Mardi Gras & Mexico 2025

   After a short refreshing sleep, we went to the hotel’s complimentary buffet breakfast in the large breakfast room, which included oatmeal, yogurt, pre-made omelettes, turkey or pork sausage patties, bagels, muffins, bananas, oranges, bread to toast, juices and coffee. There was a group of young teenagers and chaperons, about 30, wearing bright green T-shirts that read “Army Base K-8 Center Safety Patrols”. They spent their day at Busch Gardens as we did.   The Tampa airport temperature at 9 a.m. was 66°F (18.8°C). It was a sunny day with a little bit of a breeze. The day’s high temperature reached 76°F (24.4°C).   After enquiring about ordering a taxi for tomorrow, to the cruise terminal, we were informed that taxis do not service the area. It is an Uber/Lyft area or a limousine could be ordered to take us to the cruise terminal for US$60.   Downloading and accessing the Uber app was an exercise in frustration. There was an error message but no information on...

      Bill dropped us off at the airport with plenty of time to clear security and U.S. Customs. There was no line at the Delta Airlines check-in. We had over two hours before boarding started. We cleared security and U.S. Customs with only two couples ahead of us. There was not an open Nexus line, so we couldn’t use our Nexus benefit.    Our plane departed on time for the short 70 minute flight to Minneapolis. We had enough time (over 5.5 hour layover) to wander around the six of the seven arms of terminal 1, trying to find the Escape Lounge to use our Dragon Pass lounge benefits. It had a small, but varied,   buffet with hot chicken & parmesan, roasted broccoli, Mac & cheese, plus Greek Salad, Hominy & corn salad, Italian Wedding soup, cheese, olives & cold cuts platter, Sicilian subs, nachos & dip, small bags of chips, coffee and a complimentary well stocked bar. There was a three hour limit in the quiet lounge overlooking the runways...

   Just four days before we leave for our cruise on Celebrity Constellation from Tampa, Florida. The first cruise of eight nights will be in the Gulf of Mexico (or if President Trump gets his way - Gulf of America). Followed by a seven night cruise along the eastern coast of Mexico, Honduras and Belize.