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Tampa (Florida)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-09-11 01:48

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).

On June 18, 2024, the Port's signed a US$0,5 million contract with HDR Engineering for the design of a new/4th cruise terminal. The proposed facility is planned to be north of Terminal 6, which conflicts with the city's downtown economic development plans, raising concerns over parking and waterfront access. If approved, the project represents a potential US$80 million investment, with funding provided by federal grants, private investors, and other sources.

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).

Tampa tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

• 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.

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PORT OF TAMPA GUIDE

A Guide to Tampa Cruise Terminals

The unlimited sparks of life, natural wonders, and urban vibrance make the capital’s downtown a prolific spot to stay, work, and explore.

Considered a metropolitan oasis of Florida, the coastal city of Tampa presents a range of wondrous opportunities to fill your cruising itinerary.

Among the capital’s attraction spots are the exhibition sites showcasing the modern and historic artwork of Tampa, such as the Tampa Art Museum, not to mention the picturesque scenery of the many beaches neighboring Tampa Bay, where Tampa city is nestled.

At the helm of Florida’s economic engine is the city’s popular cruise port – The Port of Tampa , also known as Port Tampa Bay.

The port houses renowned cruise lines, including the Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, and Celebrity cruise lines. This makes Tampa the go-to destination for a cruise vacation.

In addition to its proximity to the capital’s international airport, Tampa is a gateway to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, revitalizing your cruising activities and adventure.

Here is a quick guide to everything you need to know about Tampa Bay Cruise Port.

Read also : The Best Hotels near Tampa Port

Port of Tampa in Florida Tampa Cruise Terminals Getting to Tampa Cruise Port Port of Tampa Parking Best Time to Visit & Cruise Where to stay near the port Sights to See

Tampa Cruise Terminals

Bustling with a dynamic cruising business, Port Tampa Bay is considered to have the most convenient cruise terminals in Florida. The port serves 3 terminals serviced with ample parking and valet services. These terminals include Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 6.

You can choose to park at Carpark, Tampa Bay’s official parking spot, or use an off-site park that comes with a free shuttle service for your movement to the terminals.

Additionally, each cruise terminal serves specified cruise lines to enhance efficiency and convenience.

1. Terminal 2

Terminal 2 houses ships from the Carnival Cruise Line . It is distinctively situated adjacent to the port’s Carpark garage, making the terminal an easy drop-off option. The terminal sits at 651 Channelside Drive towards the southern end of the port’s complex.

2. Terminal 3

Like Terminal 2, Port Tampa Bay’s Terminal 3 is located directly opposite the car park. Cruising ships from the Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines dock at this terminal. Its long berths make Terminal 3 an ideal spot for larger ships. The terminal sits at 815 Channelside Drive .

3. Terminal 6

Terminal 6 sits at 1333 McKay Street , making it the fastest access point from downtown. The terminal was initially used to dock ships from Holland America Cruise Line . With this cruise line exiting its operations from Port Tampa Bay, Terminal 3 houses ships from multiple cruise lines as scheduled.

Getting to Tampa Cruise Port

There are different ways to access the Tampa Port Cruise Terminals, depending on your means of transport. Here is a quick guide.

If you drive along Interstate 75 from the South, use I-75 North and head to Crosstown Expressway through Exit 50. Take the Adamo Drive by turning right through Exit 9. The Channelside Drive is on the left, connecting you to Port Tampa Bay terminals.

If driving along Interstate 4, use I-4 West and head to 21st Street through Exit 1. Take the Adamo Drive by turning right. The Channelside Drive is on the left, connecting you to Port Tampa Bay terminals.

If you drive from the airport or anywhere along I-275, follow the road to where it connects with I-4 East. Take Exit 1 along I-4 East to join 21st Street. Take the Adamo Drive by the right, then take a left to link up with the Channelside Drive.

Tampa Port is approximately 10 miles from the International Airport of Tampa . If you have no arrangements to drive yourself from the airport, shuttles are booked to facilitate direct transfers for specified cruise lines. Note that transfer shuttles are only available on the day your cruising line is docking out.

Alternatively, you can take an airport rideshare service or taxi readily available to drop travelers to the Port Tampa Bay Terminals. Typically, taxi services operate with a predetermined flat rate of $30. Commuting from the airport through Interstate-275 takes about 20 minutes.

Another option is taking a private door to door transfer . A private airport transfer takes you comfortably from the airport to your hotel/cruise port or vica verca. No hassle of waiting in a long line of taxis or shared shuttles. Your driver will wait for you at the agreed time.

3. By Public Transport

If you are looking to get to Tampa Cruise Port by public means, the TECO Line Streetcar system makes a reliable transit option. This free electric trolley runs through Ybor City from Tampa’s downtown to Channelside Drive, where Tampa Port is situated.

TECO Streetcar systems make a good choice for individuals who are conversant with the area. This is because users get to board the trolley from specific stations located across the route.

4. By Train

Amtrak’s trains are a major means of transport across Florida. The Amtrak station is situated half a mile from Cruise Terminal 6 and 1 mile from Tampa Port. You might need to plan your itinerary earlier as there is only one train that drops travelers to Tampa – the Silver Star Train.

Amtrak’s Auto Train is also reliable for movements to and from Washington DC or Sanford to Tampa Port.

