tampa fl cruise port address

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Tampa Cruise Port Terminals: Ultimate Guide for Port Tampa Bay

If you’re going on a cruise out of Tampa and need some helpful advice about the Tampa cruise port, we’ve got you covered.

This cruise port currently serves cruise passengers sailing on Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises.

Here is everything you need to know about Port Tampa Bay and some tips to help make your embarkation day as easy and smooth as possible.

We’ll start with the gritty details about directions, cruise parking, hotels, and various other information that you should know while making your plans. We’ll even provide some help in getting from the Tampa International Airport to the cruise terminal.

Info About Cruise Terminals

Port Tampa Bay has three terminals for cruise ships. All three have ample parking nearby, complete with valet services available through the port’s official parking vendor, Carpark. Located nearby, and within walking distance from terminal #3 and #6 are the Sparkman Wharf and The Florida Aquarium.

The cruise terminal you sail from will depend on which cruise line you’re traveling with. You should always check with your cruise line to make sure which terminal they are using for your cruise.

• Terminal #2 : Carnival Cruise Line
• Terminal #3 : Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International
• Terminal #6: Various cruise lines

Port Tampa Bay is located at 1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602. However, each terminal has its own address, so if you are driving directly to the terminal it is important to know what address to use in your GPS or map program.

• Cruise Terminal 2: 651 Channelside Drive (Parking Garage is at 810 Channelside Drive)
• Cruise Terminal 3: 815 Channelside Drive (Parking Garage is at 810 Channelside Drive)
• Cruise Terminal 6: 1333 McKay Street (Self-Parking Lot is at the same address)

If you have any questions about any of the terminals you can call 813-905-7678 or call toll free at 800-741-2297

Port Facilities

The Port Tampa Bay offers a 75-minute Educational Harbor Tours for passengers free of charge on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. You must make reservations for the tour in advance by calling 813-905-7678.

Visit the port’s website for more information.

When it comes to official port parking , many ports will charge an outrageous amount ($20 per day and up), simply because of the convenience. This will often force people to look for parking elsewhere so they can save money.

Port Tampa Bay parking is one of the few exceptions to this. Their standard rate for parking is $15 per day, with a flat upgrade of $20 for valet parking. If you have an oversized vehicle, the port charges double the standard rate.

You can pre-pay for parking online as well. Simply visit the port’s webpage on Tampa cruise parking , select the cruise line you’re sailing on, select the date of your departure and you will have 3 options. You can choose self-parking, valet parking, or oversized vehicles parking. Since you selected your particular cruise the system knows how many days you need to pay for. As mentioned earlier it’s a flat rate of $15 per day but sometimes there are promotional rates.

Of course you don’t have to pre-pay for your parking. You can also just show up at the port and pay there, just in case you totally forgot that little detail in the cruise planning process.

Parking is free for the disabled (including disabled veterans) as the following conditions are met:

• Foot and hand control modifications
• Wheelchair lift and ramp
• Disabled Veterans license plate with vehicle registration

Other Off-site Parking Options

Although Port Tampa Bay has some of the best official parking rates, it can weigh a little heavy on some budgets. Therefore, here are a few other parking options near the cruise port that could possibly let your wallet breathe a little easier. Some of these parking lots are so close to the port you can practically walk to your cruise terminal.

Park 4 Cruise

http://park4cruise.com/ | 800-720-9150 | 1016 Channelside Drive

Park 4 Cruise offers parking that is very close to the port of Tampa. The Orange Lot, which is adjacent to all three cruise terminals, is as low as $10.50 per day (plus 7% sales tax and a $4 processing fee). This parking lot is practically on the premises of the port itself, being less than a quarter mile away. Their website says they are only 300 steps to the terminals from their parking lots, so that’s hard to beat. They will also shuttle you for free to and from the Tampa cruise terminal.

241 Car Services

https://241parking.com | 877-886-1583 | 122 Channelside Drive

241 Car Services are located as close to the cruise terminals as the port’s official parking lots and at much cheaper rates. Depending on your ship and the length of your cruise, you’re looking at paying roughly $7 to $9 per day, including tax and a $5 service fee.

They will also provide you with free shuttle service and luggage assistance and will give you a free car wash while you’re gone.

Park Connect

https://www.myparkconnect.com/ | 813-334-1303 | 107 N 11th St

Just .3 miles from the Channelside Bay cruise terminal in Tampa, Park Connect has no hidden-fees in their pricing. The cost is $10 per day plus tax and again, there are no service fees. Park Connect offers covered parking areas, free cancellation up to 24-hours before your cruise and an easy to user interface for pre-paying for parking.

Getting to Port Tampa Bay

No matter how you plan to arrive into Tampa, you need a way to get to the port. Driving yourself is easy enough, you just have to find a place to park.

However, if you’re not driving, there are other various ways to get to the port, especially if you’re flying into the Tampa airport.

Getting to the Tampa Bay Port from Tampa International Airport

The cruise port is only 10 miles from the airport and is one of the easiest and most accessible cruise ports in the US. The trip will take 17-20 minutes depending on traffic

While there are taxis available in Tampa, they often charge a flat $30 and up for the short ride from the airport to Port Tampa Bay. If pinching pennies is your preference, consider, instead, using a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft.

Booking a ride is as simple as downloading the app and choosing a driver. The estimated cost for Uber or Lyft is about $17-$21. But keep in mind that is just an esimate based on the time of the writing of this article.

Cruise Line Transfers

For the sake of convenience, many cruise lines will offer transfers for their passengers from the Tampa airport. Although this is a great service, it can get expensive if you’re traveling with a lot of people. Also, your shuttle is only going to be available on cruise day, so if you fly in the day before you’ll have to seek alternate means of transportation.

Traveling from Orlando

If you live in Orlando, or you decide to fly into Orlando instead and go visit one of the various parks there before your cruise, getting to Tampa for your cruise can be tricky as the two cities are roughly 90 miles apart.

For this we recommend getting a one-way car rental. You should be able to find rates as low as $50-$60 for a car.

If cheaper airfare is the reason you’re considering flying into Orlando, factor in the extra transportation costs between Orlando and Tampa. $100 or more on rental cars (round trip) could end up costing you more than flying into Tampa.

Park & Cruise Hotels Nearby

For those of you that prefer having an extra day or two buffer before or after your cruise, you’re in luck because there are several hotels nearby that offer cruise packages, free parking, or free shuttle service.

Tahitian Inn Café & Spa

601 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa FL 33609 | 5 miles from cruise port

This hotel features a “park and cruise” package that gives you free shuttle to and from the cruise port, up to 2 weeks of free parking, and a 10% discount at the hotel spa. Be sure to let them know at check-in that you wish to use their free shuttle service to reserve your seat.

Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown

1301 E 7 th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 | 1 mile from cruise port

Along with a free hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, if you book this hotel’s Park and Cruise package, you’ll receive free roundtrip transportation to the cruise port, as well as parking for up to 7 days.

Residence Inn by Marriott Tampa Downtown

101 E Tyler St, Tampa, FL 33602 | 1.5 miles from cruise port

Residence Inn’s “Fly Here, Cruise There” package provides guests with shuttle service from the hotel to the cruise port, along with free internet and breakfast. This package accommodates 2 people. Additional passengers will cost an extra $10 each.

Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District

1700 E 9 th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 | 1.5 miles from the cruise port

While staying at this hotel you will enjoy free access to the hotel’s fitness center and various other amenities. They do not have a specific cruise package, but they do offer free parking, as well as a free shuttle to anywhere within a 3 mile radius, which includes the cruise port.

Top Things to Do in Tampa

If you’d like to do some sightseeing before you ship out, go out to dinner, or visit an attraction or two, Tampa certainly does not disappoint. Although Orlando may be the tourist and theme park hot spot, Tampa has a few things up its sleeves as well.

