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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.
Walking distance of downtown and the Riverfront
Most handled vessels are bulk carriers and tankers, also Ro-Ro ships (car carries) and boxships (container carriers). 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 2014 were handled a total of 888,343 cruise passengers via 198 ship calls.
Good choice of affordable hotels
It’s about 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). Ybor CityJust 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. Despite the lack of notoriety, Port Tampa Bay offers a ton for cruise passengers.
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It guaranteed min passenger numbers, while RCI spent ~USD 2 million in Terminal 6 upgrades. 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. Arguably, one of the best sites to see is the ship sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This bridge is located about a minute drive south of Tampa, and it takes the ships about 2 hours after departure to reach the bridge. Some hotels will offer a shuttle service to the terminal on embarkation day, but we still recommend using a rideshare service, as you will have flexibility on the timing.
Why Sail from Tampa with Celebrity Cruises
On her first voyage back in service, Carnival Breeze is sailing a four-day itinerary which includes a visit to Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will also be sailing a five-day voyage departing on Mondays and Saturdays, including a call to Cozumel, Costa Maya, or Progresso, all in Mexico. 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 youre here on a Saturday, stop in the Saturday Morning Market for live music, international cuisine, and artisan goods. Florida is an extremely popular starting point for cruises, from quick sailings around the Florida Keys to extensive Caribbean explorations.
Where to Watch a Sailaway
Afterward, grab some lunch and wash down your delicious tacos with a Michelada or tequila while relaxing at Playa Mia and perfecting your tan on the beach. It's a great way to close out the most epic vacation you've ever had. 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. 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.
Common Tampa Cruise questions
However, this bridge can only accommodate ships that measure 180 feet from the top of the waterline. For this reason, Royal Caribbean uses Port Tampa Bay for its Vision and Radiance class of ships. Flying into the Tampa International Airport is the easiest for those needing to fly in prior to their cruise. With over 90 nonstop destinations and 260 daily departures, travelers have plenty of options to choose from to get to and from their cruise.
Tampa chosen to be base for Margaritaville at Sea's second ship - Palm Beach Post
Tampa chosen to be base for Margaritaville at Sea's second ship.
Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America
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. While en route from Tampa to Roatan, Honduras, a Carnival cruise ship helped rescue 27 Cuban nationals who were lost at sea and signaling for help on Sunday afternoon. A range of itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas will continue through the remainder of the year. The Port of Galveston is leading the restart of operations with Carnival Dream now becoming the third Carnival cruise ship to resume operations.
Night Western CaribbeanDetails
Port Tampa Bay has very convenient parking options for the cruise terminals. Since it is located so close to downtown Tampa, there are plenty of parking garages to choose from. Some people love cruises out of Tampa while others prefer to use an alternative cruise port. If you want a convenient cruise port that is easy to reach from the airport, has free streetcar transportation and parking just steps from the cruise terminal, Tampa is the best port for you. The bridge is 430 feet at its highest point.Currently the largest Oasis-class cruise ships are 236 feet in height, sothere’s plenty of room for them to sail comfortably beneath. However, as cruiseships get higher and require a deeper draught, the bridge could limit the sizeof cruise ships sailing in and out of Tampa port in the future.
After swimming, be sure to dine on ceviche and conch fritters doused in hot sauce, an island specialty, before heading out to the ruins of the Caana (Sky Palace), an ancient temple built by the Mayan people. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Tampa cruises often range from 6-9 nights providing cruisers with a variety of different entertainment and dining options.
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).
Tampa Bay is a convenient embarkation point for those looking for a sunny vacation to the Caribbean. Embarkation is as crucial to the overall cruise experience as the ship, its onboard amenities and the itinerary of picturesque ports. A homeport that is easy to navigate, and provides a variety of unique and interesting activities just steps from the ship?
If you want choice, consider cruises from Miami, butif you want easy uncrowded access to a smaller port, think about cruising fromTampa. If you’re driving to Tampa for a cruise,it’s wise to drive down a day or two earlier in case of bad weather furthernorth. Once you get the Sunshine State, you’ll have no more problems with iceand snow, unlike some other cruise ports. 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.
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