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Cruise to Key West, Florida

Key west shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in key west.

Garden Party

Garden Party Parrot Jungle, Key West, Florida

Meet macaws and play with parrots at Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden, a haven for rescued exotic birds.

CONCH CABOOSE

Conch Caboose Aerial View of Street, Key West, Florida

Hop on the world-famous Conch Train to get a lesson in Key West history and hear local legends while touring Old Town and some of the island’s most iconic landmarks.

SQUARE DANCING

In the hours leading up to dusk, head to Mallory Square and watch as it comes to life with acrobats, dancers and performers. The grand finale is a sunset you must see to believe.

LOCAL CUISINE

You can catch all kinds of exotic fish in Key West’s tropical waters, so it’s no surprise that much of the local cuisine centers on fresh seafood. Be sure to try some conch fritters and the iconic key lime pie, of course. When it comes to bars, you’ll find no shortage along lively Duval Street.

In Mallory Square, you’ll find lots of local vendors selling seashells, souvenirs, cigars, rum, and of course, key lime pie. If you’re looking for art galleries and clothing boutiques, head to Duval Street.

Best Deals to Key West, Florida

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Norwegian Jewel

The 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel (the namesake of the line's Jewel-class ships) has been cruising since 2005 and and underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2022. It reemerged boasting more than 25 refreshed venues. With its low 1-to-2 crew-to-guest ratio, the ship makes tailored experiences a priority.

With 14 eateries and 12 bars and lounges, every guest has plenty of elbow room. Passenger favorites include the specialty Brazilian steakhouse.

While Jewel appeals to a variety of traveler types, it's especially well-suited for families thanks to its age-appropriate kids clubs, a video arcade and waterslides. But there are plenty of diversions to keep grown-ups occupied as well, such as a full-service spa, a casino, sports facilities and an art nouveau-style theater.

As for lodging, cruisers can choose between Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Club Balcony Suite and Suite category cabins. Those looking for even more space and luxury should opt for a cabin in The Haven, which offers multiple bedrooms and access to a private sun deck. 

Norwegian Jewel sails to a variety of destinations throughout California, Alaska, Asia, Mexico, South America and more.

Celebrity Constellation

Launched in 2002, Celebrity Constellation can accommodate up to 2,184 passengers. The 1-to-2 staff-to-guest ratio allows for personalized attention. Constellation is scheduled for a full refurbishment in spring 2024, when it will receive brand-new staterooms, new lounge areas and luxurious refittings as part of a $500 million fleetwide modernization program. 

The ship offers nine dining options, including three specialty restaurants that require advanced reservations and an additional fee. Constellation also offers the Luminae restaurant exclusively reserved for Suite Class passengers.

For entertainment, Constellation features the casino, as well as more than 500 activities for younger passengers. The whole family can visit the art gallery featuring one of the largest permanent collections of contemporary art. At night, visit one of the ship's many lounges or enjoy a film under the stars on the Rooftop Terrace.

When it comes to lodging, the ship offers a wide range of cabin categories. Passengers can also choose from Concierge, Aqua and Family Ocean View category rooms, as well as a variety of suites that offer extras such as butler service and unlimited internet access.

Celebrity Constellation sails throughout the Caribbean and Europe. 

Carnival Miracle

Like other Carnival ships, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle boasts activities and entertainment geared toward travelers of all ages. Thanks to a renovation in 2020, the ship features upgrades like Guy's Burger Joint, WaterWorks, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Cantina and more. The ship also received a minor refresh to interior and exterior spaces in 2022. 

Even with the added venues, a nearly 2-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio ensures service is a priority. And compared to other Carnival ships, Miracle offers a higher percentage of cabins with ocean views. While Interior staterooms provide more wallet-friendly digs, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite category cabins offer more space and scenery. All cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

During days at sea, grown-ups can enjoy poolside lounging or the adults-only Serenity Retreat, while kids ages 2 to 17 can play at age-specific programs.  There are also entertainment options like the Punchliner Comedy Club, the SkyBox Sports Bar and the Seuss at Sea program. Once the family works up an appetite, they'll have their pick of the main dining room, the Lido buffet, a specialty steakhouse (for an extra fee) and more.

Carnival Miracle departs from Galveston, Texas ;  Los Angeles  and  San Francisco  to destinations in the Caribbean, the Panama Canal,  Hawaii , Mexico , and Alaska . 

Rhapsody of the Seas

Introduced in 1997 and last refurbished in 2022, Rhapsody of the Seas features a rock climbing wall and an LED poolside movie screen. In its most recent update, it received new carpeting, renovations to the pools and sun decks and more. With the capacity to transport 2,416 guests and 765 crew members, the ship has a moderate 1-to-3 crew-to-passenger ratio.

About 60% of staterooms feature ocean views. Interior cabins range from 136 to 252 square feet, while the largest suites span more than 1,000 square feet. All cabins include flat-screen TVs and minibars. Past cruisers were particularly impressed with the service across the ship, especially in the accommodations.

In addition to the comfortable cabins, travelers enjoyed the cuisine. Guests can choose between the main dining room or the extensive buffet, as well as three specialty restaurants. Afterward, grab a nightcap in one of the multiple bars and lounges.

Rhapsody of the Seas departs from Fort Lauderdale , Florida, and ports across the Middle East and South America for sailings in Europe and the Caribbean.

Radiance of the Seas

Launched in 2001 and last updated in 2016, Radiance of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's smaller ships, carrying up to 2,466 guests and 894 crew members. It underwent routine renovations in 2021. Many cruisers gave high marks for the ship's service, thanks to its nearly 1-to-3 crew-to-passenger ratio. The ship boasts a total of 10 dining venues, including specialty restaurants like Giovanni's Table, a main dining room and large buffet. Dining shipwide received mixed reviews. 

Guests praise the onboard entertainment, which includes Broadway-style shows, a casino and an abundance of bars and lounges. Although the ship doesn't boast some of the megaship amenities found on larger Royal Caribbean vessels, it does offer rock climbing, mini-golf and three pools. Kids can also take advantage of age-specific youth programs.

Radiance of the Seas offers four stateroom categories: Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite. Solo travelers can also opt for Studio staterooms, which measure 108 square feet.

Radiance of the Seas departs from ports across North America for sailings in Alaska, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Panama Canal and the Pacific Northwest.

The 670-passenger Oceania Insignia, which was dramatically redesigned in December 2018, maintains a nearly a 1-to-2 crew-to-passenger ratio, which means staff members can provide personalized attention to guests. The expansive redesign included new marble bathrooms, redesigned suites and staterooms and a facelift for the ship's public spaces. 

When it comes to dining, guests can choose between five sit-down venues and sip libations at one of several bars and lounges. Activities on the ship are geared toward older cruisers; they include afternoon tea, board games, a casino and nightly live shows.

Insignia offers four cabin types: Inside, Ocean View, Veranda and Suite. Inside and Ocean View cabins are smaller, while Veranda cabins and Suites offer more legroom (between 216 and 1,000 square feet). All cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs, minibars and 1,000-thread-count linens. Suites include extra perks, like 24-hour butler service and in-room iPads.

Oceania Insignia sails to destinations in Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and more.

Grandeur of the Seas

Among Royal Caribbean's smaller ships, Grandeur of the Seas welcomes up to 2,440 guests and 760 crew members. While the ship boasts a rock climbing wall and six whirlpools, it lacks some of the modern amenities found on other Royal Caribbean ships, like a surf simulator and waterslides. However, a 2017 revamp updated the ship's cabins and added some new dining options, including fan favorite Izumi, which serves Japanese cuisine. The ship offers eight dining venues in total.

