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Tampas cruise port is close to major airports and a number of cruise lines visit the port. Tampa’s the kind of place that rewards visitors who take a little time to explore the city before or after they cruise. Not far from the Gulf Coast you’ll find great shopping, the state aquarium and plenty of local art museums. But that’s before we even get around to talking about the historically Cuban district of Ybor City, with its lively 7th Avenue neighborhood that’s best explored after sundown for Latin-style nightlife. A tour of Ybor City offers a look at the other side of Tampa and its working-class past.
Royal Caribbean's ships Rhapsody and Grandeur homeported in Tampa for 2025-2026 winter
Many cultures have left their marks on this sun-kissed corner of the world. Please visit our most frequently asked questions page on cruise preparation, transportation, safety and security, and more. Shuttle vans, such as Bay Shuttle and SuperShuttle provide service 24/7, leaving from all four quadrants of the baggage claim level and providing services to a number of outlying destinations. No matter what type of sport you’re into, you’re bound to find it here in Tampa. Set sail from the convenient port of Tampa Bay in Florida and travel to some of the most coveted destinations in the Caribbean and Central America.
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The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Tampa, Florida. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Tucked inside Tampa Bay on Florida's west coast, it's really no surprise that Tampa has evolved as a year-round bustling cruise port for Western Caribbean itineraries including Cuba, as well as Panama Canal. Its red-hot waterfront is jampacked with sights, sounds and surf, and is just a hop, skip and a jump away from century-old St. Petersburg and from Clearwater, one of Florida's best beaches.
Tampa Cruise Port Directions
The terminal offers facilities like fast security and luggage carts. The embarkation and disembarkation of passengers is streamlined. In the late-1990s, Cruise Terminal 2 creation was incorporated in the Garrison Seaport Center scheme. The terminal offers facilities like customs, cab rank, restrooms, a snack shop and a luggage carts.
Cruises From Tampa Florida
Get a taste of the area by spending part of your day at the beach or snorkeling the second largest barrier reef in the world and then spending the rest of it hiking through jungle trails and lively villages. When you head to Roatan you'll come across curious wildlife, like monkeys and parrots, hanging out in the trees and colorful fish swimming in the sea. For even more fun, make sure you stop off at the West End Village, a hot spot for restaurants and shops.
Port's strategy is not homeporting mega-ships, but rather attracting smaller and recently refurbished vessels with itineraries to easy-to-reach destinations. Besides the Skyway Bridge's height limitation, the cruise port also has a navigation issue as it is prone to fog. Larger ships also experience difficulties in maneuvering due to the Port's shallow waters and narrow channels. Beyond the perfect white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and historical beauty, the rich and vibrant cultures of the Caribbean islands are waiting to be explored.
BEST CRUISES FROM TAMPA, FLORIDA
Divers flock to St. Thomas for its stunning reefs and numerous wreck sites teeming with marine life. Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Port Tampa's homeporting cruise shipping operations were paused for 18+ months (March 14, 2020, thru October 16, 2021). In February 2023 was officially opened the new cruise ship crew-exclusive facility Hookers Point Tampa Seafarer's Center. The facility is at Cruise Terminal 3 and provides Wi-Fi Internet and phones. The Seafarer's Center has a convenience store (selling snacks, travel essentials, toiletries, etc) and is generally used for handling (sending/receiving) packages and mail. The city of Tampa is approx 85 mi (140 km) from Orlando City /Port Canaveral to the west, via Highway I-4E (~1,5 hours drive distance).
The number of homeported cruise liners increased to 7 (from 5 in 2016). One of the new boats based here for turnarounds/roundtrips was RCI's Empress of the Seas - which itineraries also visited Havana Cuba (starting April 2017). In 2017, the cruise port handled a total of 961,000 passengers.
Cruises from Tampa, Florida
And if you’re looking for the perfect blend of natural beauty, Caribbean charm, and lively atmosphere on your cruise from Tampa, Nassau is just the island for you. You can do it all here — swim with stingrays, sunbathe on a gorgeous stretch of shoreline, shop open-air markets for Bahamian handicrafts, and even party like the pirates that once called this tropical paradise home. While there are plenty of spots that are great for relaxing, Nassau also has a healthy variety of beaches with a livelier vibe and plenty of buzzing bars. Cruise to Mexico from Tampa and your Western Caribbean cruise will take you to some pretty spectacular places. It's the perfect place to kick back and relax on the beach and enjoy a cocktail or learn all about Mayan History at the Chacchoben and Kohunlich Ruins.
Port Tampa's parking facilities (Channelside Parking Garage, multi-storey) are located across the street from cruise terminals 2 and 3. Self-serve parking costs USD 15 per car per day (for oversize vehicles USD 30 per day). Sail down the Panama Canal, an engineering masterpiece that allows ships to sail between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Watch as its complex system of locks unfolds, then stop in the historic center of Panama Viejo, where you’ll learn all about the town’s pirate history. Explore ancient forts in San Juan, lounge on the powdery white sand beaches of St. Maarten, and spot colorful schools of fish while snorkeling in St. Thomas—there’s no shortage of fun to enjoy.
Don't forget to stop for some tacos or cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork dish that tops the list of traditional favorites in the area. You'll head back to the ship all smiles after a day of wandering through the Mexican city. A short 30-minute drive west of the city centre lands you along the Gulf of Mexico coast, which is fringed by a string of sugary beaches. Clearwater Beach and St Pete Beach both offer an upbeat seaside atmosphere, while Caladesi Island State Park and Fort DeSoto Park provide serene shoreline settings. Once dubbed the “Cigar Capital of the World,” the Ybor City district is rich in history and Latin culture.
Port of Tampa Bay dealing with flooding but landside operations uninterrupted - The Capitolist
Port of Tampa Bay dealing with flooding but landside operations uninterrupted.
Posted: Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Choose from a number of innovative restaurants in this fully restored warehouse with a picturesque outdoor space. If you’re a fan of celebrated Spanish artist Salvador Dalí, then a visit to the awe-inspiring Dalí Museum in St. Pete is a must. The museum is home to the largest collection of his art outside of Europe. The gift shop is a great place to grab a quirky gift to take home. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Most commonly, cruises from Tampa go to exciting destinations such as Bahamas, Caribbean - All, Caribbean - Eastern, Caribbean - Southern, and Caribbean - Western.
You’ll be on a ship that’s nearly the length of three footy fields and 12 decks tall of things to do, see, taste and try. Whether you’re after an action-packed holiday or just want to relax and unwind, you can create the type of cruise holiday you want. Journey to Belize, the ultimate adventure spot for adrenaline junkies and history buffs. Spend your day on the island of Belize diving through the Great Blue Hole, an underwater sinkhole that is over 300 meters wide and 125 meters deep — one of the top dive sites in the entire world.
Its culture is diverse and thriving, with influences from Latin and Caribbean communities. The annual Gasparilla festival, which celebrates the legend of pirate José Gaspar, attracts half a million people to the city every year. Tampa Bay is a convenient embarkation point for those looking for a sunny vacation to the Caribbean.
Margaritaville at Sea Adds Second Ship, To Sail From Tampa - Cruise Industry News
Margaritaville at Sea Adds Second Ship, To Sail From Tampa.
Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Visit our Tampa port page for more information on our top travel recommendations. Visitors can take advantage of the 1-day unlimited ride fare card. If your stay in Tampa will last a little longer, you can purchase a 3-day unlimited ride visitor pass, available though HART facilities and select hotels. Tampa Bay’s Native American history can be traced as far back as 900 A.D.
