Precruise in Tampa - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

garfmo · 07-28-2008, 12:19 PM

Planning to cruise out of Tampa in October. Was wanting to get input regarding pre cruise hotel/motel for one night before the cruise. Would be nice to be close to a variety of restaurants. Effecient airport pickup and even more important, effecient shuttle to the cruise terminal would be nice. Any suggestions?

sue miller · 07-28-2008, 12:29 PM

The Doubletree near the airport advertises free shuttle to the airport, and a free shuttle to the port, I see the free parking but you can can call to get info about a port shuttle

Doubletree Hotel

macruise · 07-28-2008, 03:59 PM

I would recommend staying near Channelside, which is where the port is located. Lots of restaurants and the trolley to Ybor City, which also has lots of restaurants runs there.
It doesn't seem that any of the hotels there offer a shuttle service, although a cab should cost
about $20 to the Channelside area from the airport.

The Chase Suites( Tampa Hotels Waterfront | Suite Hotels in Tampa | Chase Suite Hotel, Tampa, FL) has a snooze and cruise package that includes transport from the airport and to the cruise port.
I stayed there years ago and it was fine and it looks like it still gets ok reviews. I would call to see if there are nearby restaurants as I don't recall that there were any nearby, but it seems that the area was just being developed then.

Hope this helps.

Ma Cruise

macruise · 08-02-2008, 08:20 AM

Curiosity got the best of me and when I saw photos of Chase Suites, I remembered the place.
It is on an island. There are 5 restaurants in the area. Although they are all close, some are across a busy highway. So, you can walk to the one that is not across the highway or get the hotel shuttle to those across the highway.

Good Luck.

Ma Cruise