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A short 30-minute drive west of downtown lands you along the Gulf of Mexico coast, which is fringed by a string of sugary beaches. Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach both offer an upbeat seaside atmosphere, while Caladesi Island State Park and Fort DeSoto Park provide serene shoreline settings. From bargains to full luxury, there is a variety of prices and styles available.
Swashbuckling Adventure
No one knows the Caribbean better than they do … after all, it is their middle name. The Tampa Riverwalk is an excellent place to spend the afternoon soaking up culture, enjoying good food and taking in the skyline. Sink your toes into the sugary sand of St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach via a short drive from the downtown area.
Moffitt Cancer Center at Port Tampa Bay
Head to Hyde Park Village for upmarket boutique shops, and pop into local sportswear outfitter Salt Pines. Nothing beats Ybor City when it comes to quirky vintage shops and hand-rolled cigars. Tampa’s food scene stems from a fusion of Cuban, Spanish, Italian and Floribbean influences. Local raw bars serve up fresh prawns, oysters, scallops and grouper from the Gulf of Mexico. The Cuban sandwich – piled with Genoa salami – is a city signature.
Enjoy Tampa Before Or After Your Cruise
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. Learn more about our current cruise deals to the Caribbean including Holland America Line's exclusive private island, Half Moon Cay.
More In The Caribbean
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. The port’s schedule lists all ships with cruises going to or leaving from Tampa, Florida. To see the full itineraries and their lowest rates just follow the corresponding ship-link. When you cruise from Tampa you have a ton of exciting itineraries to choose from.
You will need to factor tipping, alcohol, port charges, and excursions in your budget. When it comes to exotic cruise destinations, many people think of places like Roatan, Belize and Cozumel. But Key West definitely deserves a spot on every sun-seeker’s tropical travel list. Bustling with lively bars and restaurants, and brimming with natural wonders like mangrove forests and colorful coral reefs, it’s an ideal cruise destination for anyone craving a laid-back island getaway. A stop on many cruises out of Tampa, Key West is best enjoyed by boat or by bike.
Tampa Cruise Port Facilities?
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. The rubber-tire In-Town Trolleys circulate around downtown and the Hyde Park Village shopping area.
Onboard Dining
Discover the magic of Mexico with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya. Five Day Getaway to CocoCay - Relaxing cruise with a wonderful crew, fun entertainment, and good food. Pick up tropical apparel and Florida-inspired souvenirs at the outdoor Channelside Bay Plaza, right at the port. Head to Hyde Park Village for upscale boutique stores, and stop in local sportswear outfitter Salt Pines.
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For the ultimate culinary experience in Tampa Bay, Berns Steak House is the most sought-after choice. Fermented Reality Biergarten at Sparkman Wharf is right next to Port Tampa Bay. Owner Joel Bigham said they don’t get much business from the port because its not a destination place for people when they disembark. Right now, we can’t say that that you can come here and take a cruise out of Tampa. So it’s one of those pieces of the puzzle, you know, one of the ingredients in the soup that’s missing. The Brilliance of the Seas is undoubtedly one of the top cruises that depart from Tampa.
Margaritaville at Sea will sail new ship from Tampa in 2024 - USA TODAY
Margaritaville at Sea will sail new ship from Tampa in 2024.
Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Hang out with your favorite cast of characters who call the Caribbean Sea home like stingrays, nurse sharks and more. 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. Pick up tropical clothing and Florida-inspired souvenirs at the outdoor Channelside Bay Plaza, right at the port.
Port Tampa Bay is proud to partner with Moffitt Cancer Center on a new community outreach and education center. Health care professionals, community leaders and advocates who are committed to making a difference in the fight against cancer have a new location to better connect with the Tampa Bay area community. Moffitt Cancer Center at Port Tampa Bay is located in the busy Water Street district across from The Florida Aquarium at Port Tampa Bay’s Cruise Terminal 2. They offer cruises to the Southern Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, and Western Caribbean. Santiago Corrada, CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, hopes cruises will resume locally sooner than that, despite an ongoing lawsuit between Florida and the CDC over vaccine requirements. We strive to create a healthy and safe environment at all times.
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.
Small cigar makers first opened in Tampa at the end of the 19th century. After the cigar industry's eventual decline, the neighborhood managed to rise—pun intended—from the ashes, and it has become a thriving, colorful destination steeped in history. While there, grab a Cuban sandwich from Florida’s oldest restaurant and shop for cigars and other souvenirs at Centro Ybor.
Destinations include Mexico, Bay Islands, Belize, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Grand Cayman, Aruba and more. Puerto Plata is the ninth-largest city in the Dominican Republic. There are numerous historical sites you can explore here, including Fortaleza San Felipe, which was built in the 16th century and once served as a local prison. There is also the Amber Museum, where you can see an interesting collection of creations made with Dominican amber. For some of the best views in Puerto Plata, take a ride up 2,600 feet to the top of Pico Isabel de Torres Mountain. Cruising aboard Carnival Spirit will elevate your holiday at sea, to that unforgettable trip you will be longing to relive.
In addition, guests are just steps from the sights, sounds and experiences of Downtown Tampa. 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?
Soak up the sun in the Canary Islands or get in touch with your inner Viking in Waterford, Ireland. Whichever cruise you pick, you'll be leaving with a whole lot of stories to share. 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.
