Hotel the day before- options other than Radison or Ron Jon

[ljql_5969]

Anyone ever stay at the Motel 6 at 3701 N Atlantic Drive the day before their cruise? We will be flying in the night before but it would be late so we really don’t need much more than a place to lay our heads for a couple of ours. They don’t have shuttle service but the dcltribute.com website says you can get a taxi to get you to the port for about $11 - $15. Adding that to the cost of the hotel, it seems more cost effective to stay here than the Radisson considering that we would not be taking advantage of any of the other amenities at the Radisson.

Also, does anyone know if we can make reservations ahead of time for a taxi? How far in advance? Does anyone know the number to call?

The dcltribute.com website says that Jennifer and Dave of Passporter’s have stayed there. Just wanting to hear about other’s experiences!

Thanks in advance!

 

[mmouse37]

We have stayed at the Radisson, the DoubleTree Suites and the Holiday Inn in Cocoa Beach before our various DCL cruises.

The Radisson is the most convenient but between the DoubleTree and the Holiday Inn we liked the DoubleTree better. I booked both the DT and HI at Priceline.com and only paid about $40.00 for the room (the regular rates were over $100 when I checked online at their respective websites).

MJ

 

[ljql_5969]

When you say the Radisson is the "most convenient", what do you mean. The Motel 6 was only about 5 miles away so it shouldn't take long to get there. Also, it said there was a grocery store close and we planned to wait to buy any carry-on stuff for our cooler until we got down to Florida. So, this seemed like a good thing to have a grocery near.

I just want to be sure that we are making a good choice.

Also... Wow, $40 for the night. What time of year did you go? We are going in July 2006.

Thanks again!

 

[mmouse37]

The Radisson is only 2 miles from the port, thus being the most convenient, especially with their shuttle service, but I found the other hotels fine for the amount of time we would be there. We usually have a rental car so we also stop and pick up some stuff from the store.

I believe a brand new Publix's supermarket opened up recently...not sure how far that is from you.

We used Priceline for our September and February cruises....are you familiar with Princeline and how it works....you bid on a certain "star" hotel but you don't know which hotel you will get until a hotel accepts your bid. I knew I would be happy with any 3 star hotel so we used Priceline.

I have not stayed at the hotel you mention but it should be fine.

MJ

 

[ljql_5969]

If you put a bid out there and some accepts it but you don't like the hotel. Do you have to accept their offer?

 

[mmouse37]

Yes....you are locked in and your credit card is automatically charged.

I usually do a search of the hotels in the area I want to stay....I find all the star ratings and decide how many "star" hotel I want. Then, I am happy with them I will bid on Priceline. If I have my heart set on a particular hotel then I would book directly and no use Priceline. There is no going back with Priceline.

If you check out www.biddingfortravel.com it gives lots of information on how to bid on Priceline.

Good luck.

MJ

 

[tvguy]

How are you going to get from the airport to the hotel? And what time are you getting in?
We got in at 11:15 pm, so we stayed at the Sheraton just off the airport property, they had a free shuttle to and from the airport. No way other than renting a car, or taking a cab to get to the port area, and the last thing I wanted to do is get in at 11:15 and night, get a rental car, and try to find the port in a strange city.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Check out the various hotels in Cocoa beach....

It is not far --maybe 10 minutes TOPS. And considering you can't board the ship much before noon, it's not like you have to get up and rush to get there.

We arrived in Cocoa the afternoon before, took a nice stroll on the beach, had a light dinner (knowing we'd eat like pigs on the cruise ), slept "in" and went to Dunkin's for small b'fast.

ALso--We rented a car from Budget. The morning of our cruise, we dropped the car off and they took us to the port.

Just check the prices--there are a lot of hotels. If you have a favorite chain, chances are they have a hotel there....

 

[slindamood]

I stayed in Cocoa Beach for two weeks this past Christmas (and watched the Wonder and Magic from the shore). A few years ago I stayed at the Radisson before a Magic cruise. I have seen Ron Jon's. The Radisson is not close to any grocery store and few restaurants. I would not stay there again. Ron Jon's is an attractive facility but not an easy walk to groceries, drug stores, or restaurants (other than its own). And an expensive place just to sleep.

The new Publix is in the north part of Cocoa Beach next to Holiday Inn Express, which is about a block,and across a busy road, from the beach. The Best Western is across that road and at the beach. The Days Inn is also across the road with easy beach access. The Oceanside Inn is on the beach. Any of these would be my choice - they are well maintained and the location is the best in Cocoa beach, near a grocery, the beach and the pier.

Another good choice is further south in Cocoa Beach - the Comfort Inn, which is across a quiet street from the beach and across a busy street from Winn Dixie and Ron Jon's store. The Motel 6 is nearby, good location, but I don't recall its condition - should be fine.

Being closer to the port only makes a few minutes difference once in a car. Being close to the Beach the night before is fantastic.

Suzanne

 

[musicgirl]

We stayed at the Hampton in June for $89 which included a very nice continental breakfast. We called a cab. For the 3 of us it was $15 plus tip to the port. It was about 10 min. away.

I know you are getting in late, but the Hampton is basically on the beach. DH and I enjoyed going out to the beach in the morning before we were picked up.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Is cocal beach the same as Merit island florida for priceline

 

[ljql_5969]

Thanks for all of the information! We have gotten in late before and had Happy Limo take us to WDW before. We are hoping to get them to drive us to the Port area so we do not have to stay at a hotel at the airport. We would like to stay close to the port.

Based on all of your information, I will probably book the Best Western, Motel 6, or one of the others that is close to a grocery.

Can you call beforehand (as in a couple of weeks) for a taxi or do you have to wait until the day or so before?

 

[RobinMarie]

We stayed at the Motel 6 and booked through Orbitz. Hotel was fine for one night. I'd stay there again.

 

[TinkersMagicDust]

WE are going to stay at a value hotel at disney it is just as Cheap and disney will give you a FREE tranfere to the hotel THen you just have to make your way to a hotel that is on the Disney Cruise . Then you can go shopping at the boardway and watch the beautiful fireworks . What more do you want . Can't get that at motel 6
If you get in early you can go to Pleasure Island and go Dancing for a small fee..
WHat is what is on our itenerary

 

[mmouse37]

Is cocal beach the same as Merit island florida for priceline

No, not at all but they are not that far away from each other.

check out this link to priceline's map of the area.

http://www.priceline.com/hotels/Lan...AC410011AC20050305234256722280620094&plf=pcln