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Port of Departure Tampa, Florida
Carnival Inspiration Moored at Cruise Terminal 2, Port of Tampa Tampa, Cigar City Tampa is positioned on the western coast of Florida, around 40 miles westwards from Orlando. Tampa can trace its origins back to the small outpost of Fort Brooke, founded by the US Army in 1824 at the head of Tampa bay to help defend the strategic harbor. Tampa remained an isolated and little populated village until 1884 when the Florida railroad entrepreneur Henry B Plant resolved to build a railroad which passed through Tampa, ending at Port Tampa on the Interbay Peninsula. Following the completion of the railroad, Plant established a ferry ship service ferrying post, passengers and cargo between Havana, Cuba and Port Tampa. Plant’s efforts did not finish with the railroad and shipping company, for he then started with a project to create a number of fabulous hotels in the area, such as the famed Tampa Bay Hotel in Tampa. In the late 19th century the Tampa Board of Trade enticed the Cuban Don Vincente Martinez Ybor to establish a new cigar-making factory in the town. The cigar business quickly grew in size, in no little way due to the fact it was perfectly sited between the retail markets of mainland USA and the supply of tobacco coming in through Port Tampa. Tampa benefited from a double dose of excellent commercial fortune when mining surveys uncovered easily accessible phosphate deposits in Bone Valley eastwards from the city. By 1900 Tampa had increased in size from a tiny outpost to one of the largest cities in Florida. Today Tampa has grown into one of the major cities in Florida with a foremost commercial port, and a prominent industrial area. The economic success of Tampa is in part due to its busy commercial ports. There are now two main ports, as Port Tampa was joined by the Port Of Tampa in 1917 when a shipping channel was dredged to the docks at Tampa city. Tampa was a major departure and arrival port for foot passengers in the late 19th century but passenger operations dwindled during the 1900s. Vacation cruises from Tampa only began in the 1980s when HAL and Regency Cruises commenced operating cruises out the Port of Tampa to the Caribbean. The cruise company Carnival noted the demand for these cruises, and set up their own cruise programme out of Tampa in 1994. Cruise Ship Terminals Cruise Terminal 2 The Garrison Seaport Center scheme of the late 1990s incorporated the creation of Cruise Terminal 2. Facilities available include luggage carts, customs, a snack shop, restrooms and cab rank. The terminal has just one cruise ship quay. Terminal 2 is used by Carnival. Parking is located straight across the street at the Channelside multi-storey car lot. Cruise Terminal 3 Cruise Terminal 3 was constructed in 2002 to meet the need of a rising demand for cruises out of Tampa. The terminal offers a streamlined passenger embarkation and disembarkation area, baggage facilities and fast security. The terminal offers just one cruise ship quay. Terminal 3 is used by Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships. Parking is located directly across Channelside Drive at the Channelside multi-storey car lot. Cruise Terminal 6 Cruise Terminal 6 is sited half-a-mile to the north of Terminal 3. Terminal 6 was fully renovated in 2011 to provide facilities for Holland America Line. The terminal services a single quay. Car Parking is conveniently available onsite.
A 7 day voyage around the Caribbean Sea is the most common itinerary for cruises from Tampa. Things To Do Near The Cruise Port Florida Aquarium Everybody will wonder at the myriad of sea life at the Florida Aquarium. Much-loved exhibits include Ocean Commotion, Explore A Shore, Wetlands, Dragons Down Under and Bays and Beaches. Extra activities are available like Shark Feeding behind the Scenes and Wild Dophin Ecotour. The Aquarium is positioned adjacent to cruise terminal 3. SS American Victory The cargo vessel SS American Victory served in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It has now been converted into a working museum. Come aboard and see virtually the whole ship including lifeboats, cargo equipment, galley, the bridge and food hall. The SS American Victory is anchored at a quay close by the Florida Aquarium. Channelside Bay Plaza The ively Channelside center features many retail outlets, bars, entertainment spaces and eateries. Tampa’s Riverwalk Experience the best-known sights of the city and sweeping views across the Garrison channel by following the new Tampa Riverwalk. As the route meanders along the waterside it visits lots of features including The Florida Aquarium, American Victory Ship, Cruise Ship Terminal 2, Channelside Bay Plaza, Tampa Bay History Center, Teco Line Streetcar, MacDill Park, Florida Museum Of Photographic Arts, Kiley Gardens and the Tampa Museum of Art. Ybor City Cuban-styled Ybor City is one of two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. Ybor City’s iron railings, brick buildings and narrow alleys offer an insight into old-world charm. Visit a bar with colorful flamenco dancers, or purchase a hand-made cigar at a specialist shop. Catch the original Teco Streetcar from Cumberland Avenue, York Street, or Port Authority stops to Ybor city. Henry B Plant Museum Henry B Plant built the fabulous Tampa Bay hotel as a destination resort for winter tourists to Tampa. It’s sumptuously constructed in a similar style to a Moorish palace, with added flourishes of Victorian architecture. Today the hotel building is occupied by the University of Tampa, but it is also home to the very interesting Henry B Plant Museum, which chronicles the life of the celebrated railroad magnate. Busch Gardens Theme Park At Busch Gardens you’ll be able to take in a theater show with colorful entertainment, try not to scream on heart stopping themepark rides, experience up-close meetings with uncommon wildlife and take a memorable safari across the wild African lains. Busch Gardens is positioned 8 miles north of the cruise port. Getting To The Cruise Port By Air Most passengers booked on cruises from Tampa fly in to Tampa International Airport. The airport is very convenient to the cruise terminals, as the distance between the two is only about eight miles. The easiest way to make the journey is by cab. By Car From Orlando Follow I-4 west to exit 1, signed Port Of Tampa. GoTravel south along 21st Street then turn right on Adamo Drive, signed Cruise Terminals 2 Thru 6 Hwy 60 then head left onto Channelside Drive. For cruise terminal 6 make a left onto McKay Street to access the open parking directly at the terminal. For cruise terminals 2 and 3 continue for about three-quarters of a mile southwards on Channelside Drive. The long term parking garage is on the right of the street opposite the Florida Aquarium. From St Petersburg Follow Interstate eastwards. Join Interstate. Continue along I-4 eastwards to exit 1 , signed Ybor City. Continue south on 21st Street then make a right on Adamo Drive then head left onto Channelside Drive. For cruise terminal 6 turn left onto McKay Street to get to the parking directly at the terminal. For cruise terminals 2 and 3 continue for about three-quarters of a mile south along Channelside Drive. The long term parking building is sited on the right of the street across from the Florida Aquarium. Cruise Port Map (click on image for larger image)  Port Authority Tampa Port Authority Port Website Tampa Port Authority Current Marine Traffic Tampa Marine Traffic Currency USD Timezone ETZ  Subscribe Anything you'd like to say about Tampa as a cruise port? |
Cruises From Tampa, Florida |
