My husband and I recently enjoyed our first cruise with Carnival, on the Miracle. We are "baby boomers", just starting to cruise, this being our second one. We traveled with a family group, 9 people in all.
We flew into Tampa a day early to avoid possible flight delays and missing the sailing time. A word to the wise...............NEVER fly and depart on the same day. The couple in front of us on the plane didn't make it to their destination of Fort Lauderdale in time, because of a missed connection, and the ship left without them. Spend the extra money, stay overnight, and be worry free.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, Rocky Point Drive in Tampa. Close to the airport, but about 25 minutes from the port. A shuttle was easily arranged to the port the next day. The hotel was very nice, newly redecorated, and right on Tampa Bay. They have a complimentary continental buffet, which had a nice selection of breakfast foods. Right next door is The Bahama Breeze, a lovely restaurant, good food, and at night turned into a jumping place with music, etc.