San Diego Hotel Close to the Dock........

[MikeyMisha]

Hi to all,

I booked passage for a back to back cruise on the Carnival Spirit Feb 10, and Feb 18. Since I have spent so much money for two great balcony rooms, my worst nightmare is to wait until the morning of the cruise and somehow show up late due to airline cancellation....etc.

I am thinking that I should probably go down the night before and stay at a hotel to be sure I make it.......

Can anyone tell me a very reasonably priced hotel, very close to the dock and has shuttle service from the airport to hotel, and hotel to the dock to board ship.

Thanks for any info........

[Brian J]

Hey Mikey check out th Best Western Bay Side Inn it has a free shuttle and free parking for the length of your cruise.

[CA Cruiser]

We also stayed at the BW Bayside on Ash Street. It was nice and we had a 9th floor balcony room to watch the ship arrive early the next morning. They even let our friends who just drove in cruise day, park their car there for the week for a reasonable fee. The free breakfast was at a restaurant next door. Very nice stay.

[rinker250]

Bayside is where we stay when we only need one night.
Parking is NOT free but it appears that you will not need that.
If you land after 1030 pm there is no shuttle but a cab ride is only six bucks before tip.
Cab to the pier is about the same.
They have a shuttle but there were so many cruisers using it we took a cab.

[Brian J]

Hey rinker we were NOT charged for parking and called and checked, the manager told me as long as we showed cruise tickets parking is free.

[rinker250]

Wow....ok, maybe if you are cruising.
When you check in you will see a sign to the left of the desk stating that there is paid parking available. I didn't pursue it because we had no car with us. Perhaps it is a deal worked out with the port.
Goodness knows that the port can use all the help it can get.
Use the elevator on the right. The left one is held together with duct tape and gets stuck.
Horton Plaza is 4 short blocks away for good eats.

[MikeyMisha]

Bayside BW was sold out for Feb 9 so I went with the Holiday Inn in the same area, same price and has free shuttle from the airport and to the Dock........I paid $169 for one night.....good enough. Im happy that I decided to go down the night before so barring any "act of God" emergencies I should be ok.

Thanks for the help.

[rinker250]

That is a great hotel!
Was only 75.00 for years for a bay view.
You can walk to the terminal....I'm guessing it's abot 150 yards.

[kd]

Rinker, I think the poster booked at the Holiday Inn BAYSIDE. The hotel to which you referred is Holiday Inn ON THE BAY. altogether different location. We stayed there ('on the Bay') in Dec of both 06 and 07 and simply pulled our luggage across the street to board the Summit. I have a picture taken from the hotel lobby entrance that looks like the ship is parked at the driveway. Total cost with taxes etc. was around $150.00. One of the nice things about San Diego is that the airport, port, downtown, gaslamp quarter etc. are all very close--a cheap cab ride or a good walk.

[MikeyMisha]

I think I may be booked at the Holiday Inn by the bay. If not, maybe I should change to the one by the bay. I can call and check. If Im not on the one by the bay, then maybe I should change to that onej for convenience purposes.

Just to be sure.........I want the Holiday Inn By the Bay.........and not the Bayside location.......right? Or does it really matter that much in the end?

I guess as long as Im there the night before it doesnt matter but if I can get closer I'd probably do it.

thanks for the help

[MikeyMisha]

Hey,

I just called and re-booked to the Holiday Inn thats right across from the dock......got a top floor with balconey overlooking the bay so I can see the ship come in the next morning....only $20 more.........perfect.

Well, Im a happy camper now......all squared away for a back to back 16 nighter on the Spirt. Life cant get much better that this....haha

Thanks to all........happy sailing.

[rinker250]

Glad it worked out for you.

Actually, when I used to stay there it was called "Holiday Inn at the Embarcadero".
This was back when the Tuna Fleet moored right on the quay next to Anthony's.

[MikeyMisha]

It was a little confusing when I called, they seem to have the phone numbers mixed up and when you say by the bay or on the bay they can get your hotel confused.

I called again just to make sure and they said I was at the Holiday Inn On the Bay at 1355 North Harbor Dr.......I hope thats the one I want. I have plenty of time, but I think its all straightened out now. I think the other one is at 4875 N. harbor Dr. .........A little further out.

Take care

[rinker250]

You're good

[MikeyMisha]

I think so too.......thanks Rinker..