When Booking A Hotel Stick Close To The Port
If booking a hotel, choose one close to the port .
In the ideal world, you will have plenty of time to get from any hotel in town to the port. But, in reality, lots of unexpected and uncontrollable things happen. Like construction, traffic delays, and road hazards. Or a pre-embarkation shopping trip that goes awry. It is much better to have a shorter distance to cover on embarkation day.
Each of the major Florida cruise port cities has excellent hotel options:
Port Of Tampa Looking Towards A Positive Future
So while Serenade of the Seas has been operational for several months, she is the first cruise ship to start operating in Tampa Bay. The port is one of the few ports in Florida without cruise traffic this year.
Thank you to our local and travel media for joining Port Tampa Bay and as we celebrate the return of cruising from Tampa. #CruisePortTampaBay
Port Tampa Bay
During an event celebrating the return of cruising to the area on the morning of October 16, port officials and Royal Caribbean executives are celebrating the return of cruising, not just with the Royal Caribbean ship but more vessels in the coming months including from Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line.
The first ship in 19 months means the port has been putting the final touches and paint on the terminal building, ensuring a warm welcome for guests. Lisa Wolf-Chason, a spokesperson for Port Tampa Bay, said to ABC Action News this would be the start of an economic boost for the town:
We celebrate the return for not only ourselves, but for all of the tourism and small business-related industries. This is truly a great time to celebrate and spend time in Tampa in and of itself. So, were really excited that Tampa will get this big boost in tourism from the cruise business.
Serenade of the Seas will remain in Tampa until Summer 2022, at which point she will be repositioning to her summer itinerary in Alaska.
Stunning Views And Photo Ops
Cruising out of Tampa Bay provides plenty of interesting scenery as you sail down the channel and out into beautiful Tampa Bay. While other ports have a departure that reaches open waters in less than 30 minutes, when you cruise out of Tampa you get several hours of coastal scenery.
Sail past small islands, tankers, car carriers, pleasure boats, parks, waterfront hotels, Florida Aquarium and MacDill Air Force Base and take photographs of Tampas high-rise architecture followed by the skyline of St Petersburg before reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
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Which Msc Cruises Are Heading To Port Tampa Bay In 2020
MSC Cruises has added Port Tampa Bay to its winter 2020 cruise itineraries too. For the first time, MSC Armonia will sail from the port, providing year-round voyages to breathtaking destinations, including Progreso, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, as well as Key West in Florida and the brands new Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.
Smaller Florida Cruise Ports
And, to complete the list, we should also mention that Florida hosts two smaller cruise ports with much more limited service. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Carnival Cruise lines had one ship sailing from the Jacksonville cruise port. And, the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line had short two-night cruises from the Palm Beach cruise port to the Bahamas.
The Jacksonville Airport is about 12 miles from the Jacksonville cruise port. The closest alternative city would be Orlando, where the airport is about 2 1/2 hours away from the Jacksonville port. Likewise, the Palm Beach International Airport is about 12 miles to the Palm Beach cruise port. But, since it is much farther south than Jacksonville, it is also readily accessible from Miami, which is about an 1 1/2 hour drive, and Fort Lauderdale, which is about an hour and 10 minutes.
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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 youll find a handful of shops and restaurants. Tourist information centers, Wi-Fi, and bathrooms are available at the port.
Find And Plan Your Next Cruise Out Of Tampa In February 2022 On Cruises From Florida
You can sail out of Tampa year-round, the best time for a Caribbean cruise depends on whether youre looking for the best weather or the best deals. The cheapest times to cruise from Tampa are typically in the late summer and fall because of hurricane season wich peaks in October. To avoid the busy season, the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise out of Tampa is from November to early weeks of December. The busy season is through late December, early January and March through mid-April.
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After Long Absence Tampas Port Set For Cruise Ships Return This Weekend
Over at Port Tampa Bay, theyre polishing every surface and and touching up the terminals with fresh paint.
Its been more than a year and a half since the last cruise ship departed from Tampa around the start of the coronavirus pandemic. And in the days leading up to the return of ships this weekend, the ports staff is making sure everything is ready.
Its not that we waited and now were jumping, said Raul Alfonso, the ports executive vice president and chief commercial officer. Weve been ready.
When the Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas departs Tampa for a five-night cruise to the Bahamas, itll be cause for celebration for port executives, who plan to be on hand to personally welcome passengers. Cruises normally brings in more than a fifth of the ports annual revenue, and its also an economic driver for tourists who travel to the region before and after their departure.
