Some background - I've been a lurker here on cruise critic for a while, and this is my first post. So I'd like to start by saying "Thank you" to everyone who has posted - I found the information invaluable!
My husband and I were part of a group of apporx. 40 people on the Legend - it was a reunion of his former Air Force associates. This was our thrid cruise - we've cruised Disney and RCL in the past.
We flew into Tampa 2 days before the cruise to meet and visit with my sister & family. We stayed at the Homewood Suites in Brandon. The hotel was great - clean, very friendly and helpful staff, great rooms, great price. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone. We had to take a cab to the hotel from the airport (no shuttle - approx. $60 w/tip), then another cab to the port. The cab to the port I think would normally be in the $25 - $30 range, but we had to go back for our camera which we forgot at the hotel, and make a stop at an ATM, so it was a bit more.