Anybody done the cruise package at Cocoa Beach Courtyard?

[Doctor P]

Has anyone done the cruise package that includes parking at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cocoa Beach? How did it work out?

 

[Doctor P]

bump!

 

[wovenwonder]

I don't think that I've ever heard of that package mentioned on these boards? I wonder if Dave (www.dcltribute.com) has any information on it?

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The Courtyard by Marriott and the Hampton Inn both offer a cruise package that includes free parking and courtesy transportation. (The Courtyard and Hampton share the same parcel of land south of the main hotel strip in Cocoa Beach.) It seems to be a great deal, and I have heard from at least one DISer who was very happy about the deal she booked, but I don't know if anyone has actually done it yet. It's a new package offering, designed to compete with the Radisson's near-monopoly on pre-cruise hotel stays.

To book this package you need to call the Courtyard direct (321-784-4800) or the Hampton Inn direct (877-492-3224).

 

[Doctor P]

Thanks, Dave. I had read about the package possibility on your site, in fact. I did call the hotel directly as you had suggested, and the manager I spoke with was very pleasant. We booked the package for July 18, 2003 for the July 19th cruise. They apparently give you vouchers for a taxi company, and they will call for you to go at your own convenience (she said that they have found that different people want to get to the port at different times, and this works better than scheduled service). You use these vouchers on the way back to the hotel, also. Interestingly, the price for the cruise package was less than the cost of the room alone using the access to various discounts I have through Marriott Rewards, AAA, and as a government employee. They are currently quoting a rate of $99 per night for this package.

 

[MFan]

Please beware that I read in another thread (don't recall exactly, but I think the title included National, as in car rental) where a DISer was complaining about this exact arrangement (using taxis). His wasn't a hotel package. He rented a car from National, which offered the taxi service instead of shuttles like Avis. He said took a long time for the taxi to arrive to take him to the port. Then, on the morning of the return, there wasn't a taxi available at the port. It took another long wait before one showed up. So, depending on your travel plans and patience, this package may not be as good as it seemed.

 

[MFan]

Ah, just found the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239640

 

[Doctor P]

Thanks for the tip. We will certainly check this out. We are not locked in yet, but I did want to get something booked so that we at least have a fall back. Plus, other things equal, I like to get my Marriott points!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I was curious how they worked the transportation with their package. Taxi vouchers instead of scheduled van service. Very interesting. I guess, indeed, whether it's a good deal depends on the reliability of Space Coast taxi services.

Yep, love those Marriott points, HHonors points, and Starwood points. I wish they were all as easy to use as the Starwood points.