Pre-cruise stay at Port Canaveral question

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Camelia

Guest
Any advice on which hotel to pick for a 1-night pre-cruise stay at Port Canaveral, that includes free parking for the duration of the cruise and shuttel service to the pier? I read about the Hampton Inn at Cocoa Beach. Anybody ever stayed at that hotel? Thanks for any advice from all experienced cruisers.
 
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DeniseZ

Guest
The popular place seems to be Radisson Resort Port Canaveral....I have three rooms booked for our one day pre-cruise in October. Check out this virtual tour of the hotel:
<http://www.photowebusa.com/cape/>
 
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DigitalMan

Guest
I'll be staying at the Radison At The Port this Saturday before my cruise leaves. I heard lots of people recommend it, so decided to try it.

Guy
 
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lacie

Guest
Hey guys! We just returned less than a week ago from the Glory and stayed the night before at the Radisson. It was a good decision! They have a great pool and hottub the kids and hubby enjoyed before bedtime. They had a dinner buffet and music in the evening too but we did not eat there. The bar is open and you can relax by the dimly lit pool and enjoy a beverage before bed. The room was clean and comfortable. We paid $109 for the night and to leave our SUV with them for the duration of the cruise. Heck it would cost $10 a night to park at the port and you still have to deal with the ports shuttle to where Glory is docked. The Radisson ran two shuttles back and forth to the port all morning. One is a mini bus type and the other a large van. They have a nice breakfast buffet for about $8 a person. We looked at the menu but since the buffet included beverages it was the better deal. There is also a McD's across the street. :-b They take reservations for the shuttles...MAKE SURE you are on the list for the time you wish to go to the port. We did have to wait one shuttle longer than our reservation but ...I'm on vacation so that is not going to worry me!!! If you have any questions you think I might help you with just email me! Have a great trip! Lacey
 
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Camelia

Guest
Lacy, thanks for the great info. I have one follow-up question: when you come back from the cruise, are the Radisson shuttles waiting there for you? Since it can take hours to dembark, and you don't know what color luggage you will be, you have no idea when you will get off the ship. I imagine the shuttles wait till they fill up and continuosly go back to the hotel.

And now, how about a review from the Glory, which we will be taking too!!!!
 
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lacie

Guest
Dear Camelia! First the shuttle Q! When our number/color was called we left the ship and went through the terminal. This included a few trips on an escalator, down to the ground floor where there were carousels for the luggage like at the airport. There were also PLENTY of porters waiting with carts. All four of us went on this trip so we had 6 bags other than our carry off, and three of them were HUGE! We had no idea where to go...but the porter did! He asked for our customs form and wisked us through the building and took our bags through the first parking lot in front of the terminal to the place shuttles pick up passengers. We waited ten to 15 minutes tops for a Radisson shuttle to appear. We were loaded up and made one other stop at the Disney terminal before being returned to the Radisson. Also, they did not wait very long for other passengers...called out a few times and then on to the next terminal....and when we arrived at the waiting spot some folks waiting for a Hertz shuttle told us a Radisson shuttle had just left...so it appears they are running the two shuttles continuously through all the terminals at the port. Back at the Radisson we loaded our bags in our vehicle and made a potty stop before leaving. (Nice restrooms in lobby - hallway to your left as you enter.) I'll try to write a review soon! Kids go back to school next Tuesday, so maybe I'll find time then! It was our first cruise. We had a great time and it will not be our last cruise! Everyone have a great trip!!
Lacey
 
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Sweetpea29488

Guest
Camelia,
We just got back yesterday from the Glory and loved it! My review is already in the review section. If you can get by with carring your luggage off do that!!!! We did and got off the ship first. We were on the verandah deck and we were one of the first off the ship. They start with the ones that have early morning flights and tours then they go from the top of the ship to the bottom with self luggage people (that was us) we used the same color tags that we came on with. In fact it was the same tags, we never took them off and used the same ones. If you have any questions after reading my review please e-mail me or post here. Oh , we did stay at the Hampton Inn and loved it. We didn't leave our car there though. We parked at the port. The shuttle to the ship after you drop off you luggage from where we were parked wasn't far at all. We got there early and parked right where you get on and off the bus.
 
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Dan40

Guest
If you stay at the Radisson and the shuttles are over booked or over jammed, going or coming back. A taxi is $8.00 plus tip. If you taxi to the ship, the taxi will likely promise to pick you up on your return.
Dan
 
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hilltopfamily

Guest
Dan40 makes a good comment----when we were at the Radisson before our Disney cruise July 26, they were way overbooked. We got to the hotel the day before really early (around 1:00) & signed up for the shuttle to the port then while registering for the hotel. The earliest slot they had available (even with signing up so early) was 1230 or 1:00 to the ship!!!!! We were wanting to be there at 10:30 so we didn't use their shuttle. I'm sure their shuttle is great but------just be prepared that you may not get to the ship as early as you'd like if you use their shuttle, or be prepared to take a taxi.
 
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