While planning our first European Cruise for this summer, to celebrate our 25th Anniversary, the long Buffalo winter, along with the desire to be Diamond members of the Crown and Anchor Society for that special cruise, was all the incentive we needed to add in a short and relatively inexpensive getaway during my Spring Vacation. A five day escape on the Grandeur of the Seas fit the bill. During our extended anticipation we were able to convince some good friends to join us on what would be their first cruise. Chris and Orvis really helped add to the excitement as we recalled being "first time cruisers."

We flew Southwest Airlines to Tampa with no problems at all. I took advantage of the on-line check-in, which did help us to get better seats. We came down two days early and were able to enjoy two relaxing afternoons in the courtyard of the Tampa Double Tree Westshore. The hotel was very nice. They accepted my State Retirement System card as sufficient evidence that I was a Government Employee, and we were able to book the balcony room, with free breakfast buffet for just $100 per night. They provided free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel, and anywhere within 2 miles of the hotel. We had them take us to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner on Thursday; I had their BBQ Salmon, YUM. I got up early Friday morning and used the fitness center. It was small with a limited number of Precor machines. I used free weights instead of Lifefitness machines I'm used to using at Bally's. Later that morning we had them take us to the local grocery store, Sweet Bay, where we purchased two small 8 can cases of soda to bring on the cruise. I was also able to have their pharmacy call my home pharmacy so that I could be supplied with the cholesterol medication that I forgot to pack. The pharmacist there was originally from Jamestown, NY. She worked hard to get my medicine for me. Thumbs up for Sweet Bay! We had dinner on Friday night at Charley's Steakhouse, right next to the hotel. Double YUM! Our friends arrived at the Double Tree sometime long after we had called it a night.

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