Similar to the rest of the fleet, the ship offers four stateroom categories (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite). Interior cabins range from 136 to 252 square feet, while Suites span 243 to 1,326 square feet. Recent travelers said a highlight was the service from their room stewards. The ship is best suited to adults, with a 6,843-square-foot casino, multiple bars and lounges and the spa.

Grandeur of the Seas sails from Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Miami ; and Tampa  for itineraries in the Caribbean and Canada.

Norwegian Jade

The 2,402-passenger Norwegian Jade was renovated in 2022. The updated ship is geared toward a diverse set of ages and traveler types. Plus, with 1,037 crew members, the service exceeded recent cruisers' expectations.

Aboard Jade, guests can choose from a spectrum of lodging options. While Inside cabins range from 138 to 278 square feet, the ship's Haven suites and villas measure between 440 and 4,719 square feet. These larger accommodations feature living and dining areas, balconies and private access to an exclusive courtyard.

Norwegian Jade features 13 restaurants (including seven specialty eateries) and a variety of bars, lounges and nightclubs. During the day, guests can take advantage of a wide array of activities, including a variety of sports, a spa and age-appropriate youth clubs. 

Norwegian Jade sails throughout ports in Tampa, Alaska, Europe and Caribbean.

Serenade of the Seas

Serenade of the Seas may have first debuted in 2003, but don't underestimate what a facelift can add. After some extensive upgrades in 2012 and again in 2017, plus a refresh of some public spaces in 2022, the ship now features modern dining options, upgraded cabin amenities, new lounges and bars and a poolside movie screen. 

Guests can dine at three complimentary eateries, including the two-level main dining room. The six specialty venues include Izumi Sushi & Hot Rocks Asian restaurant, Giovanni's Table and more. 

Recent passengers were complimentary of the service across the ship. With up to 2,476 guests and 832 crew members, the ship maintains a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1-to-3. Similar to other Royal Caribbean ships, Serenade of the Seas features four stateroom categories: Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite. Studio Interior rooms cater to solo travelers at 108 square feet, while groups can opt for Suites that span 292 to 952 square feet. All cabins include flat-screen TVs and updated showers.

During the day, travelers can enjoy a rock climbing wall, a mini-golf course and six pools and whirlpools. Evening entertainment is just as varied, ranging from Broadway-style performances to acrobatic shows. You'll also have your pick of many bars and lounges.

Serenade of the Seas sails from ports across North America, the Middle East, South America, Europe and Asia to destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, the Panama Canal, Asia, Hawaii, Australia and the Pacific Northwest.

Enchantment of the Seas

Launched in 1997, Enchantment of the Seas underwent routine maintenance in late 2021, but its last major upgrade was in 2017. This refurbishment added imaginative features like a poolside movie screen, bungee trampolines and additional cabins. Other ship highlights include three pools, a rock climbing wall, a video game arcade and Broadway-inspired shows in the main theater.

For families, the ship offers age-appropriate kids clubs and a splash deck. And for adults, there are six bars and lounges on board, as well as a casino. When it comes to dining, the ship houses five venues and offers 24-hour room service and several other specialty food shops.

As far as lodging goes, only about 20% of the ship's cabins offer balconies, while Interior cabins make up about 40% of the staterooms. While the 2,730-passenger ship maintains a 1-to-3 crew-to-guest ratio with 852 crew members on board, recent cruisers still say all the Royal Caribbean employees – from the room stewards to the wait staff – were pleasant and accommodating. 

Enchantment of the Seas sails to the  Bahamas , Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Complete Guide to Cruising From Port Tampa Bay

In our opinion, Port Tampa Bay is one of the best-kept secrets in cruising. While ports on the eastern side of Florida — including Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral — are well known thanks to the mega-ships and multiple terminals at each port, Tampa seems to sneak under the radar.

Despite the lack of notoriety, Port Tampa Bay offers a ton for cruise passengers. This includes multiple terminals with a constant stream of ships, lots to do in the area, more convenience, and fewer headaches than dealing with a larger port.

In other words, you get a lot of the benefits of a larger port without a lot of the drawbacks.

So whether you want to sail to The Bahamas, Mexico, or points in between, or if you want to sail on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian, the port has something to offer.

Below we dive into all the details of everything you need to know about sailing from the Port Tampa Bay.

• Distance from Tampa Airport: 10 miles
• Distance from Orlando Airport: 90 miles
• Number of Terminals: 3
• Passengers Carried Each Year: 1 million
• Cruise Ship Dockings Each Year: 180+

Port Tampa Bay Location

The cruise port sits in the Channel District of Tampa, which is just a couple of minutes from downtown, as well as the popular Ybor City area. If you are flying in, the port is only about 10 miles from Tampa International Airport, which will take you about 15-20 minutes.

While the location of the port is convenient for cruise passengers with lots to do and places to stay just a few minutes away, there is one drawback. When you head out to sea you will leave Tampa and head out of Tampa Bay, passing between St. Petersburg and Bradenton. There, you will pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

While the bridge is impressive, its height actually limits the size of the ships that can sail from Tampa. Larger ships just can’t get under the bridge. This is a reason why some of the biggest and newest ships don’t sail from the port.

Driving to the port? If so, the address you’ll want to use is:

651 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida 33602

Like other Florida cities there is a lot to do in the area, and you may not be coming directly from the airport to the cruise port. If so, we have the estimated distances and drive times between a number of popular areas in the region:

• Tampa International Airport: 10 miles | 15-20 minutes
• Orlando International Airport: 90 miles | 1 hr 30 minutes
• St. Petersburg: 25 miles | 30-40 minutes
• Ybor City: 2 miles | 10 minutes
• Disney World: 70 miles | 1 hr 10 minutes
• Lakeland: 36 miles | 40-60 minutes
• Clearwater: 25 miles | 40-60 minutes
• Sarasota: 60 miles | 55-70 minutes

For more on getting to the port, see below.

Things to Do Near the Port

Tampa is blessed with no shortage of things to do, whether you want amusement parks, sporting events, culture, history, or more. Below are just a few things to do before or after your cruise.

The Florida Aquarium Literally right next door to the cruise terminals, the Florida Aquarium is a world-class facility with lots to see. Perfect if you have kids, the aquarium will get them up close and personal not only with fish, sharks, and turtles, but also wildlife like otters, lemurs, and more. In our opinion, if you have a couple of hours before or after your cruise, it’s a can’t miss attraction.

Ybor City Just about 10 minutes from the cruise port, Ybor City is a great place to head if you’re looking for something to do in the evening. The historic district is home to lots of older buildings that have been converted into shops and restaurants, most with a Latin flair. It’s great for a date night or just a stroll to explore and take in the atmosphere.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Want to have a little fun at the casino? Then head to the Seminole Hard Rock. The world-class gaming facility would fit right at home in Vegas, with a massive gaming floor, restaurants, and a hotel. It’s about 15-20 minutes away from the cruise port, but if you want to play slots, double down on blackjack, or toss the dice, then it’s a great place to spend some time (and money).

Cruise Terminals

Port Tampa Bay operates three different cruise terminals: Cruise Terminal #2, Cruise Terminal #3, and Cruise Terminal #6.

