Monday, April 1, 2024

THE 25 BEST Cruises from Tampa, FL 2024 with Prices on Cruise Critic

cruise tampa fl port

Royal Caribbean typically uses Terminal 2, but will also use Terminal 3 when needed. Passengers should follow the digital signage at the port to find the correct terminal for their ship. Driving to the PortMany people elect to drive to the port, whether they live in the area or they fly in and have a rental car. Pete region, it can take anywhere from minutes, depending on where you are. In a tourist hotspot like Tampa, there’s no shortage of places to stay.

Port Facilities

Florida ports see record highs in cargo and cruise traffic - WMNF

Florida ports see record highs in cargo and cruise traffic.

Posted: Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

There is also temporary luggage storage on the first floor of each terminal for departing passengers. 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. Most handled vessels are bulk carriers and tankers, also Ro-Ro ships (car carries) and boxships (container carriers).

Location of Tampa, Florida

While the bridge is impressive, its height actually limits the size of the ships that can sail from Tampa. This is a reason why some of the biggest and newest ships don’t sail from the port. 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 minutes.

Port Tampa Bay Location

Its red-hot waterfront is jampacked with sights, sounds and surf, and is just a hop, skip and a jump away from century-old St. Petersburg and from Clearwater, one of Florida's best beaches. Rated one of the best aquariums in the country, the Florida Aquarium is located just steps away from Tampa’s port area. Here, you can pet stingrays, get up close with African penguins, and even spot dolphins in the wild on a catamaran cruise. The aquarium is so close to the port that passengers leaving on cruises from Tampa can bring their luggage, which the venue will safely store while you explore.

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]

Info About Cruise Terminals

The Port's 3 cruise terminals (all located on Harbour Island) are near large-capacity parking garages. The nearest highway is Lee Roy Selmon Expressway (running along the port's northern border). Although Port Tampa Bay has some of the best official parking rates, it can weigh a little heavy on some budgets. Therefore, here are a few other parking options near the cruise port that could possibly let your wallet breathe a little easier. Some of these parking lots are so close to the port you can practically walk to your cruise terminal.

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. Tampa, nicknamed "The Big Guava", is so much more than merely home to Busch Gardens (one of the most popular theme parks in Florida). The Ybor City district is alive with history, shopping and fine dining. The Tampa Museum of Art and the Museum of Science and Industry are also must-sees.Looking for a cruise from Tampa?

cruise tampa fl port

There is no shuttle offered, so you’ll have to get a ride to the cruise terminals. Still, to park for a week you won’t find any cheaper place unless you stay at a hotel with free cruise parking. Park 4 Cruise offers parking that is very close to the port of Tampa. The Orange Lot, which is adjacent to all three cruise terminals, is as low as $10.50 per day (plus 7% sales tax and a $4 processing fee). This parking lot is practically on the premises of the port itself, being less than a quarter mile away. Their website says they are only 300 steps to the terminals from their parking lots, so that’s hard to beat.

Once you have passedthrough security, you can join the line at check-in. There are dozens of mannedcounters with trained cruise personnel waiting to register you. However, withup to 3,000 passengers and up to 1,800 crew, it can be a slow process soprepare to be patient. Leave your heavyluggage at the drop-off point and just take your hand luggage, passport andcruise paperwork with you to check-in at Tampa Cruise Terminal. From the north/airport/I-275.Follow I-275 until it merges with I-4 East then follow it to Exit 1.

If you’d like to do some sightseeing before you ship out, go out to dinner, or visit an attraction or two, Tampa certainly does not disappoint. Although Orlando may be the tourist and theme park hot spot, Tampa has a few things up its sleeves as well. No matter how you plan to arrive into Tampa, you need a way to get to the port.

Cruise terminals arefairly basic at Tampa Bay Port although there is plenty of seating andrestrooms. There is also free Wi-Fi once you are inside the terminal building.

This state-of-the-art cruise terminal ishome to Carnival Cruise Lines. It has three berths offering MLW depths between31’3” and 33 feet, berth lengths of 548, 600 and 621 feet and a maximum beam of106 feet. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. The Port of Tampa (Seaport Street Terminal) is adjacent to the Florida Aquarium and is located 15 miles from the Tampa International Airport. Parking is $14.00 per day (rates subject to change by Port Authority).

It has a longer berth length of 1050 feet, a depth of 33’6”and a maximum beam of 106 feet, which means it can accommodate larger cruise ships. Port Tampa Bay allows you to walk right up near the ships, for an unforgettable view. 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. The closest option is the Port Tampa Bay parking garage, located just across the street from the three terminals.

See our article for a full list of Tampa hotels with cruise shuttles. The TECO Line Streetcar System takes visitors back in time in replicas of Tampa's streetcars of the 1920s. You can travel the entire line in only 22 minutes, giving you plenty of time to sightsee before your ship sails. The lowest rate we know is about $4 per day, through 717 Parking. They operate a Union Station Lot that’s a mile or two from the cruise terminals.

As the cruise industry continues to thrive, the Tampa Cruise Port is well-positioned to serve as a vital gateway for travelers seeking unforgettable cruise adventures. The origin of the Tampa Cruise Port can be traced back to the late 19th century when Tampa emerged as a key commercial hub in Florida. The port initially served as a crucial port for cargo and shipping, supporting the booming cigar and phosphate industries that flourished in the region. Alternatively, use oneof the nearby hotels such as the Marriott Waterside which has a pleasant waterfrontterrace, bar and restaurant. If you arrive wellahead of your cruise departure, the best place to find refreshments and drinksis at the Channelside Bay Plaza, just a short walk from Terminal 2.

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. 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. Cruisers will be askedto wait in various allocated points around the ship.

Overall, the Tampa Cruise Port’s facilities are designed to ensure a smooth, efficient, and enjoyable experience for passengers. 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. The rubber-tire In-Town Trolleys circulate around downtown and the Hyde Park Village shopping area.

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