Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
We've Moved!
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Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Destination: CocoCay, Bahamas
Coco Cay is Royal Caribbean’s private Bohemian island. Chances are, if you are taking a Royal Caribbean cruise destined for either the Bahamas or Mexico , Coco Cay is going to be included somewhere on your itinerary.
Coco Cay is a small, tranquil location composed of white sanded beaches, blue-teal waters, and subtropical weather. Brandon and I both agree that this island is scenic and laid back- definitely a stop designed for relaxation or what we would like to consider “a day of recovery”. The beaches are lined with countless hammocks and lawn chairs, some covered by shade and others positioned strategically for sun bathing. There are multiple Royal Caribbean employees walking around offering cold beverages including an amazing cocktail called “Coco loco” which apparently is Coco Cay’s signature drink. For your convenience, all purchases made on the island can be charged using your stateroom key. {This excludes purchases made from the locals in the shops which require cash}
If you’re looking for something outside of lying out or taking a nap in a hammock then you’ll be sad to learn that your options are vastly limited. Because Coco Cay is both privately owned/operated and reserved for Royal Caribbean guests, you can imagine that the shore and land excursions are both minimal and costly. The cruise goer’s favorites seem to be parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and water sport rentals. There is a small water park that you could enter for a small fee which is designed for family fun. Brandon and I have both participated in different “adventures” offered in Coco Cay:
See Coco Cay excursion and price list
Brandon's Excursions:
Brandon’s Coco Cay water excursions included both kayaking and sailing. At the time, Royal Caribbean’s advertised price for kayak rentals was $15 per half hour, which I consider to be acceptable. Brandon enjoys kayaking in general, using it as a means of exploring an island is undoubtedly a plus. We recommend this activity for those who enjoy staying fit and having a good time, such as the Twenty Travel duo. Sailing on the other hand was certainly an interesting experience. The individuals renting out the sail boats told Brandon that, although it would be his first sailing experience, it wouldn’t be that difficult. Needless to say, Brandon wasn’t able to keep the sail boat steady, crashed into rocks, and eventually gave up. The cost to rent a sail boat in Coco Cay is $45 per 30 minutes. We recommend that unless you are a skilled sailor, you may want to take your pass card on this one.
Jennifer's Excursion:
While in Coco Cay I decided to partake in the parasailing activity. My experience was not as “exhilarating” or as “adventurous” as it was advertised, however the views were breathtaking and the staff was both friendly and funny. I highly suggest that if you do take this excursion you should purchase or bring a waterproof camera. Considering you’re 400 feet up in the air, it’s perfect for landscape shots of both Coco Cay and other surrounding islands.
I recommend you purchase a waterproof camera before you board the Cruise. Most destinations as well as onboard shops sell disposable and non disposable waterproof cameras but the prices are outrageous. Walmart sells Kodak disposable camera’s for less than $10 as well as non name brand waterproof camera’s for about $100.
At the time, the excursion itself cost $79 per person and lasted only 30 minutes. I’m not going to say that parasailing in Coco Cay is a waste of time, however I do believe that parasailing as an “excursion” is overrated and not worth the money.
If you are looking to do something active and FREE during your Coco Cay visit then I suggest packing your tennis shoes and a bottle of water- this island has beautiful trails that are great for hiking/exploring. Here is a a printable map of Coco Cay Island, it should make it easier to navigate and discover different areas that most cruisers miss out on.
Grab a printable map of Cocoa Cay here
There are a few huts that offer a limited selection of souvenirs and Bohemian merchandise, but nothing special nor worth the inflated price. Royal Caribbean provides a free barbeque styled lunch buffet which includes chicken, hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, etc. There doesn’t seem to be any alternative dining options available on the island. However, I do want to add that the food served at the barbeque was of quality and enjoyable.
All in all I would say that Coco Cay is a great spot for those who need a day of leisure. If you are vacationing in hopes of site seeing, learning about new cultures, or just want to party- you will most likely be dissatisfied with this location. I personally enjoyed Coco Cay for the most part. It’s not a destination that I would go out of my way to visit again, but it was a nice rest from a long voyage composed of boat drinks.
We Rate Coco Cay, Bahamas 
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Destination: Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is a wonderful place, far more exciting that I originally thought. As you can tell by our previous posts, Jenny and I love to travel but we like to do things in a less touristy fashion. We, as most people, arrived in Cozumel by cruise ship. I was extremely impressed at how large the port of Cozumel was, there were six ships anchored which is the most I've ever seen outside of the port of Miami at one time.
Disembarking from the ship was a breeze and we were guided down a long walkway to the main cruise terminal entrance and exit. You'll be happy to note that there are many cool shops and liquor stores as soon as you arrive in the plaza, as well as a Senior Frogs. I think it's apparent that both Jenny and I are drinkers, and the large water slide that winded it's way from the 2nd floor of Senior Frogs into the ocean (yes, the ocean) was a pretty big lure for us. Unfortunately when we walked into Senior Frogs it was quiet and uneventful, we moved on.
The first thing we did was look for a way to tour Cozumel on our own. As you wind through the shops toward the exit there are many scooter and car rental salesmen who attempt to sell you on a rental, these are great options for getting around but remember to bargain! You also want to make sure that the price they are giving you includes insurance and tax - Jenny and I spoke with several salesmen and opted for a scooter at $30 for the day as opposed to a jeep for $50/day plus insurance. A few things you should note:
1) Cozumel is MUCH larger than anticipated. We drove around the island and it was a far ride, at least 40 miles. A scooter is NOT ideal if you plan to see everything, pay the extra money and get a jeep.
2) Remember that they're trying to get the most money they can out of you, there are several rental companies so if you don't like the deal move on to another. Use your bargaining skills and get a lower rate.
Now you may be asking yourself, Now that I have a Jeep (or scooter) what do I do? Jenny and I opted to see the land as oppose to shop in the touristy areas, we took off! There is basically one main road that goes around the entire island, so you really cannot get lost. We headed south and quickly noticed there were many beaches, each one had a cool setup and we decided to stop and check them out. What we found to be extremely cool was that most of the beaches had private businesses that had lounge chairs, umbrellas, bars, kayaks and cool water toys that were free to use, as long as you ordered drinks from them. If you're looking to lounge in the sun and have a few drinks this is certainly ideal as well as cheap. Unfortunately we were looking to explore so we rode on.
I will say that the first 10-15 miles is pretty boring. You continually pass hotels and beaches but nothing truly scenic until you hit the east coast. Here the road rides right along the shores and cliffs as you watch some amazing waves smash into jagged rocks. It really is quite a scene, especially if like Jenny and I, you are used to the Gulf of Mexico which is extremely calm. As you make your way north along the roadway we found several cool little side stands that offered trinkets to passerby's. We opted to stop at one of the little shops right around 12pm and were fortunate enough to have found one that sold cold Corona's. I can tell you that this is one of the highlights of my trip, sipping a cold Corona (they cost $1/ea USD) and walking along an awesome rock formation on the shore - I doubt you'll find an experience like that on a cruise line expedition!
Next Jenny and I continued north and we were amazed by a large cliff bar called "Coconuts". Considering we were attempting to manage our time we shouldn't have stopped, but who could pass up a bar on a cliff? We parked, walked up the long and steep stairwell into Coconuts. This was an amazing bar and even if you decide not to eat or drink here (we didn't) I recommend you check out the view. Tables lined the sand near the cliff and watched out over the breaking waves below, if we had more time I can assure you we would have hung out for a bit more.
As Jenny and I continued we finally found the Mayan Ruins in Cozumel at San Gervasio. I figured if I was going to be in Mexico near Mayan ruins I had to go, so we did. The cost is $6.50/person to enter and there is a long walking path which covers about 15 structures, most of which are pretty destroyed. If you've ever been to Mayan ruins like Tulum this can certainly be skipped, but if you're like Jenny and I and would like to be able to say that you have seen a Mayan ruin then you should go. Overall, to say I went was worth it, but I wouldn't go back to this specific site.
After we finished at San Gervasio we rode back into Cozumel and returned the scooter. We had several hours left at port and we wanted to party, considering there was a Margaritaville in Cozumel we opted to head there. Margaritaville, and most of the main bars and restaurants, were surprisingly not close to the port. They were about 2.5 miles from the terminal so we opted to take a taxi at a cost of $7 USD. When we arrived at Maragritaville we were impressed with the layout - A large open indoor area followed by a large deck on the water with cool wooden swing chairs. Unfortunately the Margaritaville lacked an party/vibrant atmosphere so we decided to leave (See Margaritaville Reviews for More)
When Jenny and I walked outside we asked one of the taxi drivers where we should go to find a party, they pointed us to Carlos N' Charlie's about two blocks north. If you are not familiar with Carlos N' Charlie's it is a Mexican based restaurant/bar that is infamous for their party scene. They have about 50 locations throughout Mexico and the surrounding Caribbean and they sometimes are combined with Senior Frogs like this location. When we arrived at Carlos N' Charlie's we found what we were looking for - an electric atmosphere fueled by the young Spring Breakers who inhabited the bar at that moment. Most of the 75 or so customers were hammered, dancing all over the place, taking tequila shots and having a good time. We joined in and grabbed some yard drinks quickly becoming severely inebriated.