Cruise Terminal #2 If the port had a “main” terminal, this would be it. Terminal #2 sits at the southern end of the cruise complex. Parking is adjacent to the terminal, as is the Florida Aquarium and a complex of shops and restaurants.

Cruise Terminal #3 Along the eastern edge of the port, Cruise Terminal #3 often serves Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines. The location is right across from the official port parking garage, and with a berth length of 1,050 feet, the docking space can handle the larger ships to call on Port Tampa Bay.

Cruise Terminal #6 This terminal is the northernmost of the three terminals. That makes it extremely convenient if you just want to get to the ship and get on as there is parking right at the terminal and there isn’t as much traffic here. However, the terminal is a little farther from some of the activities like the aquarium and restaurants/shops that are further south in the complex.

Hotels Near the Port Tampa Bay

In a tourist hotspot like Tampa, there’s no shortage of places to stay. That means it can be convenient — and inexpensive — to stay the night before your cruise.

In general, we recommend that passengers flying in for their cruise plan to arrive a day early and stay the night. There are simply too many issues that can come up with flying that can cause delays to risk flying in on the day your cruise departs.

If you are driving in from the area, then you are usually fine driving to the port on the morning of your trip, but it still makes a lot of sense to stay in Tampa the night before. Not only is there a lot to see and do in the area, but it’s nice to already be in town on cruise day, meaning you can take your time in heading to the ship.

While the entire Tampa area can offer hotels, there aren’t many right at the port. The closest hotels are in downtown, which is a short distance away. There are also some hotels in Ybor City, which is also nearby.

Hotels near the cruise terminals:

• Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District
• Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District
• Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel

As a city that caters to cruise passengers, there are also a number of Tampa hotels that offer parking during your cruise , as well as hotels with cruise shuttles . Below are a few options for each, but we suggest seeing our full list in the articles linked above.

Hotels with cruise parking:

• Barrymore Hotel
• Home2 Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East – Ybor City

Hotels with shuttles/near streetcar stop:

• Tampa Marriott Water Street
• Hilton Garden Inn Ybor City
• Courtyard Tampa Downtown

Getting to Port Tampa Bay

Of course you can’t go on your cruise until you get to the ship. Fortunately, there is no shortage of ways to get from anywhere in the Tampa area to the cruise port, all at an affordable price.

We have all of your options and full details for getting to the port here . Below, we cover the most common ways for getting to the Port Tampa Bay.

Driving to the Port Many people elect to drive to the port, whether they live in the area or they fly in and have a rental car. Coming from Orlando? Expect the drive to take about an hour and a half. From spots in the Tampa/St. Pete region, it can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes, depending on where you are.

Driving definitely offers convenience of getting in and out from the port without relying on someone else to give you a ride. As well, Tampa offers relatively inexpensive parking. Official port parking is only $15 per day, but other independent lots can be even cheaper. (More on this below.)

Uber/Lyft Uber and Lyft are popular options to get around the Tampa Bay area because they make it easy to get from Point A to Point B, no matter where you are trying to go. Simply open up the app, request a ride and it should be there within minutes (even the airport). They also offer rates that are usually less expensive than taxi cabs. For instance, a taxi ride from the airport to the cruise port is a flat $30. It would be around $25 with Uber/Lyft.

Below we’ve estimated Uber/Lyft fares from certain points around town:

• Tampa International Airport: $20-25
• Orlando International Airport: $95-105
• St. Petersburg: $35-45
• Ybor City: $10
• Disney World: $75-85
• Lakeland: $40-50
• Clearwater: $35-40
• Sarasota: $60-65

Hotels with Cruise Shuttles Planning to stay at a hotel before your cruise? Some hotels offer shuttles to the cruise port as a perk for cruise passengers. Others are near public transportation that can get you to the ship in just a few minutes. No matter which option you choose, selecting a hotel with a shuttle can take a lot of the headache out of getting to the ship on embarkation day. See our article for a full list of Tampa hotels with cruise shuttles .

One of the best things about cruising from Port Tampa Bay is that parking is both convenient and inexpensive compared to other ports in Florida. For example, while parking for the Port of Miami is upwards of $20+ per day, you’ll only pay $15 — and at some lots much lower — to park for a Tampa cruise.

Official Port Parking Many people like to park at the official port parking lots. They offer a lot of convenience as they are right next to the cruise terminals. The main parking spot is a garage located across from terminals 2 and 3. Rates are $15 per day and you can pay in advance online to have everything taken care of before you arrive. There is also oversized vehicle parking available. There is also valet parking available for an additional $20. Terminal #6 has parking right next to the ship in an open-air lot.

If you are disabled, you may be eligible for free parking. The official port lots allow those with vehicle modifications such as ramps, or foot/hand controls to park for free if they are sailing. Also, 100% disabled veterans with license plates designating the car as such can also park for free.

Independent Lots One of the reasons that Tampa charges relatively little for parking is that the port faces a lot of competition. There are a number of independent lots that line Channelside Drive, in some cases costing as little as $7 per day (plus taxes and fees).

What’s the catch? There really isn’t one. These companies simply compete with the port for your business, and their main weapon is having lower rates. In fact, these lots are often right near the cruise terminal themselves and usually offer a shuttle if you don’t want to make the short walk.

For more details and pricing, see our Tampa cruise parking page here .

Hotels with Cruise Parking One of the best-kept secrets in cruising is that many hotels near cruise ports love to offer cruise parking to passengers in exchange for a single night’s stay. Book a room, get a night’s stay and have your parking taken care of as well. That’s hard to beat. Often you’ll need to book a package with the hotel that includes cruise parking, but it often includes both parking and transportation to the ship. See our list of Tampa hotels with cruise parking here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the cheapest way to get to Port Tampa Bay? Need to get to the port? There are a number of ways to get there. While there is some public transportation offered, it’s not particularly convenient, unless you are coming from Ybor City. Ybor City has a rail line ( TECO Streetcar ) that runs back and forth from Ybor City to the port area.

Other than that, the least expensive way we’ve found to get around is using Uber and Lyft. For example, it would cost around $25 to get from the airport to the cruise port using Lyft.

What’s the cheapest parking for a Tampa cruise? The lowest rate we know is about $4 per day, through 717 Parking. They operate a Union Station Lot that’s a mile or two from the cruise terminals. There is no shuttle offered, so you’ll have to get a ride to the cruise terminals. Still, to park for a week you won’t find any cheaper place unless you stay at a hotel with free cruise parking. See more on parking options here .

Where should I stay in Tampa before my cruise? We suggest trying to find a hotel in downtown Tampa or in Ybor City. Both areas are near the port and have a number of things to do. Staying here essentially adds another port of call to your cruise with lots to do and explore. Plus, it’s easy to get to the cruise ship from either location on embarkation day.

Have more questions about sailing from Tampa? Let us know in the comments below.

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Best spot for private vehicle pickup at Terminal 2 in Tampa cruise port?

In general the port isn’t that busy. If you can walk down a block or two you can get out of the traffic and let your ride know where you are.

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57 must-have tips, advice, and info for first-time cruisers, what i wish i knew about my cruise cabin before i sailed, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

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Tampa (Florida)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-05-07 19:53

Port Tampa cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. 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.

Tampa Bay Cruise Port is on Florida's western coast. 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). Regency Cruises and HAL-Holland America Line were the first companies to start homeporting/roundtrip voyages from Tampa (in the 1980s). CCL-Carnival Cruise Line started homeporting operations in 1994 with MS Tropicale (1982-built/2021- scrapped ).

