As if the tropical destinations in most featured itineraries weren't tempting enough, Tampa and St. Petersburg also are fabulous coastal attractions in themselves.

Nestled along Tampa Bay, just off the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa and St. Petersburg both offer many of the sun-soaked amenities that make for great vacations. Tampa is the unofficial capital of Florida's West Coast, as it's the region's biggest city, and Florida's third largest. Expect endless restaurants, bars, professional sports, live entertainment, and the famous Busch Gardens theme park. Around the bay, and en route to St. Petersburg, don't miss the white-sand beaches and pier markets of Clearwater. As Florida's fifth largest city, St. Petersburg offers plenty of action downtown by the bay, but also exceptional golfing and fishing. Don't miss the Dali Museum for some surreal art.

In other words, you should absolutely consider adding at least one hotel night before and after your cruise from Tampa or St. Petersburg.