My DH and myself booked this cruise 11 months early and got a really good deal on our Balcony cabin. It was in fact cheaper than any balcony on any ship leaving Florida the first week of March. Up until final payment, I kept shopping for a better or equal deal, scouring the internet and looking at all cruise lines as I had hesitations about trying NCL again. Fortunately, I had no need to be worried.

We stayed one night pre-cruise at the HI Express Rocky PT. We did not use the cruise special as we had a rental car already (Hertz) so dropped in downtown at the Marriott. DH dropped me and luggage at the port and then walked back after dropping the car. He was gone about 25 min so it wasn't far. The hotel was fine and we enjoyed our dinner at Bahama Breeze.

If we leave Tampa again I think we will stay downtown though so we have other restaurant choices. The trolley looked fun and we would do that next time. Read more