Restaurants

The city of Tampa has over 2,000 restaurants in and around downtown Tampa, offering a variety of cuisines and menus to satisfy any one’s culinary cravings. Here are just a few of the tops ones we think you should check out before leaving on your cruise.

Columbia Restaurant

Located in the heart of the Ybor city district where you’ll find a large Latin community is the Columbia Restaurant. They have been in business since 1905 and they make a mean Cuban sandwich on fresh Cuban bread.

Fourth Street Shrimp Store

If seafood is your style, come on over to the Fourth Street Shrimp Store. Originally just a shrimp store, over the years since it first opened in 1984 it has evolved into one of the best seafood restaurants in Tampa Bay.

Eddie & Sam’s NY Pizza

Featuring the best New York style pizzas anywhere other than New York is Eddie & Sam’s, located on Twiggs St in Tampa. They even use water shipped directly from New York to make the dough more authentic.

Cappys Pizzeria

The only pizza restaurant that can possibly rival Eddie & Sam’s is Cappys, offering the best in both New York style and Chicago deep dish, as well as a variety of salads and subs.

The Brunchery

Take an extra day to sleep in a little bit and enjoy being on vacation. When you wake up, head on over to the Brunchery located in South Tampa. There you’ll find the best in comfort food, including steak and eggs, Belgian waffles, French toast, and so much more.

The Refinery

If you have severe allergies and need a menu that’s gluten-free, you can either go to The Columbia for their gluten-free options, or try out The Refinery. Here the menu changes every week, so you’ll always be able to get something different. And on the menu each week are tasty gluten-free options.

Attractions in Tampa

Along with tasty restaurants, Tampa has plenty of attractions to offer. You won’t want to miss out on any of these, so plan your trip accordingly so you can experience as much as you want.

Busch Gardens Tampa

Anyone who’s ever been to a Busch Gardens knows just how much fun it is. You get to visit some of your favorite countries within the park and each one provides different cultural elements to enjoy. The Tampa Bay Busch Gardens features various countries found in Africa, such as Egypt, Morocco, Nairobi, and so much more.

Additionally, you’ll find some of the best theme park rides here, including the SheiKra, which is only located at the Tampa Bay Busch Gardens. This 200-foot tall floorless dive coaster provides an extreme thrill for anyone willing and able.

Sparkman Wharf

Located within walking distance from the cruise terminals is Sparkman Wharf. Here you will find all you could ever want in dining and shopping, as well as an open-air biergarten that includes over 24 taps of Florida craft beer, all with a breathtaking waterfront view.

The Florida Aquarium

Also within walking distance of the port (on the other side) is the Florida Aquarium for anyone fascinated by underwater creatures. Visit a large variety of animal habitats from otters, sharks, and octopuses, to seahorses and turtles. They house many exhibits, a splash pad for the kids, and a 4-D theater.

Henry B. Plant Museum

Henry B. Plant was the mastermind behind building the Tampa railway system in the 1800s. This, along with the port, helped Tampa to grow into the bustling metropolis that it is today. He also built the Tampa Bay Hotel, which is now the University of Tampa’s Plant Hall, where the museum is located.

If you’re looking for another great place for the family that’s educational and filled with animals, come over to the ZooTampa at Lowry Park. If you come on the weekend, at 1pm you can stand eye-to-eye with a giraffe and feed them some lettuce. You can also visit a variety of other animals, all safely behind glass enclosures.

Planning your next cruise doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Understanding the city you’ll be traveling to and the logistics involved will give you a great start to making trip planning as painless as possible.

Luckily, transportation, parking, and lodging is very easy to find here, and won’t cost you too much (depending on the options you go with). Additionally, Tampa is filled with rich history, dining, and entertainment for anyone in your group to experience and enjoy. Plan to stay for an extra day or two so you can enjoy as much as can before shipping out on your cruise.

Learn the cruise secrets most people don't know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)

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Where is the Port of Tampa Bay?

Please verify cruising intinerary for cruise terminal. 

Port of Tampa Bay, Terminal 2: 651 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida 33602

Port of Tampa Bay, Terminal 3: 815 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida 33602

Royal Caribbean Directions to Tampa, Florida Cruise Terminal:

From Tampa International Airport (10 miles):

• Exit the Airport and follow signs to I-275 North.
• I-275 merges with I-4 East.
• Take I-4 East to Exit #1 (Ybor City).
• Go south on 21st Street, turn right on Adamo Drive (Hwy 60).
• Turnleft (south) on Channelside Drive.
• Cruise Terminal 3 main entrance is approximately 5 blocks South on Channelside Drive.
• Entrance is on the left at Cumberland Street.
• In the event of a last minute change in pier assignments, signage will indicate the assigned terminal for your particular ship.

Parking Information

A parking garage is located at 810 Channelside Drive, across the street from Terminal 3. The parking fee is approximately $15 per day (subject to change), and is payable upon entry into the parking area in the form of cash or credit card. For additional parking information please call (813) 905-7678.

* All rates and prices are subject to change.

** Royal Caribbean is not responsible for theft or damage to vehicles.

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Tampa Cruise Port Terminal information

Last updated on January 21st, 2024 at 08:44 pm

Tampa's cruise terminal, located near downtown, offers a convenient departure point for cruises to the Caribbean and beyond. Explore the city's rich history, visit cultural attractions, and enjoy the waterfront ambiance before setting sail from this vibrant departure point.

Tampa Port Authority is located at 1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL

This is a smaller Florida port, making parking , embarkation and debarkation relatively easy. There are also many local hotels which offer cruise packages or shuttles to the port.

The only potential negative about cruising from Tampa is the potential for fog which may delay ships leaving or returning to port. Tampa’s “fog season” runs from December to February.

Cruises From Tampa

Cruising finally resumed from Tampa in October 2021 with Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas!

A number of major cruise lines depart from the Port of Tampa to various destinations in the Caribbean. These include:

• Carnival Cruises

• Royal Caribbean

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Celebrity Cruises

Tampa Cruise Terminal

•  the Florida Aquarium and Sparkman Wharf shopping, dining and entertainment area is located on either side of the cruise terminal.
• Parking located directly across from terminal at 810 Channelside Drive

Terminal 3 

• Within walking distance to the Tampa Aquarium and Sparkman Wharf shopping area.
• Parking garage is across the street at 810 Channelside Drive.

Terminal 6 

This recently-renovated terminal is located a short distance from terminals 2 and 3. Parking is located onsite at 1333 McKay Street.

Cruise Parking in Tampa

Weather in Tampa

September to December is the best time to visit Tampa, with pleasant weather and better deals on accommodations. May to August is the peak period, but the weather can be quite hot. January and April is much cooler, although hotel prices tend to be higher than the rest of the year.

Hotels Near Tampa Cruise Port

See Excursions in Tampa

Port Tampa Bay at Seatrade_2019 from Port Tampa Bay on Vimeo .

This page contains affiliate links for which we may receive financial compensation when a purchase has been made through one of our affiliate partners.

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Tampa Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking

Port Tampa Bay Terminal #3 815 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida 33602

Google Maps : View Map Website :  www.porttb.com

Parking Information Rates are subject to change.

• Covered Parking Garage with 24/7 surveillance
• Reserve online and pay in advance
• Advance reservations are not required 
• Full payment due upon entering the garage 
• Accepted forms of payment: U.S Dollars; Visa; MasterCard; American Express; The Discover Card
• Disabled Parking is available
• Oversized vehicles will be charged per space, per day 
• Maximum height of vehicles allowed into the garage is 7'2"; vehicles exceeding this height or requiring more than one parking space are required valet park in the ‘Oversized Vehicle Lot’.

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5 Easy Ways to Get to the Tampa Cruise Port (Port Transportation)

If you’re flying into Tampa to take your cruise, you can’t start your vacation without getting to the cruise terminal first! Below we have all the information you need to get to the Tampa port by Uber, Lyft, taxi, or shuttle.

