to call the Westin's front drive desk and they picked us up in minutes.

    Enjoy your trip.  If your going on the Legend, definitely play BINGO on the last evening. We did, and we won the Grand Prize-- A FREE cruise for up to 7 days for both of us.

     

     

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  • Wed, Jul 2 2008 10:42 PM In reply to

    • Mels67
    • Top 500 Contributor
      Female
    • Joined on Wed, Mar 5 2008
    • North Carolina
    • Posts 65

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    Terri,

    Took your advice and we are staying at the Marriott Waterfront!  We Cruise on 7/20 and it cant get here fast enough! Thanks Melissa

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  • Thu, Jul 3 2008 10:04 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    Melissa,

     

    You are going to really like staying there! Make sure you walk down to Channelside and have dinner and drinks. There is a dueling Piano bar that is so much fun, its pretty popular and gets to be standing room only as the night goes on. There is also an upscale bowling alley / restaurant called Splitsville that is pretty fun too!  Just go to the web and do a search for Channelside and you will see all the fun things to do. And the nice part is you can walk to your hotel!  Have a blast, and please let me know how the cruise is. Big Smile

     Terri

  • Thu, Jul 3 2008 10:32 PM In reply to

    • blivey
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on Tue, Feb 26 2008
    • Georgia
    • Posts 10

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    What about the Holiday Inn Express Rocky Point? Anyone stayed there? How far is it from the port? I have made reservations for the night before we cruise. Thanks

  • Thu, Jul 3 2008 10:55 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    That is a nice area on the water with beautiful views...  Your about 15 minutes from the port depending on traffic, its actually right by the airport. There are some really fun places to eat right there, so make sure you check them out. Bahama Breeze will get you in cruise mode, make sure you order a Bahama Rita its sooo good! Crabby Bills is fun too , if you want to get fancier then check out Castaway's. 

     terri Smile

     

  • Fri, Jul 4 2008 8:40 PM In reply to

    • blivey
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on Tue, Feb 26 2008
    • Georgia
    • Posts 10

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    Thanks Terri, that puts my mind at ease! We'll be sure and try one of your dining suggestions also. Thanks again

  • Fri, Jul 4 2008 8:55 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    Anybody know anything about the Grand Hyatt?  We are actually staying there after our cruise and at the Embassy Suites the night prior.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

  • Fri, Jul 4 2008 9:00 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

    has anyone heard of the sailport resort waterfront suites on north rocky point drive? we were able to get a 2 bedroom suite for 6 really cheap. tks!

  • Fri, Jul 4 2008 9:54 PM In reply to

    Re: Best place to say in Tampa

     Terrie:  I wonder if you could help me.  We're staying at Hampton Inn Rocky Point, but our flight doesn't arrive until 10pm the evening before the cruise.  I wanted to pick up some wine before we board on Sunday and I've heard that you can't buy alcohol until after 11am on Sundays.  I'm also thinking that the hotel shuttle will be very busy taking people to the port on Sunday so they may not be able to accomodate me at all?  Would there be a place we could stop after 10pm on Saturday evening?  I'm thinking maybe the food markets down there carry wine?  Thanks for any suggestions!  

     

    FrannyK

    Costa Riviera 85
    NCL Seaward 87
    CCL Fantasy 00
    CCL Sensation 01
    CCL Imagination 02
    RCL Explorer 02
    RCL Monarch 03
    CCL Sensation 04
    CCL Imagination 06
    CCL Liberty 06
    CCL Legend 08
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