Though there are plenty of land based
activities in the city of Tampa
for travelers to enjoy – from the nearby beaches
to the Florida Aquarium to Busch Gardens, plenty of visitors
to the city never leave the shore. But its prime
position on the Florida coast has allowed Tampa to grow
into one of the most popular cruise ports in the entire
country. So much so that many travelers to the city
have come for this reason and this reason alone.
And whether you are going on an ever-popular Caribbean
cruise or across the Gulf of Mexico to destinations in
Central America, Tampa
cruises seem to leave around the clock. Though you
will not find many of the casino cruises that depart from
other Floridian ports, quite a few of the most luxurious
cruise lines now call the city home.
The western half of the Caribbean
is usually the preferred destination when going on one
of the many Tampa cruises. Most of the main cruise
lines are based out of the city – Carnival, Royal
Caribbean, Celebrity and Holland America all base their
Caribbean cruises out of Tampa. Each offer their
own variation on the standard Caribbean cruise –
the casual tropical ambiance, clear waters and nightly
entertainment can be found on pretty much every line.
Jamaica, the Cayman
Islands, and Eastern Mexico are frequent stopping points
for Tampa cruises. The majority of these cruises
last 7-10 days, though a handful can extend your stay
up to 17 nights. There are even a couple Tampa cruises
that pass through the Panama Canal en route to San
Diego, for those who wish to get a complete picture
of the Central American seas.
On the eastern side of the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas
and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands usually make their
way onto the itinerary, though these can sometimes originate
in Key West as well.
For those looking for cheap cruises from Tampa Florida, there are plenty of websites and travel agents that will help you find the most competitive price, though it is commonly assumed that if you are embarking upon a Caribbean cruise, that the cost is not much of a factor. Still, depending on the areas you wish to explore and the amount of time you choose to spend in the water, cheap cruises from Tampa Florida can be had. Discount cruise lines might not treat you quite as well when you are on board, but they will still drop you off at the same beautiful locations. Discount cruise lines might have lesser entertainment options, but you can always go enjoy the balmy evenings basking in the sea breeze.
But even if cheap cruises from Tampa Florida are not
too prominent, there are still plenty of affordable lines
that cater specifically to families and middle-class couples.
Romantic honeymoon cruises can be found in abundance here,
or if you are still unattached, singles cruises also disembark
from Tampa on a regular basis. One of the most unique
excursions would be Holland America’s cruise line
that connects Tampa with Venice,
Italy. So if you want to get a relaxing start
to your European vacation, you can spend almost three
weeks circumnavigating the Atlantic before a few preliminary
stops prior to one of Italy’s most prized cities.
No matter where you want to stop or how long you wish to extend your cruise, there is likely a Tampa cruise that will offer something to your liking.