Before getting too far, however, it’s helpful to understand where the Port of Tampa is in relation to the airport and city. The Port of Tampa (lower right) is roughly 10 miles from the Tampa airport and right near downtown:

The port’s official address is 1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida, 33602 if you wish to map your route using GPS. It’s about 10 miles from Tampa International Airport.

If you are parking for your cruise, click here for more info on all your options .

Getting to the the Tampa Cruise Port Without a Car

If you’re flying into the Tampa airport, it’s very easy to get back and forth to the cruise port. In our opinion, the two best options are a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, or to take a taxi. Both are fairly convenient.

Uber/Lyft (Recommended)

If you are familiar with rideshare companies, then you’ll be happy to know that both Uber and Lyft operate in the Tampa area. If you don’t know these companies, they operate a service where you can request rides around a city from your smartphone. The entire transaction takes place through the phone — from requesting a ride to paying.

Uber/Lyft are a great option whether you are coming from the airport or anywhere else around town as they offer service in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, and surrounding areas. Thus, if you are staying in an area hotel or want to explore the city, you can get a ride to spots other than the port.

You’ll likely find that Uber/Lyft also offer cheaper fares than taxis and potentially better service than most taxis. For example, Lyft estimates a ride from the Tampa airport to the cruise port would run $25-30 . Considering taxis charge a $35 flat fee from the airport to the cruise port, rideshare services are a cheaper deal.

That’s why we would have to favor using Uber or Lyft over a taxi if we were needing transportation to the Tampa cruise port. Here are a number of estimated costs from points around the area to the cruise port…

Estimated costs to the cruise port from select points:

• Tampa International Airport: $25-30
• Orlando International Airport: $100-120
• St. Petersburg: $35-40
• Ybor City: $8-12
• Disney World: $70-80
• Lakeland: $35-45
• Clearwater: $35-42
• Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa: $15-20

Of course, while Uber and Lyft have taken a bite out of their business, taxi cabs aren’t extinct. They are also a decent option on getting from the airport to the cruise port, or from other points around town.

The ride is short (less than 10 miles, or about 15-20 minutes) and the fare is very reasonable. Taxicabs leaving the Tampa airport have a set rate of $35 from the airport to the cruise port. Given that several people can ride for this amount, taxis are a reasonably convenient way to get to your cruise.

You can also call a cab from points all around town, such as if you are staying in an area hotel. 

Cruise Line Transfers

The cruise lines will offer transfers from the Tampa airport to the cruise port, however, they can be expensive. For example, Carnival charges $24.99 for each person , one way, for a shuttle between the the airport and cruise port. So a family of four would spend $200 round-trip, just to go about 10 miles each way.

Meanwhile, you are on the shuttle’s schedule, can only go directly from the airport to the cruise port, and it is only available on the day of your cruise. If you come in a day early, you can’t use the cruise line shuttle.

For that reason, we recommend other forms of transportation.

Public Transportation

Want to get to the port without spending a bundle? If you are in the right spot you can get to your ship with public transportation.

Tampa has the TECO Streetcar System . This route offers rides on a retro trolley car, running from Ybor City down Channelside Drive (where the terminals are located) to the edge of downtown Tampa. The great news is that the trolley runs seven days a week from early in the morning until late at night, and it’s free to ride . (There are a number of hotels near trolley stops as well .)

Unfortunately, this is the only route that runs right near the port. You can make connections at the Whiting Street Station from other routes throughout the city to the TECO Streetcar, but we’ll be honest: unless you are familiar with the area or staying directly on the streetcar route, you’ll likely want to just pay for the convenience of getting a ride to the cruise port.

Cruise Hotel Shuttles (Recommended if Staying in the Area)

One way that some hotels in Tampa compete for cruise passenger business is by offering rides to the cruise port.

The premise is simple — book at a hotel with a shuttle (often there is a cruise package you can reserve) and you’ll get your night’s stay plus a ride to the cruise port in the morning.

It makes things very simple and takes the headache out of figuring out transportation on cruise day. Keep in mind that the packages usually cost extra compared to just booking the normal base hotel rate.

You can see our list of Tampa hotels with cruise shuttles here . In addition, there are a number of hotels also listed that are near the free TECO Streetcar line that goes right by the ports.

Getting from Orlando to the Tampa Cruise Port

It may be that you find cheaper fares into Orlando International Airport, or maybe you want to visit Orlando attractions while you’re in the area. Whatever the case, there are many people who need to get from the Orlando area to the Tampa port.

What most cruise passengers don’t realize is that the two cities are about 90 miles (1.5 hours) apart. For that reason, there aren’t a lot of options to get back and forth.

Uber and Lyft will provide rides for about $100-120 each way.  There are some private car options, but the long drive makes them expensive. As well, taxis will run hundreds of dollars round-trip.

The best option we’ve found is a one-way car rental . We’ve found rates of about $70 one-way (and sometimes cheaper). If you’re needing a ride back, then you’ll need to book round-trip. As well, you will need to pay for cruise parking in Tampa for the rental during your cruise. ( You can search Kayak for car rentals here .)

You’ll want to keep this expense in mind when selecting flights. While it might be cheaper to fly into Orlando, the extra transportation cost could make a costlier flight to Tampa worth it.

More on Cruising From Tampa

Getting to the Port of Tampa  — Transportation options from airports and the area to the cruise port. Everything you need to know to get to the port and start your vacation.

Tampa Cruise Parking — Parking at the port? We’ve got you covered with all your parking options, including costs and discounts.

Tampa Park and Cruise Hotels — If you plan to stay in the area the night before your cruise, look at this list of hotels that offer cruise parking with a one-night stay.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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Wondering how to get to the port from Palm Harbor. Uber, lyft and taxis of course but any other options?

Where does Lift or Uber pick you up at the port? Is there a designated area? We need a ride home once we return from our cruise

I have a friend dropping me off for Celebrity, all cruises share same terminal?

There are several terminals. When you arrive, you’ll be able to see the ship and just head toward it for drop-off. Tampa doesn’t have too many terminals, so it shouldn’t be difficult.

Is their a shuttle service company that will take you from orlando international airport to the port of tampa and how much and how can I get in touch with them?

Hmm, not that we’ve heard of. We’d suggest getting in touch with companies that offer car service like a limo company in Orlando. Often they have other cars (not just limos) and will take you anywhere you want to go.

We use to take Supershuttle to the cruise port and TPA for a low price but we just got notice that they are going out of business at the end of the year December 31st, 2019. We are going on a cruise out of Port of Tampa on Jan 6th, 2020. I guess we will have to use Lyft or Uber now as it doesn’t look like any company decided to take over in the Tampa area where Supershuttle used to service.

Uber and Lyft are pretty easy to use and shouldn’t be that expensive.

We are flying into Tampa and cruising out of Tampa. We are arriving the day before our cruise but will be on a flight that’s coming in real late on a Friday night. What’s our best means of transportation to get to a hotel. Hoping to stay in one near the port.

We’d suggest getting an Uber/Lyft or Taxi.

What is cheapest transportation from Tampa cruise port to St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport?

We’d check out Uber or Lyft.

Is a taxi rate the same from the port to Tampa airport? Readily available or need to reserve? I found a shuttle service that can be reserved for $22. We have a 4PM flight so plenty of time to get there. Not sure the latest we can get off the ship.

Bev, what is the name of that shuttle service, please?

We are arriving the day before our cruise so we will be in a hotel (Harborside Suites in Ruskin, FL). We Uber here in VA alot. Debating whether to Uber from hotel to cruise ship. Three of us.

That’s what we would use personally.

Bajo del crucero y desde ahi quiero ir a miami Como viajo?

Renting a car is your best option. You could also rent a private driver to take you there.