Please note that Carlos N' Charlie's was unlike most of the bars we go to. We enjoy partying but this particular party was younger and more wild than our usual locations. The restaurant was dirty, the floors covered in alcohol and at one point, someone puked right in the middle. We had an amazing time, but we were ready to go crazy. If you're looking for a more laid back party scene this probably isn't the location for you.
After partying for a few hours and consuming a $100 worth of alcohol we headed back to the ship where we passed out for the evening. Overall, Carlos N' Charlie's was what we needed at the time and I have no regrets. It was a tad pricey considering we were in Mexico, but $100 for about ten yard drinks wasn't too bad.
We Rate Cozumel, Mexico 
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tampa Bay Area Beaches
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater is primarily well known because of its gorgeous beaches! Jenny and I want to make it very clear that there are many beaches extending south from Clearwater Beach (and a few north) and they all blend together. We generally reference the beaches as Clearwater Beach and St. Petersburg Beach, while in between you will find Redington Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach and John's Pass. In the coming months we will have a full beach review for each location, but in the meantime here are the basics.
Clearwater Beach is one of our most visited beaches, it has a nice long pier, a decent looking crowd and some chill restaurants for drinks and food. We generally frequent The Pavilion and Frenchy's which are both beach front. If you're in a party mood then head right over the Shephard's Beach Resort where you'll find an awesome party scene on the weekends. Shephard's has a large outside bar set right on the ocean and at night, you can go wild inside their nightclub "The Wave". Saturday nights seem to be the best night here and they play a wide variety of the current hits and trance/house music. Jenny and I learned that they do check women's purses on occassion, so if you want to bring a flask like we did make sure you hide it well. Right next to Shephard's is an awesome Holiday Inn with a beachfront restaurant and bar called Jimmy Iguana's. We come here often on a chill afternoon, drinks and food are responably priced.
*Parking Tip* If you're planning on going to Jimmy Iguana's on the weekend, there is usually a lot attendant at the Holiday Inn charging for parking. Tell them you are heading to Jimmy Iguana's and they won't charge you. If you're heading to Shephard's, it's almost always valet only.
Sand Key Beach
Progress farther down the sands and you'll find a chill State Park called Sand Key. It's just a state funded beach, watch out though, they watch your parking meter like a hawk and there is no alcohol permitted.
Indian Rocks Beach
Next you'll come across Indian Rocks Beach which aside from some beautiful homes is pretty boring. If you're looking for a secluded, less traveled beach this is the spot for you. There are a few public parking lots along the main road, but it's mostly residential.
Redington Beach
Continuing further you'll find Redington Beach, the gateway to Madeira Beach, Treasure Island and John's Pass. Redington isn't too bad, still a little residential and we haven't frequented the beach here too often as we tend to continue south.
Madeira Beach & John's Pass
Madeira Beach and John's Pass are awesome spots if you're looking for a good time. John's Pass has many bars and restaurants including The Hut, Bubba Gump, Gator's and several smaller locations. This is also one of the main spots to be if you're planning on renting a boat or jet ski as there are many vendors. Madeira Beach has a very nice beach and is within walking distance to John's Pass and the local bars.
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is just over the bridge from Madeira and is home to quite a few hotels, hotel bars and beach bars. In fact, just about every hotel has a bar on the sand (or right off the sand) and almost all are reasonably priced despite their location. Jenny and I were fortunate to discover Caddy's, a local beach bar that is teaming with young, good looking individuals. Caddy's is located in Treasure Island on West Gulf Blvd and is beachfront. Parking can be tight so I recommend you either valet (if you can) or hunt for a public lot. There are many residential homes in the immediate area and there are a lot of parking restrictions, if you decide to park on the street double check for any no parking signs.
Caddy's is what Jenny and I consider to be a 5-Margarita location in the Tampa area. It has a DJ, inside bars, outside bars, upper deck bars and a lot of satelite drink bars for beer. The beach was covered as far as the eye could see and just off the shore many boats were anchored creating a floating party.
The drinks were reasonable considering the atmosphere and location and the crowd was visually appealing and non-douchebaggy. We highly recommend this location if you're planning a trip to one of our beach bars!
*Caddy's Tip* Considering how many people there were the bathrooms were small and the lines were long. Also, there were a limited amount of bartenders which usually resulted in long waits when reordering.
St. Petersburg Beach
Located just south of Treasure Island, St. Petersburg Beach is the highlight of the St. Petersburg area. Lining the beach are many local hotels that mix it up with the bigger brands. As with Madeira and Treasure Island, almost all of the hotels have beach bars right on the sand and are a great place to begin your adventure. But before you can begin you need to know two things:
First, parking is usually available in the many public lots that dot the beach. Some are coin operated while most utilize the parking machines in which you pre-pay and then leave the receipt in your car window, these machines to take credit.
Second, unlike Clearwater Beach it is illegal to have alcohol on St. Pete Beach. This generally isn't an issue as long as you have a plastic cup, we've found the majority of the issues relate to glass.
If you're looking for a cool place to hang out on St. Pete Beach we recommend the Undertoe, 3828 Gulf Blvd, which has a really laid back atmosphere. I've heard a lot about the Undertoe since I moved to Tampa and only recently checked it out, it was a cool bar but not as much as it was hyped to be. The Undertoe has three volleyball nets on the beach, outside tables and a large covered bar that was shaded. The crowd was slightly less than desirable (quite a few bikers) but all in all we had a good time.
Our second recommendation would be the Sloppy Pelican, 677 75th Ave, which we really liked. This is a 2-story restaurant/bar located just off the sand at the mouth of the intercoastal. It has a dock for boats and the drinks are priced very nicely. We recommend the $5 rum runners, which were large and strong. Both the upstairs and downstairs has an outside deck while the upstairs also has an enclosed portion with a bar and dining area.
If you're looking to get some rays and hang out with a drink remember those hotel bars! You can walk from bar to bar on the sand, grab a drink and then continue on down the line. It's a very chill way to have a good time and grab some sun.
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Destination: St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg , FL is located approximately 20 miles south of Clearwater. This area offers an abundance of dining options, outdoor/family activities, attractions, and an apparent night life. Although St.Pete has plenty of hotel options to choose from, Bed and Breakfasts seem to be the popular choice towards the downtown and gulf areas.
Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Team, is located in downtown St. Petersburg . Also located in the downtown district are the Florida Holocaust Museum, Salvador Dali Museum, Janice Landing, and The Pier. All four of these locations are well liked among the locals. The museums are not very large but are full of intriguing information. The Pier offers a couple of restaurants, food court, miniature sized aquarium, multiple shops, and a put put golf course. To be honest, I’ve gone to The Pier a couple of times and I can honestly say that there is nothing exceptional about it Janice Landing, located on 1st avenue, is a small yet acceptable concert venue that surprisingly puts on a couple good, worthwhile shows every month.
Central Ave in St. Petersburg offers a variety of different styled boutiques and shops.
Dining options range from simple diners, sports bars/grills, to upscale restaurants. I very rarely go out to dinner in St .Petersburg, or anywhere else for that matter. However, when I do I prefer to eat at Sushi Rock Grill, Pacific Wave Restaurant, Hurricane, and Gigi’s Italian Restaurant. If you are short on time or looking for a quick bite there’s the typical drive through located on just about every corner.
Oh St. Petersburg’s night life- where do I begin? I’m feeling pretty upbeat today so I’ll try to throw in some positive attributes! St. Petersburg is well known for having popular, trendy gay and lesbian bars. Although I’m not gay, therefore my opinion may not be that accurate, I always seem to have a great time at Georgie’s Alibi and Metro Station. Good news is that downtown St. Petersburg does house a variety of bars and clubs. The bad news is that unless you’re smoke or look forward to dying from lung cancer in the near future, this isn’t the spot for you. Both the locations and its inhabitants (other than Brandon and myself) were anything close to being spectacular or hygienic. Even though we only visited The Pelican, The Garden, and The Independent- we were far from being impressed and called the night quits. I can promise you that we will not be attending any downtown St. Pete bars anytime soon, if ever. In fact, Brandon stated “I would rather go to Detroit than St. Pete”.
*Brandon and I do not advocate going to any bar/club that is filled with smoke and/or ugly people. If you are inside and see more lit cigarettes than attractive individuals- it’s time to go!
