GarageTwoThree

My wife and I were looking at booking this cruise as well. (Yes, we are last minute people.)

Question - Online it looks like they say that you can snorkel right off the ship. Has anyone tried that? I wasn't sure if it is worth booking excursions to go snorkeling if you can do so right off of the boat.

to bad you won't be @ Oyster catchers for brunch. mmmmm :)

Armani's is one of the most expensive eats in Tampa, but good. For less expensive fare there is a Bahama breeze and a landry's(sp?) near by too. Your hotel is not to far from the port, but closer to the airpot. great price

if you are staying in Tampa but leaving pot Canaveral: During the week I would reccomend at least 3-4 hours if no more just to get to Orlando hoping for no major accidents. If its during the weekend you can hope for a 2 hour trip to Orlando leaving real early might get you there in 45 mins to 1 hour depending on how fast you are comfortable driving :D I have not been to Port Canaveral in many many years so I gave approximations between tampa and Orlando which is where you encouner most traffic.

If you like to bar hop and club scene, Ybor is your choice. This place will have the biggest mix of people. If you like your bars a little more "yup yup" I would suggest the SOHO district it has more vespas, popped collars, and 18 year olds in BMW..:D. Ybor is ultimatly closer to the port, but either or is near by.

Liquor: has your cabbie where the closest hard liquor place is or ask your hotel desk. Both will know this answer. Tampa goes dry at 3:00am and St. Pete seems to go dry around 1:00am. If you are looking for ultimate selection there is a place caled TOTAL WINE AND SPIRITS on Dale Mabry. Imagine the size of a Rooms to Go, but filled iwth liquor, because thats what it is. Nice wine selections, and decent Vodka selection. Also no interest here, but if you like a nice local sipping Vodka like I do we have a new distillery. Its called TOUCH Vodka, look it up limited avail, good stuff, smooth. Run you about $40.00 for 750ml.

hlfdzn- It been a little since I have been in there, but I don't remember seeing anything crazy. Although I take no responsibility for what you encounter... :D. I don't think you have anything to worry about. If your cruise is leaving saturday you won't have a problem getting to the sea port on time from pretty much any hotel in Tampa.

that place you speak of is right next to a small group of hotels right Cracker? Its not really a bait and tackle anymore. Its run by what I can best describe as two old hippies. They sell the coolest crap in there. I bought an old bowling pin and they sell bottles that they put metal caps or marbles in and then melt the bottles into wierd shapes trapping the marbles or objects in there. Anyway back on topic, if you stay at those hotels travel to the port can be time costly in the morning on a weekday since I-75 can be backed up all the way through I-4 which is your way to the port. The port is downtown and all the traffic in the morning heads toward downtown. IF you are not leaving on a weekday its very fast maybe 15-20 mins depending on your speed.