We are planning to come to Tampa Florida and we would like to take a cab from the airport to Port of Tampa, we are planning to book a taxi and we have made a prearrangement pickup with Tampa Taxi Service , we would like to know what is your thought about it or if there is any additional option from the Airport. Thank you.

We don’t know anything specific about that company, but a taxi from the airport to the cruise port is perfectly fine. In fact, there is likely no need to pre-arrange. Just go tot the taxi line and let them know you want to go to the port when you arrive. Should be a flat fee of $28. Uber/Lyft might be a little cheaper, but it won’t be much.

There are four of us going on a cruise from Port of Tampa. Because of the flat-fee taxi service, is it cheaper to take a taxi? I have used both Uber and Lyft, but it’s usually by myself or with one other person, so I don’t know if they charge per mile, per person, or flat rate.

The taxi runs $28 flat fee. Lyft estimates it to be about $20. With Uber and Lyft you are paying per car, not per person. So they are about the same, with a cab being slightly more. However, it’s not a big difference.

I have my family of 7 going on a cruise in March is better to Uber between two cars or arrange transportation for all 7 of us together to get to the port from the airport.

That’s a tough one. You might try a shuttle service that lets you rent a van to see what the cost would be. Otherwise, two Uber cars won’t be too expensive.

Ride cheap but tip good because we are not slave.We drive for those companies because we are unemployed and need to pay our bills or we get homeless.

I thought lift was running more expensive than Uber. But in your article it looks like lift is cheaper?

It really depends, but usually they are around the same. Sometimes they run specials, discount the rates, offer sign-up bonuses for new customers, etc. Whatever the difference, it won’t be dramatic.

We are looking to get 24 people from Zephyrhills to the port of Tampa: any bus companies you would suggest?

Linda, since we’ve never personally used any of the bus services, we can’t recommend anyone specific. However, with that many people, you should be able to get a decent deal on a per person basis. Enjoy your cruise!

We are coming off a cruise at Fort Lauderdale port and need to join another cruise at the Tampa Port on the same day. Please let us know the most cost efficient way to get there.

That’s a tough one. The ports are about 250 miles apart (4 hours). We’d suggest getting in touch with a private car service to see what they would charge. You could also see about one-way car rentals from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa.

We need a ride from New Port Richey to the Tampa Cruise Port Terminal. What companies would provide such a service?

You might look into either rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or private car services.

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Cruise Terminal #6 - Port of Tampa

813-241-1803, porttb.com/cruise-terminal-6.

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Tampa Cruise Port

The Tampa cruise terminal is located on the channel downtown, close to Ybor City. It is about five miles from Tampa International Airport. There's a lot to see and do around the Tampa cruise port complex.

Tampa Port officials have worked with the community to develop a lively downtown waterfront. An entertainment complex called Sparkman Wharf is a short walk from the Tampa cruise terminals. It offers entertainment and restaurants in a comfortable water-side atmosphere. The Florida Aquarium is between the cruise terminals, home to over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world.

The video above provides an aerial view of the Tampa cruise port. It's just 3 minutes and interesting.

There are several hotels near the Tampa cruise port for your use before or after a trip.

A parking garage for cruise terminals 2 and 3 is at 810 Channelside Drive. Parking for terminal 6 is located next to the terminal.

Tampa Cruise Parking information.

Driving directions: Take I-275 to exit 44. Follow N Tampa Street to S Franklin Street. Turn Left onto Channelside Drive. Parking garage on the left.

You certainly don't have to rent a car. Other Tampa airport to cruise port transportation options like taxis and shuttles are available.

Enjoy your cruise from the Tampa Cruise Terminal.

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Tampa (Florida)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-05-27 12:00

Port Tampa cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Tampa, Florida. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Tampa Bay Cruise Port is on Florida's western coast. The city of Tampa is approx 85 mi (140 km) from Orlando City /Port Canaveral to the west, via Highway I-4E (~1,5 hours drive distance). Regency Cruises and HAL-Holland America Line were the first companies to start homeporting/roundtrip voyages from Tampa (in the 1980s). CCL-Carnival Cruise Line started homeporting operations in 1994 with MS Tropicale (1982-built/2021- scrapped ).

Two bridges spanning Old Tampa Bay - Gandy Bridge (1924-opened, carrying highway 92) and Howard Frankland Bridge (1960-opened, carrying highway I-275) directly connect Tampa to St Petersburg .

Tampa is a port city in Florida USA (Hillsborough County) with population around 390,000. The Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater Metro by population (around 3,2 million) is Florida's second-largest - after Miami - Fort Lauderdale - West Palm Beach Metro (around 6,14 million). Tampa is on the Mexican Gulf and is one of the Tampa Bay Area's main cities - together with St Petersburg and Clearwater.

Cross-Bay ferries serve the Tampa-St Petersburg route seasonally (October-November thru May) since 2016.

• In Tampa, the boats depart from Tampa Convention Center's dock, while in St Petersburg, they leave from North Straub Park's dock (near Vinoy Marina).
• Departures from St Petersburg are on Wednesdays and Thursdays (at 4:45 pm), on Fridays and Saturdays (at 10 am), and on Sundays (at 11 am).
• Departures from Tampa are on Wednesdays and Thursdays (at 10:45 pm), on Fridays and Saturdays (at 11 pm) and on Sundays (at 7:30 pm).
• As of 2023, Cross-Bay Ferry adult ticket prices were US$12 pp per one-way crossing. Youths, college students, seniors, people with disabilities and active/retired military personnel receive discounted tickets.
• In 2022, on the Tampa-Petersburg route was deployed the twin-hull catamaran Provincetown III (2004-built, IMO 9329394) which has max passenger capacity 149 and average speed 30 mph/50 kph.

The Cross-Bay ferry service is a public-private partnership between the counties Pinellas and Hillsborough and HMS Ferries Inc (part of HMS Global Maritime (1994-founded as Hornblower Marine Services, based in New Albany, Indiana).

Tampa cruise port

The Port is approx 24 km (15 mi) from Tampa Airport (~20 min drive distance) and very close yo downtown. The Port's 3 cruise terminals (all located on Harbour Island) are near large-capacity parking garages. The nearest highway is Lee Roy Selmon Expressway (running along the port's northern border).

Popular tourist attractions in close proximity to the cruise port include Channelside Bay Plaza (shops, bars, restaurants, hotels), Florida Aquarium (1995-opened, floor area 250,000 ft2/23000 m2), Ybor City (1880s-founded historic neighborhood/aka Cigar City), Busch Gardens Tampa (1959-opened, African-themed amusement park owned by SeaWorld Entertainment Inc).

According to local business studies, a 3000-passenger cruiser generates ~USD 334,000 in onshore spending (crew and tourists) per visit in the homeport city. Recent leisure project developments resulted in new dining, shopping, accommodation and entertainment options.

Tampa is one of the USA's most popular homeports for liners deployed in the Western Caribbean. The largest companies homeporting in Tampa are CCL-Carnival , RCI-Royal Caribbean , HAL-Holland America , NCL-Norwegian .

Port's cruising season runs from November thru April. In 2014 were handled a total of 888,343 cruise passengers via 198 ship calls.

In 2017, Port Tampa for the first time handled ~1 million cruisers. The number was impressive, considering Sunshine Skyway Bridge's height limitations (180 ft / 55 m) and the strong competition from larger and better positioned around Florida ports.

Besides the Skyway Bridge's height limitation, the cruise port also has a navigation issue as it is prone to fog. Larger ships also experience difficulties in maneuvering due to the Port's shallow waters and narrow channels.

Carnival ships here have passenger capacity between 1000 and 2600, and generally operate on Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries. Port's strategy is not homeporting mega-ships, but rather attracting smaller and recently refurbished vessels with itineraries to easy-to-reach destinations.

