Capt_BJ

I sent my renewal in last month .... routine/normal processing ... had new passport in hand in under 2 weeks. I'm in Florida ... sent to Texas facility. I used priority mail to send it in, and they used same to return (traceable).

QM2 was recently in FLAM ... saw it on the webcam .... I doubt they altered their dress code because they were in Norway ......

port Miami is smack downtown ..... low cost parking near the port is sort of a non-starter.

port has acknowledged parking issues and announced plans to build two new garages ... but both will be on the north side of the port .... none near T-1 there are several 'off site' lots withing a 10 minute drive from T-1 and with adv' ressie can be MUCH less expensive at the cost of a shuttle 'experience' ... I usually park off site . . . saving around 50% off port price . .

closed ... was supposed to reopen last spring following renovations (unusual as it is only 10 years old) but web site says closed with no opening date .... https://www.explorationtower.com/

outside dining at Grills .... the ship is at T-1 ..... right next door .... door to door under 200 yards

Not sure what you would do with your luggage but the Riverwalk is pleasant. The Aquarium will hold luggage. check out the details ... the aquarium is at one end of River Walk ..... if they will hold your bags, all of riverwalk is open to you <including Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center ... > https://www.columbiarestaurant.com/columbia-cafe-at-the-tbhc not the full menu of Columbia but has all the good stuff!!!!

I did not say EVERYTHING was Haw' ... I said there was a 'VIBE' and perhaps you'd like to read the menu more carefully

I tried a new(er) place for lunch yesterday. Dolphins Waterfront Grill .... https://dolphinsgrill.com/ it is at 528 and SR-3 ... about 5 miles west of the port bit more of a Hawaii vibe with kalua pork, poki, loco moco in addition to burgers etc. I don't see anything fried beside french fries sides ... had a decent fish sandwich. Others in group had good looking burgers. Full bar (real glasses). Big open tiki style (no walls!!) Sat Sun evening some live local music . . . a lil awkward to get in to as you can only turn in from SOUTH BOUND SR3 .... if heading north you go over the canal, make a well marked u-turn (special signal) them come in from the north turning immediately b4 the ramp to west 528 . . .

I believe this is a wize choice but wanted to make the option clear as I know folk 'over there' are much more 'train friendly'

rated the most dangerous track per mile in the US ..... don't matter who's fault it is if the train kills someone operations are gonna be shut down for a while to clean up and investigate. I LIKE trains but I don't like companies that take shortcuts that endanger people 'high speed rail' has a legal definition and associated safety requirements .... google will get you answers/facts quickly ......

even if you don't want to do a day room at the airport Hyatt .... head up there ..... outside of the checkin desk is a very large lounge area with chairs and couches etc ..... is is reasonably quiet and WAY better than any gate waiting area and FREE ....

both are available but do note that this is a port in an area of small towns so lower numbers of both ...... especially when calling for an UBER/TAXI for your return from KSC you may want to allow extra time cuz the visitor center is kinda out in the boonies ..... but tween port and KSC, UBER/TAXI is your only option unless you find a low cost one day rental car <which was readily available pre-COVID> UBER/TAXI can pick you up at the terminal ..... all the terminals are in the UBER pick list (by number)

Miami operates a free trolley service that stops in the port. There are multiple lines and you can transfer from one to another ... all free. You can explore a BUNCH of Miami via the trolley .... downtown, little havana ...... https://www.miami.gov/Transportation-Roadways/Trolley-Information/Get-Trolley-Information-Schedules-and-Maps <this system does NOT go to Miami BEACH ... a different city> Bayside is walkable depending on your endurance ... you need to walk over the bridge connecting the port <Dodge Island> to the main land. In round numbers you are looking at a mile up and over on a narrow sidewalk on the bridge <my yellow line is approx 'ground level' entry points to the bridge>

you could use one of the two train services but it won't be 'door to door' .... you'll need to get tween the port and the train station at either side which adds time and complication but you might save a dollar or two. And odds are the waiting time for a train will add time . . .

we got close on both of our trips up there with similar itinerary .... on VIKING altho the crude map provided to show your basic itin' shows an 'outside passage' don't be surprized if you actually sail an 'inside route' akin to Alaska's inside passage .... with lots to see close up. If you're on a fun line they may celebrate crossing the circle with a Blue Nose Ceremony where after an arctic plunge into COLD waters you get a a frosted nose and a drink of aquavit <those big blue bags are MORE ICE ... they replenished every few dippers> p.s. the Artic Circle is at 66 - 34N <technically it moves but this is close enuf and what most nautical charts reflect.> tromso is a lil above 69N and north cape 71

For Grand Cayman I think Sunset House would be your best call, I was gonna recommend Sunset House ... their 'house reef' is just down the road from Eden Rock so similar depths and profiles. I took daughter there for her 'discovery' during a cruise stop and as I'd been out of the water for a bit did it with her as a refresher. You can book additional 'discovery' dives there as well. I coordinated my 'wants' with the dive shop by e-mail (info on SunsetHouse.com). <one 'advantage Sunset Has over many other 'discovery' locations is a nice POOL for the basic skills training ... my opinion> Subsequently after she got certified we went back for a week for her to build experience ,,, and soon she was on a college summer fellowship to CocoView in Roatan working on a research project, helping on the dive boats and providing evening talks to resort guests. I guess you could say she enjoyed her sunset discovery! gearing up for first night dive at the sea pool Sunset House on the house wreck at CocoView

we did the hop on hop off bus .... things were a bit too spread out for me as I can't walk as well as I did previously after a hip replacement . . . another good idea in the 'oslo pass' which gives you use of public transit system and admission to many paid sites for one price .... https://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/

mailed priority 24 Aug (Texas facility) normal processing received 18 Sep - under 4 weeks .....

also popular is Guy Harvey's place which is in town (My Bar is a mile up the road) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147366-d1550637-Reviews-Guy_Harvey_s_Island_Grill-George_Town_Grand_Cayman_Cayman_Islands.html

true ... it is printed on the menu note also that the Cayman Dollar is fixed to the US dollar but is not EQUAL TO the US dollar the 'street' exchange rate is typically $1US equals 80 cents CI or your $10 is $8 CI or she may look 20 but is $16 CI (applies to tip as well) So a pint of Caybrew is $7 CI (sunset house / My Bar menu https://www.sunsethouse.com/_files/ugd/5d876a_8c921285da8e44d0b40dfe5deb1204bd.pdf ) plus 15% $8.05 CI convert to US & you're lookin at $9.66 (US) a beer <at actual legal conversion rate of 1CI = 1.20 US> $12CI cheezeburger with fries becomes $16.56 IME these are typical prices in Cayman and autogratuity is common as well

maybe third time is a charm 🤣 twice they've announced, sold tickets and subsequently refunded those tickets as approval to operate was not yet in hand!

see the big ferris wheel? That's at Bayside

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/tpaap-tampa-airport-marriott/rooms/day-use-room/

As my post a few up says we did a cruise with day 1 over night just a few weeks ago. I now remember that as we boarded there was a safety brief ..... in small groups .... we were seated about 1 dozen folks, in the waiting area just out side main dining and a short safety talk was given. Especially a demonstration of the new style lifejackets which are aboard. I dunno if these are unique to SATURN - new ship - but they are 'different' .... I do believe they scanned our cards at this time. THEN the next day as I mentioned just b4 sailing was some general announcements and the demonstration of the horn signal etc etc.