Radisson Resort at the Port- few questions

[scottie]

We are so excited; we are in the process of booking our 2nd 4-night cruise for May 16, 04’. We are interested in staying at the Radisson near the port. I have a few questions and any help would be appreciated!

- Do we need to book the special cruise package to park our car there and get the shuttle to port while cruising or will any booking allow us to do this? Are there any hidden discount codes available for May at the point?

- Do they have a room size that will accommodate 3 adults and 2 kids? If not, we will they still allow the 3rd adult to travel to the port on their shuttle with us if they arrive at the hotel as we are leaving?

- What time does the shuttle leave the resort and what time does it pick back up at port when we arrive back. We like to be early arrivers at the port when possible.

- Any general opinions about the hotel and the transportation would be great

 

[buzz-daddyga]

we are sailing this sat. 12-13, we are staying at the radisson on fri. 12-12. we did not book the cruise package, we booked a room for 89 bucks even though rad. international tried to trick us into the cruise pkg. we called the hotel and they said that we could park there and catch the shuttle. hope this helps a little. remember : the cost of parking at the pier is $70 for a seven nt. cruise . see the savings?

 

[cjsmith]

1. You do not need to book the cruise parking special in order
to be able to leave your car at the Radisson, do not fall
for this. Anyone who has a room may leave their car.

2. They have 1 bedroom suites that you can book that can accomodate your party size. You can get 2 king beds in the bedroom and then there will be a pull out sofa in the other room. I'm not sure if there will be a charge for the extra adult or not.

3. As far as shuttle is concerned, I've never taken it as we always leave our car at the port, but our friends that were with us left their car and took the shuttle. It starts at 10:30 am. You have to sign up for the shuttle service. It used to be upon check in, but I hear they now allow you to sign up prior to your arrival, call them for update info.

We don't leave our car because my husband would prefer to have it in a 24 hour guarded lot while gone since it's a new cadillac escalade and he treats it like his baby. Our friends left their car with no problems though, and I do hear that they don't have any problems there. I just wouldn't leave valuables in the car while you are gone since there isn't that much security

 

[scottie]

Thanks for the info... I just called the hotel and it looks like we will not be staying there. They are all booked up due to a conference at the resort I guess we will be paying for parking after all!

 

[scottie]

I did some searching online and it looks like we can still book a room at the resort for 2 adults and 2 kids. Which leaves out one Adult (who resides in FL) do you think the hotel would allow us to pay a small fee so the 3rd adult (MIL) could drive up that morning and take the shuttle with us?

 

[SeaSpray]

Scottie:

If it were me, I'd call the resort directly and ask someone there. That way you'll know either way. Let us know what they say!

 

[cjsmith]

I'm sure they would allow something, just call the hotel and ask. Tell them that you're staying there, but can't get a room for you all since they're sold out. I'm sure they'd be willing to do something.

 

[Mary Anne]

Does anyone know how often they sell out. I haven't yet booked our room for late August as I'm still not 100% sure if I just want a room or a suite. Also they seem to have a cancellation fee. How late can I safely wait till I book a room?

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi Mary Anne

I booked our suite for our cruise a couple of months ago. When I spoke to the woman at the Radisson she said it was a good idea that I was booking early because the suites usually sell out first. It doesn't cost anything to make the reservation, but I did have to give a credit card # for them to hold the reservation. You have until the day before to cancel. At first I was going to book a regular room but then decided to get the 2 king bed suite since it was only about $40 more. Give them a call and see how many suites they have left for that night, and maybe that will help you to decide.

P.S. There's only a cancellation fee if you book an internet saver's rate where they make you pay for the room at the time of booking. I know booking it that way is a bit less expensive but I didn't want to do that, so I just made a regular reservation. Our 2 king bed suite is $129. for the night. I think that's a pretty decent rate.

 

[RellingTwin]

Getting to the port early.....here is my trick.

Drive YOUR car to the port, unload luggage and passangers. Then ONE person drives the car back to the Radisson and parks it. He or she then hops on the next shuttle (one person with no luggage can get on very easily). In the mean time, those at the port can check in and get on line to board.
Just remember the person who goes and parks the car MUST have his/her picture ID AND cruise ticket, so he/she can get back into the port.
We have done this on 3 cruises and it works out great. We get to the port at the time we want, and get a spot at the head of the line!The car parker, has 1 1/2 to 2 hours to do the car parking thing! It only take about 30 min tops!

The same thing can be done when you get back.My DH hopped on a shuttle while I waited with luggage and kids, he got back to the port to pick us up in about 20 min.

No cramming the luggage/kids in an crammped shuttle, which in my opinion is just one more chance of loosing track of some of your stuff! (We lost my DS hat with pins one year on the shuttle, but we were able to get it back!) Also, no need to tip yet ANOTHER person to move my luggage around!

 

[Mary Anne]

SeaSpray, I have taken your advice and booked our one bedroom suite via the phone this morning. Even if it costs a few dollars more to do it t his way, I agree it is worth it to me to be able to cancel or adjust if the price comes down.

 

[SeaSpray]

That's great Mary Anne! We'll see you there in 262 days