5. Digital Taxis

Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber are popular commuting services for many. These digital taxi services make a great choice for anyone moving from anywhere in Tampa City and beyond. The good thing with Uber and Lyft services is that prices are relatively lower, and rates are determined by the ridesharing companies and not the drivers.

Where ordinary taxis charge a flat rate of about 30$, Uber and Lyft may cost you about 75% of that price.

Port of Tampa Parking

Cruising from Tampa Port is quite a convenient and cost-effective experience, thanks to the port’s parking system. There are 3 parking options available, including;

This is the official parking spot of Tampa Bay Cruise Port. The parking lot is adjacent to Terminal 6 and across Terminals 2 and 3. The Carpark is also serviced with valets that pick up and drop your car at your cruise line, relieving you of the unnecessary parking hassle.

It will cost you $15 to have your car at Carpark for 24 hours, with an additional valet fee of $20. However, the park offers a free service to people with disabilities.

Payments for car parking and valet services can be made before or on your cruising day. Tampa Port features a payment function on its website (tampaport.com) to facilitate pre-payments. With an advance payment, your parking slot is booked, and a valet is allocated to your car.

2. Outdoor Parks

Outdoor parks are independent slots owned and run by private companies. The parking lots are located along Channelside Drive, within Tampa Bay’s terminals. Most travelers prefer outdoor parking slots for their low rates and proximity to the terminals. The cost of parking with these independent lots is approximately $7, which is half the price of Carpark.

They also offer shuttle services for clients who do not want to walk for those short distances.

3. Hotel Parking Lots

To attract more customers, hotels around Tampa Port offer free parking spaces in exchange for their services, including staycations and night stays. All you need is to book a room and have a parking slot set apart for you.

As a way of beating the competition, some hotels extend their services with a free ride to the port . Therefore, you can leave your car in the hotel’s parking lot while you cruise your way to adventure.

Best Time to Visit and Cruise from the Port of Tampa?

Tampa experiences heavy rainfall over the summer, with the rains peaking from June through September . During this period, the region may suffer storms and humid atmospheres, making it a bit difficult to cruise. Temperatures also tend to run quite high, topping to ranges above 86°F (30°C).

Usually, the atmospheric conditions over summer cause a shift of cruise activities from Tampa Bay to other more conducive regions, such as Alaska and the Northeast cruising bays.

The winter season, running from November through March, makes the best cruising time . Over this season, the temperatures are relatively friendly for cruising, with a typical daily range of 70°F (21°C) and 79°F (26°C). Due to the season’s convenience, the November-March season has become Tampa’s peak cruise times.

Where to Stay Near the Port?

The best places to stay during your cruise vacation in Tampa include around the downtown area, Ybor City, and Channel Side . Hotels and houses around these neighborhoods are suited for all budgets. From luxurious 5-star hotels to multiple lodging options, there is a perfect residing spot for everyone.

Here are some ideal places to consider for your stay near Port Tampa Bay.

• Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa – Ybor City

Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa – Ybor City is tucked in Ybor City, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods near Port Tampa Bay. The hotel is situated near the International Airport of Tampa, within a close range of popular attraction sites, such as ZooTampa and the Florida Aquarium.

In addition to residential amenities and services, Hampton Inn provides you with a free cruise shuttle service to the port. You also get to enjoy free parking for 7 days.

• Hilton Garden Inn Tampa – Ybor District

Located a few meters from Tampa Port, the Hilton Garden Inn/Ybor District is a top 3-star hotel in the region. The hotel offers you an exclusive shuttle service for destinations within a radius of 3 miles. That makes it a great option, considering the Tampa Port is within that radius. Additionally, Hilton Garden Inn features an onsite restaurant for all your cooked-to-order meals.

• Residence Inn by Marriott in Tampa Downtown

Residence Inn by Marriott sits on an easy-to-access property right at Tampa Downtown. The hotel is within walking distance from attraction sites, beaches, and the Tampa Port. It is also one of the few ideal hotels based within a 6-mile radius of the International Airport of Tampa.

Staying in Residence Inn by Marriott means enjoying a good rest and being a jump away from Florida’s major highlights, including the Florida State Fairgrounds, Florida Aquarium, and Tampa Theatre.

• Hotel Tampa Riverwalk

Situated along the famous Tampa Riverwalk, Hotel Tampa Riverwalk has become the go-to option for business tourists and cruising vacationers. Port Tampa Bay is an 18-minute walk from Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. You also get a glimpse of attraction sites from your room, including ZooTampa, Busch Gardens, and the Florida Aquarium.

Hotel Tampa Riverwalk also provides valet parking at a fee and a shuttle service for free. However, the shuttle is only available for destinations within a 3-mile radius. Visitors with a self-drive preference are well taken care of through the hotel’s car hire service.

Sights to See and Things to Do

Tampa Port and its neighborhoods are packed with historic architecture, art, commerce, and entertainment. Regardless of your taste and preference, there is something worth your exploration.

Here is a run-through of some of the top sights and things to do in Tampa.

1. Tampa Riverwalk and Ybor City

Tampa Riverwalk extends to Ybor City, an ancient district celebrated for preserving Florida’s culture and history. The city has a lot to offer, including nightlife, shopping, museums, and galleries.

2. Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is a state sensation, housing thousands of wildlife, including plants and animals. Join a tour to view endless species of eels, fish, and sharks. You can also jump on a shipwreck diving trip or spend time with dolphins and penguins backstage. The satisfying terrestrial life and aquatic ecosystems showcased in the Florida Aquarium will fill your exploration with fun and thrill.