In 2017-Q1 (winter season) the port handled 239,301 passengers (3% increase over 2016-Q1). The number of homeported cruise liners increased to 7 (from 5 in 2016). One of the new boats based here for turnarounds/roundtrips was RCI's Empress of the Seas - which itineraries also visited Havana Cuba (starting April 2017). In 2017, the cruise port handled a total of 961,000 passengers. Also in 2017 was signed with RCI a 5-year agreement (optional 2 more years). It guaranteed min passenger numbers, while RCI spent ~USD 2 million in Terminal 6 upgrades.

In 2017, Holland America's MS Oosterdam replaced in Tampa the smaller MS Ryndam (now Celestyal Journey) . Another newly refurbished and upgraded boat returning for homeporting was Carnival Pride (starting January 2017), after nearly 3 years (in 2016 was homeported in Baltimore ).

In 2017, Carnival announced adding cruises from Tampa to Cuba to its 2017-2018 Caribbean program scheduled for Carnival Paradise (starting June 2017).

In 2018, Carnival Miracle started from Tampa year-round 7-day roundtrips. On September 22-23, 2018, Port Tampa Bay celebrated its 1 millionth cruise passenger. Another record was the Easter weekend (Mar 31 - Apr 1) when the cruise port handled 29,167 passengers on multiple ship calls.

Port Tampa cruise ship schedule includes roundtrips the whole year-round. The most common are the 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Key West Florida , Roatan Island Honduras , Cozumel Mexico , Costa Maya Mexico , Grand Cayman Island .

In February 2023 was officially opened the new cruise ship crew-exclusive facility Hookers Point Tampa Seafarer's Center. The facility is at Cruise Terminal 3 and provides Wi-Fi Internet and phones. The Seafarer's Center has a convenience store (selling snacks, travel essentials, toiletries, etc) and is generally used for handling (sending/receiving) packages and mail.

In 2023, ACL-American Cruise Lines included Key West as a call port of its 7-night/8-day "Florida Gulf Coast and Keys" itinerary. The roundtrip from Tampa was specifically designed for ACL's newbuild catamarans (Coastal Cats) and was first operated by American Glory in 2023.

On this ACL ex-Florida voyage, on days 3 and 4 the ship stays in Key West overnight. This allows tourists to explore Key West City on Day 3 (with a complimentary guided tour to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum) and the Dry Tortugas National Park on Day 4 (visiting Fort Jefferson/Civil War prison)

Port Tampa Bay

Port Tampa Bay is ranked Florida state's largest port. The seaport is located close to downtown Tampa (Channel District) and is accessed directly from Tampa Bay. The port is approx 46 km (30 mi) from Gulf of Mexico. Port Tampa Bay has capacity to serve world's largest container carriers , tankers and cruise liners .

In 2013, the port Tampa was ranked USA's 16th largest (by domestic trade tonnage), 32nd largest (by foreign cargo tonnage) and 22nd (total shipping tonnage). Port's impact on Florida's economy is over USD 15 billion, with supported over 80,000 local jobs. Most handled vessels are bulk carriers and tankers, also Ro-Ro ships (car carries) and boxships (container carriers). The port also has drydocks for ship repairs. Most of the traffic is with Asian ports.

Ports America Holdings Inc (US Terminal Operator and Stevedore) operates a container terminal with two berths. The terminal is served by 3x gantry cranes and 1x Mobile Harbor Crane (100-ton). In 2014, the port purchased two new China-made gantry cranes (from ZPMC / Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries) for USD 21,5 million.

For FY2017 (fiscal year), Port Tampa Bay reported a record operating revenue of USD 55,4 million. Port's previous records were USD 51,3 million (2015) and USD 49,2 million (2016). The increase was mainly due to additional cruise activities, new and expanded facilities leases, as well as increase of commodities import (petroleum, cement, steel).

Since January 2019, world's 6th largest containership company COSCO Shipping (China) added Port Tampa Bay to company's GME Transpacific service (Gulf of Mexico Express). COSCO is also member of Ocean Alliance (together with CMA-CGM, OOCL, Evergreen Marine). The new GME service connects cargo ports Shanghai - Ningbo - Xiamen -Yantian- Houston - Mobile -Tampa, with Shanghai-Tampa transit times 31 days (import) and 27 days (export).

Since June 2019, Port Tampa Bay is part of PEX3 (Pacific Express 3) service of CMA-CGM. The new (roundtrip Singapore ) container service links ports Singapore-Vietnam (Vung Tau)-China (Hong Kong-Shekou-Ningbo-Shanghai)-Korea (Busan)-Panama Canal-USA (Houston TX- Mobile AL-NOLA New Orleans-Tampa-Miami)-Singapore. On June 13, 2019, the port handled its ever-largest boxship - the 2010-built "CMA CGM Dalila" (IMO 9450624). The vessel (max TEU capacity 9500 containers) docked at The Ports America Terminal arriving from Vietnam.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Port Tampa's homeporting cruise shipping operations were paused for 18+ months (March 14, 2020, thru October 16, 2021).

Tampa cruise terminal

Port Tampa has 3 cruise terminals. Cruise port's address is "1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602". Port Tampa's parking facilities (Channelside Parking Garage, multi-storey) are located across the street from cruise terminals 2 and 3. Self-serve parking costs USD 15 per car per day (for oversize vehicles USD 30 per day). Valet parking costs USD 20 more (35 and 50, respectively). In most cases, passenger check-in process starts at 10 am.

In May 2019 starts an USD 10 million project with planned renovations of all the 3 cruise ship terminals. Works (by Gilbane Building Company) include interior improvements and adding of escalators in Cruise Terminals 2 and 6. Cruise Terminal 2 will also be refurbished and upgraded to be able to handle transit itineraries, and not only roundtrips without passengers embarking from non-US ports.

Project's Phase 1 (May-October 2019) and Phase 2 (May-October 2020) are both during off-season. Phase 2 involves works at Cruise Terminal 3, including adding a second escalator and renovations to terminal's processing area in order to meet the requirements of the US Customs and Border Protection agency.

Tampa cruise port directions

From Orlando FL take highway Interstate-4 West to Exit 1, continue south on 21st Street, on Adamo Drive turn right, then left onto Channelside Drive.

From Clearwater FL take Highway 60 East (across Tampa Bay), follow the signs to Interstate-275 North that merges with Interstate-4 East. Follow Interstate-4 East to Exit 1.

From Tampa International Airport take FL-60 E (3 miles) northeast on George J Bean Inbound Parkway, continue for 2,3 miles, take the right ramp to FL-60 E (0,5 miles), at the fork keep right and follow the signs for Tampa to merge onto FL-60 E. Take Interstate-275 North to McKay Ave (7 miles), turn right onto McKay Ave. United Cab and Yellow Cab taxi service is available outside airport's Baggage Claim Level. To the cruise terminal, taxis charge flat rate fee USD 28.

Cruise Terminal 2

In the late-1990s, Cruise Terminal 2 creation was incorporated in the Garrison Seaport Center scheme. The terminal offers facilities like customs, cab rank, restrooms, a snack shop and a luggage carts. It has only one wharf.

Terminal 2 serves exclusively Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships.

Cruise Terminal 3

Tampa Cruise Port Terminal 3 was built in 2002. The terminal offers facilities like fast security and luggage carts. The embarkation and disembarkation of passengers is streamlined. It has only one wharf.

Terminal 3 serves ships of NCL Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line.

Cruise Terminal 6

Tampa Cruise Port Terminal 6 is located half a mile away from Terminal 3, direction North. In 2011 it was renovated. It has only one wharf.

There is a parking area at the site. Terminal 6 serves Holland America Line. Parking: is USD 14 daily (Port Authority subject to change).

