I cruised Royal Caribbean from Tampa for the first time Here's what a cruise from this smaller port is like.
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They said that it was so crowded inside the terminal that we had to wait down the stairs to prevent it from getting congested. 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. 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. Cruisers will be askedto wait in various allocated points around the ship.
CRUISES FROM TAMPA
Passengers should follow the digital signage at the port to find the correct terminal for their ship. If you are in the right spot you can get to your ship with public transportation. The port’s official address is 1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida, if you wish to map your route using GPS. Tampa is one of the USA's most popular homeports for liners deployed in the Western Caribbean.
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What most cruise passengers don’t realize is that the two cities are about 90 miles (1.5 hours) apart. For that reason, there aren’t a lot of options to get back and forth. It makes things very simple and takes the headache out of figuring out transportation on cruise day. Keep in mind that the packages usually cost extra compared to just booking the normal base hotel rate. Of course, while Uber and Lyft have taken a bite out of their business, taxi cabs aren’t extinct.
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Don't forget to stop for some tacos or cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork dish that tops the list of traditional favorites in the area. You'll head back to the ship all smiles after a day of wandering through the Mexican city. At the Tampa port, Royal Caribbean uses both terminals 1 and 3, depending on which ships are in port. Since Grandeur of the Seas was embarking on the same day, Radiance of the Seas was located further down at Terminal 3.
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). Carnival ships here have passenger capacity between 1000 and 2600, and generally operate on Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries. Port's strategy is not homeporting mega-ships, but rather attracting smaller and recently refurbished vessels with itineraries to easy-to-reach destinations. The city of Tampa is approx 85 mi (140 km) from Orlando City /Port Canaveral to the west, via Highway I-4E (~1,5 hours drive distance).
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They have been in business since 1905 and they make a mean Cuban sandwich on fresh Cuban bread. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. 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. 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.
Vehicles must be modified fordisabled drivers, have a wheelchair ramp/lift, or official DV plates. The official Tampa cruiseinformation suggests that passengers should arrive at the terminal at least 90minutes prior to departure. This will allow ample time for passengers to betaken through security and complete the check-in process. While Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) services the airport and downtown, cruise passengers will likely find the hour-long journey lacks convenience. They will also provide you with free shuttle service and luggage assistance and will give you a free car wash while you’re gone. Their standard rate for parking is $15 per day, with a flat upgrade of $20 for valet parking.
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]
Radiance of the Seas will sail out of Tampa starting in November 2023, offering 4 and 5-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, visiting Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau. Tampa offers a convenient embarkation port for cruises to the Western Caribbean, including many with Royal Caribbean. If you want to park here, it’s a good idea to reserve a spot ahead of time online as it offers a considerable savings off the drive-up rate. We’ve got you covered with all your parking options, including costs and discounts.
Port's previous records were USD 51,3 million (2015) and USD 49,2 million (2016). The increase was mainly due to additional cruise activities, new and expanded facilities leases, as well as increase of commodities import (petroleum, cement, steel). Sink your toes into the sugary sand of St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach via a short drive from the downtown area. Journey to Belize, the ultimate adventure spot for adrenaline junkies and history buffs.
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. Flying into the Tampa International Airport is the easiest for those needing to fly in prior to their cruise. With over 90 nonstop destinations and 260 daily departures, travelers have plenty of options to choose from to get to and from their cruise.
Since Radiance of the Seas is the smallest ship I've sailed on so far—only carrying 2,300 passengers—I was surprised that such a small ship would have longer lines than I’m used to. 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. 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. 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.
It is also a short drive from some of the best beaches inFlorida around Clearwater and St Pete Beach. While prices may change, the cheapest lot we found was 241 Car Services. That’s among the cheapest parking you’ll find not just in Tampa, but any cruise port in the country. Individual Hotels (Tampa Park and Cruise) If you are staying in the Tampa area, contact your hotel to see if they will allow you to park your car for the length of your cruise.
It's a great way to close out the most epic vacation you've ever had. For my third cruise, I embarked on a 5-night Radiance of the Seas sailing, departing from the smaller, more intimate port in downtown Tampa. 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.
And if you’re looking for the perfect blend of natural beauty, Caribbean charm, and lively atmosphere on your cruise from Tampa, Nassau is just the island for you. While there are plenty of spots that are great for relaxing, Nassau also has a healthy variety of beaches with a livelier vibe and plenty of buzzing bars. 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. A stop on many cruises out of Tampa, Key West is best enjoyed by boat or by bike. If you choose the latter, you can spend the day pedaling past colorful historic estates, down shaded, leafy streets and along the beautiful waterfront.
It is also one of the largest shipbuilding and repair ports in SE USA. If you are arriving byair, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is 9 miles northwest of Tampa cruise port.Transfers by taxi take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions alongthe I-275. Tampa Cruise Terminal 6 is the northernmostcruise terminal, located at 1333 McKay St. It formerly served Holland America CruiseLines which no longer operates out of Tampa. The most convenient parking is by valet at your cruise line drop-off/pick-up, though drivers may drop off their own passengers and luggage at the terminal before parking cars.
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