3. Henry B Plant Museum

Formerly Tampa Bay Hotel, a visit to the Henry B Plant Museum will bring you close to palatial furnishings, Moorish architecture, and the allure that made Florida a site to behold for ancient vacationers.

The majestic structure of Henry B Plant Museum hosts guest rooms, a flower shop, and an exhibition of Victorian splendor in the form of furnishings and artwork.

4. Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is a one-stop site for exhibitions, amusement park experiences, animal encounters, and live show performances. The legendary attractions and diverse entertainment activities make Busch Gardens the ultimate choice for family fun. From the fastest amusement ride and train rides to witnessing traditional beats and icon performances, there is so much that you can do in Busch Gardens.

5. St Petersburg

St. Petersburg is home to some of the best beaches in Florida, not to mention the amusement of the city’s water-based activities, including swimming, diving, and beach strolling.

Alongside restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and historic attractions, St. Petersburg has become a global getaway for many.

6. Clearwater Beach

The beach dazzles with warm sunrays, white sand beaches, and the clear waters from the Gulf Coast. Clearwater Beach is repeatedly ranked as one of the best beaches in Florida.

Clearwater Beach is approx. 30 to 45 minutes drive from the Port of Tampa and the downtown area.

(Latest update December 04th 2023) Please contact us if any information is incorrect or not up-to-date.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a small commission if you click through and make a reservation.

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Written by Stefan DP Updated: 5 September 2024

Stefan, Editor-in-Chief of “I Love 2 Cruise” at www.allcruisehotels.com, discovered his passion for cruising in 1999 with his wife on a Carnival Cruise. Since then, he’s been hooked, reveling in the unique atmosphere, entertainment, and culinary delights of cruise travel. With voyages on 15 different cruise lines, including Azamara and Royal Caribbean, Stefan has sailed to all 7 continents, visited 67 countries, and spent 480 days at sea. He shares his extensive experience and love for cruising through tips, reviews, and port information to help others plan their perfect cruise vacation.

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Holland America Veendam

The Holland America Veendam was an elegant luxury cruise ship. The classic ambience was well-suited to the older fans of these voyages. It has been retired from the fleet.

The Veendam was grandly proportioned and designed to carry fewer guests than other cruise ships in its class, the ship offered guests an onboard experience defined by spacious comfort. A two-tiered dining room with grand sweeping staircase. Suites had private verandahs for private dining, relaxing and sunning. Multiple lounges provided entertainment. The Crow's Nest lounge was the late-night hangout and dance spot.

Please see our Holland America cruises from Tampa for the full calendar of voyages. Thank you.

Cruises From Tampa, Florida

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4-Day Western Caribbean

Fun with a capital F is what you can expect on a Carnival Cruise. With the largest fleet at sea Carnival offers sailings perfect for the whole family.

Cruise to the Caribbean for tropical weather and splendid beach-side excursions.

Whether it’s a trip to the historical streets of Ybor, a day in the Florida Aquarium or a nice Cuban-infused meal, your time in Tampa will make you consider a longer stay.

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I’ve Been to 80 Countries. My First Cruise Blew Me Away.

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Can travelers with high adrenaline levels find pleasure in cruise travel? Here’s the answer.

I’ve been to distant corners of the world, from Saudi Arabia to Paraguay to rural Namibia. Yet despite traveling to 80 countries across six continents, I’ve avoided taking cruises like the plague. As an adrenaline junkie, cruise travel really never spoke to me. I always associated it with being a sanitized travel experience to picturesque locations where you had no real cultural interaction.

But I decided 2024 would be the year I’d finally take my first cruise. The only requirements were that I wouldn’t go somewhere warm, the destination had to be deeply connected to nature, and it had to be somewhere I had never been before. Traveling to Alaska via Holland America Line’s Eurodam ticked all of the boxes.

So, after seven days of living that sweet cruise life, I can finally answer the question: Can those of us with high adrenaline levels find pleasure in cruise travel? Here’s the answer.

Travel and Checking Into Eurodam

The Alaska Explorer cruise I signed up for departs from Seattle. It’s advisable to spend the night in Seattle before your cruise departure to ensure smooth sailing. I came to Seattle a few days early and treated myself to a vacation at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle because, like Alaska and cruising, I had also never been to Seattle.

Once it was the day of the cruise departure, I headed over to the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal and was surprised to see that checking into a cruise was similar to checking into a flight. Someone was there to tag luggage and take it off your hands if you didn’t feel like carrying it to your room (and it would be delivered to your room on the ship). You needed a passport and a boarding pass, and there was security clearance.

Departing from the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal.

Eurodam Amenities

Since I would be living on this ship for seven days, I wanted to familiarize myself with everything onboard quickly. The Eurodam has 11 floors, and it turned out my happy place was on the ninth floor. That’s where you’ll find a rooftop deck, a few hot tubs, both an outdoor and indoor pool, a gym, a burger bar, a pizzeria, the designated buffet Lido, two bars, and the spa.

I knew I wanted to partake in a spa experience, and learning Holland America Line had acupuncture available onboard sealed the deal. I signed up. The service cost me around $200, and much like Seattle, Alaska, and cruising, it would also be my first acupuncture. ’Twas the trip of firsts, I suppose. I’ve officially added it to my roster as a new relaxation routine, though I’m not sure any future acupuncture session will ever be as cool as one in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The view from the spa.

