Nestled on Florida’s west coast, Tampa’s cruise port is located on the bay, quite than instantly on the Gulf of Mexico. Port Tampa Bay serves 5 cruise strains and presents quite a lot of sailings to locations just like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico and Central America.
Tampa is a implausible place to start or finish your cruise. It presents easy accessibility to worldwide airports, premier lodges from main manufacturers and boutique choices, and eating places to swimsuit any culinary need. Add a number of days to your trip to discover what town and its surrounding areas have to supply, together with pristine Gulf Coast seashores, Central Florida’s close by theme parks and unbelievable museums for adults and kids.
Port Tampa Bay cruise port overview
The three cruise terminals on the port of Tampa are terminals 2, 3 and 6.
Port Tampa Bay cruise terminal handle data
- Terminal 2: 651 Channelside Dr.
- Terminal 3: 815 Channelside Dr.
- Terminal 6: 1331 McKay St.
The most effective place to view a map of the three cruise line terminals is on the Port Tampa Bay web site. Click on one of many three terminals, and you will be taken to a Departure Information that features a map.
The port presents restrooms, merchandising machines and baggage storage by a 3rd occasion. A number of eating places and bars are a couple of minutes’ stroll from the terminals.
All cruise terminals are ADA-accessible, with elevators and ramps. Availability allowing, cruise employees might help transport passengers in wheelchairs to and from the vessel.
Cruise strains crusing from the Tampa cruise port
5 cruise strains sail from Port Tampa Bay and make the most of the three cruise terminals:
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Tampa’s port doesn’t have set terminals reserved for particular cruise strains, as you may discover in different Florida ports. The calendar characteristic on Port Tampa Bay’s web site might help you discover which terminal is assigned to your ship on departure day. Click on in your ship’s identify on the calendar sq. for the day you embark, and you may see its terminal on the prime of the pop-up field that seems. You will additionally see an choice to buy on-site parking to your cruise in the identical field.
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Airports close to the Tampa cruise port
If arriving by air to your cruise, you possibly can select to fly into a number of airports near the Tampa Bay cruise port.
Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA) is the closest choice, roughly 7 miles and a 15-minute drive to Port Tampa Bay. Main airways that fly right here embody Air Canada, Alaska, American, British Airways, JetBlue, Southwest, United and Virgin Atlantic.
In case you’re in search of lounge entry, TPA has a Delta Sky Membership at Concourse E.
Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO) is farther away however might need extra reasonably priced and fascinating flight schedules to your wants. This in style Central Florida vacation spot is roughly 85 miles from Tampa’s cruise port. Although it may be simply an hour-and-fifteen-minute drive with out site visitors, plan for appreciable congestion on the highways between these two main cities. With site visitors, reaching Port Tampa Bay from MCO airport can take as much as two hours.
Over 40 airways journey to MCO, together with Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska, American Airways, British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Southwest, United and Virgin Atlantic.
At MCO, try The Membership lounge in the event you’re heading to terminals A or B, the place prebooking is offered for a charge although typically pointless. Alternatively, go to the Plaza Premium Lounge at Terminal C. Use your bank card perks for lounge entry earlier than your flight.
In case you’re spending time elsewhere in Florida earlier than or after your cruise, you may need to think about Sarasota Bradenton Worldwide Airport (SRQ), a smaller worldwide airport. It is 60 miles, or an hour’s drive, south of the port. Air Canada, Allegiant, American Airways, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Solar Nation and United fly from right here.
No matter which airport you select, you possibly can reduce your journey prices by checking bank card perks. Flight companion passes can be found in the event you’re touring as a pair with the Alaska Airways Visa Signature® bank card. It presents a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and charges from $23) every account anniversary after spending $6,000 or extra throughout the prior anniversary 12 months.
In case you plan your private and enterprise bank card spending correctly with a Southwest card, you possibly can earn almost two years of buy-one-get-one flights, minus taxes and charges.
How you can get to Port Tampa Bay
You may get to the cruise port by way of impartial firms, public transportation and lodge shuttles.
Journey-shares, cruise transfers and personal shuttles are your greatest journey choices from TPA to the cruise port. Although you possibly can make the most of public transportation with a mixture of SkyConnect from the airport to a public bus, the journey time takes greater than an hour with transfers and bus stops. However, a car that takes you instantly from the airport to the port solely takes between 10 and 20 minutes, relying on site visitors.