The cruise industrys shutdown in March 2020 led to a revenue drop of more than $7.5 million for the port compared to the 2019 fiscal year. Port officials originally predicted cruises might return as early as this past April, but that never happened, leading to an additional shortfall in the ports cruise budget this year.
With cruise ships under a no-sail order, the port turned its focus to other industries. This past fiscal year, shipping revenue saw a 26 percent increase, with the port adding new shipping routes, including one for bananas and pineapples from Dole.
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Do You Need A Passport For Cruises
We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some closed-loop cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.
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Limited Choice Of Cruise Lines Out Of Tampa
The Port of Tampa Bay is currently limitedto just three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Carnival CruiseLines and Norwegian Cruise Line . Celebrity Cruises will be making Tampathe home port for Celebrity Constellationfrom 2020.
However, this limited choice means Tampacruise port is much less crowded and busy than Miami, the cruise capital ofthe world. PortMiami is home to over 20 cruise lines and serves at least 60different passenger ships. If you want choice, consider cruises from Miami, butif you want easy uncrowded access to a smaller port, think about cruising fromTampa.
Porters At Disembarkation Ports Wont Wait With You Once You Exit The Terminal
This is something that may not be obvious to everyone. It certainly wasnt obvious to me at first.
When you are leaving your cruise ship, there will usually be porters with luggage carts running around to help you collect your luggage from the discharge area. They will wait with you in line and walk with you through customs. The porters will walk you all the way to the curbside pick-up or the taxi line. But they will not continue to wait with you once you have stepped foot outside the terminal.
They will deposit your luggage at the curb and return inside.
So why is this worth mentioning? If you have a significant amount of luggage, it is yet another reason to arrange for a ride ahead of time.
You dont want to have to struggle with your luggage through a long taxi line nor is it ideal to have your luggage deposited near the front of the line to wait for you when you are dozens of people deep in the line. The terminal areas in the major Florida cruise ports are very busy, and it is not a comfortable feeling to have all of your luggage beyond arms reach.
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Florida provides great opportunities for kicking off your fun-filled family vacation. And, incorporating these simple steps in your advanced planning will help you sail off and return smoothly.
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Will There Be Cruises In 2021
Bad news for any eager cruisegoers: cruise lines are continuing to extend cruising suspensions into 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Presently, many major cruise lines with plans to resume sailing this summer will only be departing from international ports instead of US waters due to these CDC restrictions.
What Royal Caribbean Ship Leaves From Tampa
Serenade of the SeasTAMPA Royal Caribbeans Serenade of the Seas docked at Cruise Terminal 6 Saturday morning for its maiden voyage to CocoCay in the Bahamas. Its the first cruise ship to sail out of Port Tampa Bay since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order more than a year and a half ago.
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Royal Caribbean Cruises Out Of Tampa
The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has three ships that sail out of Tampas port: Brilliance of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas.
The cruise liner, Brilliance of the Seas, measures 962 feet long with a capacity to hold 2,500 guests and 859 crew members. This cruise liner offers one-way and round-trip cruises ranging from 4-14 days. Destinations include the Bahamas, Key West, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Spain, Italy and more. Guests can soak up some rays at the pool while enjoying frosty cocktails and live music. If you are looking for more adventure, check out the rock climbing wall or mini-golf.
The Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship measures just over 900 feet long with a capacity to hold 2,435 guests and 765 crew members. The cruise ship offers round-trip cruises only ranging from 4-8 days. Destinations include Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman and more. Couples can enjoy a night out at one of the many bars and clubs around the ship. Kids will love the arcade, rock climbing wall and numerous pools found on the ship.
Where Is The Cruise Port In Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay. The port directly accesses Tampa Bay on the western coast of the Florida Suncoast, and is approximately 25 sea miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The boundaries of the Port district includes parts of Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Bay , McKay Bay , Old Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough River . The port serves container ships, tank ships, and cruise lines.
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Caribbean Cruises From Tampa
Royal Caribbean and Carnival operate many Caribbean cruises out of Port Tampa Bay. Everything from standard 4, 5, and 7-day cruises to multi-week options are available. You can also choose from repositioning cruises that have you depart from Tampa, but finish in another port.
- Carnival offers a 14-night cruise from Tampa that takes you to the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Panama, Aruba, Bonaire, and St. Maarten, ultimately ending in Baltimore, Maryland. This repositioning cruise starts at $3,059 per person for an inside cabin.Maarten, ultimately ending in Baltimore, Maryland. This repositioning cruise starts at $3,059 per person for an inside cabin.