*Running low on cash and feel the need to lower your standards for the night- St. Petersburg offers free cover into the bar/clubs and you can expect extremely low bar tabs. I guess you really do get what you pay for!
St. Petersburg Beach
Located just south of Treasure Island, St. Petersburg Beach is the highlight of the St. Petersburg area. Lining the beach are many local hotels that mix it up with the bigger brands. As with Madeira and Treasure Island, almost all of the hotels have beach bars right on the sand and are a great place to begin your adventure. But before you can begin you need to know two things:
First, parking is usually available in the many public lots that dot the beach. Some are coin operated while most utilize the parking machines in which you pre-pay and then leave the receipt in your car window, these machines to take credit.
Second, unlike Clearwater Beach it is illegal to have alcohol on St. Pete Beach. This generally isn't an issue as long as you have a plastic cup, we've found the majority of the issues relate to glass.
If you're looking for a cool place to hang out on St. Pete Beach we recommend the Undertoe, 3828 Gulf Blvd, which has a really laid back atmosphere. I've heard a lot about the Undertoe since I moved to Tampa and only recently checked it out, it was a cool bar but not as much as it was hyped to be. The Undertoe has three volleyball nets on the beach, outside tables and a large covered bar that was shaded. The crowd was slightly less than desirable (quite a few bikers) but all in all we had a good time.
Our second recommendation would be the Sloppy Pelican, 677 75th Ave, which we really liked. This is a 2-story restaurant/bar located just off the sand at the mouth of the intercoastal. It has a dock for boats and the drinks are priced very nicely. We recommend the $5 rum runners, which were large and strong. Both the upstairs and downstairs has an outside deck while the upstairs also has an enclosed portion with a bar and dining area.
If you're looking to get some rays and hang out with a drink remember those hotel bars! You can walk from bar to bar on the sand, grab a drink and then continue on down the line. It's a very chill way to have a good time and grab some sun.
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Destination: Clearwater, FL & Clearwater Beach
Clearwater is about 20-30 minutes west of Tampa and about 5-10 minutes from Clearwater Beach depending on how fast you drive. For those who are speed racers to the extreme- please be aware that there are a dozen police offers strategically parked along the Courtney Campbell Causeway and McMullen Booth Rd. They enjoy greeting Dale Earnhardt wannabe's with their well known siren and hypnotic lights.
Clearwater offers plenty of both chain and independently owned restaurants. Twenty Travel’s favorites include Panera, TGI Fridays, Subway, and Dunkin Donuts (Iced coffee only- just the thought of buying a donut makes me feel like a fat ass).Yes, the spots we chose are typical- but come on… they are damn good! Plus, who could pass up TGI Friday’s Ultimate Happy Hour? For those who are reading this post and have no idea what I’m talking about- here’s your mission at hand. Get in the car, or whatever convenient means of transportation you are accustomed to, and head to your local Friday’s immediately. Check out the menu and order whatever today’s special is… in fact- order two and have one on my behalf.
*Trivia Fact*- the first Hooter’s opened in Clearwater and still exists today. It is located on Gulf to Bay Blvd between McMullen Booth Rd and US 19.
Clearwater isn’t well known for its night life primarily due to its lack of clubs and strictly bar locations. There are multiple sports bars, pubs, and grill/bar locations if that’s your style. The local favorites seem to be Big Shots, Freaki Tiki Bar, Bradford Pubs and Eatery, Park Place, and Sports Nutz. Personally, when I go out I either look for an upscale yet chill bar or I’ll go to a restaurant such as TGI Fridays (hint, hint).
There are multiple shopping centers; however, Countryside Mall would be your best bet. Here you could pick up a new t-shirt from Hollister, grab something to eat from the large food court, and if you want to try something new- take a couple laps around the ice skating rink which is located in the middle of the shopping center. Whenever I get bored, the weather isn’t beach worthy, or just need to pick up something new for the house I always head to one of our many discount shopping stores such as Marshalls, TJ Maxx, or Bells. It’s a great way to get what you want and not pay an obscene amount of money for it.
Clearwater doesn’t house an amusement park or extraordinary attractions but it’s definitely a chill location. If you’re a theatre type of person Ruth Eckard Hall is nearby which houses multiple small plays, ballets, etc. as well as multiple low key concerts. There is a Celebration Station that has go carts, bumper boats, put put golf, and batting cages- it’s somewhat of a children’s place but with enough alcohol it holds promise.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater is primarily well known because of its gorgeous beaches! Jenny and I want to make it very clear that there are many beaches extending south from Clearwater Beach (and a few north) and they all blend together. We generally reference the beaches as Clearwater Beach and St. Petersburg Beach, while in between you will find Redington Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach and John's Pass. In the coming months we will have a full beach review for each location, but in the meantime here are the basics.
Clearwater Beach is one of our most visited beaches, it has a nice long pier, a decent looking crowd and some chill restaurants for drinks and food. We generally frequent The Pavilion and Frenchy's which are both beach front. If you're in a party mood then head right over the Shephard's Beach Resort where you'll find an awesome party scene on the weekends. Shephard's has a large outside bar set right on the ocean and at night, you can go wild inside their nightclub "The Wave". Saturday nights seem to be the best night here and they play a wide variety of the current hits and trance/house music. Jenny and I learned that they do check women's purses on occassion, so if you want to bring a flask like we did make sure you hide it well. Right next to Shephard's is an awesome Holiday Inn with a beachfront restaurant and bar called Jimmy Iguana's. We come here often on a chill afternoon, drinks and food are responably priced.
*Parking Tip* If you're planning on going to Jimmy Iguana's on the weekend, there is usually a lot attendant at the Holiday Inn charging for parking. Tell them you are heading to Jimmy Iguana's and they won't charge you. If you're heading to Shephard's, it's almost always valet only.
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Friday, May 15, 2009
How to Smuggle Alcohol on Royal Caribbean
As I prepared to embark on my first three day cruise in December of 2007 I asked myself what I'm sure many ask, how do I get my own alcohol on board? I scoured the Internet for tips, read the legal mumble jumble on the Royal Caribbean website and eventually decided my safest bet was to try and disguise my alcohol as best as I could. People like myself who like to cover all their basis will read the Royal Caribbean terms and conditions and get a little scared when you read about their alcohol policy. Royal Caribbean doesn't just have the ability to confiscate your alcohol, they can remove you from the ship, and if you're as amped up to travel as I am you may not be able to imagine a worse scenario than being removed from your cruise ship.
Luckily, I am also a calculated risk taker so I chose to go all out and disguise my alcohol in my luggage. For my first cruise, I kept it simple. I took a bottle of Listerine and dumped it out and let it soak for three days in hot soapy water. When I prepared to pour in the Vodka I noticed it still had a hint of mint but I suppose that's the cost of doing business, so I poured an entire bottle of Absolute in. Finally, to disguise my efforts more I added two drops of green food coloring into the bottle, this little extra made it look identical to mouth wash! When we arrived at the port I made sure to tip our baggage handlers extra well and then waited a nerve racking 5 hours until our bags were delivered - Success! We had made it through.
On my second three day cruise, this time with Jenny, in November of 2008 I prepared to take it up a notch. Little did I know at the time that Jenny is a master in all things smuggling. In fact, I have underestimated her abilities several times and never will I again. She strategically hid alcohol in her cosmetic bag, in water bottles and in little compartments I didn't know existed. While I don't recall exactly what we took I will say there was Tequila, Rum, Vodka and Champagne for mimosas, once again all items made it through.
In March of 2009 Jenny and I undertook a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean and once again I left her majesty to her alcohol smuggling ritual. This time, she surprised me yet again by purchasing alcohol containers and working diligently for three weeks to make sure we had enough booze to last our entire trip. Between the two of us we had prepared nearly seven bottles of liquor and even some left over Landsharks in our luggage. Because neither of us travel light and it was a seven day cruise we had six suitcases and we utilized every nook and cranny. Once again utilizing water bottles, hidden compartments and the like to fool Royal Caribbean, and once again we tipped our luggage handler well.
Unfortunately we weren't so lucky this time around. Several of our suitcases had been searched and about half of our stash had been confiscated. In fact, they searched so well that even the most well hidden items didn't make it. Luckily, as stated about half of our liquor made it through, including two Landsharks and we made do with what we had. I feel as though my three attempts have given me enough statistical data to make several educated guesses at how Royal Caribbean works, and I have provided them below for your convenience.
Observation #1
Considering we took 2 three day cruises and made it through both times without an issue, and more importantly, had less baggage to hide our liquor leads me to believe that security on a three day cruise is extremely light. While I'm sure they do check baggage, the frequency of those searches must be less than longer cruises.