Food and Drinks on the Eurodam

One of my biggest concerns with cruise travel is the quality of the cuisine. I’ve been to my fair share of all-inclusive resorts, and the food is almost always quantity over quality. I was pleasantly surprised by the Eurodam. My first meal onboard with Holland America Line consisted of an array of fresh seafood, including mussels and rockfish, letting me know I was going to be in for quite the treat.

The Eurodam has a wide range of restaurants, including collaborations with world-class chefs like Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Chef David Burke. I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite meal onboard, but some standouts were a fried fish sandwich in the Dining Room, crispy duck with udon noodles at Tamarind, and a perfectly cooked medium rare filet with lobster dumplings at The Pinnacle Grill.

I met with Executive Chef Natarajan Manilal, who told me they make an average of 13,000 meals a day for approximately 3,000 passengers onboard (roughly 2,100 Holland America Line customers and 900 staff members). While the quality of the cuisine was a pressing concern, I was also concerned about the waste.

Chef Natarajan showed me the cruise’s designated biodigester, a machine that breaks down waste, and essentially turns it into pellets. Anything humans can eat can go in the biodigester, but things like pineapple skin, uncooked pizza dough, and other items we typically would avoid cannot.

As for booze, drink prices added up quite quickly on a cruise. If you plan to throw a few back, it might be worth your while to invest in a drink package. I took advantage of the designated happy hour each day, and naturally signed up for not one but two wine tastings onboard, led by a master sommelier.

Bar stools onboard.

One of my two wine tastings.

Visiting Alaska

It’s not all about the cruise, after all, but about the destination. In Alaska, we stopped in Juneau, Sitka (a.k.a. the oldest city in Alaska), Icy Strait, and Ketchikan. Additionally, we made a short stop in Victoria, Canada, for just a few short hours. Most cruises that leave from the U.S. will make at least one international stop because of something called the Jones Act, a law that essentially requires all ships that depart and return to a U.S. port must make at least one international stop.

Shore excursions are available for booking at each destination. I advise anyone on any cruise, not just Alaska, to limit their shore excursions. They seem tempting prior to travel, but upon pulling up to each port, it’s sometimes nice to just walk around and take in the town.

As for my shore excursions, I signed up for a culinary walking tour via Juneau Food Tours , which was a perfect introduction to Alaska (when else can I say I’ll eat spruce tip jelly?), and a whale watching tour in Icy Strait, where I saw plenty of orcas and humpbacks.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

Conditions on the Cruise

I pride myself on having a strong stomach, so I was surprised when I woke up in the middle of the night on day two or three, fully swaying across my bed, slightly nauseated. The funny thing about being on a ship is that they move. I often saw wine glasses vibrating at dinner and sometimes lost my balance ever so slightly. Overall, the conditions were smooth, but it’s good to remember that you’re on the ocean, so you might feel that at some point.

Aside from the unpredictable ocean conditions, the beds were comfortable, and I never once struggled to get a WiFi signal. The private balcony in my room was a top-notch addition; waking up every morning with coffee delivered to my door to look out and see anything from glaciers to sea otters was a peaceful way to begin each morning that made me dread ever returning to reality.

Icy Strait, where I saw orcas and humpbacks on a whale-watching tour.

Views from the rooftop deck.

A Pleasant Surprise

Despite my apprehensions going into it, I was surprised by how quickly I not only enjoyed, but truly fell in love with cruise travel. So much so that I’ve already signed up to go on two more cruises this year: one through the Norwegian fjords with Havila Voyages , and one for my ultimate bucket list destination, Antarctica, with Lindblad Expeditions .

The main selling points for me with Holland America Line were the convenience of seeing several destinations without the need to unpack and repack my belongings, the impeccable quality of the food and wine onboard, and of course, seeing Alaska and all of its natural beauty.

Seeing glaciers from my private balcony.

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• River Cruising

GCT M/S Tikhi Don - St. Petersburg to Moscow

By usnavyguy , June 24, 2012 in River Cruising

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This is a review of a St. Petersburg to Moscow river cruise from 5/31/2012 - 6/14/2012 with Grand Circle Travel. I'll divide the review into sections starting with the ship so folks can jump to those sections of interest & ignore what isn't pertinent to them. For an excellent discussion on pre-trip planning, visa issues, comments on various cruise lines, this link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1559518

will give you all the details you need. I'll not repeat it here.

So, let's get to the specifics:

