It's been over a year since our last cruise and we were sure missing it. So, we decided to try Carnival Cruise Lines this time for a week's long trek to the Western Caribb
ean. Carnival always has good values, but sometimes gets mixed reviews in terms of quality and clientele. We did get a great value and a great itinerary which includes stops in Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize and Isla Roatan, Honduras. We flew down today to Tampa to spend the night before our departure and met our traveling companions for the week, Amy, who Ashlee used to work with before she moved back up north to New Hampshire, and her new husband, Jeremy. We had just seen these guys a month or so ago when we spent New Year's Eve together in Atlantic City for an O-A-R concert (see previous blog entry).
Breaking our Hilton hotel loyalty, we all shared a room at the new Hyatt Place near the airport thanks to an amazing rate that Ashlee found. We picked up a rental car at the airport for the early evening/night since the Hy
att's only real downfall was its not-so-great location in terms of walking destinations. We found a unique place to catch dinner and a movie all at the same time called Cinebistro. The concept is very unique with rather fine dining and a full bar in the theatre as you watch first-run movies. The place was very luxuriant throughout with large leather chairs that reclined somewhat and even ottomans for the first row (photo above) which we chose (still a bit close to the screen - not recommended in terms of some neck strain). Dinner was delicious and our movie of choice was Avatar 3D which we were both able to cross off our Best Picture viewing list for the upcoming Oscar party we always attend at our friends, the Edmondsons. Everyone had a great time. We will definitely keep this place in mind if we happen to cruise out of or visit Tampa again.
Afterwards, we stopped by Ybor City - an eclectic Cuban neighborhood with a busy nightlife scene of bars and clubs. They had just had a free night-time parade there celebrating a city pirate festival. Unfortunately, as with any free event, not always the best class of people show up...i.e. there was some weird folks wandering around. We had a quick adult beverage and walked around a bit and decided it was not for us. Time to get back and rest up for our embarkation tomorrow!
att's only real downfall was its not-so-great location in terms of walking destinations. We found a unique place to catch dinner and a movie all at the same time called Cinebistro. The concept is very unique with rather fine dining and a full bar in the theatre as you watch first-run movies. The place was very luxuriant throughout with large leather chairs that reclined somewhat and even ottomans for the first row (photo above) which we chose (still a bit close to the screen - not recommended in terms of some neck strain). Dinner was delicious and our movie of choice was Avatar 3D which we were both able to cross off our Best Picture viewing list for the upcoming Oscar party we always attend at our friends, the Edmondsons. Everyone had a great time. We will definitely keep this place in mind if we happen to cruise out of or visit Tampa again.
Afterwards, we stopped by Ybor City - an eclectic Cuban neighborhood with a busy nightlife scene of bars and clubs. They had just had a free night-time parade there celebrating a city pirate festival. Unfortunately, as with any free event, not always the best class of people show up...i.e. there was some weird folks wandering around. We had a quick adult beverage and walked around a bit and decided it was not for us. Time to get back and rest up for our embarkation tomorrow!
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