Pre-cruise hotel stay About This Page:

[trinigirl]

Has anyone ever stayed anywhere besides the Radisson at the Port? What were your thoughts?

[Dave Marx]

We've stayed at a bunch of places. It depends a lot on what you want out of your pre-cruise stay - each has advantages/disadvantages.

Are you planning to use DCL transportation? You can get often get great rates at the airport-area hotels like the Marriott (especially with Priceline). I like the Marriott a lot, and we've done well at the other 3-star and 3.5 star hotels there. You use the free hotel shuttle to get back and forth to the airport, and catch the DCL bus in the morning.

The Radisson and Ron Jon resorts are both very convenient to the cruise terminal and offer a wide range of resort amenities. Ron Jon has suites and a short walk to the beach, which may give it an edge.

If you want to enjoy the ocean, there is a wide range of acommodations in Cocoa Beach starting with basic, bargain rooms at Motel 6 and working your way up from there. Most offer a shuttle to the cruise terminal, but you'll generally have to pay for it. I don't have any real favorites in Cocoa Beach - while you can spend $$ on someplace nice, the mid- and low-priced places aren't particularly impressive. Most are older buildings, so you'll want to ask when they were most recently rennovated.

[wwaaww]

I think it all depends on how long you'll be there before you leave on the cruise and whether or not you have access to a car.

We drove from the airport to the Radisson in a rather less than delightful rain. Since we arrived in the early evening we missed out on the lovely Radisson pool. However, what we lacked in pool time we more than made up with by walking across the parking lot of Kelsey's for dinner with the pals we met up with in P.C.

The car allowed us to go to Publix for shopping before the cruise.

I saw a lot of hotel / motels on that 'strip' that starts with the Radisson.

When we go in 2 years, we plan on staying in Orlando the night before the cruise so we can do a character dinner at one of the Disney properties. Then we'll drive down that morning to P. C. for the cruise.

Have a good time,

[disneydeva]

I had the same question when I started planning. Because there will be six of us traveling including a 2 and 7 year old, somewhere with a pool was a must. The Raddison seemed like a logical place however the rates are crazy for our trip in March. With alot of investigation we finally picked the Hampton Inn on Cocoa Beach. Our room has a balcony so when the kids fall asleep we can sit out and enjoy the Florida air. Also, it is within walking distance to the beach. It also has a nice buffett breakfast included for the price. We are only paying $125.00 per night per room for a aaa rate. Not bad. The Raddison wanted over 159.00 without breakfast. Beacause we are planning on renting a mini van at the airport, I will just drop everyone off at the terminal and then go to Budget and return the van. I can catch the shuttle for free and come right back to the terminal. Hope this helps.

[trinigirl]

Thanks! We're actually flying out of Boston the day before our crusie and renting a car to drive from Orlando Int'l. Since it'll be December, we're not anticipating pool or beach use. We're basing this on our visit to Disney last December where it was pretty darn cold! (I think 50's during the day and 30's at night) We just wanted to use the day before as a sort of decompress day and to pick up any last minute items we may have forgotten. I am planning on dropping the hubby and kids at the Port on the morning of the cruise, returning the rental car to Budget and then using their shuttle back to the Port. I guess my biggest fear is getting stuck in an unsafe neighborhood in an unclean hotel. By the way, if I don't stay at the Radisson, could I still dine at Flamingo's?

[dmpyron]

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Since it'll be December, we're not anticipating pool or beach use. We're basing this on our visit to Disney last December where it was pretty darn cold! (I think 50's during the day and 30's at night)

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No kidding! We've had everything from upper 70s and sunshine (the day of the parade, fortunately) to low 40s and a driving rain (pure misery, except that we were at Disney!)

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By the way, if I don't stay at the Radisson, could I still dine at Flamingo's?

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They'll always be glad to separate you from your money.