Ship : Tikhi Don is owned by Grand Circle Travel (GCT) and is one of two ships, the other being M/V Rossia they operate between Moscow & St. Petersburg. All the cabins are identical: 146 square feet with one window that opens, situated on 3 decks. The only difference is location on the ship. The cabins were clean as were the attached bathrooms. Storage space was adequate for two weeks. There is one 120V and one 220V electrical outlet in the cabin as well as a 115V electrical outlet in the bathroom. I purchased a 4 outlet power strip specifically for this trip to plug in rechargeable digital camera batteries as well as a cell phone. The ship has an elevator near the reception desk forward that services Decks 1, 2, and 3. There is a double stairway in the after end of the ship that runs from the Main Deck to Decks 2, 3, and 4. All other stairways are external and serve all 4 decks. We had about 206 passengers embarked and about 100 staff, so the ratio of staff to cruisers was pretty high. It seems that all river ships operating in Russia carry about 200 or so customers which make them quite a bit larger than the average European waterways river ship. Since they have far fewer bridges to deal with in terms of height, and water depths are somewhat deeper than European rivers, they can and do take advantage of that to leverage a larger number of customers. That doesn't make it bad; it just makes it different. Tikhi Don draws about 9 feet of water which I suspect is about average for a Russian river cruiser. The ship has two bars, one on the 3rd deck forward (Tsar Bar) and one on the 4th deck aft (Presidents Bar). The restaurant is located on the 2nd deck aft and is used for the breakfast buffet and the sit down daily lunches & dinners. One disadvantage to my way of thinking was the sit down lunch. When we've cruised on Viking, they offered a light buffet lunch in the bar/lounge and a sit down lunch in the restaurant. That gave one some options which weren't available with GCT. Again, not necessarily bad; just different. Each cabin is equipped with a flat panel LCD TV with various satellite channels available depending upon the location of the ship at the time. There also were 3 different movie channels showing a different movie each day. Since we didn’t watch TV, I can only surmise it must have worked okay as we did not hear any complaints. While each cabin has individual air conditioning controls, they didn’t appear to function very effectively and the cabin remained around 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. There is a separate heating unit mounted beneath the window on the outside bulkhead which proved very useful on some of the colder mornings we experienced during the cruise. The cruise covers 829 miles between St. Petersburg and Moscow, and consists of several lakes, rivers and canals including the transit of 16 locks.

Travelers: One significant difference I noted was the average age of the passengers was somewhat older than we had previously experienced with Viking in Europe. I would guess that average age was around mid-70s; some younger, and some a good bit older. We had several veterans of WW2 embarked and I can only hope I'm as spry as they were when I'm that age. They also are very loyal to GCT. Those folks who had previously traveled 3 or more times with GCT or their companion company, Overseas Adventure Travel were identified with a gold name badge. I'd estimate that at least 50% of the embarked travelers fell into this category. This was a very seasoned group of world travelers. Few on the trip were making their 1st river cruise and even fewer were traveling with GCT for the 1st time (we fell into that category). The tours generally involved quite a bit of walking and a not so slow pace, but most everyone managed to keep at it, and few opted out of the walking tours. I'll discuss those in more detail later in this post.

Ship Staff: The staff was quite young (mid to late 20s mostly), inexperienced, but always willing to help. Their command of English was generally very limited although I expect that will improve as the season wears on. Their English was way better than my Cyrillic so they get an A+ for effort. The cruise is managed by a Cruise Director who spoke idiomatic English. The ship's Captain was the most personable Captain I have ever sailed with on a cruise ship. He spoke good English, greeted all the travelers as they debarked for each tour, met each traveler at the gangplank when they returned, and along with the Cruise Director and Hospitality Manager stood on the pier and waved goodbye to every bus that departed. I'm used to the Captain putting in a brief appearance at the Welcome & Farewell Cocktail parties, then disappearing for rest of the cruise. This was a novel & most welcome change.

We were divided into 6 groups of about 32-35 people, assigned a Tour Director who worked exclusively with that group for the entire cruise. Very occasionally for an optional tour, the groups would be combined to keep the numbers about the same, but basically, you functioned within your assigned group. The Tour Directors all had majored in foreign languages at the University and had anywhere from two to as many as eight years with GCT. They all spoke idiomatic English and did a great job of keeping track of their charges. I liken managing U.S. tour groups to herding cats and these folks were always cheerful, ready to answer any question, and resolve any problem. The wait staff in the dining room had limited English, but knew enough to converse with the passengers with regard to the menu & was a hustling young group of Russians. They were extremely pleasant to deal with.

Food on Board: In general the meals were quite good. Breakfast was served buffet style and one always had the opportunity to order an omelet or eggs of any style. There also was a special breakfast order each day. They also included the European breakfast meats and other items common on European river cruise ships. Service was quick and efficient. Restaurant seating included tables for 2, 4, 6 or 10 passengers so there was a wide variety of seating. Lunches & dinners would be best described as Russian modified for American taste. As I remarked previously, all lunches were sit down, formal service with soup, entre (including a vegetarian selection). Salad bar and dessert. Dinners consisted of an appetizer, followed by a soup course, entre (again including a vegetarian choice), and dessert. At dinner, there was always available salmon or chicken breast with a baked potato and steamed vegetables for those who did not fancy the main course. Food was served hot when appropriate and cold when in order. Service was friendly and efficient. Even with 200 people sitting down to eat, there was no sense of “steam table” cooking. With the exception of two meals ashore, all meals were served onboard. In the event of an evening tour such as the Moscow circus or the St. Petersburg ballet, an early dinner was served to those attending the event, followed by a late night heavy snack following return onboard. While I did not eat very many lunches, my wife tried most of them and said the food was very good. We found the dinners to be tasty and a nice introduction to Russian cooking, including the famous Russian stroganoff which is not served over noodles as it is in the U.S., but over spaetzle or mashed potatoes which we were told is common in Russia. Early bird coffee was available from 6:00-7:00AM and also throughout the day at the coffee station on the main deck. Lunch was served at either noon or 1:00PM depending on the tour schedule, with dinner at 7:00PM.

