Tampa Cruise Port Terminals: Ultimate Guide for Port Tampa Bay

Table Of Content

• CRUISES FROM TAMPA
• Royal Caribbean's ships Rhapsody and Grandeur homeported in Tampa for 2025-2026 winter
• Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises from Tampa
• View All Cruises from Tampa, Florida
• Train Service to Port Tampa Bay
• RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 Caribbean and Bahamas cruise itineraries
• View All Cruises from Tampa

Port Tampa Bay has earmarked over 300 acresfor new industrial development including a new berth for cruise ships as partof its Vision 2030 plans. This includes developing world-class passengerfacilities to optimize the cruise experience for visitors and generate cruise-relatedbenefits and jobs for the Tampa community. 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. 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. Cruise Terminal 6 is now used byvarious cruise lines as required.

CRUISES FROM TAMPA

All your luggageshould be tagged with the color/group identification tags provided and leftoutside your stateroom door on the night before disembarkation. On arrival, bags are deposited in a huge hangar in groupsby tag color. As part of the Tampa cruise check-in process, you will be photographed and asked to provide credit card details. This is your stateroom key and serves as a charge card for any onboard purchases, drinks, daily gratuities, casino chips and chargeable amenities during your cruise.

Royal Caribbean's ships Rhapsody and Grandeur homeported in Tampa for 2025-2026 winter

Set sail to destinations like Mexico, Belize, Key West, or cruise the Southern Caribbean and the Bahamas. You can even take a transatlantic cruise to the coast of Spain. Whether you prefer a senior, romantic, singles, or family cruise, Cruise Critic caters to your preferences. Break up with your weekly routine and set sail on a memory filled getaway that’ll take you so much further than a standard staycation. Royal Caribbean® offers plenty of bolder-than-ever weekend sailings to some of the Caribbean’s most stunning shores onboard the world’s most incredible cruise ships — no days off required. Which means you can fill your year with even more bucket list adventures.

Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises from Tampa

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. They will also shuttle you for free to and from the Tampa cruise terminal.

Savor delectable dishes at any of our onboard restaurants with menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. Watch exciting performances in the theater and enjoy family fun at the pool deck. If you are driving in from the area, then you are usually fine driving to the port on the morning of your trip, but it still makes a lot of sense to stay in Tampa the night before. Not only is there a lot to see and do in the area, but it’s nice to already be in town on cruise day, meaning you can take your time in heading to the ship.

Tampa is on the Mexican Gulf and is one of the Tampa Bay Area's main cities - together with St Petersburg and Clearwater. Passengers can pre-pay with a credit card online for valet and self-parking. Dedicated parking spaces are available for guests with accessibility needs. From the North/Airport/Interstate 275I-275 merges with I-4 East. Go south on 21st Street and turn right on Adamo Drive (Highway 60), then left onto Channelside Drive.

RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 Caribbean and Bahamas cruise itineraries

Bigger Jimmy Buffett cruise ship will sail out of Tampa next year - Tampa Bay Times

Bigger Jimmy Buffett cruise ship will sail out of Tampa next year.

Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you’re going on a cruise out of Tampa and need some helpful advice about the Tampa cruise port, we’ve got you covered. Port Tampa Bay has plans to invest $380million over the next five years to build new docks with deep-water access, modernterminals and navigational improvements. It also plans to install gantry cranesable to handle the largest post-Panamax ships. 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. Tampa Cruise Terminalsare located in the Channelside District in the heart of downtown Tampa.

Its culture is diverse and thriving, with influences from Latin and Caribbean communities. The annual Gasparilla festival, which celebrates the legend of pirate José Gaspar, attracts half a million people to the city every year. 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. Located off the beautiful Gulf Coast of Central Florida, Tampa Bay is a lively city ripe for exploration.

Having your travel documents in order and readily available is key to a seamless boarding experience. The Port of Tampa Bay is well served by various transportation means, ensuring easy access for travelers. Hotels with Cruise ParkingOne of the best-kept secrets in cruising is that many hotels near cruise ports love to offer cruise parking to passengers in exchange for a single night’s stay. Book a room, get a night’s stay and have your parking taken care of as well. Often you’ll need to book a package with the hotel that includes cruise parking, but it often includes both parking and transportation to the ship. Hotels with Cruise ShuttlesPlanning to stay at a hotel before your cruise?

After a legal battle over the right to mandate proof of vaccination for passengers, Norwegian Cruise Line launched its first ship from Miami on Aug. 15. The first cruises from Tampa in October are from Royal Caribbean — a five-night cruise to the Bahamas leaving Oct. 16, and a four-nighter to Cozumel, Mexico on Oct. 21. The current fiscal year’s budget, for example, projected cruise would return in a limited capacity in April.

Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only. 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.

The islands of the Western Caribbean offer the ideal mix of adventure and relaxation in a lush, tropical environment. Dive into some of the world’s best-preserved coral reefs in Cozumel and explore the famous Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off the coast of Belize. You’ll find it hard to choose a favorite from the area’s picturesque beaches. The Southern Caribbean promises palm trees, white-sand beaches, and crystal clear waters—all the ingredients you’ll need for an unforgettable vacation. Lounge on the flawless beaches of Grand Cayman and Labadee, and enjoy quality time with your family in the ABC Islands. Tampa Bay is a convenient embarkation point for those looking for a sunny vacation to the Caribbean.

Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are the main users of Cruise Terminal 2, which is well-known for its quick embarkation process. This terminal is tailored to provide a smooth and quick start to your cruise, with amenities and services that cater specifically to the needs of these cruise lines’ passengers. Some of the nation’s leading beaches are found on the Gulf Coast, and passengers on Tampa cruises will have plenty of award-winning options to explore. At Fort de Soto, you can canoe or kayak, hunt for seashells, and explore the historic fort. At the upscale St. Pete Beach, try an exciting watersport like parasailing or kiteboarding, or simply lounge on its sugary sands. The official port lots allow those with vehicle modifications such as ramps, or foot/hand controls to park for free if they are sailing.

You can also just show up at the port and pay there, just in case you totally forgot that little detail in the cruise planning process. 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. Cruisers will be askedto wait in various allocated points around the ship. When your group is called,you can head to the gangway to disembark. Your cruise pass will be scanned onefinal time and then canceled so no return to the ship is possible.

Credit cards are widely accepted, though it’s always wise to have some cash on hand. While there is some public transportation offered, it’s not particularly convenient, unless you are coming from Ybor City. Ybor City has a rail line (TECO Streetcar) that runs back and forth from Ybor City to the port area.

Why not catch a scenic cruise before or after your event at the Convention Center? Port Tampa Bay is the perfect place to go before you leave Tampa. In a tourist hotspot like Tampa, there’s no shortage of places to stay.