We did our first cruise August of 2018. I chose Royal Caribbean out of Tampa. It's just over a 90 minute drive and I parked across the street for $7 a day and walked to the terminal. I did reserve the spot online in advance and it was a covered elevated garage. Going out of Tampa you'll have smaller ships because they have to go under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. I think our ship was 880' long and most cruises from Tampa stay in the western Caribbean and are just 4 or 5 days. I felt it was a good starting point. I believe we had 2200 passengers and a crew of about a 1,000.
I always heard so much about Cozumel and I like Key West, so our Cruise was Key West, Havana, Cozumel and back to Tampa, five days total. We had a room with a window, but no balcony. With all fees and taxes it was about a $1,000 for two people. We didn't have Passports, so those we got at the post office on 301 in Summerfield. Make an appointment on thier website, that was about $300 for two of them with photos.
I enjoyed the cruise, but it's not something I'm looking forward to going again. I really enjoyed Key West the most and hanging out at Sloppy Joe's. If I were to do something gain, I would just drive to Key West or go to Naples and take the hydroplane boat ride over to Key West.
If you do drink, get the liquor package, about $350 for two people. I spent about $400 extra just having a few beers and my wife a couple of wines everyday out by the pool. We could had just about as much as we wanted for less with the package.
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