paradiselivin1

Don't like Crabby Bill's at all. Nice waterfront location but the food is not that great. Our better restaurants on SPB are off-water along Gulf Blvd. or Corey Blvd. People should enjoy sunset from a waterfront bar/restaurant & then gravitate to the higher quality restaurants for food.

Agree with previous posters about being prepared to layer your clothes. I was in AK for almost three weeks as I did extensive land travels before boarding the cruise ship. I didn't have a rain jacket with hood and picked on up just outside of Denali for $20. I went a little later in the year and was able to pull out shorts. I also picked up a few other things along the way. A good tip that was shared with me years ago was to take clothes that you wouldn't mind leaving behind to make room for anything you buy along the way.

The one thing I will suggest is to book excursions early if you have some things in mind you definitely want to do. I agree about the small ship cruises ~ we did one out of Whittier before boarding the Coral. It was awesome. Also, did several flight seeing tours, train trips, etc. & it was good to book early for who/what we wanted. By joining the roll call for your cruise, you may meet some folks that want to do the same thing & you can create a small tour group to hire a van/guide, etc. ENJOY! My favorite cruise to-date.

Thanks. They can do what they want except take away my warm chocolate melting cake....:eek:

Looking forward to our cruise in a few short weeks. Thanks for the mini review. A bit cryptic, but got the gist in less than a minute.

We've gone to the MDR just to request a dessert TO GO.

No problem.

Perfect. Thanks! Did you go to your usual table or just ask at the hostess stand?

Can you pull off the same idea in the MDR with late seating? Wouldn't want to hold up others at the table but love the idea of buffet followed by WCMC in MDR which is my dessert du jour every day:D Could I simply advise wait staff that we'll be back for dessert only:confused:

Thanks for finishing your awesome review. Told you that you prompted me to go out and shop for my upcoming cruise which I did today but didn't find any great dresses. Cute tops...but need to step it up after seeing your photos.

Hope things work out with G but guessing that you will find the right guy if he is not it ~ you have a wonderful spirit and seem to live life to it's fullest. Hope to see you on one of my cruises some day...

 

We're planning on St Pete's. Just looking at a map doesn't do justice.

You won't be sorry to come to this end of the barrier island. If I can point you in the right direction for anything, please let me know. It will be an AWESOME weekend here & we're off on our boat which should be the place to be (except on a cruise.....) Enjoy!!

I am also planning a trip to this area. I have never been so I am only offering some things I have found during my search. I am hoping to stay at a small hotel in Pass a Grill Beach Coconut Inn It looks really nice. pretty reasonable. I think I would like that area. Check it out.

Definitely check out Coconut Inn. Great location is Pass A Grille and Joe has done a great job restoring the property.

I see that another poster suggested the Hurricane for sunset which is great on the rooftop but don't limit yourself to the food there ~ it's not that good! Several great places further up St. Pete Beach (PAG is actually the south end of St. Pete Beach) but our better, newer restaurants are further up the beach either on Gulf Blvd. or Corey Ave. I saw Seahorse mentioned ~ breakfast spot for the locals ~ highly recommended.

Thanks for talking about the food ~ I've seen some good & some not so good reviews. Love mac n cheese & will give it a try! Now the chocolate melting cake.....every night for me!!

Have to chime in as we have a condo on St. Pete Beach and live about five minutes away on the way down to Fort Desoto. St. Pete Beach is much more low key/quiet than Clearwater & there are all kinds of places to stay ranging from Don CeSar (pink palace) to local Mom & Pop's. Great local restaurants as well right in St. Pete Beach. Easy to get around using the beach trolley or free "jitneys" that you can call or text. Although it looks like a clear shot to Clearwater, you will have sooo much more traffic to negotiate than simply take #275S to Exit 17 @ the bayway which is only a few miles off of the beach ~ two traffic lights and you're done! Have change for the toll plaza ($.75) unless you have a car with transponder.

LOL! Love the waterfall pics in the men's room!

Took the words out of my mouth. Never would have known. Thanks!

Just jumped on this review and you have done the best I have seen, by far. Love the photos of the ship virtually empty so you can really sense what each area looks like before packed with people. So looking forward to the rest. I have the feeling this will end up being our favorite ship for now as well. Enjoy your time away ~ hard to come by in the working years!

Totally looking forward to our cruise on the Breeze next month but really loved our cruise on the Legend out of Tampa & the ports of call. You need to consider the time of year as well to make sure it is not the rainy season at the particular ports of call. Just sayin....

Well, here is an interesting twist to many of these "rants" about people not leaving the "auto-tip/gratuity" in place. On one of my first cruises, I put the "tip/gratuity" in envelopes for all parties and gave them the minimum or more so that I could personally thank them for the good service. A bit more work on my part but that was my choice. Have never done it again as it is a bit of a pain but often just leave a thank you card (which I pack in advance hoping for good service) and leave a bit more in the room for the steward(s). Gosh folks, stop expecting the worst! There are some decent folks out here....

Love the review but please finish before we leave in a month. Inquiring minds want to know. Now you have me wanting to go out and shop for more dresses....so unlike me!

I agree with the others - port or starboard doesn't matter as much as being out on deck to take photos and see the sights. We loved the Coral as well in an aft cabin on Baja (B637). I got some great shots from our balcony but often went to the aft to take shots from either side or behind the ship. I highly recommend taking some time pre-cruise to visit Denali and take the train back down to Whittier. Also, book any excursions early to get the best choice. Flightseeing was one of our favorites from either Talkeetna or Misty Fjords (we did both). One of my favorite trips and look forward to doing it again!

With such limited time, I think you would be smart to stay "local" and go to the Aquarium which is just a few blocks away. Ybor City is not as vibrant as it used to be but you should be able to find a restaurant where you can get a good Cuban sandwich. Next time, leave time to come out to our beautiful beaches. Definitely rival anything you would find on a cruise ~ talking about the Gulf beaches and not the bay beaches that precious poster spoke of ~ not the same at all!

I love it! Get it every night. The good waiters generally remember and have brought me two on occasion. YUM! :) What's not to love?

Let's face it folks ~ life is what you make of it. I'd never put a local out by taking "their" seat on the bus but think there is room for all ~ especially if one comes along every ten minutes. I actually prefer the interaction with the locals rather than hanging with all of the tourists that are just like me. Especially those who can't wait to judge the motives of others....

Thanks for the great idea. We haven't booked anything yet in this port and have been searching the threads like you did for the best fit. This sounds like just the adventure. We did something similar in Mexico many years ago & when on one of the buses in Cancun got to the locals neighborhood & they kicked us off the bus and said we couldn't go any further:eek: Laughed all the way back into town to find a Carlos & Charlies. How boring not to get out and make your own adventures! Thanks, again.

I try to pay for excursions in advance so I don't have to carry too much money. Put some money in my onboard account before boarding and had close to a zero balance. We'll probably take about $500 for two for the week. Shouldn't need much more than that is everything is paid in advance. Enjoy and happy cruising.

Each do have their own shopping experience but I would say for the best "overall" shopping experience definitely Cozumel.

I agree. Love the Caymans but probably most expensive shopping on this itinerary. :eek: Great place to window-shop.