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Port Tampa Bay allows you to walk right up near the ships, for an unforgettable view. Port Tampa Bay is located just 8 miles from the Tampa International Airport, and less than a mile from downtown Tampa, making it one of the easiest cruise ports to get to. Port Tampa Bay is the home port for five ships from four cruise lines, offering itineraries to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean and even Transatlantic cruises. When you think about cruising out of Florida, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are probably the first port’s that come to mind.
Carnival Cruise Line Stock Prices
Towards the end of the year, both Legend and Pride will also sail some select Panama Canal cruisings. In April 2024, the Carnival Spirit will sail a one-way Panama Canal cruise from Tampa. These ships have beautiful glass elevators for exterior viewing, 2 level dining rooms with large glass windows, and plenty of balcony staterooms. A selection of excellent restaurants offering the best cuisine with meals for the whole family. Finally, Tampa’s convenient location makes it easy for many families to embark on a cruise without having to travel far from home. The port is easily accessible from the airport and major highways, making it a convenient starting point for families who want to drive or fly.
Related Cruises
Army founded Fort Brooke to protect the city’s valuable harbor area. 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. No matter what type of sport you’re into, you’re bound to find it here in Tampa. 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.
I cruised Royal Caribbean from Tampa for the first time. Here's what a cruise from this smaller port is like. - Royal Caribbean Blog
I cruised Royal Caribbean from Tampa for the first time. Here's what a cruise from this smaller port is like..
Posted: Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 Caribbean and Bahamas cruise itineraries
For instance, a taxi ride from the airport to the cruise port is a flat $30. Cruise Terminal #6This 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.
Book a room, get a night’s stay and have your parking taken care of as well. 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. Official Port ParkingMany 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.
As we mentioned, it is highly recommended to fly in the day before your cruise departs. When doing that, booking a hotel is an important part of the planning process when cruising from Tampa. 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.
Celebrity Cruises from Tampa
Below are a few options for each, but we suggest seeing our full list in the articles linked above. The Florida AquariumLiterally 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. If your flight is arriving later in the evening, you may want to stay closer to the airport and head to the cruise terminal in the morning.
Port Tampa Bay anticipates breaking all-time cruise passenger record in 2024 - FOX 13 Tampa
Port Tampa Bay anticipates breaking all-time cruise passenger record in 2024.
Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Port Information
Another excellent benefit of cruises out of Tampa is the free TECO Streetcar System. It runs around downtown Tampa daily from 7 am (8.30 am on weekends) until 11 pm (or 2 am Friday and Saturday nights) with renovated streetcars running every 15 minutes. Independent LotsOne of the reasons that Tampa charges relatively little for parking is that the port faces a lot of competition.
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). 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. 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.
This not only meets the demand for summer cruises from these temperate ports, it also avoids the hurricane season which lasts from June 1st to November 30th each year. If a hurricane is likely to affect your cruise, you may be delayed or your itinerary may be changed. Another issue with the delay in reachinginternational waters on Tampa cruises is sales tax on drinks. Once the cruiseship is in international waters, sales tax is not added to those priceycocktails, icy beers and bottles of wine. Stay on-board for a full tour of the area or hop on and off as you wish for shopping, restaurants, museums and hotels.
It makes a greatphoto op as you sail beneath the four-lane I-275 highway, especially at sunset. 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.
Hotels with Cruise ShuttlesPlanning 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.
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). Fortunately, there is no shortage of ways to get from anywhere in the Tampa area to the cruise port, all at an affordable price. While the entire Tampa area can offer hotels, there aren’t many right at the port.
Families can explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, sample international cuisine, and attend cultural events such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival or the Cuban Sandwich Festival. 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 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.
We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Once you leave the sheltered waters of TampaBay, the Gulf of Mexico can have rough seas. If you suffer from seasickness,you may prefer to sail out of one of the cruise ports on Florida’s East Coastand hit the calm Caribbean a little sooner. The Port of Tampa Bay is much older thanother cruise ports and is in a less desirable area near the downtown district.You should take sensible precautions after dark.
Cruise Terminal #2If the port had a “main” terminal, this would be it. Parking is adjacent to the terminal, as is the Florida Aquarium and a complex of shops and restaurants. I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world. As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! Carnival Cruise Line scheduled four of its ships to sail from Tampa at various points in the year.
