Arriving At Tampa Cruise Terminal
If you are arriving byshuttle or taxi, there is a drop-off point right outside your cruise terminal.Make sure you specify the correct terminal and the name of the cruise ship asthere are often several cruise ships in port belonging to the same cruise line.It can be quite a long walk if you are dropped off at the wrong ship!
Why Choose Anywhere But Tampa
Why Port Tampa Bay is an ideal homeport for cruise lines wanting to offer exciting itineraries and pre- and post-cruise activities
As any itinerary planner knows, cruises provide guests with a unique and wonderful way to explore the world, allowing them to continuously move between beautiful locations and make memories that will last a lifetime. Every port of call on an itinerary plays a vital role in creating an enjoyable cruise experience, but what about the homeport?
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 get into and out of, and provides a variety of unique and interesting activities just steps from the ship? Now thats an attractive prospect for guests. And thats exactly what cruise operators and their itinerary planners will find at Port Tampa Bay on Floridas West Coast.
Positive impressions start from the moment the cruise guests arrive at the modern, award-winning Tampa International Airport. The airport is a convenient 15-minute drive from the Channelside District in Downtown Tampa, which enables travellers to get a view of the water and soak up the Florida vibe and sunshine before they arrive at one of the three cruise terminals.
Carnival Cruise Lines Once Again Sailing From Port Tampa Bay
For the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in March of 2020 Carnival Cruise Lines is back in Tampa.
Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order because of the pandemic.
But now – more than a year and a half later, Carnival is launching its first cruise from Port Tampa Bay.
The cruise ship pride is set for a week-long cruise along the western Caribbean.
Executive Vice President of Port Tampa Bay, Raul Alfonso, said he’s thrilled to have cruising back in Tampa.
He says cruises make huge impact on the economy.
“Cruising is so important to the local economy. One ship calling here per day brings in over $334,000 to the small businesses and the community – restaurants, hotels, entertainment, taxis, et cetera,” Alfonso said.
The cruise ship pride’ will leave Port Tampa Bay Sunday evening.
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Celebrity Cruises Out Of Tampa
Another great cruise line that sails from Tampa Bay is Celebrity Cruises. Their ship, the Celebrity Constellation, meausures 965 feet long and holds up to 2,184 guests and 999 crew members. From Port Tampa Bay, Celebrity Cruises has one-way and round-trip cruises ranging from 5-15 days. Destinations include Spain, Grand Cayman, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Antigua and more.
Celebrity Cruises offers fun for kids of all ages. Teens can participate in culinary classes and Xbox tournaments. Pre-teens will have the chance to join the ship scavenger hunt and sports tournaments. Elementary-age kids can join the campouts, movie nights and lawn games. All ages are welcome at the silent disco party. Dont worry, the adults havent been forgotten on the Celebrity Constellation. Theres a spa, adult-only solarium and numerous bars and lounges.
What’s Next For The Restart
Four more Royal Caribbean cruises ships will restart operations before the year comes to a close.
Explorer of the Seas is scheduled to restart cruises when she sails from San Juan, Puerto Rico beginning on November 7. Explorer will sail 7-night Southern Caribbean sailings.
Royal Caribbean is especially excited to see Navigator of the Seas return to service, because it means the restart of cruises for the cruise line from the west coast.
Navigator will offer 3-, 4- and 5-night Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico cruises from Los Angeles, beginning November 19.
Grandeur of the Seas will start cruising again when she offers 7- and 14-night Southern Caribbean sailings from Bridgetown, Barbados, starting December 5.
Finally, Enchantment of the Seas will begin cruising again in December, when she sails from Baltimore on December 23, offering 8-night Bahamas sailings, and select 12-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean.
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How Much Is Parking At The Tampa Cruise Port
Parking at Tampa Bay Port is $15 per dayfor self-parking with an additional $20 service fee for valet parking. Officialport cruise parking is just across the street from the cruise terminals and isan easy walk, even with luggage.
This article has full details on cheap cruise parking options from $5.97 per day near Tampa Bay Cruise Port.
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 , 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 northeast on George J Bean Inbound Parkway, continue for 2,3 miles, take the right ramp to FL-60 E , at the fork keep right and follow the signs for Tampa to merge onto FL-60 E. Take Interstate-275 North to McKay Ave , 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.
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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 cant get under the bridge. This is a reason why some of the biggest and newest ships dont sail from the port.
Driving to the port? If so, the address youll want to use is:
651 Channelside DriveTampa, 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:
For more on getting to the port, see below.
Find Out What’s 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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Cruising Is Back In Tampa Bay With First Ship In 18 Months
TAMPA 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.
Its been a long 18 months, said Russell Benford, vice president of government relations for Royal Caribbean at a press conference before the ships departure.
Passengers with luggage in hand arrived and went through COVID-19 testing before going onboard.
On his driveover, Visit Tampa Bays CEO Santiago Corrada said that when he saw the ship docked at the port, it brought a tear to his eye. Cruises are the last critical piece of the regions tourism industry to come back, he said. Leisure and domestic travel carried Tampa Bays tourism throughout the pandemic. Business conferences are beginning to pick up speed, the borders will soon open to international travelers and now cruises returned.