Onboard Activities: There was never a shortage of things to do onboard, but all were voluntary so you could participate in as few or as many as you wished. They featured the usual port talks, introduction to the Russian language, lectures on Russian handicrafts, vodka tastings, blini parties, pelmeni (dumpling) cooking class, and hand painting of Russian Matryoshka (nesting) dolls. We also noted several spontaneous bridge, cribbage, and canasta card games in progress at various times.

There is a large, well stocked gift store on the ship, operated as a separate concession. My wife found the prices for souvenirs of all types were generally better than souvenir shops ashore. They accept major credit cards or roubles. You cannot charge items from the store to your shipboard account.

Tours: There were a limited number of optional (extra cost) tours available. In St. Petersburg, that included:

Rivers & Canals of St. Petersburg

Yusopov Palace

St. Petersburg Ballet

Peterhof Gardens

In Petrozavodosk: Karelian Folk Show

Zlatoust Singers

Jewish Heritage of Moscow

Tretyakov Gallery

You can view the details of these optional tours on the GCT website: http://www.gct.com

under the Russian river cruise itinerary.

All passengers are provided with a pair of head phones & a battery powered receiver to provide the ability to listen to the tour guide while still wandering about the particular venue. The system works perfectly and depending upon location & interference such as walls, floors, and the like is crystal clear up to 100 feet from the tour guide. I have used these systems on other tours and would never consider a tour/cruise that did not employ this technology.

We took the Rivers & Canals of St. Petersburg tour which entailed taking a canal boat up & down the various rivers & canals running through St. Petersburg. It lasted approximately 90 minutes with a well informed local guide who commented on what we were seeing. It was interesting and informative and gives you another whole perspective on St. Petersburg than from a city bus tour.

We also went on the Peterhof gardens tour which unfortunately, did not go as well. The morning tour for that day was Peter & Paul Fortress which was really not that interesting and turned out to be just another church tour. However, because of the distance from where the boat moored to the fortress, then into St. Petersburg for lunch, the morning and part of the afternoon was pretty well shot by the time we departed for Peterhof. Peterhof is a good 45 minute drive from St. Petersburg; so consequently, it was well after 2:00PM when we arrived at the gardens. I’d like to say the local guide tried to cram what could easily have been a 4 hour tour into something less than two hours. So, we consequently were trying to set land speed records for walking tours as she was determined to show us as many of the Peterhof fountains as possible, and there are more than a few. My wife is a bit slow of foot as she has limited walking capacity so she was hard pressed to keep up. I, on the other hand, wanted more time to take pictures of the fountains and didn’t appreciate being rushed from spot to spot. Fortunately, our tour director Alex was particularly solicitous of my wife and made sure we could cut some corners and get ahead of the tour where necessary. Unfortunately, the local tour guide was annoyed when told to slow down and became somewhat hostile. The tour ends at the Peterhof palace which has a very large number of very beautiful fountains, all in gold leaf and is a photographer’s dream. It easily could have been worth an hour or more of picture taking opportunities. While I do understand some folks just want to check the block of having seen it and move on, there are, I think, a larger number of us who don’t expect to see those things again and want to take full advantage of the picture taking opportunities.

St. Petersburg: We spent 4 days in St. Petersburg not counting the day of arrival. The 1st full day, we had a city bus tour which included a stop & tour of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, and an approximately two hour visit to the famed Hermitage Art Museum with an option to stay for an additional 90 minutes, On Day 2, we had Catherine’s Palace & Park Tour, an offsite lunch paid for by GCT followed by the optional Rivers & Canals Tour, Day 4 was the Peter & Paul Fortress, again followed by lunch (this time on your own) followed by the optional Peterhof Gardens tour. On Day 3 of the visit, there were optional tours available of Yusopov Palace and the St. Petersburg ballet (evening). The boat was moored about 1 hour from downtown, depending on traffic, as the city authorities do not allow the riverboats to moor downtown. This caused some angst among those taking their 1st river cruise as they assumed this was standard. Of course, it’s not, and in fact, almost all European river cruises including Paris moor almost in the heart of the city. However, for those with free time and a little bit of adventurism, the subway took you downtown in less than 40 minutes. There is a bus from the head of the pier which costs 30 roubles (in early June 2012, roubles were 32.5 to 1 USD). That dropped you at the nearest metro entrance where 25 roubles and 5 stops later, landed you in the heart of Nevsky Prospekt, St. Petersburg’s equivalent to Times Square in NY or Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The metro is clean, no graffiti in the stations or on the cars, efficiently run and very safe. To return to the ship, just reverse the process. Once downtown, there are many attractions within easy walking distance such as the statue of the Bronze Horseman, a tribute from Catherine the Great to Peter the Great and the Church of our Savior on the Spilled Blood on which site, Tsar Alexander II was murdered by an assassin on 1 March 1881.

This was our 2nd time in St. Petersburg as we were there on an ocean cruise of the Baltics in 2003 when the city celebrated its 300th anniversary. It is to my mind, much more European than Russian with the latest fashions on display, many, many outdoor restaurant cafes and a mostly young, apparently well off population (at least during a business day).

We had previously been to Catherine’s Palace and the Hermitage and enjoyed returning to both places. St. Isaac’s is very impressive, but unfortunately, it is crowded and pickpockets are afoot. Several men & at least 1 woman had wallets stolen in the crowds so for them, not so much fun. Peter and Paul Fortress from a historical perspective is important, but rather unimpressive.

