Tampa Cruises

If you are looking for a great vacation consider one of the magnificent Tampa cruises. 

Cruises are very cost efficient since they tend to be all inclusive. 

You simply pay for the cost of the cruise and that covers your food, lodging and entertainment.  

On the other hand if you were to fly directly to the destination city, the hotel and food costs alone could be the same as the price of the cruise. 

Another great aspect about taking a cruise is that you have the luxury of being able to visit several cities instead of only one. 

This is usually the case with cruises over 3 or 4 days. 

So it is almost like having 2 or 3 vacations into one. 

More bang for your buck, right?  

Later if you decide that you like one of the cities better than the others then you can fly directly there and spend your entire vacation there instead of going to different places. 

But, at least now you know which city that you enjoy the most because of the cruise. 

Tampa Cruises: Three Unique Choices

Tampa is home to one of the top cruise ports in the country.

The many activities in the Tampa area and the top notch airport has made this port one of the fastest growing in the nation.

Four vessels from three cruise lines sail out of the Port of Tampa.

These lines are Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line-Westours, and Royal Carribean International.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world.  These cruises, especially the shorter cruises, are very popular with families and young couples because of the wealth of activities on the ships.

The “Fun Ship” Inspiration sails from Tampa with 4 or 5 day cruises to the beautiful Western Carribean islands. 

If you are you looking for a slightly longer vacation, then the Carnival Legend has 7 day cruises to the Western and Eastern Carribean.

The ports of call for Carnival’s Tampa cruises currently include

• Cozumel, Mexico
• Belize
• Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
• Costa Maya, Mexico
• Calica

Please note that the ports of call change every so often.

Carnival Cruise Lines is located at Terminal 2 in the Port of Tampa next door to the Florida Aquarium. 

The address is 651 Channelside Dr.  Parking is available across the street in the parking garage.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International is the main competitor for Carnival Cruise Lines.  The two companies are somewhat like sports rivals.  Die hard Royal Carribbean supporters usually debate with Carnival fans over who has the best cruise line.

The Royal Caribbean cruises are known to be less of a party ship than Carnival but some claim that their service is better.

The Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas sails out of Tampa with 4, 5, 7, and 10 night Western and Eastern Carribean cruises.

The ports of call for Royal Caribbean Tampa cruises include

Western Caribbean

• Key West
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Yucatan (Progreso)
• Costa Maya, Mexico
• Belize City, Belize
• George Town, Grand Cayman
• Roatan, Honduras
• Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala

Eastern Caribbean

• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Phillipsburg, St Marteen
• Basseterre, St. Kitts
• St. Johns, Antigua
• Tortola, British Virgin Islands

These ports of call also change every so often.

The Grandeur of the Seas is located at Terminal 3 at the Port of Tampa.  Parking is located in the same parking garage with Terminal 2.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line is a premium cruise line that is a notch above the mainstream Tampa cruises, Royal Carribean and Carnival Cruise Lines. 

Onboard the ms Veendam ship you will find five-course menus with an extensive wine list.

The Culinary Arts Center program which is presented by Food & Wine magazine provides cooking classes and demonstrations onboard by award winning chefs.

There is also an onboard library with a coffee house environment powered by the New York Times called Explorations Café.

The ms Veendam sails from Tampa with 7, 8, 14, 15 and even 19 day itineraries, which sail from Tampa to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The ms Veendam ship has ports of call in the Western and Southern Carribean.  There are also ports of call along the way to San Diego on the 15 day cruise and to Vancouver on the 19 day cruise.

Holland America Line is located at Terminal 6 at the Port of Tampa at 1333 McKay St in downtown Tampa off of Channelside Dr.  Parking is located adjacent to the terminal.

So there you have it.  Three solid choices for Tampa cruises. 

With their all inclusive nature cruises are a fun and cost effective way to spend a vacation.

I have found cruises as cheap as $250 per person for a 4 day cruise.  For many places that would only get you 1 or 2 nights stay in a hotel! 

Granted you should be prepared to have extra money for additional fees, shore excursions, tips, spending money, etc.

However, with food throughout the day and night, dancing, swimming pools, and a magnificent view of the ocean, how can you go wrong with one of the Tampa cruises?

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