Observation #2
While each time we tipped our baggage handler well, we realized after our third cruise that the baggage handler actually had no control over whether or not our bags were searched, despite popular belief.
Observation #3
Perhaps the most important tip became clear after the seven day cruise. Regardless of how well you hide or pack your liquor, if they search your bag it WILL be found! I was amazed at how thoroughly they searched our bags. This leads me to a very important tip, on seven days cruises you do NOT need to disguise your alcohol! If they search it, it will be found...regardless.
Our Hypothesis - Trust Us!
I personally am a man of statistics. I believe math is the universal language and while I couldn't pass Calculus for my life, I do understand statistics. When you consider the facts presented above I believe it is only logical to suggest that when embarking on a cruise you have the greatest chance of success to get alcohol on board when you equally disperse the liquor throughout all of your luggage. I do not recommend taking any good liquors, simply get the cheapest liquor that you will drink and place it in EVERY suitcase. For our next cruise we will place a bottle of vodka and a bottle of tequila in each suitcase, this way you have a greater statistical chance of getting your alcohol on board!
Final Tip
Royal Caribbean claims that Red Bull is not allowed to be brought on board. Jenny and I both enjoy Vodka and Red Bull so we brought several cans with us. The Red Bull happened to be in the suitcase searched and yet it was not confiscated. It was not hidden - This leads us to believe that Red Bull can be brought on without risk of it being taken.
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Luckily, I am also a calculated risk taker so I chose to go all out and disguise my alcohol in my luggage. For my first cruise, I kept it simple. I took a bottle of Listerine and dumped it out and let it soak for three days in hot soapy water. When I prepared to pour in the Vodka I noticed it still had a hint of mint but I suppose that's the cost of doing business, so I poured an entire bottle of Absolute in. Finally, to disguise my efforts more I added two drops of green food coloring into the bottle, this little extra made it look identical to mouth wash! When we arrived at the port I made sure to tip our baggage handlers extra well and then waited a nerve racking 5 hours until our bags were delivered - Success! We had made it through.
On my second three day cruise, this time with Jenny, in November of 2008 I prepared to take it up a notch. Little did I know at the time that Jenny is a master in all things smuggling. In fact, I have underestimated her abilities several times and never will I again. She strategically hid alcohol in her cosmetic bag, in water bottles and in little compartments I didn't know existed. While I don't recall exactly what we took I will say there was Tequila, Rum, Vodka and Champagne for mimosas, once again all items made it through.
In March of 2009 Jenny and I undertook a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean and once again I left her majesty to her alcohol smuggling ritual. This time, she surprised me yet again by purchasing alcohol containers and working diligently for three weeks to make sure we had enough booze to last our entire trip. Between the two of us we had prepared nearly seven bottles of liquor and even some left over Landsharks in our luggage. Because neither of us travel light and it was a seven day cruise we had six suitcases and we utilized every nook and cranny. Once again utilizing water bottles, hidden compartments and the like to fool Royal Caribbean, and once again we tipped our luggage handler well.
Unfortunately we weren't so lucky this time around. Several of our suitcases had been searched and about half of our stash had been confiscated. In fact, they searched so well that even the most well hidden items didn't make it. Luckily, as stated about half of our liquor made it through, including two Landsharks and we made do with what we had. I feel as though my three attempts have given me enough statistical data to make several educated guesses at how Royal Caribbean works, and I have provided them below for your convenience.
Observation #1
Considering we took 2 three day cruises and made it through both times without an issue, and more importantly, had less baggage to hide our liquor leads me to believe that security on a three day cruise is extremely light. While I'm sure they do check baggage, the frequency of those searches must be less than longer cruises.
Observation #2
While each time we tipped our baggage handler well, we realized after our third cruise that the baggage handler actually had no control over whether or not our bags were searched, despite popular belief.
Observation #3
Perhaps the most important tip became clear after the seven day cruise. Regardless of how well you hide or pack your liquor, if they search your bag it WILL be found! I was amazed at how thoroughly they searched our bags. This leads me to a very important tip, on seven days cruises you do NOT need to disguise your alcohol! If they search it, it will be found...regardless.
Our Hypothesis - Trust Us!
I personally am a man of statistics. I believe math is the universal language and while I couldn't pass Calculus for my life, I do understand statistics. When you consider the facts presented above I believe it is only logical to suggest that when embarking on a cruise you have the greatest chance of success to get alcohol on board when you equally disperse the liquor throughout all of your luggage. I do not recommend taking any good liquors, simply get the cheapest liquor that you will drink and place it in EVERY suitcase. For our next cruise we will place a bottle of vodka and a bottle of tequila in each suitcase, this way you have a greater statistical chance of getting your alcohol on board!
Final Tip
Royal Caribbean claims that Red Bull is not allowed to be brought on board. Jenny and I both enjoy Vodka and Red Bull so we brought several cans with us. The Red Bull happened to be in the suitcase searched and yet it was not confiscated. It was not hidden - This leads us to believe that Red Bull can be brought on without risk of it being taken.
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Destination: Tampa, FL
Okay so Brandon and I both live in the Tampa Bay area so it’s possible that we may have somewhat of a biased opinion. However, with that said, neither one of us would ever recommend or reside in a location that was anything less than enviable. Although we are both extremely familiar with the hot spots and local special events, we still take the time to explore new areas, overlooked bars, chill beach spots, or recently opened locations. I suggest you check back often for updated posts regarding the Tampa Bay and Clearwater areas.
In our opinion, Tampa is by far the most overlooked city in Florida. Sure, most of America’s population has heard about Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, and of course our many sports teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays. However, there is so much more than that! I considered myself to be pretty spoiled due to the fact that I was born and raised in Clearwater. However- Brandon, on the other hand, hasn’t been as fortunate. He came across Tampa by an accident due to a unfortunate Christmas trip to Boca Raton, FL. On his way back from Boca to North Carolina (where he lived at the time) he decided to randomly stop and get a hotel room for the night. As you could probably tell, he fell in love with the beautiful scenery, relaxed atmosphere, and tropical weather… he was hooked. One thing lead to another and three months later he was Tampa Bay’s newest resident.
Tampa (and the surrounding area referred to as Tampa Bay) offers everything you could want, from outdoor activities, award winning beaches, popular night life and stunning downtown area. It also happens to be home to Gasparilla which is an annual pirate parade that is only rivaled by Mardis Gras, a Super bowl venue, concert hot spots, as well as a hub for college championship games such as SEC basketball and ACC football.
Tampa is without a doubt one of the fittest cities in America. Perhaps it's because of the beautiful weather year round, gyms located on every corner, or possibly due to one of our many treasures, Bayshore Blvd. Bayshore Blvd is a haven for runners, walkers, bikers and roller bladers. Stretching for 4.5 miles along the bay, it’s the longest continuous sidewalk in the world. It’s no wonder Tampanian’s take advantage of this site as often as possible, Lined with extravagant homes, and manicured palm tress- it’s a site to behold. If you're lucky you may witness dolphins swimming just off Bayshore Blvd, it's a fairly common site!
Your key to getting around Tampa, and any city for that matter, is to understand how it's laid out. As with every city there are districts, sections and clever neighborhood names; each offering you a different experience, social environment, and surrounding. Below we will take a look at the most common areas and what each is known for.
*TIP* Need Bar or Restaurant Recommendations? Email us!
Downtown Tampa
Located at the intersection of I-4 and I-275, Downtown Tampa is a quaint yet lively city. This area is slowly becoming more compared to Miami and Fort Lauderdale with the large development of condo high rises, such as Skypointe and The Element. Although there aren’t many restaurants or bars located within the designated downtown area, it’s clear that it is growing at a rapid pace. Just south of downtown is the Channelside district which houses the St. Pete Times Forum. The Forum is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning (hockey), numerous concerts and shows, as well as college basketball tournaments. Channelside Plaza is located next to the St. Pete Times Forum and is considered to be one of Tampa’s popular club/hangout areas. The plaza is filled with restaurants and bars which range from casual waterfront to elegant dining. Within the same plaza is the Port of Tampa where a few Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise lines ships dock. Right next door to the port is the Florida Aquarium which is supposed to be an awesome attraction, although neither of us have visited yet.
