Tampa Port is the largest port in the state of Florida. It handles more than 50 million tons of cargo each year, it is home to more than 2,500 acres water, land, and deepwater industrial sites, and more than 900,000 cruise passengers made their way through the port in 2006 alone. In fact, Tampa Port is considered one of the nations fastest growing homeports. Cruise Lines from Tampa Florida include Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, and Royal Caribbean International. In addition to being the homeport for three of the world’s top cruise lines, Tampa Port offers the most direct route to Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. Tampa Port also has a main shipping channel depth of 43 feet and it is the closest full service U.S. port to the Panama Canal.
Cruise passengers choose cruise lines leaving from Tampa Florida for many reasons. Tampa Port is located in close proximity to the top-rated airport in the nation — Tampa International Airport. Tampa International Airport handles more than 40,000 passengers and 550 flights per day, and more than 17 million passengers walk through its terminals, served by all major carriers and providing daily service to over 60 cities. Cruise lines from Tampa Florida are also popular for the level of customer service – as noted through thousands of passenger reviews and well-respected cruise reviews websites. Tampa Port features customer-friendly information areas, and full passenger amenities such as on terminal parking for around $12 per day, valet services, top-notch security, and convenience to the interstate highway system. Not only this, but passengers opting for cruise lines leaving from Tampa Florida can enjoy an abundance of sightseeing, and shopping in and around Tampa Florida before boarding.
Passengers will find world-class shopping in the immediate area as well as museums, zoos, Busch Gardens, and the historic Ybor City. If passengers decide to fly in a day early, there are many luxury hotels located nearby as well as the ever-evolving Channelside. Channelside is a festive complex featuring dining, shopping and IMAX cinema located steps from the Tampa Port’s cruise terminals. Channelside’s outdoor plaza also features live music and it is also adjacent to the Florida Aquarium!
For passengers planning to stay in Tampa for several days before setting sail from Tampa Port, there are several famous attractions near Channelside as well including the Museum of Science and Industry, Busch Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo, and Raymond James Stadium — home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Orlando and its beautiful beaches are also only an hour away.
Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, and Royal Caribbean Interntaional, offer 4-day, 5-day, 7-day, and 14-day cruise itineraries. Carnival Legend has 7-day cruises to the Western Caribbean; Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas features 4-day and 5-day cruises to Mexico and Central America; and Holland America Lines’ Veendam features 7-day and 14-day Western and Southern Caribbean, and Mexico itineraries.
The 7-day Western Caribbean cruise typically stops in Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan Island. The 14-day Southern Caribbean cruise typically stops in Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, Roseau, Bridgetown, St George’s, Isla de Margarita, Bonaire, Oranjestad, and Grand Cayman.