Hotels Near Port

[eva]

Stupid me waited too late! I just called the Radisson at Port to make reservations for May14th (taking the 7-day Eastern on the 15th) and all they have are standard rooms and they are all smoking. My husband says that is completely unacceptable. (I agree.) So my question is, are there any other hotels in the area that have shuttle service to the port? We really want to avoid the $70 parking fee. If there isn't, can you recommend a nice hotel in the area that doesn't have shuttle service? My husband says that he will pay the $70 before he sleeps in a smoking room.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Dodie]

All the info you need is at Dave's site: http://www.dcltribute.com/

Just click on the Lodging - DCL Terminal link.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Would you consider staying near the airport the first night and then heading down the morning of the cruise. It would only be an hour drive and you will have more options at the airport. Dave's site can also help you find good places in Orlando if that is an option.

 

[bevL]

We just got back from the 11Dec Wonder (trip report still being composed).

The four of us (three adults and one child) stayed at the Days Inn Cocoa Beach the night before and after the cruise.

They don't have a "free" shuttle, but they recommend "ARTS" (they can give you the 800 number, and I can recommend them. They were there early and very nice.) which charges $3pp each way.

We stayed the night before the cruise to help my nerves.
We stayed there the night after the cruise because we found that it was cheaper to fly on Monday and pay for the hotel (even the suite that we got) then it would have been to fly on Sunday.

We chose Days Inn for two reasons: the rate for a suite (which has an efficiency kitchen) is reasonable and they are walking distance to the Cocoa Beach pier and beach. They also have a pool, but we didn't use it.

You can get their contact information at
http://www.daysinncocoabeach.com/

 

[kcashner]

You can get a 3* hotel (Hyatt, Sheraton, Renaissance, etc. ) near the airport for $28-30 a night on Priceline. It's an easy one hour drive to the port. The savings almost makes up for the parking fee. Alternatively, try the Cocoa Beach area (don't know if they'll let you leave your vehicle....but you can always ask.

 

[musicgirl]

bevl, just a question about ARTS. We will be using them for our roundtrip from the airport to hotel (port) in June. I called them in regards to transportation from our hotel. I was asking about how early we could be picked up. They told me not until 12, that we couldn't get there any earlier.

What time did they pick you up? And how early did you request the pick up?


As for the earlier question, last June we stayed at the Courtyard (Marriott) for $99 which included transportation to and from port and parking. However, they kept changing all of this information. I had to do alot of checking and reminding. The hotel was nice, the restautant was not great (it poured and we didn't want to go out), but the best part was how close it was to the beach.

In June, we will be staying next door at the Hampton for $89. This includes a breakfast, but no transportation. I'm pretty sure parking is free as well. We don't need it, so I didn't pay much attention. It ends up being very reasonable for the 3 of us. It will cost us $9 for our one-way trip to the ship verses paying for breakfast at around $20 (we went to the IHOP).

Have fun!

 

[rae519]

We stayed at Days Inn Cocoa Beach (we drove and parked at the Port). Back in October the cost was $69/night - for our April cruise, it is $80 (military/government rate) - that's for an oceanview, 2 double bed, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator one night stay.

We really enjoyed the hotel and location.


Rae

 

[eva]

Thanks for the suggestions. Is the Days Inn as nice as the Radisson? When I checked their rates for just a standard double the cheapest they had was $89.25. That's actually $4.25 more than the rate I got for the Radisson. Plus we are then going to have to pay $70 to park. I just wish my husband would agree to stay in the Orlando area. But we did that last year and felt a bit rushed trying to get to port early that moring. This is really tough. There doesn't seem to be many places in the area to stay.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

since your going to pay to park at the port why do you try staying in Titusville. its only 20 minute drive from the port. there is lots of things in the area. food gas stations and WALMART. this walmart carries some of the same stuff that people can buy on the cruise ships. the hotel we stay at is days inn. 40-60 a night and we got it on expedia.com.

 

[rae519]

I never stayed at the Raddison - my concern for parking there was that it wasn't monitored/secured parking and that we'd have to take a shuttle there to get the car, etc. I liked the Days Inn, but just for one night, I found it very comfortable and amenity friendly - plus right at the Pier, close to The Perfect Gift and perfect to get to Saturday morning Catholic Mass.

It is more expensive to pay $70 for parking at the port, but the convenience was worth it to us (and remember I have a 74 year old mother and 8 year old son with me!!!). We were on the road by 20 minutes after they began disembarkation.

I would like to mention that in Titusville, there is a very good restaurant "Dixie Crossroads" - it's not cheap, but the rock shrimp are delicious (small but taste like lobster). I found the manager quite pleasant in dealing with a situation we had obtaining a "senior sized portion" for a meal and it is also a big favorite of Verandahman and his family.

Rae