Marriott Courtyard Cocoa Beach

[zucchero]

Hi all,

Has anybody stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach? If so, is it close to the Disney Cruise Line Port? Do they have a shuttle from the hotel to the DCL Port?

Thanks,

John

 

[Doctor P]

You can buy a package that includes shuttle transport to the port. We did this and ultimately chose not to take the shuttle because their first shuttle did not leave the hotel until after boarding of the ship began and they were adamant that no shuttles are allowed into the port until after noon. The hotel is a few miles from the port but is still very convenient (I think it was about five miles as I recall).

 

[TiggerPU88]

Hi!

We are using Marriott Rewards points to stay there the night before our cruise (it's a category 4 - 20,000 points for one night). We got the same story about port entry not being allowed until 12:30. The woman with whom I spoke said they had a group go early and get sent back. Perhaps it is that the shuttle company they use is not allowed to go in until then? The hotel is about 4.5 miles from the port and the shuttle is $3 pp. I figured that a taxi wouldn't cost that much more...

Anyway, we have found that doing two one-way rentals from Avis to get from MCO to port and back is cheapest (saves $100 -- we can use that!). So we'll leave in the morning, pick up a couple of things at the grocery store (namely Lactaid Milk for DS), return the car to Avis around 11:00 and head over to the port so we can board soon after the gates open. We want all the time we can get!

-- Adrienne : )

 

[mmouse37]

Hey John.....check out the link I sent you via e-mail (also right here)

www.dcltribute.com

Dave has tons of info on hotels and car rental options at his site for the Port area.

MJ

 

[musicgirl]

We stayed at the Courtyard this past summer. Overall, it was an ok stay. We did have a number of problems with correct reservation information even though I called them at least 5 different times to confirm and ask questions. Every time I called, no one seemed to agree on the information I was given. Even when we arrived, they tried to tell me my information was wrong.

The hotel itself is fine. It is a short walk to the beach. The menu at the restaurant is limited and not very good.

I had asked for the cruise special for $99 which included the shuttle (tip not included). Everytime I inquired, they told me there was no special. Even when we checked in.

I had also early on asked if it was possible to get an earlier shuttle. I was told this was possible. But each time I called, I had to get this re-confirmed. They told me just to ask when we checked in. At check-in when I asked, they said no.

At check-in I was really quite upset because I had called a number of times to confirm both of these. I had to put up a fuss to get both.

Since we are going in June, I called many hotels about their cruise specials including the Courtyard. No one really had much information at the time. Courtyard told me they probably wouldn't have a special at that time.

I called the Hampton which is right next door. They wanted to help me. I got an $89 rate which includes breakfast. The shuttle is not included but can be arranged for a $3pp. For us, this is a better deal than the Courtyard. Plus, they were actually nice to me.

 

[musicgirl]

Please don't think I was trying to discourage anyone from staying there. As I said overall, the stay was fine.

I was just frustrated with them for not having details correct.

I would definitely ask for it in writing if I were to stay there again.

 

[TiggerPU88]

Hi all!

I will give you a report after our trip. I think the hotel staff are being told things that are untrue by the shuttle company. We are staying free and since I can use that $100 for the spa, or Shutters or Flounders Reef... or.... we'll stay there.

I won't be able to comment on the shuttle, but will definitely let you now about the rest!

Are we there yet? I wanna be!

-- Adrienne : )

 

[musicgirl]

Hey Adrienne, do you have any extra points, I'd definitely stay for free anywhere! .... well just about!

 

[OHJulie]

We will also be staying at the Courtyard in 11-count then 11 days! Also- free with Marriott points.

I stay at Courtyards quite a lot for work and I have never been disappointed. They are generally clean and quiet.

We will be in a hurry after the cruise to get to WDW, so we are parking our rental at the port and leaving from there, so we won't be taking the shuttle, but I can also report back on the hotel after our stay.

Julie

 

[TiggerPU88]

I don't earn points like I used to, since I don't travel as often as I did before DS was born....

But I highly recommend Marriott's frequesnt guest program, Marriott Rewards. It is a good one. This is actually more points than I usually use, but the lure of more $$ for the cruise amenities got me...

-- Adrienne : )

 

[dianthus]

We stayed at the Hampton Inn on Hilton points before our 11/8 cruise & yes, Music Girl they are as nice in person as they were to you on the phone. We were very pleased & would stay there again. The Hilton & The Double Tree, other Hilton properties were farther down A1A & more points. It's very clean, breakfast area is nice. The pool area is smaller than the Radisson's, but really nice.

The Courtyard is right next door. There are 3 hotels in a little triangle on the property & it looked very nice as well. There is a path to walk down to the beach. I would rather spend my cash in the Spa or on fun stuff, not a hotel too. I love frequent flyer/guest points!

The property is close to restaurants, Ron Jon's & a Publix is nearby.

Adrienne, we did the same plan you have on our 11/8 cruise & it worked out great! Avis is just down the road, on the same side of the street. We were in & out & on the shuttle in 10 mins. Very efficient! We got there at 10AM & we were at the Port, off the bus by 10:20AM. I think The Courtyard looks like a nice hotel & you'll be very pleased.

I would take a taxi if you don't have a rental car. You can get into the Port property as early as 10AM, but you will be dropped off in a parking lot, not curbside until 10:30AM. Have them drop you by the AVIS/Radisson tent if you go by taxi before 10:30 & there is a Porter there who will collect luggage for transfer to the ship. You walk across the parking lot into the terminal. We went before the orange alert was posted. Check with DCL to see if the procedures have changed since then. They are very security conscience!

Hope this helps!

~ Linda

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Dr,
So how did you get to the port after all? Did you take a taxi? I am curious because we have a $100.00 Marriott gift card from Christmas that I can use for our stay, but if it's a pain to get around I'd just stay at MCO after arriving a night early, and have a town car take us to the port the next day. Thanks!

Originally posted by Doctor P
You can buy a package that includes shuttle transport to the port. We did this and ultimately chose not to take the shuttle because their first shuttle did not leave the hotel until after boarding of the ship began and they were adamant that no shuttles are allowed into the port until after noon. The hotel is a few miles from the port but is still very convenient (I think it was about five miles as I recall).