Two bridges spanning Old Tampa Bay - Gandy Bridge (1924-opened, carrying highway 92) and Howard Frankland Bridge (1960-opened, carrying highway I-275) directly connect Tampa to St Petersburg .

Tampa is a port city in Florida USA (Hillsborough County) with population around 390,000. The Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater Metro by population (around 3,2 million) is Florida's second-largest - after Miami - Fort Lauderdale - West Palm Beach Metro (around 6,14 million). Tampa is on the Mexican Gulf and is one of the Tampa Bay Area's main cities - together with St Petersburg and Clearwater.

Cross-Bay ferries serve the Tampa-St Petersburg route seasonally (October-November thru May) since 2016.

• In Tampa, the boats depart from Tampa Convention Center's dock, while in St Petersburg, they leave from North Straub Park's dock (near Vinoy Marina).
• Departures from St Petersburg are on Wednesdays and Thursdays (at 4:45 pm), on Fridays and Saturdays (at 10 am), and on Sundays (at 11 am).
• Departures from Tampa are on Wednesdays and Thursdays (at 10:45 pm), on Fridays and Saturdays (at 11 pm) and on Sundays (at 7:30 pm).
• As of 2023, Cross-Bay Ferry adult ticket prices were US$12 pp per one-way crossing. Youths, college students, seniors, people with disabilities and active/retired military personnel receive discounted tickets.
• In 2022, on the Tampa-Petersburg route was deployed the twin-hull catamaran Provincetown III (2004-built, IMO 9329394) which has max passenger capacity 149 and average speed 30 mph/50 kph.

The Cross-Bay ferry service is a public-private partnership between the counties Pinellas and Hillsborough and HMS Ferries Inc (part of HMS Global Maritime (1994-founded as Hornblower Marine Services, based in New Albany, Indiana).

Tampa cruise port

The Port is approx 24 km (15 mi) from Tampa Airport (~20 min drive distance) and very close yo downtown. The Port's 3 cruise terminals (all located on Harbour Island) are near large-capacity parking garages. The nearest highway is Lee Roy Selmon Expressway (running along the port's northern border).

Popular tourist attractions in close proximity to the cruise port include Channelside Bay Plaza (shops, bars, restaurants, hotels), Florida Aquarium (1995-opened, floor area 250,000 ft2/23000 m2), Ybor City (1880s-founded historic neighborhood/aka Cigar City), Busch Gardens Tampa (1959-opened, African-themed amusement park owned by SeaWorld Entertainment Inc).

According to local business studies, a 3000-passenger cruiser generates ~USD 334,000 in onshore spending (crew and tourists) per visit in the homeport city. Recent leisure project developments resulted in new dining, shopping, accommodation and entertainment options.

Tampa is one of the USA's most popular homeports for liners deployed in the Western Caribbean. The largest companies homeporting in Tampa are CCL-Carnival , RCI-Royal Caribbean , HAL-Holland America , NCL-Norwegian .

Port's cruising season runs from November thru April. In 2014 were handled a total of 888,343 cruise passengers via 198 ship calls.

In 2017, Port Tampa for the first time handled ~1 million cruisers. The number was impressive, considering Sunshine Skyway Bridge's height limitations (180 ft / 55 m) and the strong competition from larger and better positioned around Florida ports.

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.

Carnival ships here have passenger capacity between 1000 and 2600, and generally operate on Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries. Port's strategy is not homeporting mega-ships, but rather attracting smaller and recently refurbished vessels with itineraries to easy-to-reach destinations.

In 2017-Q1 (winter season) the port handled 239,301 passengers (3% increase over 2016-Q1). 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. Also in 2017 was signed with RCI a 5-year agreement (optional 2 more years). It guaranteed min passenger numbers, while RCI spent ~USD 2 million in Terminal 6 upgrades.

In 2017, Holland America's MS Oosterdam replaced in Tampa the smaller MS Ryndam (now Celestyal Journey) . Another newly refurbished and upgraded boat returning for homeporting was Carnival Pride (starting January 2017), after nearly 3 years (in 2016 was homeported in Baltimore ).

In 2017, Carnival announced adding cruises from Tampa to Cuba to its 2017-2018 Caribbean program scheduled for Carnival Paradise (starting June 2017).

In 2018, Carnival Miracle started from Tampa year-round 7-day roundtrips. On September 22-23, 2018, Port Tampa Bay celebrated its 1 millionth cruise passenger. Another record was the Easter weekend (Mar 31 - Apr 1) when the cruise port handled 29,167 passengers on multiple ship calls.

Port Tampa cruise ship schedule includes roundtrips the whole year-round. The most common are the 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Key West Florida , Roatan Island Honduras , Cozumel Mexico , Costa Maya Mexico , Grand Cayman Island .

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.

In 2023, ACL-American Cruise Lines included Key West as a call port of its 7-night/8-day "Florida Gulf Coast and Keys" itinerary. The roundtrip from Tampa was specifically designed for ACL's newbuild catamarans (Coastal Cats) and was first operated by American Glory in 2023.

On this ACL ex-Florida voyage, on days 3 and 4 the ship stays in Key West overnight. This allows tourists to explore Key West City on Day 3 (with a complimentary guided tour to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum) and the Dry Tortugas National Park on Day 4 (visiting Fort Jefferson/Civil War prison)

Port Tampa Bay

Port Tampa Bay is ranked Florida state's largest port. The seaport is located close to downtown Tampa (Channel District) and is accessed directly from Tampa Bay. The port is approx 46 km (30 mi) from Gulf of Mexico. Port Tampa Bay has capacity to serve world's largest container carriers , tankers and cruise liners .

In 2013, the port Tampa was ranked USA's 16th largest (by domestic trade tonnage), 32nd largest (by foreign cargo tonnage) and 22nd (total shipping tonnage). Port's impact on Florida's economy is over USD 15 billion, with supported over 80,000 local jobs. Most handled vessels are bulk carriers and tankers, also Ro-Ro ships (car carries) and boxships (container carriers). The port also has drydocks for ship repairs. Most of the traffic is with Asian ports.

Ports America Holdings Inc (US Terminal Operator and Stevedore) operates a container terminal with two berths. The terminal is served by 3x gantry cranes and 1x Mobile Harbor Crane (100-ton). In 2014, the port purchased two new China-made gantry cranes (from ZPMC / Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries) for USD 21,5 million.

For FY2017 (fiscal year), Port Tampa Bay reported a record operating revenue of USD 55,4 million. Port's previous records were USD 51,3 million (2015) and USD 49,2 million (2016). The increase was mainly due to additional cruise activities, new and expanded facilities leases, as well as increase of commodities import (petroleum, cement, steel).

Since January 2019, world's 6th largest containership company COSCO Shipping (China) added Port Tampa Bay to company's GME Transpacific service (Gulf of Mexico Express). COSCO is also member of Ocean Alliance (together with CMA-CGM, OOCL, Evergreen Marine). The new GME service connects cargo ports Shanghai - Ningbo - Xiamen -Yantian- Houston - Mobile -Tampa, with Shanghai-Tampa transit times 31 days (import) and 27 days (export).

