Overview Tampa is located on the west coast of the US state of Florida. Because it is located along the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa is a popular choice for a Caribbean cruise departure port. In fact, the majority of cruises leaving from Tampa are Caribbean cruises. Offering numerous beaches and theme parks to go along with generally hot weather, Tampa is also a nice choice for a pre- and/or post-cruise land package stay.
Summers in Tampa are hot, with a typical high daily temperature in the low 90s °F, with high humidity. In the winter the daily high temperature is usually around 70 °F. The Tampa Bay area is known as the "Lightning Capital of North America," as thunderstorms are quite common during the summer.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Tampa, Florida:
Caribbean (Eastern & Western)
Panama Canal
Tourist Attractions There are quite a few popular landmarks in Tampa. For instance, there is the Tampa Theatre, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
Tampa has over 165 parks and beaches within its city limits. There are also quite a few theme parks in the Tampa area. Among them are Busch Gardens Africa, Adventure Island and the Florida Aquarium. Lowry Park Zoo, another popular attraction in the area, features 2,000 animals on 56 acres of beautiful natural habitats.
Ybor City is a lively historic neighborhood in Tampa that features shopping, museums, dining and entertainment. This area is also a very popular night spot, as there is a lot to do there once it turns dark. Ybor City is also known as Tampa's Latin Quarter.
There are a few professional sports teams that are based in Tampa. For instance, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Major League Baseball) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) both make their homes in Tampa.
Downtown Tampa has quite a few skyscrapers, including the Sun-Trust building and the Bank of America building.
Port Location & Parking Fees Tampa International Airport is about 15 miles from the Port of Tampa, with a 20 minute travel time between them. All travel times and distances are estimates, with travel times being subject to traffic conditions at the time of travel.
Taxis are available at the airport to take you to the pier. Another option is to purchase ground transfers through the cruise line.
Address:
Tampa Port Authority
1101 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
Parking Fees (subject to change):
$10 per day. Advance reservations are not required.