We visited St. Petersburg during the period of the summer referred to as “White Nights” which are quite famous. Sunrise occurs about 4:30AM and sunset at 11:15PM. Since winters are long, cold, and sometimes very harsh, the many hours of sunlight are greatly appreciated and folks go out to stroll, especially on Nevsky Prospekt well into the evening hours enjoying the many parks and recreation areas throughout the city.

Svir Stroi: This is a small village of about 600 people located on the Svir River. They have the requisite souvenir shops, but the highlight of the stop was the visit to the home of a Russian villager. Our opportunity came to visit the wife of a local employee of the hydro electric plant. We visited her home and were served tea & pirozhki’s (Russian tea cakes). With the able help of our tour director, Tanya who translated, the lady explained her daily life in the village and the challenges ordinary people now face compared to the days of the Soviet Union. This is also where we first encountered the fierce Russian mosquitoes or as the tour directors called them, the KGB mosquitoes. They’re big, they bite and they fly around over the 3 months of summer. Mosquito repellent does, however, work when liberally applied.

Petrozavodsk: This port city on Lake Onega which is the second largest lake in Europe, only surpassed by Lake Ladoga, included a bus tour as well as a visit to the memorial to Russian’s Unknown Soldier from World War II, and a tour of the local market. It is the industrial, cultural, and scientific center of the Republic of Karelia. The visit also included an optional tour to a Karelian folk show which we opted not to attend.

Kizhi (Kee-shee) Island: This small island in the center of Lake Onega is home to the oldest known wooden church in Russia, the Church of Transfiguration which features 22 timbered onion shaped domes. The church was assembled without the use of a single metal nail and is currently undergoing extensive renovation. The stop also featured a “Fishing with the Ship’s Captain & Staff” for those who are ardent anglers. Fishing apparently wasn’t so successful as we did not have fish on the menu that evening!

Goritzy/Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery: Goritsky is just another tiny town, but the monastery was built in 1397 and had close connections with Ivan the Terrible. At one time, over 200 monks lived in the monastery, but with the Russian revolution and the harsh suppression of religion in Russia, it deteriorated significantly and now houses only 6 monks. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, restoration efforts have begun and the museum features an impressive collection of Russian Orthodox icons.

Uglich: The last city we visited prior to Moscow is located on the Volga River. Cruising on the river as you come onto Uglich is very impressive. The Kremlin (or fortress) has no exterior walls so the many colored churches and domes make great picture opportunities. The very large Cathedral of Transfiguration looms over the town while the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood with its rich red walls and blue onion domes offer a sharp contrast. Souvenir and shops selling all sorts of goods line the route from the ship’s berth to the main street of Uglich. We were told by the local guide that as many as 7 to 8 river cruise ships a day visit Uglich during the summer. They also were having a display of lacquer and paper Mache’ boxes for sale at very Western prices. Enameled watches are also a specialty of Uglich. We were treated to a short concert by a group of male classically trained singers who rendered several Russian songs a capella during our visit.

Moscow: We arrived in Moscow about 3 hours late because of heavy fog the previous evening while transiting the Moscow Canal. The river authorities do not allow movement in the canal during heavy fog, so we waited out the down time in one of the locks. The ship moored a good ways from downtown as the city authorities do not allow river cruise ships downtown, the same rule as St. Petersburg. Moscow is a city of 11.5 million people and traffic can be a nightmare. However, we were fortunate to arrive on a Monday before a national holiday (Day of Russia) on Tuesday and Moscovites are like people everywhere; they angle to take the day before a big holiday off. So, the traffic to downtown was pretty light and we made up some time on the city tour which started in the famous Red Square outside the Kremlin walls. The tour included a walk around Saint Basil’s Cathedral which is actually a museum, then on to the GUM department store which resembles a U.S. mall. We also walked past a “Historic Toilet” located in Gum’s that I believe was the 1st indoor lavatory in a Moscow department store. (Use of the WC was 84 roubles for those interested; I took a pass). We also went for a ride on the famed Moscow metro where many of the stations are elaborately decorated in frescoes, busts representing the struggle of the common man, and other adornments of the Russian revolution. As in St. Petersburg, the metro is clean (no graffiti in the stations or on the cars) and very safe.

The next day was the national holiday so our tours steered us quite far from Red Square (where demonstrations were purported to occur against the Presidential election recently completed) and out to Sparrow Hills which is a high priced area of the city. We also toured the New Maiden cemetery where various Russian notables such as Boris Yeltsin and Nikita Khrushchev are buried. The evening tour involved a visit to the Moscow circus which has been in continuous operation since 1980. A fun time of clowns, jugglers, trained poodles, bears, a lion taming act and culminated with a trapeze performance by 5 daring men & 1 woman.

The following day was a tour inside the Kremlin walls and to one of the 5 churches located inside the walls. I found it ironic that 5 churches would be allowed to exist following the revolution, but many things in Russia are strange, this only being one example. We also toured the Kremlin armory which contains the Tsar’s Crown Jewels, armor and armaments of the 16th- 18th century, many Tsarina coronation and wedding dresses as well as a very extensive display of Faberge eggs. The tour concluded with lunch at Moscow’s Hard Rock Café and time to tour Arbat Street which is a pedestrian only street in the heart of Moscow.

We had family obligations that required us to cut the last full day off the cruise and return home via direct flight from Moscow to Dulles International.