Since June 2019, Port Tampa Bay is part of PEX3 (Pacific Express 3) service of CMA-CGM. The new (roundtrip Singapore ) container service links ports Singapore-Vietnam (Vung Tau)-China (Hong Kong-Shekou-Ningbo-Shanghai)-Korea (Busan)-Panama Canal-USA (Houston TX- Mobile AL-NOLA New Orleans-Tampa-Miami)-Singapore. On June 13, 2019, the port handled its ever-largest boxship - the 2010-built "CMA CGM Dalila" (IMO 9450624). The vessel (max TEU capacity 9500 containers) docked at The Ports America Terminal arriving from Vietnam.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Port Tampa's homeporting cruise shipping operations were paused for 18+ months (March 14, 2020, thru October 16, 2021).

Tampa cruise terminal

Port Tampa has 3 cruise terminals. Cruise port's address is "1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602". 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). Valet parking costs USD 20 more (35 and 50, respectively). In most cases, passenger check-in process starts at 10 am.

In May 2019 starts an USD 10 million project with planned renovations of all the 3 cruise ship terminals. Works (by Gilbane Building Company) include interior improvements and adding of escalators in Cruise Terminals 2 and 6. Cruise Terminal 2 will also be refurbished and upgraded to be able to handle transit itineraries, and not only roundtrips without passengers embarking from non-US ports.

Project's Phase 1 (May-October 2019) and Phase 2 (May-October 2020) are both during off-season. Phase 2 involves works at Cruise Terminal 3, including adding a second escalator and renovations to terminal's processing area in order to meet the requirements of the US Customs and Border Protection agency.

Tampa cruise port directions

From Orlando FL take highway Interstate-4 West to Exit 1, continue south on 21st Street, on Adamo Drive turn right, then left onto Channelside Drive.

From Clearwater FL take Highway 60 East (across Tampa Bay), follow the signs to Interstate-275 North that merges with Interstate-4 East. Follow Interstate-4 East to Exit 1.

From Tampa International Airport take FL-60 E (3 miles) northeast on George J Bean Inbound Parkway, continue for 2,3 miles, take the right ramp to FL-60 E (0,5 miles), at the fork keep right and follow the signs for Tampa to merge onto FL-60 E. Take Interstate-275 North to McKay Ave (7 miles), turn right onto McKay Ave. United Cab and Yellow Cab taxi service is available outside airport's Baggage Claim Level. To the cruise terminal, taxis charge flat rate fee USD 28.

Cruise Terminal 2

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. It has only one wharf.

Terminal 2 serves exclusively Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships.

Cruise Terminal 3

Tampa Cruise Port Terminal 3 was built in 2002. The terminal offers facilities like fast security and luggage carts. The embarkation and disembarkation of passengers is streamlined. It has only one wharf.

Terminal 3 serves ships of NCL Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line.

Cruise Terminal 6

Tampa Cruise Port Terminal 6 is located half a mile away from Terminal 3, direction North. In 2011 it was renovated. It has only one wharf.

There is a parking area at the site. Terminal 6 serves Holland America Line. Parking: is USD 14 daily (Port Authority subject to change).

• Get a taste of Florida wildlife on this 2.5-hour sightseeing tour from Tampa. You'll visit Croc Encounters and learn about this sanctuary's conservation efforts and make a stop in Clearwater Beach to see the aquarium where the famous dolphins, Hope and Winter live. For groups of 6 or more please contact The Entourage Tours if you wish to be picked up from your location? The Entourage Tours Wildlife PM Tours - Tampa | Book Now
• Florida Aquarium: discover the great variety of sea life. You will see Wetlands, Ocean Commotion, Bays and Beaches, Dragons Down Under and Explore A Shore exhibitions. It is next to Tampa Cruise Port Terminal 3.
• SS American Victory: this cargo ship served during the World War II, the Vietnam War and the Korean War. Currently it is a museum docked near the Florida Aquarium. Discover galley, cargo equipment, food hall, lifeboats and the bridge.
• Channelside Bay Plaza: center with many eateries, bars, retail outlets and entertainment places.
• Tampa’s Riverwalk: across the Garrison channel you will be able to see SS American Victory, Florida Aquarium, Channelside Bay Plaza, Tampa Cruise Port Terminal 2, Teco Line Streetcar, Tampa Bay History Center, Florida Museum Of Photographic Arts, MacDill Park, Tampa Museum of Art and Kiley Gardens.
• Ybor City: styled in Cuban way with narrow alleys, brick buildings and iron railings. It has a unique charm with its flamenco dancers and cigars made by hand.
• Henry B Plant Museum: discover the interesting life of the famous railroad tycoon.
• Busch Gardens Theme Park: located 8 miles away from Tampa Cruise Port, direction North.

Tampa tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Tampa - user reviews and comments

Royal Caribbean announces new short getaways from Tampa

T AMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — If you are looking to plan a quick getaway for next year, you are in luck. Royal Caribbean announced the latest lineup of its three- to six-night vacations to the Caribbean and the Bahamas for the 2025-26 season.

The Enchantment of the Seas will be back in Tampa for the entire year in 2025. It will set sail on a mix of four- and five-night getaways to the western Caribbean and the Bahamas.

The ship’s itinerary varies with stops in Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Costa Maya, Nassau and Roatan, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Last year, the cruise line announced that Rhapsody of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas will call Tampa home for the 2025-26 winter season.

The ships will sail from the Port of Tampa on six to eight-night vacations through 2026.

During winter, the Rhapsody of the Seas ship will take passengers from Tampa to Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Cozumel, George Town, and Roatan.

The Grandeur of the Seas will take vacationers on seven-night getaways to the western Caribbean and the Bahamas during the winter. The ship will visit destinations like Belize City, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Roatan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.

• cruise-terminal-information

Tampa Cruise Port Terminal information

Last updated on January 21st, 2024 at 08:44 pm

Tampa's cruise terminal, located near downtown, offers a convenient departure point for cruises to the Caribbean and beyond. Explore the city's rich history, visit cultural attractions, and enjoy the waterfront ambiance before setting sail from this vibrant departure point.

Tampa Port Authority is located at 1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL

This is a smaller Florida port, making parking , embarkation and debarkation relatively easy. There are also many local hotels which offer cruise packages or shuttles to the port.

The only potential negative about cruising from Tampa is the potential for fog which may delay ships leaving or returning to port. Tampa’s “fog season” runs from December to February.

Cruises From Tampa

Cruising finally resumed from Tampa in October 2021 with Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas!

A number of major cruise lines depart from the Port of Tampa to various destinations in the Caribbean. These include:

• Carnival Cruises

• Royal Caribbean

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Celebrity Cruises

Tampa Cruise Terminal

•  the Florida Aquarium and Sparkman Wharf shopping, dining and entertainment area is located on either side of the cruise terminal.
• Parking located directly across from terminal at 810 Channelside Drive

Terminal 3 

• Within walking distance to the Tampa Aquarium and Sparkman Wharf shopping area.
• Parking garage is across the street at 810 Channelside Drive.

Terminal 6 

This recently-renovated terminal is located a short distance from terminals 2 and 3. Parking is located onsite at 1333 McKay Street.

Cruise Parking in Tampa

Weather in Tampa

September to December is the best time to visit Tampa, with pleasant weather and better deals on accommodations. May to August is the peak period, but the weather can be quite hot. January and April is much cooler, although hotel prices tend to be higher than the rest of the year.

Hotels Near Tampa Cruise Port

See Excursions in Tampa

Port Tampa Bay at Seatrade_2019 from Port Tampa Bay on Vimeo .