• Get a taste of Florida wildlife on this 2.5-hour sightseeing tour from Tampa. You'll visit Croc Encounters and learn about this sanctuary's conservation efforts and make a stop in Clearwater Beach to see the aquarium where the famous dolphins, Hope and Winter live. For groups of 6 or more please contact The Entourage Tours if you wish to be picked up from your location? The Entourage Tours Wildlife PM Tours - Tampa | Book Now
• Florida Aquarium: discover the great variety of sea life. You will see Wetlands, Ocean Commotion, Bays and Beaches, Dragons Down Under and Explore A Shore exhibitions. It is next to Tampa Cruise Port Terminal 3.
• SS American Victory: this cargo ship served during the World War II, the Vietnam War and the Korean War. Currently it is a museum docked near the Florida Aquarium. Discover galley, cargo equipment, food hall, lifeboats and the bridge.
• Channelside Bay Plaza: center with many eateries, bars, retail outlets and entertainment places.
• Tampa’s Riverwalk: across the Garrison channel you will be able to see SS American Victory, Florida Aquarium, Channelside Bay Plaza, Tampa Cruise Port Terminal 2, Teco Line Streetcar, Tampa Bay History Center, Florida Museum Of Photographic Arts, MacDill Park, Tampa Museum of Art and Kiley Gardens.
• Ybor City: styled in Cuban way with narrow alleys, brick buildings and iron railings. It has a unique charm with its flamenco dancers and cigars made by hand.
• Henry B Plant Museum: discover the interesting life of the famous railroad tycoon.
• Busch Gardens Theme Park: located 8 miles away from Tampa Cruise Port, direction North.

Tampa tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Tampa - user reviews and comments

Major cruise ship to make Florida its new home

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida will be home to another ship from a major cruise line soon.

Thursday, MSC Cruises announced that it would be making Port Canaveral the new home base for the MSC “Grandiosa” starting in December of 2025.

The “Grandiosa” will be the second MSC ship to be based out of Port Canaveral and will offer seven-night sailings and other cruise trips to the Bahamas.

“The Winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, and our expansion at Port Canaveral is a big part of that,” said Rubén A. Rodríguez, president of MSC Cruises USA,. “Ever since we started sailing from Port Canaveral in 2021, our guests have told us they love how convenient that makes it to experience MSC Cruises’ unique international flavor.

“We know people sailing from Central Florida want options, and we’re delighted to offer them two of our most modern and glamorous ships with itineraries that will appeal to everyone from first-time to seasoned cruisers.”

The 1,094-foot long cruise ship is the largest MSC ship to be based out of the U.S., offering 2,421 staterooms, 10 restaurants, a “large Broadway-style theater” and numerous other features for guests to enjoy

The seven-day trips will make stops at various Caribbean locations including:

• Eastern Caribbean: Nassau (The Bahamas), Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (The Bahamas), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Charlotte Amalie (USVI)
• Western Caribbean: Nassau (The Bahamas), Cozumel (Mexico), Costa Maya (Mexico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Falmouth (Jamaica), Belize City (Belize)

Floridians will also be able to go on three-night and four-night trips with the MSC Seashore, the first MSC ship to ever be based in Port Canaveral. These trips will go to Nassau and Ocean Cay.

“We are honored that MSC Cruises chose Port Canaveral for the North American debut of their magnificent MSC Grandiosa,” said Capt. John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral. “We are so proud of our cruise partner and their tremendous growth in the United States. Expanding their homeport fleet at Port Canaveral underscores their confidence in our partnership and shared commitment to success. We look forward to welcoming all of their valued cruise guests to our beautiful port.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.

One of the US's busiest cruise ports can't keep up with America's love for vacations at sea — but an urgent new terminal will help meet the demand for giant cruise ships

• Port Canaveral announced new plans to build a seventh cruise terminal by 2026.
• It scrapped its initial expansion plan because it would've taken longer to build.
• This article is part of " Transforming Business: Infrastructure ," a series exploring the advancements reshaping US infrastructure.  

Florida — home to busy beaches, Disney World, and a cruise industry so successful that local ports simply can't keep up with demand.

The Sunshine State flexes seven cruise ports, three of which — Miami, Canaveral, and Everglades — are among the five busiest in the world.

The state may seem well stocked as far as cruise terminals go. But Port Canaveral is running out of space as demand for these vacation voyages continues to skyrocket.

In 2023 , the Florida port accommodated a record 6.8 million cruisers and 13 homeported ships, leading to an all-time-high revenue of $191 million — more than 80% of which came from its cruise operations.

In 2024, it expects to add another 500,000 passengers to that total.

The influx in demand has left Port Canaveral at "a point where we're starting to turn business away," John Murray, its CEO, said at a press conference earlier this month.

The proposed solution? Expand — and quickly. The port announced plans to build a seventh cruise terminal on its north side by 2026, scrapping its initial proposal for one farther south. The latter would've taken longer to build, but "we need it in two years," Murray said, adding: "Maybe sooner."

The proposed terminal would be at the port's "underutilized" North 8 berth. When complete, it could accommodate the world's largest cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean's new 1,198-foot-long, 9,950-person-capacity Icon of the Seas .

Murray said the project would be "self-funded." There's no word yet on the cost, but a spokesperson for Port Canaveral told Business Insider that the existing berth would make construction cheaper than that of previous cruise terminals. The most recent one, completed in 2020, cost $155 million.

Before unveiling these plans, Port Canaveral intended to build its next terminal in an area known as Bluepoints Marina, farther south. The project would've taken three to four years to complete — too long a timeline for Port Canaveral.

A new cruise terminal "has become more urgent and necessary now," Murray said.

Along with a seventh terminal, Port Canaveral plans to build a 3,000-car parking structure and improve the roads leading into and out of the parking lot.

Expanding parking on land is just as important as in the water: Cruise lines have been increasingly developing private islands and destinations in the Caribbean, often visited during three- and four-day cruises. Murray said these shorter sailings typically bring in more vehicular traffic than their five- to seven-day counterparts.

Wooing cruise lines operating on these itineraries could be especially important for Port Canaveral, which is farther north from the private Caribbean destinations than Miami's and Fort Lauderdale's popular ports.

Competition is stiff. In January, MSC Group announced that its cruise lines would move their operations to Miami. In late 2023, Disney Cruise Line unveiled a new terminal at Port Everglades.

"A place like Port Canaveral is continually thinking about retaining the business it has and, of course, capturing some of that business," Ross Klein, the founder of CruiseJunkie.com and a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, told BI.

But not everyone is excited

While an influx of travelers can be an economic windfall for nearby restaurants and hotels, not all locals are happy about the new cruise terminal.

The world's largest cruise ships can accommodate more than 7,000 guests. That's a lot of travelers — and traffic, which is a concern for Jamie Glasner, the owner of the Bluepoints Marina-based fishing charter Fin and Fly . (BI spoke with Glasner before Port Canaveral announced its terminal in the North 8 berth.)

"These cruise ships come in, and the traffic is backed up for miles," Glasner told BI, adding that other local business owners complained "about it all the time."

"The traffic is a nightmare. This is crazy," he said.

"It used to only take us 10 minutes to get home," Glasner said. "Now it's taking me an hour."

Cruise travelers accounted for roughly 840,000 cars at Port Canaveral last year, Murray said in late 2023. At the time, he said that updates such as a "pay-on-arrival" parking system and the increased use of facial recognition by US Customs and Border Protection helped improve the flow of traffic.

To lessen traffic stress, the port wants the state to widen the nearby freeway and replace the drawbridge connecting the north and south halves of Port Canaveral with a higher, fixed bridge. The latter often opens for passing ships, further jamming up the roads.

However, these proposals have yet to be included in the Florida Department of Transportation's budget, "so we will continue to make noise on that," Murray said during the announcement of the port's seventh cruise terminal. "We can't shut down operations at Port Canaveral because the state can't get the road infrastructure in a timely manner," he added.

But love it or hate it, the cruise industry continues to grow . And the sooner Port Canaveral can build a new terminal, the happier it, and cruise lines, will be.

