Tampa provides a handy embarkation port for cruises to the Western Caribbean, together with many with Royal Caribbean.
When you concentrate on cruising out of Florida, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are most likely the primary port’s that come to thoughts. If you’re searching for one thing a bit of quieter, on Florida’s west coast crusing into the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll discover Tampa.
Port Tampa Bay is the house port for 5 ships from 4 cruise strains, providing itineraries to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean and even Transatlantic cruises.
How to get to the Tampa Cruise Port
Port Tampa Bay is situated simply 8 miles from the Tampa International Airport, and fewer than a mile from downtown Tampa, making it one of many best cruise ports to get to.
The tackle of Port Tampa Bay is 1101 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602.
Royal Caribbean sometimes makes use of Terminal 2, however may also use Terminal 3 when wanted. Passengers ought to observe the digital signage on the port to discover the right terminal for his or her ship.
Flying to Tampa Cruise Port
Tampa International Airport
Flying into the Tampa International Airport is the simplest for these needing to fly in prior to their cruise. With over 90 nonstop locations and 260 each day departures, vacationers have loads of choices to select from to get to and from their cruise.
With the port situated so shut to the airport, it’s endorsed to use a taxi or rideshare app Port Tampa Bay, which can normally price between $18 – $25. The drive ought to solely take 15 – 20 minutes.
One of our largest suggestions at Royal Caribbean Blog is to fly into your departure port the evening earlier than your cruise, to be certain that you don’t encounter delays that would make you miss your embarkation time. There are loads of lodges to select from situated close to each the Tampa airport and Port Tampa Bay, making getting to the port on embarkation day a breeze.
What Time Should I Schedule My Flight from Tampa?
When reserving your journey residence after your cruise, it’s important to not guide too early of a flight, as you do not need to threat lacking the flight residence.
Even although TPA is situated shut to the port, we advocate reserving a flight residence no sooner than 11:30am. While it’s possible you’ll find a way to stroll off the ship by 8:00 – 9:00AM on disembarkation day, it isn’t assured, and also you don’t need to find yourself lacking a morning flight.
Royal Caribbean Shuttle Service
Royal Caribbean provides shuttle service from the airport to the port (and vice versa), for an additional charge. There are additionally exterior distributors who provide shuttle service reminiscent of Infinity Transportation.
Since the airport is situated so shut to the port, I like to recommend using a rideshare or taxi service over a shuttle. Not solely will costs sometimes be decrease, you additionally gained’t have to wait on a shuttle to refill earlier than having the ability to go away.
Parking at Port Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay has very handy parking choices for the cruise terminals. Since it’s situated so shut to downtown Tampa, there are many parking garages to select from.
The closest choice is the Port Tampa Bay parking storage, situated simply throughout the road from the three terminals. They provide self parking for $15 per day, and outsized parking (RV’s, and so forth) for $30 per day.
Port Tampa Bay additionally provides valet parking for $15 per day, plus a one time charge of $20. This is a superb choice for individuals who have hassle strolling, or don’t need to take care of the trouble of parking their automobile. To make the most of this selection, you merely pull up to the curbside of the terminal entrance, and the valets will maintain the remainder.
Where to keep the evening earlier than your cruise from Tampa
As we talked about, it’s extremely beneficial to fly within the day earlier than your cruise departs. When doing that, reserving a resort is a vital a part of the planning course of when cruising from Tampa.
If your flight arrives earlier within the day, it’s your decision to keep nearer to the cruise port and downtown Tampa. This offers you a possibility to discover town and see the sights earlier than leaving to your cruise. The Tampa Bay Riverwalk and Channelside areas provide loads of eating, buying and sights.
If your flight is arriving later within the night, it’s your decision to keep nearer to the airport and head to the cruise terminal within the morning. The Westshore space is situated simply exterior the airport, and has loads of lodges to select from.
Recommended lodges embody:
Some lodges will provide a shuttle service to the terminal on embarkation day, however we nonetheless advocate utilizing a rideshare service, as you’ll have flexibility on the timing.
Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Port Tampa Bay?
One of the most effective elements of cruising out of Tampa, is getting to sail underneath the long-lasting Sunshine Skyway Bridge to enter the Gulf of Mexico.
However, this bridge can solely accommodate ships that measure 180 ft from the highest of the waterline. For this cause, Royal Caribbean makes use of Port Tampa Bay for its Vision and Radiance class of ships.
Serenade of the Seas shall be crusing out of Tampa beginning in October 2022 providing 4, 5, 7 and 10-night Bahamas, Caribbean and Americas cruises.
These itineraries will go to Cozumel, George Town, Puerto Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatan, Grand Bahama Island, Bimini, Nassau, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Cartagena, Colón, and Puerto Limon.
Serenade may also offer a 14 Night Spanish Transatlantic Cruise in May 2023, visiting Nassau, Madeira and Palma De Mallorca earlier than ending in Barcelona.
Brilliance of the Seas will start crusing from Tampa once more in October 2022, providing 4, 5, 6 and 7-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises. They will go to Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan, Belize City, George Town, Key West, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
In April 2023, Brilliance will go on a 16 Night Transatlantic Cruise, stopping in Madeira, Málaga, Cannes, and Florence earlier than ending in Rome.
Radiance of the Seas will sail out of Tampa beginning in October 2023, providing 4 and 5-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, visiting Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.
Grandeur of the Seas shall be crusing out of Tampa beginning in May 2023, providing 4 and 5-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises. These itineraries will go to Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Where to Watch a Sailaway
If you end up in Tampa earlier than or after your cruise, and need to catch a ship crusing by means of Tampa Bay, there are many areas to watch from.
The closest viewing spot you’ll discover is on the cruise terminal. Port Tampa Bay permits you to stroll proper up close to the ships, for an unforgettable view.
If the ship is leaving from Terminal 2, you’ll be able to stroll over to the Sparkman Wharf to take within the view, whereas grabbing a drink from the beer backyard or a chew to eat from one of many many meals stands.
Another nice choice is David Islands Beach, lower than quarter-hour away from the port. Here you’ll be able to sit again and loosen up together with your toes within the sand, and even get within the water as you watch the ships sail away from Port Tampa Bay.
Arguably, among the finest websites to see is the ship crusing underneath the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This bridge is situated a few 30-45 minute drive south of Tampa, and it takes the ships about 2 hours after departure to attain the bridge.
While you’ll be able to’t cease on the bridge to view the ships, you’ll be able to go to both the north or south fishing piers to watch them sail underneath the bridge.