Cruise line transfers
The entire cruise strains that sail from Port Tampa Bay, besides Margaritaville at Sea, supply transfers from the TPA airport to the cruise port for a further charge, beginning at $24.99 per particular person every approach. Not one of the cruise strains supply transfers from MCO to the Tampa cruise port.
Lodge shuttles
A deciding issue for the place you keep earlier than or after your cruise is perhaps the comfort of a shuttle between the lodge and the cruise terminal. Inquire earlier than reserving if the lodge you are contemplating presents a shuttle service and if that’s the case, whether or not it is complimentary or not.
Hilton’s Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Tampa presents a free shuttle inside three miles, together with the cruise port, lower than two miles away. Whereas Tampa Marriott Water Road doesn’t supply a shuttle, Tampa’s free TECO Streetcar has a cease proper in entrance of the lodge and on the cruise terminal.
Unbiased airport shuttles, van and automobile companies
If you wish to arrange a personal switch, preplan and ebook a van, limo or sedan relying on the variety of individuals in your occasion and your consolation desire.
Mears is a well-liked and respected firm in Central Florida that companies Orlando and Tampa. The corporate’s sizable fleet contains a whole bunch of luxurious sedans, vans and limos. Use Mears’ on-line quote system to funds to your switch prices. An ordinary sedan that matches as much as three individuals and 4 luggage prices $150, whereas a van that may accommodate eight individuals and 10 luggage will price just a little over $300. Automotive seats don’t price additional; in the event you want one, add it to the “Particular Directions” space of the web reservation system.
Different companies, like Blue One Transportation, supply a personal car for as much as 4 individuals for $90. A shared shuttle can be an choice for $15 per particular person. There isn’t a further cost for youngsters’s automobile seats.
Taxis and ride-shares
If you’re heading to the port instantly from Tampa airport, Yellow Cab taxis will take you there from the luggage declare pickup areas for a flat charge of $35. Taxis wait on the terminal for disembarking friends.
Metered charges throughout the metropolis are $3.50 for the primary 1/5 of a mile or half thereof. Extra miles price $2.50. The minimal charge from the airport is $20.
Journey-shares decide up and drop off at every terminal in designated areas; the estimated trip price between Tampa Worldwide Airport and Port Tampa Bay for Uber or Lyft begins at $20. It is an estimated $120 between Orlando Worldwide Airport and the port.
As a result of ride-shares present you the estimated trip price earlier than you ebook and taxis have variable fares relying on the driving force’s route, we favor ride-shares over taxis.
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Public transportation from downtown Tampa/lodge district
The TECO Streetcar is a free service operated by the Metropolis of Tampa and runs all through downtown Tampa and the Ybor Metropolis neighborhood. It drops you off inside a brief stroll to all three cruise terminals at Station 7, situated on the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and Channelside Drive. Be conscious of the northbound or southbound course you need to journey, whether or not you are coming to the port or leaving it to achieve your native vacation spot.
TECO Streetcar hours differ, so verify the day’s schedule, particularly on weekends when automobiles begin working later.
Tampa cruise port parking
On-site port parking
Official parking on the port is inside strolling distance of the cruise terminals on the Channelside Parking Storage. You should purchase tickets for parking prematurely of your cruise on the Port Tampa Bay web site. Discover your cruise to buy your parking cross to your crusing, which is 100% refundable previous to a cruise.
Pay as you go parking charges are $15.75 per day; the overall price will differ primarily based on the size of your cruise. After prepaying, print your parking voucher, which you may current to the cashier upon arrival. Alternatively, you possibly can drive as much as the port with no reservation; charges stay the identical whether or not you prepay or not.
Parking is barely accessible when the ship is docked, and all main bank cards and money are accepted. If you’d like curbside drop-off on the cruise terminal entrance, go for valet parking for a similar each day charge plus a further $20 charge. Restricted outsized car parking on the on-site storage — for autos exceeding 8 ft, 2 inches, or that require multiple parking area — is offered for $30 per day.
Personal heaps
Some lodges like Hilton’s Lodge Tampa Riverwalk have park-and-stay charges for cruisers. In case your lodge would not have this feature or in the event you’re driving straight to the cruise port, think about a personal lot to avoid wasting cash.
Whereas Port Tampa Bay’s on-site Channelside Parking Storage is the closest lot to the terminals, different choices aren’t a lot farther from the ships. The 241 Parking storage is well-lit, gated and fewer than one mile north of the Channelside Parking Storage. At $8.99 per day, it is also extra reasonably priced than parking on the port. The lot does refill, so you may need to reserve prematurely, although you possibly can drive up and park with no reservation if areas can be found.