South Howard (SOHO) and Hyde Park
Just 1.5 miles west of downtown Tampa is South Howard Avenue, also referred to as SOHO. A few blocks of South Howard is dedicated for night life entertainment and social gatherings, which I can promise you is by far one of the most energetic and desirable “party” locations in the Tampa Bay area. There are numerous bars and restaurants that offer both reasonably priced food and drinks. The weekends in Tampa begins on Wednesday and runs right through Sunday, with Thursday and Saturday being the most eventful. However, no matter what day of the week it is- lively, and more importantly- attractive, bar goers will be present and ready to partake in the Howard Hop. [[The Howard Hop is strictly for those who know how to have a good time. Can’t decide on a bar? No problem- The SOHO district has multiple bars within close proximity that offer no cover charge… making it both convenient and fun to switch up locations!]] Bars like CHEAP, MacDintons, The Kennedy, The Lime, Hyde Park Café (HPC), and Cork are the most popular in this area. South Howard ad Hyde Park is primarily a chill, laid back location- however both Hyde Park Café and MacDintons have pretty popular club like areas. FYI- Both Brandon and I prefer CHEAP and MacDintons.
Please note that South Howard is considered to be a prestigious yet lively location. Hint- dress the part all while avoiding looking like a douche or common whore. For girls- the key is to not dress like you get paid to have sex- it’s pretty simple. For guys- it gets a little tricky but for some reason, I feel like you should know this information already. However, I’m constantly running into guys in South Howard that don’t know how to dress so I’ll toss out a couple of suggestions. Sparkly, bedazzled out shirts with swirly or wing like designs on the chest and/or back area, tight jeans, and backwards hats are not acceptable- I don’t care who you are!
Ybor City
Ybor is considered to be the “Historic District” of Tampa Bay. I could say I know the impact this area had on the community and the Tampa Bay area in general… however that would be a lie. Of course, as you could imagine, I do know what kind of night life it offers. If you think that “Historic Districts” refers to old, somewhat dilapidated buildings with old appliances mixed with a bit of modern designed interiors and new technology then you’re right. However, when it comes to Ybor- old buildings/warehouses and appliances are far from being maintained, let alone preserved. New technology just means that they house DJ booths, phone lines, and the occasional large screen television. Ybor is known for its chaotic club scene, cheap drinks, and large crowds. This is definitely a hot spot for the “less experienced” clubbers and bar goers. What I mean by that, is it seems that Tampa Bay puts such emphasis on the Ybor area when really, its just a good time for those who are younger than 21 or who don’t have a clue as to what other surrounding districts have to offer. In general, whenever I go to Ybor I get a “Shit, I’m on a public bus in the middle the projects” feeling. Aside from the filthy and low class atmosphere, it does have its random, once ever 5-6 months moments.
Let me add, that for those who are interested, Ybor does house some of the most known and active gay bars such as Honey Pot, G-Bar, and Flirt. I’ll agree that although I’m personally not a fan of Ybor, my gay friends and I had a good time.
USF Area
Located north of downtown off of I-275 is the USF area. This area is most notable for housing the University of South Florida and it's many students. Like all designated college spots, this area offers multiple college bars (18+) and pretty much nothing else when it comes to night life choices. If you’re into pitchers of cheap/old beer, smoke filled pool halls, and inebriated 19-20 year olds then I’m sure you will be pleased with this setting. Although Busch Gardens, a family oriented theme park, can be found within the USF area- I wouldn’t necessarily consider it to be the safest location. If you do plan on exploring this area, please remember to lock your doors, keep an eye on your drink at all times, and please kids- don’t talk to strangers or willingly get into windowless white vans!
New Tampa
New Tampa is north of downtown by about 15 miles. Considered to be more of the family oriented, or what Brandon likes to call “the suburban”, area. New Tampa is a quiet, peaceful area that is populated with large homes, fenced in yards, and newly constructed developments. Expect lots of new restaurants and shopping centers, sparse if any night life options, and middle aged women walking their beloved pooch/pushing in this area
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
In our opinion, Tampa is by far the most overlooked city in Florida. Sure, most of America’s population has heard about Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, and of course our many sports teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays. However, there is so much more than that! I considered myself to be pretty spoiled due to the fact that I was born and raised in Clearwater. However- Brandon, on the other hand, hasn’t been as fortunate. He came across Tampa by an accident due to a unfortunate Christmas trip to Boca Raton, FL. On his way back from Boca to North Carolina (where he lived at the time) he decided to randomly stop and get a hotel room for the night. As you could probably tell, he fell in love with the beautiful scenery, relaxed atmosphere, and tropical weather… he was hooked. One thing lead to another and three months later he was Tampa Bay’s newest resident.
Tampa (and the surrounding area referred to as Tampa Bay) offers everything you could want, from outdoor activities, award winning beaches, popular night life and stunning downtown area. It also happens to be home to Gasparilla which is an annual pirate parade that is only rivaled by Mardis Gras, a Super bowl venue, concert hot spots, as well as a hub for college championship games such as SEC basketball and ACC football.
Tampa is without a doubt one of the fittest cities in America. Perhaps it's because of the beautiful weather year round, gyms located on every corner, or possibly due to one of our many treasures, Bayshore Blvd. Bayshore Blvd is a haven for runners, walkers, bikers and roller bladers. Stretching for 4.5 miles along the bay, it’s the longest continuous sidewalk in the world. It’s no wonder Tampanian’s take advantage of this site as often as possible, Lined with extravagant homes, and manicured palm tress- it’s a site to behold. If you're lucky you may witness dolphins swimming just off Bayshore Blvd, it's a fairly common site!
Your key to getting around Tampa, and any city for that matter, is to understand how it's laid out. As with every city there are districts, sections and clever neighborhood names; each offering you a different experience, social environment, and surrounding. Below we will take a look at the most common areas and what each is known for.
*TIP* Need Bar or Restaurant Recommendations? Email us!
Downtown Tampa
Located at the intersection of I-4 and I-275, Downtown Tampa is a quaint yet lively city. This area is slowly becoming more compared to Miami and Fort Lauderdale with the large development of condo high rises, such as Skypointe and The Element. Although there aren’t many restaurants or bars located within the designated downtown area, it’s clear that it is growing at a rapid pace. Just south of downtown is the Channelside district which houses the St. Pete Times Forum. The Forum is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning (hockey), numerous concerts and shows, as well as college basketball tournaments. Channelside Plaza is located next to the St. Pete Times Forum and is considered to be one of Tampa’s popular club/hangout areas. The plaza is filled with restaurants and bars which range from casual waterfront to elegant dining. Within the same plaza is the Port of Tampa where a few Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise lines ships dock. Right next door to the port is the Florida Aquarium which is supposed to be an awesome attraction, although neither of us have visited yet.
South Howard (SOHO) and Hyde Park
Just 1.5 miles west of downtown Tampa is South Howard Avenue, also referred to as SOHO. A few blocks of South Howard is dedicated for night life entertainment and social gatherings, which I can promise you is by far one of the most energetic and desirable “party” locations in the Tampa Bay area. There are numerous bars and restaurants that offer both reasonably priced food and drinks. The weekends in Tampa begins on Wednesday and runs right through Sunday, with Thursday and Saturday being the most eventful. However, no matter what day of the week it is- lively, and more importantly- attractive, bar goers will be present and ready to partake in the Howard Hop. [[The Howard Hop is strictly for those who know how to have a good time. Can’t decide on a bar? No problem- The SOHO district has multiple bars within close proximity that offer no cover charge… making it both convenient and fun to switch up locations!]] Bars like CHEAP, MacDintons, The Kennedy, The Lime, Hyde Park Café (HPC), and Cork are the most popular in this area. South Howard ad Hyde Park is primarily a chill, laid back location- however both Hyde Park Café and MacDintons have pretty popular club like areas. FYI- Both Brandon and I prefer CHEAP and MacDintons.
Please note that South Howard is considered to be a prestigious yet lively location. Hint- dress the part all while avoiding looking like a douche or common whore. For girls- the key is to not dress like you get paid to have sex- it’s pretty simple. For guys- it gets a little tricky but for some reason, I feel like you should know this information already. However, I’m constantly running into guys in South Howard that don’t know how to dress so I’ll toss out a couple of suggestions. Sparkly, bedazzled out shirts with swirly or wing like designs on the chest and/or back area, tight jeans, and backwards hats are not acceptable- I don’t care who you are!
Ybor City
Ybor is considered to be the “Historic District” of Tampa Bay. I could say I know the impact this area had on the community and the Tampa Bay area in general… however that would be a lie. Of course, as you could imagine, I do know what kind of night life it offers. If you think that “Historic Districts” refers to old, somewhat dilapidated buildings with old appliances mixed with a bit of modern designed interiors and new technology then you’re right. However, when it comes to Ybor- old buildings/warehouses and appliances are far from being maintained, let alone preserved. New technology just means that they house DJ booths, phone lines, and the occasional large screen television. Ybor is known for its chaotic club scene, cheap drinks, and large crowds. This is definitely a hot spot for the “less experienced” clubbers and bar goers. What I mean by that, is it seems that Tampa Bay puts such emphasis on the Ybor area when really, its just a good time for those who are younger than 21 or who don’t have a clue as to what other surrounding districts have to offer. In general, whenever I go to Ybor I get a “Shit, I’m on a public bus in the middle the projects” feeling. Aside from the filthy and low class atmosphere, it does have its random, once ever 5-6 months moments.
