Radisson vs. Hampton Inn

[MinnieCruiser]

Well, our cruise was booked in April and the flights in July so now after all the information I've already received from all you helpful people, it's time for me to come out of the "lurkers closet" and ask for your opinions. After calling all the Cocoa Beach area hotels (thanks for your list Dave!), I've narrowed down the choice to two: Radisson at a rate of $79 and Hampton Inn for $105. Both include transportation to the port but Hampton has the breakfast included. Is the extra $26 worth the breakfast and being close to the beach? I've read of people's experiences with the Radisson shuttle, but anyone have experience with the Hampton transportation...can they get me to the port at the time I choose?
How am I gonna last 'til February...I'm already obsessing!
Thanks.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Is the continental breakfast at the Hampton worth $26? No. Although, on the other hand, depending on the number of people in your party, you'd probably pay more than $26 for breakfast for your party at the Radisson or at Zachary's (the very nice restaurant adjacent to the Radisson).

The atmosphere at the Hampton is very nice. The Radisson is along a commercial strip that's in the middle of nowhere... adjacent to industrial port buildings and non-descript offices. The Hampton is also along a commercial strip, but the grounds are very nicely landscaped... and the pathway to the beach is very nicely landscaped. And the beach is lovely. I think it's a very nice setting to relax prior to your cruise.

From what I understand, the cruise package with the Hampton provides you with taxi vouchers, so you can arrange for your taxi to arrive at whatever time you arrive.

 

[shellgoodman]

I am staying at the Hampton for $69 rate. Just ask for the Best Deal Offer or Fall special which I found on spacecoast.com. For $85 dollars, I could have gotten the cruise package but there were two reasons I didn't do this. First, the transportation (taxi) which Hampton provides doesn't come until 12:00 (according to Hampton Inn) which seems a bit late for us. Secondly, we would rather pay for the parking at the Port which is secured.

We didn't choose the Radisson because we heard that it can get ugly in the morning as it is a madhouse. We have 2 little ones with a lot of baby stuff to take ( i.e. stroller).

 

[Julie 363]

This thread caught my eye for the simple fact we have reservations at the Hampton in October. We will have our own car so the shuttle situation doesn't matter. With the five of us we felt that the breakfast would be worth it and we also decided we wanted to be by the ocean. I also got a rate of $69. I hope we made a good choice, I haven't really heard anything bad about this hotel.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Keep up the replies people, I am trying to figure this out as well. I was leaning toward the Hampton but want to get to the Port in a timely fashion--we won't have a car.
Robin M.

 

[Tam-PA]

Which hotel, Hampton Inn or Raddison is closer to the Port? Anyone out there ever take a taxi cab to Port? If so, how much? And finally, what about pick-ups after your cruise? Were they (Hampton or Raddison) timely or did you have trouble and lots of waiting time to get back to the Hotel to get your vehicle? Thanks sooo very, very much!

 

[MinnieCruiser]

Thanks for your input and after calling Hampton again, here is some more info. Usually the taxi or transport co. will pick up around noon after check-out time. After insisting that I would really like to get to the terminal around 10:30, he said it wouldn't be a problem - just to mention it when I checked in (although he couldn't understand why I wanted to get there so early!) The rate I got of $105 is for Feb/03. The cheapest rate he could give me was $98 (an AAA rate). Taxi fare to the port is about $8. He also recommended a transport co. ("Tropical Storm") to get from the airport to the hotel who will then pick me up the next morning free of charge. I called them and they have the best rate I've seen so far : $50 from airport to hotel. So I think Hampton is the winner for me!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

My Hubby and I have stayed at the Hampton Inn at Cocoa Beach twice and realy enjoyed it. The beach is only seperated by a street in between, It is an easy walk. We had a great view of the ocean from our room. It only takes about 10 minutes to get to the Port from Hampton Inn. Before they built the adjacent hotel, you could see the cruise ships from the upper floors.

 

[MiaSRN62]

First, the transportation (taxi) which Hampton provides doesn't come until 12:00 (according to Hampton Inn) which seems a bit late for us. Secondly, we would rather pay for the parking at the Port which is secured.

