bajathree

Port everglades has such easy parking right at the port. I have always just used their own parking. It's also safe and secure parking.

The aquarium is right at the port.....the History Center just a block away.

Go to the Tampa Aquarium or the Tampa History Center.....have lunch at Columbia Cafe at the history Center....both are walking distance of the port.

I have always parked at PE no problems.....and been on over 50 cruises out of there. Maybe people who say they have had problems arrive late in the day???

Surface lot E is for oversized vehicles. As per port of Miami web-site: Surface Lot E Open lot with no overhead clearance with designated spaces for oversized vehicles Accommodates oversized vans, recreational vehicles and vehicles with trailers $22 per space, per day. If two spaces are utilized, $44 per day If assistance is needed to park an oversized vehicle, please call 305-960-5463 or 305-960-6454

If you choose a hotel in the Channelside/Water St area you could take the free trolley to the port or even be in walking distance to the ship.

Not at all.

I used to live just a couple blocks from the Riverside. The boat parade is a huge event in FLL with the Riverside hotel area being pretty much ground zero for the event...they set up the judges stand just adjacent to the hotel. The "morning/day" of the parade should be ok with traffic building during the afternoon and the area being crazy by early evening. The morning/day after the parade is pretty much back to normal. It's a great fun event to attend....if you are checking into the hotel the morning of the boat parade you should be fine but just know the area will be packed that afternoon/evening and traffic will be crazy during that time. Restaurants and bars will be crazy packed. Do know that parts of the outdoor pool area of the Riverside where the Boathouse restaurant is located will be a private/paid event.

I live in Tampa and always drive down the day before I sail out of Port Everglades or Miami. Way to stressful the day of as all you need is one accident to shut down 75 or the alley for a while and you're in trouble. Plan on it taking you around 5 hours to drive to Miami....4 to Port Everglades.

Maybe look around staying in Clearwater Beach...lots of hotels and resorts. The nicest beaches are going to be around the Anna Maria Island area....but thats around 75-90 minutes south of Tampa and is going to be more house rentals.

Sign into your account and click on "upcoming cruises"....then click "view more".... if you don't see your luggage tags available then check back when you are < 30 days to sailing.

They did away with the "spa" classification....they are now just J1, J2 and J4's....all just considered "junior suites".

I don't believe they have "spa" junior suites anymore....at least not here in the US. I never had any issue dining in Coastal Kitchen no matter what category junior suite or ship I have been on.

Rocky Point isn't upscale to Channelside district. Many new options in Channelside including Tampa's first and only 5 star hotel.....The Edition.

Consider yourself lucky then....that area is usually very busy.

Like already posted....most Royal ships have a smoking area around the pool deck. You may want to look into Royal's sister line, Celebrity...they have more restrictive smoking policies

The problem with the suites on Freedom class is that they are mostly all on deck 10 under the pool deck or public space. I have been in an owners suite on Independence for 8 nights and it was the nosiest cabin I ever stayed in. I had a friend who stayed in the Royal suite on that same sailing and he complained that they could hear every time someone flushed the toilet from the public bathroom that sits above this suite....so just buyer beware. There is a reason that after Freedom class most all of the high end suites were moved to lower decks where they have cabins above and below instead of being under the pool deck.

A quote I found from from Mr Bayley from last year....."I'm not judging anyone or anything, but there's a large group of people who do want to smoke in the casino." He explained, "Every, I would say every couple of years, we do test this and we take one or two or three ships we ban smoking in the casino. And the result is less people go in the casino and that that's the reality of it." While a full smoking ban in the casino doesn't seem likely, Mr. Bayley said they are looking at ways to create more non-smoking areas, "we're looking at trying to create more smoke free spaces in the casino, which I think will be helpful."

I have sailed both Odyssey and Edge several times. In general Celebrity is a more upscale experience. If you ever consider a Sky Suite or above then hands down I would choose one of the Edge class ships...having access the The Retreat makes for a really upgraded experience. The biggest draw back to Edge class as mentioned above, if not in a suite or sunset veranda is the infinite verandas. The infinite veranda isn't a real balcony experience...it's a glorified ceiling to glass window that the top half opens....sometimes. The infinite veranda is an either you love it or hate it....haven't met a lot of people in the middle.If you are sailing Alaska or a cool climate experience I may think differently, but for warm weather the infinite veranda is a deal breaker for me. Both ships are beautiful and Odyssey is probably going to be as close to a Celebrity experience you will get while sailing Royal Caribbean as it's basically a Solstice class ship that has been Royal Caribean'ized. Entertainment wise Odyssey wins out as Celebrity entertainment tends to be a bit more conservative. Activity wise Odyssey again hands down wins out...so many activities. I would say overall Edge class is a bit more luxurious felling overall ship wise. Bottom line you can't really go wrong with either...it just depends what you are looking for....more activities or a more upscale experience.

When cruising out of FLL/MIA I always drive the night before. Like mentioned...you can use it to your advantage by choosing a less expensive location staying a little further from PE but only have a short drive the day of.

Agree with the above....look in the Las Olas area by Federal Highway.

You might want to give Coconuts a try next time instead of 17th St Touristy Fisheries...lol.

Yolo is a seen and be seen high testosterone atmosphere.....thus all the $100+K cars parked in front. Good drinks and lively night pick up bar crowd...it's less known for it's food

Having lived right on Las Olas.....if you want upscale seafood Lobster Bar is excellent. Boathouse is nice open atmosphere...decent food. Louie Bossi's very good Italian ...lively atmosphere. Caffe Europa...a locals favorite. Luigi's Tuscan Grill another good Italian. Eddie V's Prime Seafood for another upscale.

If you can find a good price fly ....check out Southwest and Silver Airways. Other choice like mentioned is rent a car and drive...it's about a 4hr drive from Tampa to FLL.