This page contains affiliate links for which we may receive financial compensation when a purchase has been made through one of our affiliate partners.

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Florida Limo Transportation Services

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

PORT TAMPA BAY ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE TRANSPORTATION

Tampa-St Peterburg’s Premier Transportation Specialists

Dependable – Professional Port Tampa Bay Limo Service – Private Shuttles – Port Tampa Bay Van Service

Infinity Transportation is proud to provide transportation for the passengers of the Port Tampa Bay Terminal Cruise Ships. We provide ground transportation with luxury sedans, limousines, SUV’s, minicoaches, motorcoaches, shuttles and passenger vans between the Tampa International Airport and the Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal. Infinity Transportation offers dependable, seamless, affordable transportation for families, groups and business travelers who want to add that extra special touch for their transportation to their Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal.

Learn more about the Royal Caribbean ships that are currently docked at the Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal:

BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

Rhapsody of the seas, tampa international airport transportation.

Infinity Transportation provides dependable service at some of the most affordable prices in the area for private chauffeured Tampa Airport transfer to the Royal Caribbean terminal at Port Tampa Bay. We are a premier transportation leader in the Tampa-St Petersburg area and you will not be disappointed with the treatment you receive.

From your initial contact with a Reservation Specialist to the Chauffeur that meets you at the airport, you will know that you are dealing with a professional Tampa limousine service. Our Reservation Specialists will take the time to help you find the right private car service for your needs, whether it be sedan, limousine or shuttle. And, the professionally attired chauffeur that meets you at the airport, will make sure that your Tampa ground transportation is smooth and efficient.

If you are traveling with a group, we have vans, mini-coaches and motorcoaches that can accommodate groups of any size. Flying in a few days before your Royal Caribbean ship departs Port Tampa Bay? Infinity Transportation can assist with arranging shopping sprees to International Plaza and Bay Street, outings to Busch Gardens or dinner at one of the many fine dining establishments in the Tampa-St Petersburg area.

Our Tampa International Airport to Port Tampa Bay shuttle service will be a seamless transition from TPA directly to the Royal Caribbean cruise ship. We monitor all incoming flights for our clients and make the necessary adjustments to ensure that your chauffeur is on time and eagerly awaiting your arrival.

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Cruises from Tampa, Florida

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Tampa Bay, Florida Port Guide

Located off the beautiful Gulf Coast of Central Florida, Tampa Bay is a lively city ripe for exploration. Spend an afternoon strolling through the historic district of Ybor City or walk along the waterfront and grab a bite to eat at the trendy Armature Works. Sports fans can catch a game at the Raymond James Stadium, while thrill-seekers can head to Busch Gardens, home to exhilarating roller coasters that are guaranteed to get your heart pumping.

Tampa Bay is a convenient embarkation point for those looking for a sunny vacation to the Caribbean. Cruises from Tampa sail to all corners of this tropical region, from the exotic islands of the Western Caribbean, the popular ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) further down south, and the heavenly beaches of the Eastern Caribbean. 

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Featured destinations, eastern caribbean.

Pristine beaches and fascinating history await in the Eastern Caribbean, where you’ll stop in popular destinations like Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, along with more under-the-radar islands such as St. Kitts and Nevis. 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.

Southern Caribbean

The Southern Caribbean promises palm trees, white-sand beaches, and crystal clear waters—all the ingredients you’ll need for an unforgettable vacation. Experience the vibrant city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Lounge on the flawless beaches of Grand Cayman and Labadee, and enjoy quality time with your family in the ABC Islands.

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. During Panama Canal itineraries, you’ll also stop in idyllic destinations in Central and South America, including the jungles of Costa Rica, the romantic city of Cartagena in Colombia, and the beautiful island of Cozumel in Mexico.

Western Caribbean

The islands of the Western Caribbean offer the ideal mix of adventure and relaxation in a lush, tropical environment. Dive into some of the world’s best-preserved coral reefs in Cozumel and explore the famous Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off the coast of Belize. You’ll find it hard to choose a favorite from the area’s picturesque beaches.

Our Ship Sailing Out of Tampa

Celebrity constellation, why sail from tampa with celebrity cruises.

Embark on a trip of a lifetime aboard Celebrity Constellation, a magnificent ship where you’ll be surrounded by effortless luxury, impeccable service, and world-class entertainment. Book an indulgent stay at The Retreat, our luxury vacation experience, which features a private restaurant, lounge, and exclusive amenities. Savor delectable dishes at any of our onboard restaurants with menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. Watch exciting performances in the theater and enjoy family fun at the pool deck. 

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. Discover the magic of Mexico with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya. Wherever you choose to go, paradise awaits at every turn.

View All Cruises from Tampa

Tampa port facilities & location.

Passengers departing on cruises from Tampa Bay will leave from Port Tampa Bay, home to three cruise terminals. Just outside of the cruise terminals is the Channelside district, where you’ll find a handful of shops and restaurants. Tourist information centers, Wi-Fi, and bathrooms are available at the port.

Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises from Tampa

Once dubbed the “Cigar Capital of the World,” the Ybor City district is rich in history and Latin culture. Stop in one of the area’s many cigar shops and buy a few hand-rolled cigars to take home. Spend the day mingling with locals at one of the craft breweries, or simply stroll the cobblestone streets and admire the façades of this charming neighborhood before boarding one of our Tampa cruises.

Dalí Museum

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.

The Florida Aquarium

Rated one of the best aquariums in the country, the Florida Aquarium is located just steps away from Tampa’s port area. Here, you can pet stingrays, get up close with African penguins, and even spot dolphins in the wild on a catamaran cruise. The aquarium is so close to the port that passengers leaving on cruises from Tampa can bring their luggage, which the venue will safely store while you explore.

Learn More About Caribbean Shore Excursions

Top things to do in tampa, visit a gulf coast beach.

Some of the nation’s leading beaches are found on the Gulf Coast, and passengers on Tampa cruises will have plenty of award-winning options to explore. Clearwater Beach frequently tops best-of lists. At Fort de Soto, you can canoe or kayak, hunt for seashells, and explore the historic fort. At the upscale St. Pete Beach, try an exciting watersport like parasailing or kiteboarding, or simply lounge on its sugary sands.

Explore Downtown St. Petersburg

Located southwest of the city of Tampa, St. Pete is an artsy city that boasts upscale boutiques and restaurants, museums and art galleries, and fun activities for the whole family. If you’re here on a Saturday, stop in the Saturday Morning Market for live music, international cuisine, and artisan goods.

Catch a Game

No matter what type of sport you’re into, you’re bound to find it here in Tampa. Sit near the ice and dodge pucks at a Lightning game, cheer on the Bucs to the sounds of a pirate ship’s cannonballs blasting at Raymond James Stadium, or snack on cracker jacks while watching the Yankees during spring training or the Rays during the regular season.

Where can I eat near the Tampa Cruise Port?

Bern’s Steak House

1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa

For the ultimate culinary experience in Tampa Bay, Bern’s Steak House is the most sought-after choice. Its extraordinary wine menu, delectable steaks, and magnificent dessert room make it a top spot to celebrate a special occasion. Reservations are recommended.

Armature Works

1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa

Once the home of a phosphate machinery manufacturer, Armature Works is Tampa’s trendiest new dining destination located along the Hillsborough River. Choose from a number of innovative restaurants in this fully restored warehouse with a picturesque outdoor space.