Its a huge economic driver, Corrada said. Were thrilled that were back.
Cruises usually makes up about a fifth of the ports revenues, which dropped by $7.5 million since the March 2020 shutdown compared to 2019. Travelers and crew members for a 3,000-passenger ship spend an average of $334,000 in a port city, according to estimates from Business Research & Economic Advisor, a market analyst firm.
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.
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History/ Future Plans For Tampa Bay Port
Port Tampa Bay is the fastest-growing cruise port in Florida. It is already Floridas largest and most diversified port for cargo, handling over 37 million tons per year. It currently handles around one million cruise passengers annually, in addition to container imports, dry and liquid bulk cargo, petroleum and cars. It is also one of the largest shipbuilding and repair ports in SE USA.
Port Tampa Bay has plans to invest $380million over the next five years to build new docks with deep-water access, modernterminals and navigational improvements. It also plans to install gantry cranesable to handle the largest post-Panamax ships.
Port Tampa Bay has earmarked over 300 acresfor new industrial development including a new berth for cruise ships as partof its Vision 2030 plans. This includes developing world-class passengerfacilities to optimize the cruise experience for visitors and generate cruise-relatedbenefits and jobs for the Tampa community.
One of the biggest news stories regardingthe future of Tampa Bay as a cruise port is that Celebrity Cruises plan to makeTampa the homeport for CelebrityConstellation from the Winter 2020 season.
When Is The Best Time To Cruise From Tampa
The best months weather-wise for cruises from Tampa are November through April when the weather in the Caribbean is warm and sunny. From May through October, some cruise ships reposition for the summer, either to Alaska or the Mediterranean.
However, Carnival Cruises sail year-round from Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal. During this season you will find some cheap deals for cruises from Tampa, making this the best time to cruise at the lowest prices.
Feel free to discuss this topic and all things cruise at our new boards. A place where readers can ask questions, help their fellow cruisers and general cruise discussions on cruise lines and ports.
And if you like, feel free to cast your vote in the 2021 Cruise Ship Awards covering a range of categories, including best cruise ship and best cruise line.
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Royal Caribbean Is First Cruise Line To Restart Cruises From Tampa
The cruise industry restart has reached the Port of Tampa.
Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas arrived in Tampa on Saturday to begin offering cruises from West Florida, which is the first time a cruise ship has sailed from the Port of Tampa since 2020.
Serenade of the Seas will depart Terminal 6 on Saturday to begin a new cruise season there, having just wrapped up an abbreviated cruise season in Alaska.
Serenade will offer 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa, Florida, starting Oct. 16 and 7-night Caribbean itineraries, beginning December.
Royal Caribbean’s return to Tampa is just as ceremonial as it is tangible to the area. Business Research & Economic Advisors estimated that a 3,000-passenger ship generates an average of $334,000 in passenger and crew onshore spending per call in a homeport city.
Cruises have been able to restart from other ports in Florida, including Port Everglades, PortMiami and Port Canaveral, but this is the first time Tampa has been able to see ships leave.
Later in December, Brilliance of the Seas will return to Tampa to offer 4- and 5-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises beginning on December 16.
Cruises From Port Tampa Bay Are Back With Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
Cruises from Tampa, Florida are back as Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas is the first ship to restart operations from the port.
Cruises from the Port of Tampa are back with Royal Caribbean becoming the first cruise line to restart operations. Serenade of the Seas is the first cruise ship since March last year sailing from the city with guests onboard. The vessel has already been sailing this year in Alaska, where she started operation on July 19.
Is there a more beautiful sight than s Serenade of the Seas as she made her way down Sparkman Channel towards Port Tampa Bay this morning? We are so excited that cruising is back!
Port Tampa Bay
As with all Royal Caribbean ships, Serenade of the Seas will be sailing with a maximum 50 percent capacity to start, meaning there will be between 1,000 and 1,500 passengers onboard, out of a possible 2,490, in addition to its crew of more than 800.
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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.
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Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal Address And Location
If you need to contactTampa Bay Cruise Port, the official address is:
1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
Telephone: 813-905-7678 Toll-Free: 800-741-2297Fax: 813-905-5109
Tampa Cruise Terminalsare located in the Channelside District in the heart of downtown Tampa. Theport is close to historic Ybor City, a former manufacturing hub for cigarmaking.
The area now has agood choice of shopping, restaurants, hotels and nightlife along with some ofTampas top attractions. These include the amazing Florida Aquarium which has a250,000 square-foot aquarium complete with divers!
Tips For Cruise Disembarkation Inport Tampa Bay
All your luggageshould be tagged with the color/group identification tags provided and leftoutside your stateroom door on the night before disembarkation. It will becollected by porters. On arrival, bags are deposited in a huge hangar in groupsby tag color.
Cruisers will be askedto wait in various allocated points around the ship. When your group is called,you can head to the gangway to disembark. Your cruise pass will be scanned onefinal time and then canceled so no return to the ship is possible.
Once you have locatedyour luggage, porters are available to assist you to the immigration desk. Anofficial will check your passport and stamp your entry into the USA.
If you have notarranged a cruise tour or transfer to the airport you will find plenty of taxisright outside Tampa Cruise Terminal to take you to your destination.
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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.