Katabatic Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I'm an experienced RCI cruiser, but have never sailed from Tampa before. I'm doing a back to back in January and am looking for recommendations on where to stay (that includes the option to park). Any suggestions are most welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I love sailing out of Tampa. They do not get the big ships in Tampa but I find it a convenient port and I love the Radiance Class ships. They are very elegant, IMO. Tampa is a BIG harbor and it takes quite a while for the ship to reach open sea. Baltimore has the same problem...and New Orleans was the worst for that...but NO is no longer a RC port so no need to worry about that one anymore. I have only stayed overnight in Tampa once, and I stayed at the Hard Rock Casino Hotel. I honestly cannot recommend the Tampa Hard Rock. I absolutely LOVE the Hard Rock in Hollywood (Fort Lauderdale) but the Tampa property is way below the Hollywood property in amenities. Since we always fly in from DC I've never had a car to park. So I guess I'm not much help to you. Sorry. But I do like sailing out of Tampa. Have fun ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Not much help on this one, I know there are several hotels in downtown that are "sort of near" the port, but none spring to mind that are "right there". Not sure if any of them offer park and cruise deals :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 You should also be aware that Orlando is very close to Tampa, so if you have a rental car, you can easily drive from Orlando to Tampa the morning of your cruise (about a 30-40 minute drive). Orlando has TONS of hotels and a little bit more to do as well in terms of entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteSoxFan Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 We stayed at Rocky Point on our last Tampa cruise There are several hotels there including a Best Western, HI Express, Chase Suites & I think a Double tree. We were at the Holiday Inn Decent room, decent rate. They offer a shuttle or you can take a taxi for around $25.00. HI included an airport shuttle. We chose to take a taxi because, first, there were three of us so it was cheaper than the shuttle and , second, the first shuttle wasn't until noon and we left the hotel at 10:30. We are going again in November and I am debating staying in the downtown area, although it is more expensive. It will depend on what time we travel most probably. I would check the websites, I think that the HI and Best Western offer park & cruise options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.