We arrived in Tampa on 3-11-07 and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on Dale Mabry. (clean and had a free shuttle from the hotel and to the port) We left for our cruise on 3-12-07.
Our embarkation was an easy process took about 15 minutes total. We arrived-gave our bags to a porter-checked in and went on board. We were allowed to board early(around 12:00). This was our first time to cruise we were a little nervous about all of the procedures but everything was really easy. We then went to the Lido deck for some lunch. Our rooms were ready by 1:30 and the muster drill did not take long at all. Our bags arrived shortly after.
We had early dining in the Carnivale(Babu-Maitre'de)Our waiters were Nyorman and Itadek and they were awesome. I have a 7 year old and he just loved both of them. I must say the warm chocolate melting cake was my favorite desert. I had steak most every night( i am a picky eater) but my husband tried different things and he said most things were really good. We chose to eat in the Brasserie Grill for lunch most days and for breakfast too. The pizza is good and the room service is quick and convenient!!! Our room was always neat and we never had to ask for anything. Our room steward was Martin. He did a fine job! The photo gallery was a nice place too. I spent quite a bit of time in there and spent quite a bit of money in there also.( the last day at sea they had a special- buy an 8x10 get free wallets) I will say that if you wait til the last day you will have to go through some stacks of pictures so if you really think you might want the picture it is best to go ahead and buy it when you see it. We went to the shows every night and enjoyed them. My son went to them also and liked them too.