We loaded our guests up into shuttles and headed towards the Port of Tampa to board the ship. 

Boarding a cruise ship is very similar to getting on an airplane. You give your bags to a porter, walk thru security, check in at the desk and then walk on to the ship. When you board the cruiseline snaps your picture and keep it on file linked to your sail pass card.

Once we were on the ship we had to help a few guests with some room issues and such but shortly after our room was ready and our baggage had been delivered. They had even left us a plate of sushi, fresh fruit, a bottle of champange, and a chocolate piano!

We quickly got freshened up and headed up to the concierge lounge. We were fortunate to be put in a Grand Suite, which gives us access to free drinks at the concierge lounge from 5:30-8:30 everyday. Not bad:)

That night we all ate at Giovanni’s Table-one of the specialty restaurants on board. I had Osso Bucco and it was amazing. Everything that was served, especially the wine was top notch. The rest of night we sipped on a few more cocktails and eventually ended up at the StarQuest Lounge where we danced a little and then retired for the evening. Grand Cayman in the morning!

I gigged late Sarurday night with the band back home at Johnny Irish Pub. It was a solid crowd and that place always has a stellar beer selection. Started my night a Rohrbach’s/Iron Smoke Whiskey collab brew that was smokey and delish. It was a late night, a cold late night…followed by a freezing cold early morning.

Sarah D dropped me off to the airport at 4:30am, sadly she could not join me this time as this is a work trip for a major client that we work with. I had to catch a flight to Tampa and hop aboard Royal Caribbean’s Brillance of the Seas. The plan is to go from Tampa to Cayman and Cozumel then back to Tampa. I have never cruised so I am not sure what to expect. This cruise is a full charter, so everyone on the boat is with our group. I will say  is it is going to be HUGE;)

I flew Southwest down to Tampa w my friend/boss Michelle. I really do love Southwest. We got great seat selections and had a whole row to ourselves. I was looking forward to defrosting in Tampa’s warm breeze. Rochester had hit 23 degrees with snow the evening before I left.

We hit Tampa and headed to the Holiday Inn at Rocky Point for a one night stay. After checking in we walked over to the Bahama Breeze for some lunch and a highly-anticipated Cigar City Jai Lai IPA. So good.

The flight was so early and the beer was so good, we needed a nap. We had big plans to go straight to the source that evening and hit up Cigar City brewery.

For dinner we met up with our coworker at a restaurant in the Westin called Aqua. I had Seasame Salmon served with Rice and Kimchi and a different local brew that was key lime flavored. It was awesome, but the service was painfully slow.

 Michelle had never used Uber before, so I sent her a code for a free ride and 4 of us hopped in and headed to Cigar City.

The brewery was not too big but the beer selection was extensive and incredibly appealing. If only the bartender had a better attitude. One of our group asked for something like an Amber and he gave her a 20 min. insulting dissertation about how no one makes Amber anymore. He never even suggested what she might like instead. Ass. And he had a man bun.

Overall every beer was great. I will go back, and hopefully get a different bartender. Maybe one who encourages everyone to enjoy craft beer no matter what they ask for.

Tomorrow we board the ship!