2117 E. 7th Ave., Tampa

Visit the state’s oldest restaurant and world’s largest Spanish restaurant at Columbia, a renowned Y-Bor City institution. Marvel at Spanish flamenco dancers while you dine on delicious tapas and fresh seafood dishes.

What’s the culture and history of Tampa?

Tampa Bay’s Native American history can be traced as far back as 900 A.D. Multiple tribes inhabited the region until the arrival of Ponce de Leon in the 1500s when their populations began to decline. In the 1820s, the U.S. Army founded Fort Brooke to protect the city’s valuable harbor area.

Today, Tampa’s port is one of the largest in the nation due to its phosphate shipping and shrimp trading. 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.

How can I get around Tampa?

To get from the Tampa cruise port to most attractions in the city, you’ll need to rent a car or use a ridesharing service. There are a handful of car rental agencies located close to the port. You can also take the TECO Line Streetcar around downtown Tampa and Y-Bor. There’s a stop nearby where cruises from Tampa depart. For a fun way to see the city, try a water taxi, which will take you to various stops along the water.

Where can I go shopping near the Tampa cruise port?

International Plaza is an upscale shopping destination with both brand-name and luxury stores, plus a number of world-class restaurants, located about 20 minutes away from the port. For upscale boutiques in a picturesque setting, head to Hyde Park Village, just 10 minutes from the port.

What are local currency and tipping customs?

Tampa, along with the rest of the United States, uses the U.S. Dollar. You’ll find ATMs throughout the city’s most-visited destinations and neighborhoods. Credit cards are widely accepted, though it’s always wise to have some cash on hand. At restaurants and bars, a 15% to 20% tip is suggested.

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After traveling with most major cruise lines, I'd only book a trip with 2 of them again

• I'm an avid cruiser and have gone on more than 15 trips with most of the major cruise lines.
• However, moving forward, I'll probably only book with Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean .
• Both Disney and Royal Caribbean offer great entertainment, activities, and food.

As an avid cruiser of over 30 years, I've gone on more than 15 trips on most of the major cruise lines, and can understand why people love cruising so much.

And 2024 is shaping up to be the year of cruises, with 36 million people expected to cruise this year .

Although I've found the quality and offerings of each line have varied greatly, two stand out to me in terms of food, activities, and entertainment.

Here are the ways I think Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean outshine their competition.

Both cruise lines offer fun and unique activities.

I find a lot of cruise lines don't offer enough activities beyond relaxing poolside. But this is never an issue on Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean ships . Both lines offer extensive programming that goes far beyond the usual trivia and napkin-folding classes.

Some Royal Caribbean ships like Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas have full water parks on board. In fact, Icon of the Seas has the largest water park at sea . There's also plenty to do as a thrill lover, like Royal Caribbean's Crown's Edge, a skywalk-and-ropes course on Icon of the Seas that left me suspended over the ocean.

When I'm on a Disney ship, some of my favorite activities include animation classes and character meet-and-greets , which are available fleet-wide.

I love having great options for nightlife.

Once the sun goes down, I love having nightlife options on board. On Disney cruises, I enjoy hanging at the themed bars, like the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge , which is exclusive to the Wish.

When I'm on a Royal Caribbean ship, I love hanging out at the piano bars and checking out the music hall when it's available.

Disney and Royal Caribbean both offer great food options.

Food is a big factor in deciding where I vacation, and unfortunately, I've found the meals to be largely underwhelming across most major cruise lines.

But from poolside bites to sit-down meals, I've found the food quality on Disney and Royal Caribbean to be better than what I've found at competitors.

I also love the variety of food offerings, like Disney's 24-hour room service, which includes Mickey ice cream bars.

Disney's theming is also excellent and extends to its dining spaces. For example, certain ships have an animation - themed restaurant and an immersive-dining show themed to Marvel.

I've found Royal Caribbean ships to have high-quality buffets and unique cruise offerings. For example, Icon of the Seas has a unique, globally inspired food hall. It also has unique dining experiences, like an Alice in Wonderland-themed, multi-course restaurant on Wonder of the Seas.

The cocktails on board go beyond the classics.

Both Disney and Royal Caribbean's cocktail programs go well beyond the classic piña colada.

Royal Caribbean has lots of interesting bar concepts that differ from ship to ship. On Icon of the Seas, for example, one of my favorite places to visit is Swim & Tonic, the largest swim-up bar at sea .

On Disney's Wish, I love Hook's Barbery, a speakeasy-style bar hidden within the ship's barbershop that will serve up an expertly crafted Old Fashioned.

I'm always blown away by the entertainment offerings on both cruise lines.

As a former theater kid who grew up seeing Broadway shows regularly, I love live performances. Luckily, both Disney and Royal Caribbean produce Broadway-quality stage productions that are included in the price of the cruise.

My favorites have included shows like "Beauty and the Beast" on the Disney Dream and "Wizard of Oz" on Icon of the Seas.

But both fleets offer more than just full-stage productions. When traveling with Disney, I love attending the spectacular fireworks at sea night.

One of my favorite unique offerings on some Royal Caribbean ships is a roaming pianist (known as the stowaway pianist), who can regularly be found playing in the elevators.

Disney and Royal Caribbean both have great private islands.

Both Royal Caribbean and Disney own private islands in the Bahamas — and I've found them to be my favorite of all the cruise-line-owned islands I've been to.

Disney's Castaway Cay offers lots of unique experiences, including a 5k on the island and snorkeling over hidden Disney items.

Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at Coco Cay is sprawling, and some of my favorite places to enjoy are its water park and adults-only oceanfront day club.

Overall, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean stand out against the competition.

I can't see myself booking a cruise with a company besides Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. I love the entertainment, dining, and service I've experienced with both cruise lines.

From standout shows to fun activities, I'm never bored when I travel with either.

• Main content

Nearly 200 people sick in norovirus outbreaks on Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises ships

Nearly 200 people got sick in norovirus outbreaks on Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International ships.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 94 of the 2,532 guests on Sapphire Princess reported being ill during its April 5 cruise, along with 20 crew members. The round-trip cruise, which left from Los Angeles with stops in Hawaii and the South Pacific, will end on May 7, according to CruiseMapper .

On Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, 67 of its 1,993 guests reported being ill in addition to two crew members during a cruise that ended April 22, according to the CDC . The two-week voyage sailed from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles with stops in countries like Colombia and Panama, according to CruiseMapper .

In both outbreaks, the guests and crew members’ main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting.

Princess, Royal Caribbean and the ships’ crews implemented heightened cleaning and disinfection measures and isolated those who were sick, among other steps, the health agency said.

"Onboard the most current sailing of Sapphire Princess, there have been a small number of cases of mild gastrointestinal illness among passengers, the cause likely is the common but contagious virus called Norovirus," a Princess spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. "At the first sign of an increase in the numbers of passengers reporting to the medical center with gastrointestinal illness, we immediately initiated additional enhanced sanitization procedures to interrupt the person-to-person spread of this virus. Our sanitization program, developed in coordination with the CDC, includes disinfection measures, isolation of ill passengers and communication to passengers about steps they can take to stay well while onboard."

Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The CDC has logged six outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships that met its threshold for public notification since the beginning of the year. Norovirus was listed as the causative agent in five, while one was unknown.

The illness is often associated with cruise ships but outbreaks occur in communities on land as well, according to Dr. Sarah E. Hochman, a hospital epidemiologist and the section chief of infectious diseases at NYU Langone Health’s Tisch Hospital.

