We are staying at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel. They travel agent, who I know I will never use again, said that it was hard to find a hotel in Tampa. This one, though it will be fun to be at at casino, does not have shuttle to the airport or port.
My sister gave me a cruising book that lists at least four more hotels in Tampa. Sometimes I think I'd be better to make all plans myself.
Kate
Hilton GArden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District
Wyndham harbour Island Hotel
Tampa Marriott WAterside
Don CeSar BEach Resort
I know I thought it was strange when she said that. The only thing I can figure is that cost came into the picture. We are going with a group. Perhaps they said to keep the cost of the room down the night before the cruise, but if we are going to have to pay to get ourselves to the port how much are we saving. Really!!! And at this point who cares????
Kate
OR,maybe the group was large enough she had trouble finding you a near enough hotel that had enough rooms availble. Either way the TA should have expalined the situation to you better.
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NCL Dream October 2006, RCCL Mariner OTS June 2007
She probably meant it was hard finding availability, and in the price range for your group. It's nice to find hotels that have shuttles, but sometimes they are only located near airports. Then you have to consider if that hotel will have any places around it for you to eat or entertain yourself for the evening. If not, then your spending money in taxi cabs running all over. In Miami the Holiday Inn Port Of Miami doesn't have shuttles, but it's located right across from Bayside Market. So I don't spend extra money on taxi's for dinner and entertainment. So it's six of one and half a dozen of the other. You have to look at it both ways of what's more important. Shuttles or location. It's nice when you can find it all though.
I hear alot of folks talking about staying at various hotels (Doubletree) on the Westshore for a "reasonable" price. $100 The only place I have read to avoid is any hotel in the Busch Gardens area. Seems it has become unsafe.
We are staying at the new Embassy Suites - Convention Center off Channelside Drive for 2 days before our Miracle cruise in October.
We are only staying there because it is free, hubby travels and we are using frequent user points.