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The Enchantment of the Seas will be back in Tampa for the entire year in 2025. It will set sail on a mix of four- and five-night getaways to the western Caribbean and the Bahamas. 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. Four more Royal Caribbean cruises ships will restart operations before the year comes to a close.
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When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Port Tampa Bay allows you to walk right up near the ships, for an unforgettable view. If you find yourself in Tampa before or after your cruise, and want to catch a ship sailing through Tampa Bay, there are plenty of areas to watch from. If your flight is arriving later in the evening, you may want to stay closer to the airport and head to the cruise terminal in the morning. The Westshore area is located just outside the airport, and has plenty of hotels to choose from. As we mentioned, it is highly recommended to fly in the day before your cruise departs.
Royal Caribbean, Western Caribbean from Tampa, February 8, 2025
However, one positive aspect of sailing out of this port is that we had a beautiful view of downtown Tampa, the water, and the palm trees as we waited. Whereas my cruises out of Port Canaveral and Miami had a much more international presence, it seemed like the Tampa port attracted a lot of native Floridians. A short 30-minute drive west of the city centre 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.
World’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, arrives in Florida - WFLA
World’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, arrives in Florida.
Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Celebrity Cruises from Tampa
Combined with its rich Spanish and Cuban heritage, Tampa offers quite a melting pot of unique and vibrant cultural experiences that you may not find elsewhere. Families can explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, sample international cuisine, and attend cultural events such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival or the Cuban Sandwich Festival. The ships will sail from the Port of Tampa on six to eight-night vacations through 2026. Grandeur of the Seas will start cruising again when she offers 7- and 14-night Southern Caribbean sailings from Bridgetown, Barbados, starting December 5.
Royal Caribbean, Western Caribbean from Tampa, March 1, 2025
This is a great option for those who have trouble walking, or don’t want to deal with the hassle of parking their car. To utilize this option, you simply pull up to the curbside of the terminal entrance, and the valets will take care of the rest. Port Tampa Bay is the home port for five ships from four cruise lines, offering itineraries to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean and even Transatlantic cruises.
Finally, Tampa’s convenient location makes it easy for many families to embark on a cruise without having to travel far from home. The port is easily accessible from the airport and major highways, making it a convenient starting point for families who want to drive or fly. 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.
Royal Caribbean, Mexico from Tampa, January 27, 2025
They said that it was so crowded inside the terminal that we had to wait down the stairs to prevent it from getting congested. It was hard to navigate through—we had to go around aquarium parking and other terminal entrances—but thankfully, security guards stood at several locations to give us directions. Our Uber driver had to circle around a couple terminals to find the correct one. While we waited in the car, we completed the mandatory safety briefing on the app so we wouldn't have to do it once we got onboard. Tampa’s food scene stems from a fusion of Cuban, Spanish, Italian and Floribbean influences.
I didn’t prepare as carefully as I usually do for embarkation day
After experiencing the thrill of setting sail from the bustling large ports of Port Canaveral and Miami on my first two cruising adventures, I decided it was time to explore a new Florida port. Experienced cruisers know that the port you choose to sail out of has a big impact on your embarkation day experience. When you think about cruising out of Florida, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are probably the first port’s that come to mind.
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Not only will prices typically be lower, you also won’t have to wait on a shuttle to fill up before being able to leave. Royal Caribbean offers shuttle service from the airport to the port (and vice versa), for an extra fee. There are also outside vendors who offer shuttle service such as Infinity Transportation. When booking your travel home after your cruise, it is important to not book too early of a flight, as you do not want to risk missing the flight home.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may want to stay closer to the cruise port and downtown Tampa. This will give you an opportunity to explore the city and see the sights before leaving for your cruise. The Tampa Bay Riverwalk and Channelside areas offer plenty of dining, shopping and sights. Port Tampa Bay also offers valet parking for $15.75 per day (effective October 23, 2022, previously $15), plus a one time fee of $20.
When you cruise from Tampa you have a ton of exciting itineraries to choose from. Head to the Western Caribbean to work on your tan and visit cities like Key West; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman and Belize. If you're one for delicious food, thrilling activities and friendly new faces, an adventure fit for the whole family awaits you. Cruises from Tampa are another expansion on the convenience of cruising from Florida.
If the ship is leaving from Terminal 2, you can walk over to the Sparkman Wharf to take in the view, while grabbing a drink from the beer garden or a bite to eat from one of the many food stands. One of the best parts of cruising out of Tampa, is getting to sail under the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge to enter the Gulf of Mexico. Since the airport is located so close to the port, I recommend utilizing a rideshare or taxi service over a shuttle.
Cruises from Tampa are typically 3-5 nights round-trip Bahamas itineraries and usually include ports like Nassau, CocoCay, Grand Bahama, Falmouth, Cozumel and Labadee. I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world. As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! Carnival Cruise Line scheduled four of its ships to sail from Tampa at various points in the year. These include Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride, Carnival Paradise, and Carnival Spirit. This summer, Carnival Paradise will sail different itineraries throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
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. Usually, we recommend flying in the night before your cruise, to ensure that nothing goes wrong and you can still make it onto the cruise ship in time. The Grandeur of the Seas will take vacationers on seven-night getaways to the western Caribbean and the Bahamas during the winter. The ship will visit destinations like Belize City, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Roatan. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.
If you want the best of both worlds — some sunshine and a whole lot of culture — book a cruise that crosses the Atlantic. Begin your adventure by stopping along the islands in the Caribbean before spending several days at sea, enjoying what the cruise ship has to offer you. Arrive in Europe and explore historic, vibrant cities such as Amsterdam, Brussels and Barcelona. 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.
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