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Watch as its complex system of locks unfolds, then stop in the historic center of Panama Viejo, where you’ll learn all about the town’s pirate history. Along with a free hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, if you book this hotel’s Park and Cruise package, you’ll receive free roundtrip transportation to the cruise port, as well as parking for up to 7 days. One of the best things about cruising from Port Tampa Bay is that parking is both convenient and inexpensive compared to other ports in Florida. For example, while parking for the Port of Miami is upwards of $20+ per day, you’ll only pay $15 — and at some lots much lower — to park for a Tampa cruise.
How far is Tampa Airport from the cruise terminal?
At the upscale St. Pete Beach, try an exciting watersport like parasailing or kiteboarding, or simply lounge on its sugary sands. Residence Inn’s “Fly Here, Cruise There” package provides guests with shuttle service from the hotel to the cruise port, along with free internet and breakfast. When it comes to official port parking, many ports will charge an outrageous amount ($20 per day and up), simply because of the convenience. This will often force people to look for parking elsewhere so they can save money. These companies simply compete with the port for your business, and their main weapon is having lower rates.
Luxury Hotels
In 2014 were handled a total of 888,343 cruise passengers via 198 ship calls. Port Tampa Bay is proud to partner with Moffitt Cancer Center on a new community outreach and education center. Moffitt Cancer Center at Port Tampa Bay is located in the busy Water Street district across from The Florida Aquarium at Port Tampa Bay’s Cruise Terminal 2. While it might be cheaper to fly into Orlando, the extra transportation cost could make a costlier flight to Tampa worth it. It may be that you find cheaper fares into Orlando International Airport, or maybe you want to visit Orlando attractions while you’re in the area. Whatever the case, there are many people who need to get from the Orlando area to the Tampa port.
Tampa Bay, Florida Port Guide
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) operates Tampa area buses, trolleys and the TECO Line Streetcar System. HART's Route 30 runs buses from the airport to downtown, leaving from the east end of the red baggage claim area. Porters are available during cruise days to assist passengers with luggage. There is also temporary luggage storage on the first floor of each terminal for departing passengers. If you're planning to take your car to the cruise port, below are directions to Port Tampa Bay. Once dubbed the “Cigar Capital of the World,” the Ybor City district is rich in history and Latin culture.
Hilton Tampa Downtown

That makes it extremely convenient if you just want to get to the ship and get on as there is parking right at the terminal and there isn’t as much traffic here. However, the terminal is a little farther from some of the activities like the aquarium and restaurants/shops that are further south in the complex. Cruise Terminal #3Along the eastern edge of the port, Cruise Terminal #3 often serves Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines. The location is right across from the official port parking garage, and with a berth length of 1,050 feet, the docking space can handle the larger ships to call on Port Tampa Bay.
Wheelchair and Accessibility at Port Tampa Bay
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. It is very importantto keep your cruise pass safe, especially when you go ashore as you cannotreturn to the ship without it!
Hotels Near the Port Tampa Bay
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. Ships dock at the Port of Tampa Cruise Terminal, six to eight minutes from downtown. Don't waste time straightening your hair as Tampa tends to be extremely humid, especially in the morning hours. Tampa has enjoyed a substantial dip in crime rates during the past several years, and now averages about that of any major U.S. city. Pick up tropical apparel and Florida-inspired souvenirs at the outdoor Channelside Bay Plaza, right at the port. Head to Hyde Park Village for upscale boutique stores, and stop in local sportswear outfitter Salt Pines.
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. However, this bridge can only accommodate ships that measure 180 feet from the top of the waterline. For this reason, Royal Caribbean uses Port Tampa Bay for its Vision and Radiance class of ships. 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.

For a more detailed understanding of amenities and services at a specific terminal, it’s best to visit the terminal’s official website or contact the cruise line directly. 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. 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 located just 8 miles from the Tampa International Airport, and less than a mile from downtown Tampa, making it one of the easiest cruise ports to get to. Sail down the Panama Canal, an engineering masterpiece that allows ships to sail between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
If you have an oversized vehicle, the port charges double the standard rate. The cruise terminal you sail from will depend on which cruise line you’re traveling with. You should always check with your cruise line to make sure which terminal they are using for your cruise. 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. In general, we recommend that passengers flying in for their cruise plan to arrive a day early and stay the night.
Its adaptable facilities ensure that every cruiser, regardless of their chosen line, receives a high level of service and convenience. 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. Arguably, one of the best sites to see is the ship sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This bridge is located about a minute drive south of Tampa, and it takes the ships about 2 hours after departure to reach the bridge. Port Tampa Bay allows you to walk right up near the ships, for an unforgettable view.
Margaritaville At Sea Cruise To Depart From Tampa Port - WiLD 94.1
Margaritaville At Sea Cruise To Depart From Tampa Port.
Posted: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Also, your shuttle is only going to be available on cruise day, so if you fly in the day before you’ll have to seek alternate means of transportation. 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.
Be sure to let them know at check-in that you wish to use their free shuttle service to reserve your seat. We’ll start with the gritty details about directions, cruise parking, hotels, and various other information that you should know while making your plans. We’ll even provide some help in getting from the Tampa International Airport to the cruise terminal. Port Tampa cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month.
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