Let me add, that for those who are interested, Ybor does house some of the most known and active gay bars such as Honey Pot, G-Bar, and Flirt. I’ll agree that although I’m personally not a fan of Ybor, my gay friends and I had a good time.
USF Area
Located north of downtown off of I-275 is the USF area. This area is most notable for housing the University of South Florida and it's many students. Like all designated college spots, this area offers multiple college bars (18+) and pretty much nothing else when it comes to night life choices. If you’re into pitchers of cheap/old beer, smoke filled pool halls, and inebriated 19-20 year olds then I’m sure you will be pleased with this setting. Although Busch Gardens, a family oriented theme park, can be found within the USF area- I wouldn’t necessarily consider it to be the safest location. If you do plan on exploring this area, please remember to lock your doors, keep an eye on your drink at all times, and please kids- don’t talk to strangers or willingly get into windowless white vans!
New Tampa
New Tampa is north of downtown by about 15 miles. Considered to be more of the family oriented, or what Brandon likes to call “the suburban”, area. New Tampa is a quiet, peaceful area that is populated with large homes, fenced in yards, and newly constructed developments. Expect lots of new restaurants and shopping centers, sparse if any night life options, and middle aged women walking their beloved pooch/pushing in this area
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Travel / Tropical Quotes, By Jenny
Jenny and Brandon’s One Liners
"The only ice I do is in my drink"
"Take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lime, and a shot of tequila"
"Everyone talks about how much I drink... but no one ever stops to think about how thirsty I am!"
"Somethings gotta give- and it's going to be you"
"It is what it is"
Other Famous Quotes
"It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!" - Do I really need to put up a name??
"I think they must have it wrong- it’s sobriety that’s only good in moderation"
"My life is like a stroll on the beach...as near to the edge as I can go"
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it"
"It’s hard for me to put into words why I like the beach so much. Everything about it
is renewing for me, almost like therapy...Beach Therapy"
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us"
"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance"
"When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power"
"Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak foreign languages"
"The world is a book- and those who do not travel read only a page"
"Only time will tell if it was time well spent" - Jimmy Buffett
"You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" - Christopher Columbus
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
"The only ice I do is in my drink"
"Take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lime, and a shot of tequila"
"Everyone talks about how much I drink... but no one ever stops to think about how thirsty I am!"
"Somethings gotta give- and it's going to be you"
"It is what it is"
Other Famous Quotes
"It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!" - Do I really need to put up a name??
"I think they must have it wrong- it’s sobriety that’s only good in moderation"
"My life is like a stroll on the beach...as near to the edge as I can go"
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it"
"It’s hard for me to put into words why I like the beach so much. Everything about it
is renewing for me, almost like therapy...Beach Therapy"
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us"
"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance"
"When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power"
"Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak foreign languages"
"The world is a book- and those who do not travel read only a page"
"Only time will tell if it was time well spent" - Jimmy Buffett
"You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" - Christopher Columbus
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville - Reviews
In the spirit of the Jimmy Buffett concert here in Tampa this weekend I felt like it was the right time to share our Margaritaville experiences with you. As you may have read in our previous posts, we love Margaritaville. Some though are better than others, so here is the low down on the ones we have been to.
Margaritaville Key West, FL
The original Margaritaville located on Duval Street in Key West is nothing impressive, in fact, if it wasn't the original I doubt I would ever go in there. Drab interior and no outside bars or pools. Again, it holds "swagr" because it is the original and of all the locations I'd say this is the best bet to actually see Jimmy Buffett as he has a house in Key West.
Margaritaville Myrtle Beach, SC (Broadway at the Beach)
I visited this location a few years back before I knew Jenny but this is a pretty cool Margaritaville. It's mostly indoors, but it's large, open and spacious. There is a large hurricane that comes to life as it hangs from the ceiling, and a tequila bottle emerges and fills a blender. If I recall correctly, this happens as "Margaritaville" plays. The atmosphere is festive, the staff was friendly and overall I had a pretty solid time at this location.
Margaritaville Orlando, FL
This is the closest Margaritaville to Tampa and it's located at City Walk, just outside of the Universal Studios complex. If you're a Jimmy Buffett fan you'll be happy when you realize the original plane from "Jamaica Mistaka" is located outside. The is a very large location with both indoor seating, outdoor seating, and a satellite bar near the Jamaica Mistaka plane. I've been many times and on the weekdays it can be a little boring, but the weekends are a ton of fun. There is usually a band on the outside deck that plays Jimmy Buffett as well as other tropical style music.
Margaritaville Ochos Rios, Jamaica
Located just outside of the cruise terminal this is an awesome spot to get hammered. If you're used to the Unites States you'll be happy to note that there is a pool, slide, and pool bar. Not only that it's also beach front and just a short 1/4 mile walk from the cruise terminal. I'd say of all the Margaritaville's I have been to this is in my top 3. Enjoy the party atmosphere, drinks some Red Stripe Light and dance away on the open dance floor. (See our Ochos Rios Review)
Margaritaville Georgetown, Grand Cayman
So far this is my #1 pick for Margaritaville's. Located just outside of the cruise terminal it is a 2-Story open location with patio seating and indoor seating. The "indoor seating" is really just covered seating as there are no walls separating it from the outside. This location had the best party atmosphere as tequila shots flowed and the ladies fought over Margaritaville T-shirts in a scavenger hunt. This Margaritaville has a pool and pool slide, but not pool bar. Either way I promise you cannot go wrong with this Margaritaville!
(See our Grand Cayman Review)
Margaritaville Cancun, Mexico (and Cancun Airport)
The Cancun Airport Margaritaville is a poor attempt at creating a fun environment. It's nothing more than a dressed up bar in an airport, there was no energy, no excitement and I do not recommend it.
Margaritaville Cancun is at the very end of the Hotel Zone as you approach Downtown Cancun. I stopped at this location before I did anything else and was severely disappointed. Again, minimal energy and no pools or outside bars. It was very dark on the inside and quite honestly had there not been a lot of Jimmy Buffett paraphernalia lying around I probably wouldn't have realized where I was. I do not recommend this location.
Margaritaville Cozumel, Mexico
Considering Cozumel is a major cruise destination I was surprised to find that Margaritaville was a distance from the terminal. I would say 2-2.5 miles so a taxi is likely your best bet. This location is fairly spacious and as you walk in you are met with a large interior bar and lots of interior seating. We immediately ventured for the outside deck which had a band playing, was located on the water and had a cool bar with swings as chairs. However despite the fact that it was a cool location the energy wasn't there. I felt like i was at Ruby Tuesday's, not Margaritaville. Furthermore, you can write on a dollar bill and attach it to the bar but when we asked for a staple gun they looked at us as if we were crazy - How else am I going to attach the dollar bill? If you're heading to this location for food or a chill experience then you have my support, but if you want to party your ass off head two blocks north to Carlos N' Charlies which combines with Senior Frogs. We highly recommend the yard drinks!
There are several other Margaritaville's which we have not yet been. These include Turks & Caicos, Hawaii, Motego Bay and Negril. As we travel throughout the year rest assured if there is a Margaritaville we will be there, and we will add it to our reviews.
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Margaritaville Key West, FL
The original Margaritaville located on Duval Street in Key West is nothing impressive, in fact, if it wasn't the original I doubt I would ever go in there. Drab interior and no outside bars or pools. Again, it holds "swagr" because it is the original and of all the locations I'd say this is the best bet to actually see Jimmy Buffett as he has a house in Key West.
Margaritaville Myrtle Beach, SC (Broadway at the Beach)
I visited this location a few years back before I knew Jenny but this is a pretty cool Margaritaville. It's mostly indoors, but it's large, open and spacious. There is a large hurricane that comes to life as it hangs from the ceiling, and a tequila bottle emerges and fills a blender. If I recall correctly, this happens as "Margaritaville" plays. The atmosphere is festive, the staff was friendly and overall I had a pretty solid time at this location.
Margaritaville Orlando, FL
This is the closest Margaritaville to Tampa and it's located at City Walk, just outside of the Universal Studios complex. If you're a Jimmy Buffett fan you'll be happy when you realize the original plane from "Jamaica Mistaka" is located outside. The is a very large location with both indoor seating, outdoor seating, and a satellite bar near the Jamaica Mistaka plane. I've been many times and on the weekdays it can be a little boring, but the weekends are a ton of fun. There is usually a band on the outside deck that plays Jimmy Buffett as well as other tropical style music.