- Royal Caribbean offers week-long and shorter cruises. Their four and five night Western Caribbean cruises are often priced as low as $200 per person. Four night cruises head to Cozumel, while the five night options include Grand Cayman in addition to Cozumel. Prices for the four night Royal Caribbean Western Caribbean cruise start at $209 per person for an inside cabin.
Wondering which ship you should book? Expect carriers like Carnival and Royal Caribbean to cater to younger crowds with some heavy partiers. Many of these cruises are so deeply discounted that youll find large groups of friends getting together for a wild week at sea. If youre looking for a more laid-back and mature crowd, consider Holland America.
As Always Practice Good Hygiene To Prevent The Spread Of Covid
- Wash your hands, front and back and in-between fingers, for a minimum of 20-seconds multiple times during the day. Especially after using the rest room, touching your face or coughing and sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away or cover your mouth with the inside of your arm instead of your hands. Wash your hands afterwards.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.
- Wear a mask when out in public.
- Practice safe social distancing.
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Royal Caribbean Cruises Highlights
- An incredible company that has been in operation since 1969.
- A well-known name in the cruise line industry, with service standards that accompany their length of time in the industry.
- Winner of a plethora of service awards, including “Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean,””Best Cruise Line Overall,” and “Best Cruise Ship Symphony of the Seas.”
- Amazing rooms in various sizes available for all of your accommodation needs and party sizes.
- Breathtaking views, offering you uninterrupted views of the water, the shores, and all of the beautiful sights of each destination.
- Unmatched customer service to make your trip a relaxing and unforgettable experience.
- Knowledgeable tour guides to accompany you to places that you might have never heard of.
- Lots of space to explore and get to know the ship.
Find Out Whats Happening In Tampawith Free Real
This will be the first cruise ship to depart from Port Tampa Bay since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order on March 14, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Royal Caribbean cruise will be followed by cruises with Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line in November and Norwegian Cruise Line in December, departing from Port Tampa Bay.
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What Cruise Line Is Best For Adults
#1. Viking Ocean Cruises. #1 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. #2. Seabourn Cruise Line. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. #3. Azamara. #3 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. #4. Crystal Cruises. #4 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. #5. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. #6. Celebrity Cruises. #7. Oceania Cruises. #8. Silversea Cruises.
Cheap Cruises From Tampa Florida
Cheap cruises from Tampa FL offer you the chance to venture out to places like Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, the Bahamas, other Trans Atlantic locations and primarily the Caribbean. From Royal Caribbean to Carnival Cruises to Holland America Line, we offer a variety of cheap cruises from Tampa FL so you can find the best cruise for your vacation.
Our year-round excursions to the Caribbean are all offered from 4 to 7 nights, taking you to locations like Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and more. Finding cheap cruises from Tampa FL may seem hard to find, but they’re right here, waiting for your desire for adventure and relaxation. You can live large, enjoy the ride, and have an unforgettable vacation – all at a reasonable price when you book your cruise through CruiseCheap.com.
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Norwegian Cruises From Tampa
Last but not least, the Norwegian Cruise Line has one ship that sets sail from Port Tampa Bay.
The Norwegian Dawn cruise liner measures 965 feet in length with the capacity to hold 2,340 guests and 1,032 crew members. Guests can enjoy one-way or round-trip cruises with the Norwegian Dawn with 4-14 day cruises available. Destinations include Mexico, Bay Islands, Belize, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Grand Cayman, Aruba and more.
The Norwegian Dawn provides over 20 bars, restaurants and lounges for guests to enjoy. For those who want to stay active while on vacation, theres a track, fitness center and ball courts. If relaxing is more your pace, check out the spa & salon, lap pool or one of the six hot tubs around the ship. Theres also a lounge just for teens, the perfect kid-sized pools and an arcade that everyone can enjoy.
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Cruises Departing Tampa On The Carnival Legend
The 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend resumed Caribbean service from Tampa, with a variety of enhancements from a recent upgrade that includes a renovated childrens pool area, and the addition of Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat.
Carnival Legend which leaving Tampa every week is the third ship in the Spirit class, with some significant firsts for Carnival: alternative restaurants and onboard wedding chapels. Spirit-class ships also offer an impressive 80 percent ratio of outside cabins, as well as lots of nice little touches like museum-quality artwork and designer martinis.
Carnival Legend became the 13th Carnival ship to feature a Serenity area. Designed as an oasis for tranquility and relaxation, Serenity offers colorful, oversized umbrellas, comfortable chaise lounges and chairs, whirlpools, a full bar and breathtaking sea views.
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