"We're going to do what we have to do to get this up and running as quickly as possible," Murray told reporters.

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Departure Guide for Terminal 3

• 01 Arrival Plan to arrive prior to your zone departure.
• 02 Drop-Off Follow the BLUE ROUTE for passenger drop-off and valet.
• 03 Parking Follow the RED ROUTE for secure parking at the port. Pre-Purchase Parking Download Guide

Port Canaveral cruises: A guide to cruising from the Orlando area

Sailing out of Port Canaveral might not be as picturesque as cruising from PortMiami , but don't underestimate the experience. Lucky passengers might witness a rocket launch from the neighboring NASA complex or see dolphins playing in the wake as the ships sail past the shoreline of Jetty Park on the way out to sea.

And while you might be more familiar with the Miami and Fort Lauderdale departure ports, you are as likely to sail from the Orlando-area, Central Florida port as you are from one of the East Coast ports. In 2023, the bustling port brought in 6.8 million cruise passengers , served as the home port for 13 ships and scheduled 906 ship calls.

From Port Canaveral, you can sail to the Bahamas , the Caribbean , Bermuda and even across the Atlantic on cruises of two to 14 nights. Seven major cruise lines currently sail from Port Canaveral: Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and MSC Cruises.

The port is (or soon will be) home to some of the newest and most popular cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and new Utopia of the Seas and Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wish and new Disney Treasure .

Getting to the port is easy as it's accessible from Interstate 95 and close to three airports — though it's nearly an hour's drive from Orlando International Airport (MCO) . Whether you want to overnight by the airport or close to the port, you will find a range of hotels to suit every budget and loyalty program affiliation.

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Port Canaveral cruise port overview

Port Canaveral cruise terminal information

Each of the cruise terminals at Port Canaveral has a different address. Here is a list of the cruise lines sailing from Port Canaveral and their affiliated terminals.

A terminals' addresses

Cruise Terminal No. 5: 9245 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 ( Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ) Cruise Terminal No. 6: 9241 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 ( Carnival Cruise Line ) Cruise Terminal No. 8: 9155 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 ( Disney Cruise Line ) Cruise Terminal No. 10: 9005 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises )

B terminals' addresses

Cruise Terminal No. 1: 9050 Discovery Road, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (Royal Caribbean) Cruise Terminal No. 2: 180 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL, 32920 (Overflow) Cruise Terminal No. 3: 220 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (Carnival Cruise Line)

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Number of terminals: 7

Port Canaveral is accessible, but contact your cruise line if you need a transfer from the terminal entrance to the ship.

Even though Port Canaveral is a departure port for many cruise lines, it can also be a port of call for ships sailing from the Northeast. Currently, some Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises ships spend a day in Port Canaveral on select itineraries through September.

Port Canaveral cruise ship schedule

Airports near Port Canaveral cruise port

Three airports serve the Port Canaveral cruise port. The most popular is Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is about 50 minutes away. Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is also about 50 minutes away, and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is about an hour from the port.

Most major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, fly into MCO.

If you're flying into MLB, current carriers include Allegiant Air, American and Delta.

At SFB, the main option is Allegiant.

Related: Best airline credit cards

Depending on which airport you're flying into and which airline you've booked, you might be able to cut costs with companion passes. Southwest offers this deal to travelers who earn 135,000 qualifying points or take 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Those traveling with Delta can also get a companion ticket with a few of the Delta and American Express cobranded credit cards .

Because no one likes waiting around in a chaotic airport terminal after a cruise, you might want to bring a credit card that provides you with lounge access. MCO offers seven different lounges, including a Priority Pass lounge called Club MCO. Priority Pass membership starts at $99, or you can get access as a travel perk from a credit card such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

American Airlines passengers can access The Admirals Club with a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ), which includes a complimentary Admirals Club lounge pass. The Delta Sky Club is open to travelers with paid lounge access via a subscription or one-time paid visit, or those who have select Delta-branded American Express cards.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

How to get to the Port Canaveral cruise port

Whether you're headed straight from the airport or from a pre-cruise hotel, you have several options on how to get to the Port Canaveral cruise port. If you are headed straight to Port Canaveral from the airport, be sure to give yourself at least three hours. Your plane should land no later than 10 a.m. to ensure you can claim any luggage, get your ride and get to the port before the boarding time ends in the afternoon without feeling rushed and flustered.

Cruise line transfers

Many cruise lines that sail from Port Canaveral offer transfer services from the airport or a hotel directly to the terminal. Talk to your travel agent to be sure it's part of your overall travel package, and if it's not, ask if you can buy the transfers individually.

For example, Disney Cruise Line can offer ground transportation from local airports to the embarkation port and back to the airport when the cruise is over. The transfer is a per-person flat fee that must be added to your cruise reservation in advance through the Disney Cruise Line app. The round-trip cost is $90 per person. If you only need one-way service, you have to call Disney Cruise Line to reserve.

Related: Should I book my flight through my cruise line?

Independent airport shuttles

Cruisers looking for a transfer to and from the airport, hotel or cruise terminal can do so with independent airport shuttles. Consider companies like Airport Canaveral , where shared shuttle rides in a minibus start at $20 per person and a private van starts at $125 a ride for up to five people. If you need more room for larger parties and still want a private ride, you can rent a private Sprinter shuttle starting at $220. Airport Canaveral currently serves MCO and MLB.

Prices for these services are one-way.

You'll want to consider a few criteria when deciding between a cruise transfer or an independent shuttle. The first is how big your party is. Cruise-branded transfers are often per-person costs, while individual transfers are one price for a set amount of customers.

For example, if four people are taking a Disney cruise, the total cost for a cruise-run transfer would be $360 for round-trip service from the airport to the terminal and back to the airport at the end of your trip. For the same group, Airport Canaveral can supply a private van for $300 round-trip (the price for up to five people).

It often makes more financial sense for solo travelers or small groups of two or three to take a cruise line transfer, but larger groups can save money with independent transfers.

Beyond party size and total cost, consider time and accessibility. On a cruise-run transfer, you might have to wait for an entire busload of guests to arrive and get loaded onto the bus before departing the airport. With a private transfer, you can leave when you're ready and not have to wait for anyone else.

Additionally, most of the cruise-run transfers are on large buses, which might not be the most accessible option for folks who have trouble with stairs. If you're traveling with someone with mobility challenges, a private transfer can offer more flexibility in the type of car or shuttle you book.

Independent car services

Travelers who want a private transfer can also book an independent car or van service. Prices for car services from MCO to Port Canaveral can start around $200 for a one-way trip in a luxury car that can accommodate three people. If you need a larger vehicle, a van or SUV can start around $225 and has seats for up to six people.

Orlando Luxury Transportation is a highly rated black car service that offers airport-cruise port connections. You can book a luxury SUV from MCO to Port Canaveral for five people for around $230 or a Sprinter van seating up to 14 people for around $300.

Taxis and ride-hailing services

Getting a taxi to Port Canaveral is fairly easy. Taxi stands are on Level One of Terminals A and B at MCO. If you're flying into the new Terminal C, curbside arrivals are on Level Six.

Four cab companies serve MCO: Diamond Cab Company, Quick Cab, Town & Country Transport and Mears Taxi Yellow/City Cab. The cabs can carry up to nine passengers and charge the same fare no matter how many people are in the car. Fares are determined by a meter, but the average fare to Port Canaveral is about $115.

For a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft , head to Level Two at Terminals A and B or Level Six at Terminal C. The average route price is $69 for an Uber X and $94 for an Uber XL from MCO to Port Canaveral. Be aware that it can occasionally be challenging to get a driver to actually show up because some don't want to drive all the way to Port Canaveral from the airport if they think they won't be able to get a fare back to MCO.

Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you

Hotel shuttles

Many of the hotels near Port Canaveral offer shuttle service to the port. Free transfers or rental car parking can be a challenge to find, so contact the property to inquire about options before making a reservation. Hotel shuttle transfer costs can vary based on the location and type of hotel, but many cost around $10 per person.

Port Canaveral cruise port parking

On-site parking

Port Canaveral has a mix of parking garages and surface lots where you can park at your assigned terminal. On embarkation day, the parking facilities are open starting at 10 a.m. Parking costs $17 per day, plus tax, for standard vehicles and recreational vehicles. All payments are made with credit cards, and cash is not accepted. If you are parking at the Terminal 3 parking garage, E-PASS and SunPass are also accepted as payment.

You can drop your luggage off with the porters at the terminal before parking. Security makes the rounds through garages and surface lots daily.

Park-and-cruise

If you're driving to the port, but want a cheaper alternative to parking on-site, consider a park-and-cruise option. These lots offer secure parking with a cruise shuttle for a set fee.

Park N Cruise Port Canaveral offers a parking lot 2 miles from the port for $10.95 per day. The parking fee includes a free shuttle for up to four people, and additional passengers cost $5 per person. Shuttles depart every 30 minutes for the terminal.

If you plan on spending the night at a nearby hotel, look for ones that offer a park-and-cruise package that includes a hotel stay and parking for the duration of your cruise. The Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral offers a "Park, Stay, & Go" deal where you can book a room for one night and get included parking for up to seven nights, plus shuttle service to Port Canaveral.

No matter where you park, give yourself plenty of time to get to the terminal. For convenience, park at one of the on-site lots or garages. To save some money, check in to a nearby hotel or park in an off-site lot.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Hotels near Port Canaveral cruise port

You won't find a lack of hotel choices around Port Canaveral, especially in Cocoa Beach, which is the nearest city to the port. It's about 15 minutes away and a straight shot down state Road A1A from the cruise terminals. Since Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach are on the same barrier island, you'll find everything from beachfront hotels to basic accommodations near the cruise terminals, though you'll have more options the deeper into Cocoa Beach you're willing to travel.

For those who want to or need to stay in Orlando because of a late arriving flight or better points options, there are some good options near the airport in the cool Lake Nona neighborhood.

Hilton hotels near Port Canaveral

Two hotels that offer clean stays and quick overnights are the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach and the Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront (50,000 and 46,000 points per night, respectively).

Both are in convenient locations about 10 minutes from the cruise terminal and are walkable to nearby restaurants. The Homewood Suites by Hilton offers free breakfast , while the Hilton Garden Inn has breakfast for a fee. Either way, don't fill up on hotel pancakes when there's an incredible lunch waiting for you on the ship.

Related: Best Hilton credit cards

Marriott hotels near Port Canaveral

If you're traveling with a large or extended family, consider staying at the Springhill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach (32,000 points per night, so you could use a Marriott 35k free night certificate on some dates of the year).

The all-suite hotel has a port shuttle that costs $10.80 per person one-way, and you must call the hotel to reserve a transfer. Additionally, the hotel offers complimentary breakfast to get your day going.

Another all-suite option is the TownePlace Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach (31,000 points per night). The new hotel offers free breakfast and has two bars, including one out by the pool so adults can enjoy a cocktail while kids swim.

If you're planning to spend a few days in Orlando before your cruise, consider staying at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes (42,000 points per night). The 500-acre property is just a short drive to the theme parks for families but far enough away that it feels like an adult retreat if you don't have kids. The resort just completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, including upgrading all of the rooms and suites and adding a new water park and poolside burger bar.

Hyatt hotels near Port Canaveral

If your flight into MCO is late, consider the Hyatt Place Orlando Airport for a pre-cruise stay (9,500 points per night).

The hotel offers free breakfast, a pool and digital check-in, the latter of which is great for late incoming flights. After a good night's rest, hop on the hotel's free airport shuttle to get a ride to Port Canaveral from MCO, which will be easier to book than a ride from the hotel itself.

Non-points hotels

The Cocoa Beach area is rife with boutique hotels and accommodations that don't participate in the three major loyalty programs.

One of our favorites is The Inn at Cocoa Beach, which is right on the water. The inn has 50 rooms and is adults-only. The hotel offers a full breakfast, complimentary wine and cheese hour, beach chairs, a pool and free on-site parking.

If you're looking for a high-end hotel in Orlando to spend the night, consider the Lake Nona Wave Hotel in the heart of the booming Lake Nona neighborhood. The hotel is only 6 miles from the airport and offers luxurious suites that start at 875 square feet, with separate living room and bedroom sleeping quarters, plus a whole bath and half bath. The hotel also has one Michelin-recommended restaurant, Bacan, where the whole truffle roasted chicken is not to be missed.

Restaurants near Port Canaveral cruise port

If you need to grab breakfast or dinner during your pre-cruise stay, you'll find plenty of dining options in Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral, including beachfront seafood and great burgers. State Road A1A and state Road 520 are the main routes through the city, and that's where you'll find most of the restaurants.

For a great drink right off state Road A1A, try Ellie Mae's Tiki Bar, where you can score half-off cocktails every Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.

If you want to wave at departing cruise ships before or after you set sail yourself, head to one of the port-facing restaurants on Glen Cheek Drive. Most of the restaurants have spacious outdoor patios where you can dine and bid bon voyage to the ships as you eagerly await the start of your own vacation at sea. A local favorite is Seafood Atlantic, which has been working with local fishermen to bring in the freshest seafood in the area since 1984.

Related: Best credit cards for dining

Things to do in Port Canaveral before or after your cruise

Since Port Canaveral is right in the middle of the state of Florida, the cruise port can be a central hub for an extended stay. If you only have a few days to extend your vacation, here are the best things you must do.

Explore the beaches

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches. If you're looking for a sandy shore right next to Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach is the spot. If you're willing to travel a bit farther, Daytona Beach has plenty of shoreline. Just be sure to skip the beach during the busy spring break season since both areas are known for an influx of college parties.

Related: What to do on Florida's Space Coast when you need a break from the theme parks

Hit a theme park or 2

Going to an Orlando theme park is a rite of passage for many families with kids. If you're cruising out of Port Canaveral, consider adding a few days to the front of your trip to explore Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort (featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ). Both have multiple parks, on-site hotels and transportation options to and from the airport. If your family wishes to explore Disney, you can also book transfers to and from your Disney hotel to Port Canaveral.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Just 30 minutes from Port Canaveral is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can learn about NASA and space exploration. Don't miss taking the bus tour of the facility, which is about two hours long and includes a stop at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

If you think rockets are cool, you will want to check the rocket launch schedule for Cape Canaveral before leaving home. If you're lucky, you might be in Port Canaveral or Cocoa Beach to watch a launch. Depending on the time of day, you might already be on your cruise ship, in which case, the entire ship will start to shake as a rocket lifts off.

If you're not on your ship, the best places to watch are either from the beaches or the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.

Shopping near Port Canaveral cruise port

If you left something at home by accident or need to stock up on supplies like bottled water for a cruise, you'll want to head to one of the major shopping centers near Port Canaveral.

The Avenue Viera is about 30 minutes from the port. The open-air mall has retailers like Kohl's, Belk and Old Navy if you need to grab a new outfit or swimsuit. The Merritt Square Mall is about 15 minutes from Port Canaveral and has large department stores like JCPenney and Sears, plus specialty stores.

If you need to bring snacks or water onto the ship, you'll find a Publix grocery store about 10 minutes from the port. You'll want to familiarize yourself with your cruise line's policies regarding carrying on prepackaged snacks, soda, alcohol and bottled water, as many limit what you can bring.

If you're looking for a souvenir shop, Cocoa Beach's North Atlantic Avenue is dotted with cute places to find T-shirts and tchotchkes. Favorites include Alvin's Island, The Funky Mermaid Cocoa Beach and Ron Jon Surf Shop.

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