241 Parking recommends making reservations 30 days prematurely throughout peak cruise season from November by April, and a minimal of 15 days prematurely throughout off-peak cruise season from Could to October. The lot gives a free shuttle to and from the port and accepts all main bank cards and money.
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Inns close to Tampa cruise port
Lodge choices close to the cruise port are plentiful throughout all manufacturers and value factors. Verify for present promotions; some lodges supply double factors throughout choose occasions or park-and-stay choices so you possibly can go away your automobile on the lodge when you cruise.
No matter the place you ebook a lodge, in the event you drive to the world, you will need to issue parking prices into your trip funds. All parking choices in downtown Tampa — together with avenue parking, garages and lodges — have charges.
Hilton lodges
Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor Metropolis/Downtown (beginning at 43,000 factors) is an reasonably priced lodge close to the cruise port with free scorching breakfast. It additionally presents a complimentary shuttle from 9 a.m. to five p.m. inside a three-mile radius, excluding the airport however together with the cruise port.
Lodge Tampa Riverwalk (beginning at 42,000 factors) is steps from Tampa’s Riverwalk on the Hillsborough River and presents park-and-stay charges. The complimentary Tampa TECO Streetcar has a station one block away and stops on the cruise port. In case you do not need to eat on the lodge’s on-site restaurant, many eating places are a brief stroll away.
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Marriott lodges
The Tampa Version (beginning at 65,500 factors) is a luxurious lodge within the stylish Water Road district. With eight on-site eating places and bars, a shocking outside pool, a state-of-the-art health middle, a spa and a main location by Port Tampa Bay, you will not need to go away till your cruise begins. Whereas the lodge would not present a shuttle, the cruise port is lower than half a mile away.
In case you arrive late to the Tampa airport or have an early morning departure after your postcruise keep, think about the Tampa Airport Marriott (beginning at 50,000 factors). It has an out of doors pool, health middle, small comfort store and a bar and grill.
Hyatt lodges
Hyatt Place Downtown (beginning at 9,000 factors) is near Glazer Kids’s Museum and Tampa’s Riverwalk. This family-friendly lodge contains free breakfast, a rooftop pool and on-site self-serve or valet laundry. Couch beds and fridges are in all rooms with a four-guest-per-room most. The cruise port is a 10-minute stroll away.
If the water is looking you, ebook the Grand Hyatt (beginning at 9,000 factors), west of the cruise port. Its waterfront location provides you entry to a 9.5-mile bayside path the place you possibly can birdwatch and train. Varied room sorts accommodate {couples}, households and solo vacationers in luxurious lodging, a villa-style casita or a family-friendly room. The on-site restaurant and pool are equally picturesque.
Nonpoints lodges
Palihouse Hyde Park Village is a boutique lodge in a historic neighborhood full of retailers, cafes, eateries and bars. The lodge’s 36 visitor rooms supply king and queen beds. Charges begin at $177 per evening within the offseason.
If you wish to keep in Tampa’s historic Ybor Metropolis district, reserve a room at Lodge Haya. It options an on-site restaurant, cafe and outside pool. Every visitor room has a fridge, and roll-away beds or cribs can be found upon request. Charges begin at $169 per evening; verify the lodge web site for present promotions.
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Eating places close to Port Tampa Bay
The eating choices close to the port of Tampa vary from Michelin-starred eating places to informal eateries. In case your schedule permits, put aside time to take pleasure in a meal on land and check out native favorites from Cuban delicacies to recent seafood.
Sparkman Wharf is on the waterfront subsequent to the cruise port. See how this family-friendly vacation spot has turned transport containers into a number of eating places and bars with outside seating areas. Sparkman Wharf additionally has retail retailers and the Splitsville bowling alley for actions earlier than or after your meal.
Armature Works is a implausible meals corridor to go to – particularly when it is scorching or wet and alfresco eating is just not within the playing cards. A lot of the seating is inside an air-conditioned constructing the place you possibly can order meals and treats from 18 distributors; outside eating area is proscribed.
Water Road Tampa is one other eating vacation spot inside strolling distance from the Tampa cruise port. Benefit from the avenue’s large walkways and luxurious greenery in your solution to top-rated eating places and bars.
Oxford Alternate is a late-Nineteenth-century constructing housing a mixture of retail and eating. Its design and decor draw inspiration from London’s historic golf equipment, libraries and retailers. A way of group will be felt all through the area as individuals collect on the tea store or benefit from the bookstore’s ebook signings and lectures.