“There's not something special or unique about cruise ships,” she said. “It's really any type of congregate setting, but it's also happening out in the community on a much smaller scale among households and household contacts. It just doesn't come to the attention of public health as much as it does for larger congregate settings.”

Hochman said the virus is “incredibly infectious” and congregate settings tend to have many shared surfaces, such as handrails in cruise ship stairwells or elevators. “And so, if you just have one person who's shedding the virus and touches the surface and then someone else touches it and then touches their mouth, that's how it can spread in those types of settings.”

Cruise ship medical facilities: What happens if you get sick or injured (or bitten by a monkey)

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer isn't as effective against norovirus, and Hochman emphasized that washing hands with soap and water “will do a lot to prevent the spread.”

The news comes after more than two dozen Silversea Cruises guests got sick in a gastrointestinal illness outbreak on the luxury line’s Silver Nova ship during a sailing that began in late March.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Norovirus outbreaks linked to 2 cruise ships with over 150 infected

A total of 161 passengers have reported falling ill during voyages on princess cruises' sapphire princess and royal caribbean international's radiance of the seas.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating two seemingly separate outbreaks of Norovirus linked to U.S. cruise ships.

Cases have been linked to Princess Cruises' Sapphire Princess and Royal Caribbean International's Radiance of the Seas.

The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is tracking the "very contagious" outbreaks following reports of passengers in distress .

CARNIVAL FREEDOM PASSENGER ONBOARD DURING FIRE RECOUNTS 'DANGEROUS, TERRIFYING' EXPERIENCE

The Radiance of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, is pictured docked at a port in Seward, Alaska. (iStock)

Approximately 67 out of 1,993 passengers on the Radiance of the Seas reported falling ill during its voyage from Tampa to Los Angeles between Apr. 8 and 22. An additional two crew members also reported illness . 

The predominant symptoms reported from those affected by the Norovirus were diarrhea and vomiting.

WORRIED THE CRUISE SHIP WILL LEAVE WITHOUT YOU? KEEP THESE THINGS IN MIND

A view of the sign at the Center for Disease Control headquarters is seen in Atlanta, Georgia. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Approximately 94 of 2,532 passengers on the Sapphire Princess reported similar symptoms during its voyage from Los Angeles into the South Pacific that began Apr. 5 and is scheduled to conclude on May 7.

An additional 20 members of the 1,066 crew reported symptoms as well.

Fox Business reached out to both Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International for comment on the situation but did not receive a response.

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This photo shows the Sapphire Princess cruise ship, operated by Princess Cruises, docked at the Marina Cruise center in Singapore. (ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

"Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with Norovirus," the CDC states on its website. "Norovirus is sometimes called the 'stomach flu' or 'stomach bug.' However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu, which is caused by influenza virus."

One of the biggest health risks posed by Norovirus infection is dehydration — the CDC recommends those infected drink plenty of liquids to aid recovering.

The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program requires cruise lines to report and document cases of illness on their ships in order to facilitate coordinated responses in case of emergency.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cruise Makes a Splash In Year 2

JC Allen recalls his time aboard the second annual Buccaneers cruise.

• Author: JC Allen

In this story:

It was smooth sailing on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ second annual Bucs Cruise presented by Cruise Planners and Celebrity Cruises. The ship set sail from Port Everglades on April 4th docking in Key West and the Bahamas before returning to Fort Lauderdale four days later. Over 600 Bucs fans descended on the cruise from across the U.S. filled with Buccaneer legends, current players, cheerleaders, and of course, Captain Fear. 

Aboard the ship Silhouette, fans took in player panels, participated in games, and of course got to mingle one-on-one with some of their favorite players. That experience wasn’t just meaningful for the fans but also for the players themselves as Luke Goedeke notes. 

“Being able to interact with them in an environment other than a football setting has been a phenomenal experience," Goedeke said. "Just being able to be myself around them and them seeing me more as a person instead of just a football player.”  

The cruise boasted 13 players spanning the history of the Buccaneers franchise, featuring legends like Jimmie Giles, Dexter Jackson, and Warren Sapp to current Bucs like Rachaad White, Yaya Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Jamel Dean, Luke Goedeke, Christian Izien, Cade Otton, and Greg Gaines.

The voice of the Bucs, Gene Deckerhoff, was on board as well as Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. It even featured a video message from Rob Gronkowski who teased his possible appearance on next year's cruise. Martin Gramatica was also on hand before the ship set sail signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. 

The cruise kicked off with a sailaway party on the top deck introducing the players that would be onboard. It featured a DJ and drinks flowing as fans got to interact with and receive autographs from some of their favorite players. Following the sailaway party was the first of four cocktail receptions that featured an intimate experience for fans to chat it up with players and get memorabilia signed. 

The next morning featured a special breakfast with Bucs legend Derrick Brooks benefiting charity which allowed another opportunity for fans to meet the Hall of Fame linebacker. Throughout the day there were special guest presentations with Deckerhoff, Moore, Sapp, Ford, and Brooks himself as well as trivia and time to explore Key West. 

“It’s been pretty cool! It’s a great deal for fans and for players," defensive tackle Greg Gaines said. "The Bahamas were sweet, the ship is sweet, everything is cool. It’s a lot of fun hanging out with fans and players and there's a lot of one-on-one time.”

The action didn’t stop or slow down on our day at sea, kicking off the day with two-player panels. The first of which featured legends from Buccaneers franchise history followed by current players. Both panels were hosted by Bucs team reporter Casey Phillips. In between the panels was a thrilling game of heads-up where a fan was paired with a player competing for the win. As fans were heading into the theatre some were randomly handed cards and were told to hold onto them. Coincidentally, I was handed one of those cards.

I was paired up with Otton and we crushed the competition, going seven for seven in correct answers before the time ran out. But we weren’t the only ones to get every answer correct. Goedeke and his partner also finished with seven and a head-to-head competition was in order. While he was quick with the buzzer, Otton answered incorrectly, giving the win to Goedeke and his partner. It was a fun experience to be a part of and only set up the competitive nature for what was to come later in the day. 

“It’s been awesome the fans have been super respectful, but also you can tell how much they support their team," Otton said.

It was time for a volleyball showdown, which ended up being Team Dean versus Team Tryon-Shoyinka. The competition was fierce and after a close game in the first round, Team Dean, consisting of White, Diaby, Goedke, and Sapp, put the finishing touches on Team Tryon-Shoyinka, who went Husky heavy in his draft. Team Dean went on to quickly defeat the captains and crew of the ship for the second straight year, with Diaby winning the MVP. 

That night there were more player presentations with Sapp and others, Bingo, and a family feud-style game that featured players versus cheerleaders. The final day of the cruise featured a free day to explore Nassau, Bahamas. I set out on an excursion to Pearl Island to swim with the pigs. Greg Gaines was with me, and I can say it was an experience for sure. Most of the other players spent their day in Atlantis while others enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Bahamas.

The final night of the cruise was celebrated with players and fans with the last two cocktail parties of the voyage. It was another opportunity for fans to mingle and meet their favorite players while receiving autographs and taking pictures. To say one final farewell, fans rocked out at a retro creamsicle party that featured a surprise appearance from Bucco Bruce himself. 

The Bucs Cruise is an opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime. Sailing with Buccaneers legends and players out on the open sea was a fantastic experience. One that I won’t soon forget.

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL .

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