Hello ~
I'm also trying to decide between these two hotels. How much extra does it cost to leave our van at the hotel vs parking at the port ? Is it any easier/more convenient to park at one or the other ? Thanks so much : )

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62

How much extra does it cost to leave our van at the hotel vs parking at the port?

If you book the cruise package, there is no additional charge to park at the hotel. If you park at the port, you'll pay $24 for the 3-day cruise, $32 for the 4-day cruise, or $56 for the 7-day cruise.

Is it any easier/more convenient to park at one or the other?

It's definitely easier to drive to the port and park there. But this is a good way to save some money if you're trying to keep your costs down.

 

[MiaSRN62]

If you book the cruise package, there is no additional charge to park at the hotel. If you park at the port, you'll pay $24 for the 3-day cruise, $32 for the 4-day cruise, or $56 for the 7-day cruise.

We don't have the package as we are driving down from the Philly area and had no need for transfers and all.

It's definitely easier to drive to the port and park there.

Thanks Dave.....I'm rethinking now. We'll still most likely spend the night at the Radisson or Hampton Inn, but leaning more toward parking at the port now. It'll be one less maneuvar with all the luggage. Instead of going from ship to hotel shuttle to car, we can go right from ship to car.
Yet another question if you don't mind.....how is the baggage handled for cruisers who don't have/need transfers ? On the last night of the cruise, do we still put our luggage out in the hall ? Where do we pick it up and is it a far walk to the port parking lot from the ship ? Do they have carts, like in the airports, for wheeling luggage ? Sorry for all the questions---first time cruiser here

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62

If you book the cruise package, there is no additional charge to park at the hotel. If you park at the port, you'll pay $24 for the 3-day cruise, $32 for the 4-day cruise, or $56 for the 7-day cruise.

We don't have the package as we are driving down from the Philly area and had no need for transfers and all.

Actually, I was referring to a cruise package at the hotel. If you book a certain rate at the Hampton Inn, they offer complimentary parking and transfers from the hotel.

How is the baggage handled for cruisers who don't have/need transfers? On the last night of the cruise, do we still put our luggage out in the hall? Where do we pick it up and is it a far walk to the port parking lot from the ship? Do they have carts, like in the airports, for wheeling luggage?

Yes, you still put your luggage out in the hall. All luggage, regardless of your mode of transportation, will first have to go through Customs prior to your departure from the terminal property. All luggage is taken off the boat during the early morning hours and put onto shelves in a large Customs facility on the ground floor of the DCL terminal. When you disembark the ship, you will go down an escalator into this Customs area. (<i>Warning: you are not allowed to take photographs in this area!</i>) Your luggage will be in a certain color-coded area of this room. And it's more-or-less ordered by stateroom number. It took us about five minutes to find all of our luggage. Then you hail a porter. There are plenty of porters waiting for you hail. They'll load all of your luggage onto a handtruck, take your Customs declaration form, and with you they'll sail past the Customs inspector through the exit. They'll be happy to take your luggage right out to your car. They've saved you a lot of labor. Be sure to tip them well.

 

[MiaSRN62]

There are plenty of porters waiting for you hail. They'll load all of your luggage onto a handtruck, take your Customs declaration form, and with you they'll sail past the Customs inspector through the exit. They'll be happy to take your luggage right out to your car. They've saved you a lot of labor. Be sure to tip them well.

Sorry about misunderstanding your comment about the cruise package offered by the hotels. I really appreciate your help Dave. You're a wealth of information (along with others here on the boards).

 

[dgroet]

I stayed at the Hampton 2 years ago while on business. I thought it was great. The continental breakfast was the nicest I've encountered at a hotel. For the extra money it's probably worth it for a larger family. They had toast, english muffins, frozen waffles, fresh fruit, donuts, danish, milk, juice, coffee, hot and cold cereals, just to name some of it. I know there was more, but can't remember exactly what else there was. Each day had different things. The hotel also had internet access in one of the conference rooms.