Columbia Restaurant is probably town’s most well-known restaurant, with a number of places throughout Florida; three are situated in Tampa. It’s well-known for its Latin-inspired menu. Strive the legendary 1905 salad or a Cuban sandwich. In case you’re selecting among the many three places, know that the unique venue is in Ybor Metropolis, lower than two miles from the port. Alternatively, the Columbia Restaurant Cafe is accessible from exterior the Tampa Bay Historical past Heart, lower than a mile from the cruise port, and the third location is airside at Tampa Worldwide Airport in Concourse E.
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Issues to do in Tampa earlier than or after your cruise
Tampa is thought for its Gulf Coast seashores, culinary scene, a number of points of interest and sunshine. Keep native to take pleasure in what town presents or go to close by areas to expertise Central Florida’s points of interest.
Close by seashores
Beachgoers love the jewel-toned water of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Ben T. Davis Seashore is the closest and hottest sandy oasis, simply over 10 miles west of the cruise port. Metered parking is close by; arrive early to beat the crowds and discover a spot.
Cypress Level Park is a public neighborhood park with entry to the water, a small sandy shoreline, a playground, a sand volleyball court docket, trails and a disc golf course. It is lower than 8 miles west of the cruise port.
The Tampa Riverwalk
Starting only one mile from the port is The Tampa Riverwalk. This 2.6-mile strolling path runs alongside the Hillsborough River. Buy a one-day or three-day Tampa Riverwalk Attraction Go for entry to the next seven family-friendly points of interest:
- The Florida Aquarium
- Tampa Bay Historical past Heart
- Glazer Kids’s Museum
- Tampa Museum of Artwork
- Pirate Water Taxi
- Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
- Henry B. Plant Museum
Dwell sporting occasions
Cruises depart from Tampa year-round, so in the event you cruise from September by April, there’s doubtless a stay sporting occasion happening. Attend a Tampa Bay Lightning sport at Amalie Enviornment through the NHL season from October by April (and additional into summer time if the group makes the playoffs). Steinbrenner Area is the place to be throughout spring coaching for the New York Yankees throughout February and March. If you wish to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in motion throughout soccer season, head to Raymond James Stadium from September to January.
Theme parks
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, simply 10 miles north of the cruise port, is full of thrills for all ages, from kids’s rides to curler coasters for teenagers and adults. Hundreds of individuals purchase particular occasion tickets for the favored Howl-O-Scream occasion, which takes place from early September to early November.
Alternatively, reap the benefits of Tampa’s proximity to Orlando’s theme parks and plan a pre- or postcruise go to to Walt Disney World, Sea World or Common Parks & Resorts. You will want an prolonged keep as a result of the theme parks are greater than 70 miles from Port Tampa Bay, and it could take two hours or longer to get there with site visitors. You may think about flying into MCO as a substitute of TPA in the event you’re planning a theme park go to earlier than or after your crusing.
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St. Pete and Clearwater
Two cities simply west of Tampa are extremely in style amongst Florida guests: St. Petersburg – higher often called St. Pete – and Clearwater. The 2 cities are located on the identical peninsula on Tampa Bay and have ample seashore entry. Some guests favor St. Pete’s downtown vibe with its waterfront retailers, eating places and public park. It is also house to such museums because the Dali Museum and the Chihuly Assortment. Different vacationers like Clearwater for its seashore, nightlife and the Clearwater Marine Museum.
Because of the annual SHINE Competition, which attracts famend avenue artists from world wide, St. Pete can be recognized for its dozens of colourful murals. In case you like public artwork, the St. Pete mural tour takes place at 10 a.m. each Sunday. An area information brings guests to 30 murals in a four-block radius. The proceeds from the tour charges are reinvested within the metropolis’s murals.
Purchasing close to the Tampa cruise port
The Publix GreenWise Market at Water Road Tampa is a 5-minute stroll from the cruise port and is ideal for last-minute necessities, drinks and snacks. Walgreens pharmacy and comfort retailer is one mile west of the port on W. Platt Road.
In case you’re concerned about looking for souvenirs close to the cruise port to convey house out of your time in Tampa, try the retail retailers at Sparkman Wharf, subsequent to the cruise port. For one more fabulous procuring space, go to Hyde Park Village. The Unlock Tampa Bay Customer Heart and Present Store is good for Tampa-branded souvenirs on North Franklin Road, lower than one mile northwest of the cruise port.
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