# Cruises from Tampa

Cruises from Tampa sail to Mexico and the Western Caribbean from downtown Port Tampa Bay. Compare Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity from $349.

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Cruises from Tampa depart downtown Port Tampa Bay for Mexico and the Western Caribbean year round. Carnival and Royal Caribbean sail weekly, joined seasonally by Norwegian and Celebrity. Fares run $349 to $1,200 per person for 4 to 7 nights, with the terminal a walk from the Riverwalk and streetcar.

## Key facts

- **Lines sailing from Tampa:** Carnival and Royal Caribbean year round, Norwegian and Celebrity in season
- **Typical fare range:** $349 to $1,200 per person for 4 to 7 nights
- **Parking:** About $17 per day in port garages, walkable from downtown hotels
- **Ship size note:** The Sunshine Skyway Bridge caps ship height, so Tampa hosts mid-size ships, which fans consider the port's charm

## Sailing from Port Tampa Bay, Terminals 2, 3 and 6

Tampa is Florida's western gateway, pointing ships straight at Cozumel, Grand Cayman and the Yucatan. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge keeps the megaships out, which locals treat as a feature: mid-size ships, manageable crowds, and a terminal embedded in a walkable downtown rather than an industrial waterfront.

Sailaway under the Skyway at sunset is one of the best departure views in American cruising. Routes are almost entirely Western Caribbean, so if your heart is set on the eastern islands, price Miami or Port Everglades instead, and our Florida hub compares all five ports side by side.

**Season:** Year round, heaviest October through April.

## Popular sailings

| Itinerary | Length | Line | From (pp) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cozumel quick escape | 4 nights | Carnival Cruise Line | $349 |
| Western Caribbean | 5 nights | Royal Caribbean | $449 |
| Cozumel, Belize and Grand Cayman | 7 nights | Norwegian Cruise Line | $629 |

## Parking

Port garages at each terminal charge about $17 per day. Downtown garages within a 15 minute walk can beat that on weekly rates, and several Channelside hotels bundle parking. Tampa is one of the few ports where staying downtown means you can walk or take the free streetcar to your ship.

## Where to stay the night before

Stay in Channelside or along the Riverwalk and the port is at your feet: the TECO streetcar stops beside Terminal 3. Marriott Water Street and the Channelside hotels are the closest beds to a gangway anywhere in Florida cruising.

## Cruise lines from Tampa

- Carnival Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean International
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Margaritaville at Sea

## Destinations served

- Cozumel
- Western Caribbean
- Grand Cayman
- Bahamas on select routes

## Frequently asked questions

### Why are there no giant new ships in Tampa?

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge at the mouth of Tampa Bay has about 180 feet of clearance, which the newest mega-ship classes exceed. Lines deploy their mid-size fleets here instead.

### How far is Tampa airport from the cruise terminals?

About 9 miles, a 15 to 20 minute ride. Rideshares run $20 to $30.

### When are Tampa cruises cheapest?

September and early December. 4 night Cozumel sailings drop into the mid $300s. Prices checked: August 2026.

## Related pages

- [Cruises from Florida](https://www.bookcruises.us/cruises-from-florida/)
- [Last minute cruise deals](https://www.bookcruises.us/last-minute-cruise-deals/)
- [What to wear on a cruise](https://www.bookcruises.us/what-to-wear-on-a-cruise/)

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