As previously mentioned Port of Tampa has the process down to a science. I would recommend spending an additional $15 for valet parking instead of parking in the Port Authority on your own. You are able to drive right to the front door and a porter is waiting to unload your car. The valet parking for 5 days was $85. All the employees were so accommodating and pleasant. I am a nervous traveler until we are settled in and in Tampa it was so smooth and fast that I didn't have time to worry.
Tendering was easy. I worried about the wait to get off the ship but we waited until all the shore excursions were off and we literally walk on to the tender, no waiting. Coming back we opted to get the tender an hour before the last call and again walked right on the tender.
Walked right off the ship with only a short wait to scan our cards. Long walk to the cabs but half the walk is indoors and cool. Loved the market right on the dock for souvenirs for the kids.
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