Margaritaville Ochos Rios, Jamaica
Located just outside of the cruise terminal this is an awesome spot to get hammered. If you're used to the Unites States you'll be happy to note that there is a pool, slide, and pool bar. Not only that it's also beach front and just a short 1/4 mile walk from the cruise terminal. I'd say of all the Margaritaville's I have been to this is in my top 3. Enjoy the party atmosphere, drinks some Red Stripe Light and dance away on the open dance floor. (See our Ochos Rios Review)
Margaritaville Georgetown, Grand Cayman
So far this is my #1 pick for Margaritaville's. Located just outside of the cruise terminal it is a 2-Story open location with patio seating and indoor seating. The "indoor seating" is really just covered seating as there are no walls separating it from the outside. This location had the best party atmosphere as tequila shots flowed and the ladies fought over Margaritaville T-shirts in a scavenger hunt. This Margaritaville has a pool and pool slide, but not pool bar. Either way I promise you cannot go wrong with this Margaritaville!
(See our Grand Cayman Review)
Margaritaville Cancun, Mexico (and Cancun Airport)
The Cancun Airport Margaritaville is a poor attempt at creating a fun environment. It's nothing more than a dressed up bar in an airport, there was no energy, no excitement and I do not recommend it.
Margaritaville Cancun is at the very end of the Hotel Zone as you approach Downtown Cancun. I stopped at this location before I did anything else and was severely disappointed. Again, minimal energy and no pools or outside bars. It was very dark on the inside and quite honestly had there not been a lot of Jimmy Buffett paraphernalia lying around I probably wouldn't have realized where I was. I do not recommend this location.
Margaritaville Cozumel, Mexico
Considering Cozumel is a major cruise destination I was surprised to find that Margaritaville was a distance from the terminal. I would say 2-2.5 miles so a taxi is likely your best bet. This location is fairly spacious and as you walk in you are met with a large interior bar and lots of interior seating. We immediately ventured for the outside deck which had a band playing, was located on the water and had a cool bar with swings as chairs. However despite the fact that it was a cool location the energy wasn't there. I felt like i was at Ruby Tuesday's, not Margaritaville. Furthermore, you can write on a dollar bill and attach it to the bar but when we asked for a staple gun they looked at us as if we were crazy - How else am I going to attach the dollar bill? If you're heading to this location for food or a chill experience then you have my support, but if you want to party your ass off head two blocks north to Carlos N' Charlies which combines with Senior Frogs. We highly recommend the yard drinks!
There are several other Margaritaville's which we have not yet been. These include Turks & Caicos, Hawaii, Motego Bay and Negril. As we travel throughout the year rest assured if there is a Margaritaville we will be there, and we will add it to our reviews.
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Destination: Cancun, Mexico
Oh Cancun! Synonymous with Spring Break and partying it's a top destination for young travelers. I'm going to give you the low down on what's happening in Cancun and what's not.
Chances are if you're heading to Cancun you're coming in through the airport as Cancun is not accessible by cruise ship. So upon arriving at the Cancun airport get ready to shell out some hefty cash for a ride into the Hotel Zone. When I first heard the taxi rates I was baffled, I thought perhaps I was on a hidden camera TV show. A taxi from the airport to the Hotel Zone was $55 USD!! Because this was my first trip to Mexico I was still under the impression that Mexico was much cheaper than the US, and it can be, but not at the airport. The taxi's at the airport are run by a single company, Green Line. Green Line is similar to our Super Shuttle, the only problem is they have a monopoly on the airport, there are no outside vendors which could drive down the price. Now that I've scared you a bit I do have some good news, I managed to find a shared shuttle for $14/USD to the Hotel Zone. This is also run by Green Line so make sure you ask for it upon arrival, there are many booths setup near the airport exit, you cannot miss it.
If this is your first time in Cancun you may be asking yourself, what is the Hotel Zone? It's simply the touristy area with hundreds of hotels and far too many Americans. While the Hotel Zone is nice, safe and very pretty it's not "real" Mexico. Most tourists stick to their resort and don't head out to visit downtown Cancun, far past the touristy area's which I think is a huge mistake, but we'll get into that shortly.
The Hotel Zone is quite far from the airport, you must first cover several miles of marsh land before getting to the coast, and even then the Hotel Zone is very long, I'd say 8 miles until you begin to hit the city of Cancun. As I said before, there are hundreds of hotels on the strip. Choosing one can be daunting, so I stuck with my good ol' pal Priceline. I decided to shoot for the resort category and managed to swing a 4-Star Marriott Resort (The Magna Carta) for a sweet $125/night. This was $200/night off the listed rate of $325. I must say the hotel was indeed amazing, with a swim up bar, restaurant on the beach and two very large pools it was certainly worth the money. But alas, I am a traveler and I couldn't sit still in the resort for the duration of my stay I knew I had to get out - but how?
The Hotel Zone is one long road lined with hotels, and it's not until the very end of the zone before you begin to see any restaurants, bars, etc. When you first begin to exit the zone it's as touristy as they come. American businesses everywhere, like Outback, Hooters, Subway, etc. There is a Margaritaville right before you get to town which *yawn* was no good. I'm somewhat of a Margaritaville connoisseur, and I was not impressed. No pools, no outside seating or bars...it reminded me of the not so great one in Key West. Moving along you'll find more touristy things but less American like Carlos N' Charlies, Slices, Corona's. Of course, you have the staples like HardRock and another Hooters, but my point is the more you travel into downtown, the less American it gets.
So now that I've told my long winded story let me get some tips out of the way!
*To get out of the Hotel Zone you have 2 options, taxi or bus. Taxi's are expensive in the Hotel Zone as they expect you to be American and therefor you're paying more.
*The bus is an awesome time! For only 6 pesos (about $0.50 USD) you can ride one way as long as you'd like. There are several bus routes but ALL go to the Hotel Zone.
*Be prepared to JUMP off the bus. This is not an over-exaggeration. The drivers rarely come to a complete stop, and when they do it's for a second or two at most.
*Unlike buses in the USA these do not have the stop ropes which notifies the driver you need to get off. Instead there are red buttons, some do not work! Worst case scenario say "Conductor! Alto el autobus por favor" meaning "Driver, stop the bus please".
*If you're feeling adventurous head to the Wal Mart in Centro Cancun. It's a 20 minute bus ride from the Hotel Zone but totally worth it! It's like the epicenter of the city, the Wal Mart is so large they sell appliances! I highly recommend it, and you'll get to be one of the only gringo's walking around.
On a final note I'd like to say I had an awesome time in Cancun. I recommend the open bar deals that most bars have including Slices, Corona's and Bulldogs. I ask if you venture to Mexico you do a few simple things:
1 - Learn the exchange rate! I know you're probably surprised but not everyone takes USD. The rate changes everyday but usually falls between 13-15 pesos per US dollar.
2 - Even if you do not speak Spanish, try. Again, I know you're surprised to hear it but not everyone in Cancun speaks English, in fact I'd say 50%. Try your best and they will be extra nice to you.
3 - You've heard the saying "when in Rome", apply it to your vacation. Get outside of the Mexican version of America (i.e the Hotel Zone) and explore. Meet, mingle and see how Mexicans live.
I rate Cancun, Mexico
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Chances are if you're heading to Cancun you're coming in through the airport as Cancun is not accessible by cruise ship. So upon arriving at the Cancun airport get ready to shell out some hefty cash for a ride into the Hotel Zone. When I first heard the taxi rates I was baffled, I thought perhaps I was on a hidden camera TV show. A taxi from the airport to the Hotel Zone was $55 USD!! Because this was my first trip to Mexico I was still under the impression that Mexico was much cheaper than the US, and it can be, but not at the airport. The taxi's at the airport are run by a single company, Green Line. Green Line is similar to our Super Shuttle, the only problem is they have a monopoly on the airport, there are no outside vendors which could drive down the price. Now that I've scared you a bit I do have some good news, I managed to find a shared shuttle for $14/USD to the Hotel Zone. This is also run by Green Line so make sure you ask for it upon arrival, there are many booths setup near the airport exit, you cannot miss it.
If this is your first time in Cancun you may be asking yourself, what is the Hotel Zone? It's simply the touristy area with hundreds of hotels and far too many Americans. While the Hotel Zone is nice, safe and very pretty it's not "real" Mexico. Most tourists stick to their resort and don't head out to visit downtown Cancun, far past the touristy area's which I think is a huge mistake, but we'll get into that shortly.
The Hotel Zone is quite far from the airport, you must first cover several miles of marsh land before getting to the coast, and even then the Hotel Zone is very long, I'd say 8 miles until you begin to hit the city of Cancun. As I said before, there are hundreds of hotels on the strip. Choosing one can be daunting, so I stuck with my good ol' pal Priceline. I decided to shoot for the resort category and managed to swing a 4-Star Marriott Resort (The Magna Carta) for a sweet $125/night. This was $200/night off the listed rate of $325. I must say the hotel was indeed amazing, with a swim up bar, restaurant on the beach and two very large pools it was certainly worth the money. But alas, I am a traveler and I couldn't sit still in the resort for the duration of my stay I knew I had to get out - but how?The Hotel Zone is one long road lined with hotels, and it's not until the very end of the zone before you begin to see any restaurants, bars, etc. When you first begin to exit the zone it's as touristy as they come. American businesses everywhere, like Outback, Hooters, Subway, etc. There is a Margaritaville right before you get to town which *yawn* was no good. I'm somewhat of a Margaritaville connoisseur, and I was not impressed. No pools, no outside seating or bars...it reminded me of the not so great one in Key West. Moving along you'll find more touristy things but less American like Carlos N' Charlies, Slices, Corona's. Of course, you have the staples like HardRock and another Hooters, but my point is the more you travel into downtown, the less American it gets.
So now that I've told my long winded story let me get some tips out of the way!
*To get out of the Hotel Zone you have 2 options, taxi or bus. Taxi's are expensive in the Hotel Zone as they expect you to be American and therefor you're paying more.
*The bus is an awesome time! For only 6 pesos (about $0.50 USD) you can ride one way as long as you'd like. There are several bus routes but ALL go to the Hotel Zone.
*Be prepared to JUMP off the bus. This is not an over-exaggeration. The drivers rarely come to a complete stop, and when they do it's for a second or two at most.
*Unlike buses in the USA these do not have the stop ropes which notifies the driver you need to get off. Instead there are red buttons, some do not work! Worst case scenario say "Conductor! Alto el autobus por favor" meaning "Driver, stop the bus please".
*If you're feeling adventurous head to the Wal Mart in Centro Cancun. It's a 20 minute bus ride from the Hotel Zone but totally worth it! It's like the epicenter of the city, the Wal Mart is so large they sell appliances! I highly recommend it, and you'll get to be one of the only gringo's walking around.
On a final note I'd like to say I had an awesome time in Cancun. I recommend the open bar deals that most bars have including Slices, Corona's and Bulldogs. I ask if you venture to Mexico you do a few simple things:
1 - Learn the exchange rate! I know you're probably surprised but not everyone takes USD. The rate changes everyday but usually falls between 13-15 pesos per US dollar.
2 - Even if you do not speak Spanish, try. Again, I know you're surprised to hear it but not everyone in Cancun speaks English, in fact I'd say 50%. Try your best and they will be extra nice to you.
3 - You've heard the saying "when in Rome", apply it to your vacation. Get outside of the Mexican version of America (i.e the Hotel Zone) and explore. Meet, mingle and see how Mexicans live.
I rate Cancun, Mexico
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Margarita Rankings
We wanted to let everyone know that in the spirit of Twenty Travel we have decided to skip mundane star rankings and use Margarita Rankings instead. We hope that you'll appreciate our alcoholism and drink one for us on your next trip!
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Port of Miami - Where to Park, Where to Stay, What to Know
The Port of Miami, undoubtedly one of the most trafficked ports in the world, is the number one port of call for cruise passengers in the United States. On my first visit to the port I was appalled at the $20/day parking rate, although convenient it is very expensive. Considering most of us here in 2009 are on a budget, adding an extra $100-$140 for parking to your trip budget can really put a damper on things. On my second trip to the Port I played it smart, and what I have learned is outlined below, I hope it helps you save money on your trip!
If you plan on staying in Miami the night before your trip you may be upset to find that almost all of the hotels in Miami and South Beach require you to pay for parking. Furthermore, you cannot leave your car on site while you travel and there are only a select few that offer shuttle services to the terminal. As I prepared for travel I weighed many scenarios on where to stay and how to park that would save me the most money.
I eventually found an Extended Stay in Miami, right off 95 and close to central downtown. Parking was free and they had a shuttle service for $7 per person. Although they never gave me the go ahead to park there during the duration of my cruise I had a feeling they wouldn't know, and I was right. Not only was I able to secure free parking and a cheap shuttle, I Priceline'd my hotel (How to Negotiate on Priceline) and was able to get a room rate of $50/night.
The shuttle provided by the hotel must be booked the night prior to your departure so make sure you ask the front desk. Also, they only take you to the port, they do not pick you up. I got around this by taking a taxi back, and to my surprise it was only $13 for the return trip.
So, if you plan on making the trip to the Port of Miami and are seeking free parking, a shuttle and a nice yet low cost place to stay remember:
*Extended Stay Miami - $50/night on Priceline (Name Your Own Price)
*Shuttle from Extended Stay - $7 per person
*Taxi back - $13
Interested in saving more money by getting your own alcohol on board? A new post on smuggling alcohol coming soon!
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
If you plan on staying in Miami the night before your trip you may be upset to find that almost all of the hotels in Miami and South Beach require you to pay for parking. Furthermore, you cannot leave your car on site while you travel and there are only a select few that offer shuttle services to the terminal. As I prepared for travel I weighed many scenarios on where to stay and how to park that would save me the most money.
I eventually found an Extended Stay in Miami, right off 95 and close to central downtown. Parking was free and they had a shuttle service for $7 per person. Although they never gave me the go ahead to park there during the duration of my cruise I had a feeling they wouldn't know, and I was right. Not only was I able to secure free parking and a cheap shuttle, I Priceline'd my hotel (How to Negotiate on Priceline) and was able to get a room rate of $50/night.
The shuttle provided by the hotel must be booked the night prior to your departure so make sure you ask the front desk. Also, they only take you to the port, they do not pick you up. I got around this by taking a taxi back, and to my surprise it was only $13 for the return trip.
So, if you plan on making the trip to the Port of Miami and are seeking free parking, a shuttle and a nice yet low cost place to stay remember:
*Extended Stay Miami - $50/night on Priceline (Name Your Own Price)
*Shuttle from Extended Stay - $7 per person
*Taxi back - $13
Interested in saving more money by getting your own alcohol on board? A new post on smuggling alcohol coming soon!
Brandon & Jenny - Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Destination: Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Jacksonville Beach
Although Jacksonville Beach isn't as large as I had hoped for, it holds some promise. The night life begins on the corner of Beach Blvd and 1st. Here you can find a handful of bars, restaurants galore, and a few clubs. Although Brandon and I ventured out in search for a clutch location, I'm sad to report that only two bars stuck out at the time. First on our list was Sneakers- a sports fan's dream bar. No matter where you sit, a large television is in your view! The drinks were reasonably priced, the bartenders/servers were friendly, and it had an overall chill atmosphere. I can honestly say I've never been to a sports bar that had a bottle service until now! Although their menu selection seemed desirable, the prices were not.
Second on the list was a two story Irish pub called McCools. This was my favorite bar for the night by far. The downstairs is a typical Irish bar while the upstairs has live music and dancing. Because neither Brandon nor I enjoy the live music scene we stuck to the lower level. Be aware that vodka and redbull= vodka and NO redbull! Either way- the drinks are fairly priced, the company was predominately attractive, and the staff was on point. Brandon and I made friends with the bouncers who directed us to a few locations that we should try out, where not to go, etc.
Key information for those who have had too much to drink- girls bathroom is to the left and guys bathroom is to the right!
Here's the thing about Jacksonville Beach that I've come to understand- during the day hours it turns into a hangout for the homeless, unattractive, and generally low income individuals. The beach has no spectacular views, in fact, I didn't take one picture while I was there. The only thing going for this location is the fact that it offers free parking, the sun shines there, and there is sand (although it is dirty).
Downtown Jacksonville
Let me start off by giving our hotel kuddos. If you are in the area and need a place to stay, I HIGHLY recommend Crowne Plaza which is located on Riverplace Blvd. Although Brandon and I were staying on the executive level... I can only assume the rest of the hotel rooms were similar. We had great views of downtown Jacksonville, overlooked the river, and was centrally located. There was a river taxi that you could take at $3 a person, however, downtown is within walking distance. We were under the influence that the Jacksonville Landing was a "must go to" while in the area- not so much. Again, I was sadly disappointed! Yes, this location does have a Hooters, a sushi bar, American Cafe, Twisted Martini, live music, and TRASHY people! The Landing was dirty to begin with- nothing special at all. While eating lunch we got a free show as we watched a man attempt to jump off the bridge as a means of escaping from the cops. For Brandon and I, this just summed up our trip! To be honest, Jacksonville is a pretty city in general- it does have a great zoo, multiple shopping centers, a small water park, and family oriented entertainment... I'll give it that. However, if you are out for a good time like Brandon and I normally are... this isn't a spot for you.
We rate both Downtown Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach
Brandon & Jenny- Caribbean experts on information you SHOULD know but nobody tells you!
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