Final Observations: It was a very interesting and different river cruise for us. Because the distances are so vast, there is a lot more down time on this cruise than one in European waters, but Grand Circle can make it as busy or as relaxed as you like. The meals were comparable to those served on our other river cruises for quantity and quality. There are slightly more optional tours than with some other companies, but on the other hand, some of the included tours were excellent. St. Petersburg is a great city and one I’d be pleased to visit again; Moscow, not so much. Grand Circle is certainly worth your consideration as a cruise line as the prices are competitive with all other Russian river cruises. We did book our air through Grand Circle which I’m normally reluctant to do, but the routing was the same that I would have chosen had I done my own booking and the pricing was better than I could do on my own, especially considering what GCT would have charged for transfers to and from the ship. We did not purchase travel insurance through GCT as I found we could do better by shopping around over the Internet.

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beverlyjack

We did this trip in 2004, aboard the chartered Nicholay Chernychevski, before Grand Circle had put the Tikhi Don into service. This was an excellent review and brings back memories. Please post it under Travelers Reviews on http://www.gct.com on this trip.

Thank you for the informative review. I am taking this tour in mid August. I will print what you wrote so that I can refer to it as I do some of my planning.

How many people were in your "group" ? Did you take the pretrip to Helsinki and Tallinn?

We had about 32 people in our group. I don't know what, if any criteria, other than numbers were used to make up the groups. We did not take any pre or post trips with this cruise.

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Cruises to St. Petersburg, Russia

Tabs view st. petersburg cruises, st. petersburg port guide.

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There’s no destination on a Scandinavian cruise that’s more mysterious and enduring than St. Petersburg, Russia. An enigma of historic and religious sites and the birthplace of of some of literature’s greatest works, here you’ll explore museums housing some of the biggest and best art collections in the entire world. St. Petersburg is an intellectual city, a cultural capital where arts, music, and creativity thrive despite the bitter winters. May to July brings about the White Nights, a short time in St. Petersburg where the sky is completely lit up throughout the entire day, making late spring and early summer a prime time to visit St. Petersburg.

Make a day of museum hopping from the Hermitage Museum onto the Dostoevsky Museum, finishing the afternoon off at the Russian Museum. If church tours are more your thing, check out the ornate domes of the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, or take photos of the beautiful Nikolsky Cathedral. Vodka tastings? You bet Russia’s most famous export is alive and well in St. Petersburg, too. Whatever you fancy, Russia’s cultural capital will captivate you on your St. Petersburg cruise.

With the safety of our guests and crew always our top priority, we are removing St. Petersburg, Russia from upcoming itineraries in 2024, due to the current situation in Ukraine. Our thoughts are with all who are impacted by this conflict.

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Top sights & attractions for cruises to st. petersburg, hermitage museum.

There are over 350 rooms in the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, so you’ll find it impossible to see everything in the short time you have there. When you cruise to St. Petersburg, Russia, come here with a plan on how to see your favorite artists and time periods on display here.

Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood

Elaborate and breathtaking, this Russian Orthodox cathedral is one of the most recognizable sights in all of St. Petersburg. The mosaics and colorful domes are what the cathedral is famous for, along with it being the site of an assassination attempt of Tsar Alexander II. Beauty and Russian history collide as you explore the church.

Russian Museum

Even if you were previously uninformed about Russian art, the Russian Museum is the perfect primer for the local art scene. Spend the day perusing the museum at your leisure, then bring all sorts of art history tidbits back to the ship with you.

Peterhof Palace

This set of palaces and gardens is yet another example of St. Petersburg’s opulence. Meant to invoke a similar reaction as the Palace of Versaille, Peterhof stands up to the hype. It’s open from 9am to 7pm Sunday through Friday, and closed Mondays.

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Top things to do in st. petersburg, tour the palace of rasputin’s famous murder.

The elaborate Yusupov Palace along the Moyka River was built for Russian aristocracy in the late 1700s, and it encapsulates the art and culture of Russia at the time. Don’t miss a tour through the very castle where Rasputin was assassinated. It’s a harrowing place where you’ll quickly get a taste of the wealth and status of the day.

See the Winter Palace

The Winter Palace also comprises part of the Hermitage Museum, but you could easily spend your entire time there simply walking the colorful grounds, where the palace glitters in gold and teal blue. Russian emperors lived in the Winter Palace from the 1700s until the 1900s.

Explore the Dostoevsky Museum

Famous Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky lived in St. Petersburg for much of his life, and the Dostoevsky Museum was erected in the apartment where he lived from 1878 to 1881. Today, you can walk in his footsteps and experience his apartment for yourself. It’s a must-see for literary types and fans of Russian literature.

Top Food and Drink Spots Near the St. Petersburg Cruise Port

Address: Nevsky Prospekt 47, St Petersburg

Classic Russian cuisine comes with a side of history at Palkin, which was also the site where famous Russians like Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, and others once sat and broke bread together. Try the fried foie gras, the salmon caviar, or the boar and venison dumplings. Adventurous, filling dishes are the name of the game here. 

Address: Petropavlovskaya St., 4, St Petersburg

You might not have tried truly authentic Russian food before, but Chekov is the place to change that. Inside, you’ll feel transported back to the 19th century, though the menu is decidedly modern. Try the marinated brandy trout fillet or the chicken liver pate. Delicious dumplings, called pelmeni , are stuffed with meat and made in-house daily.

L’Europe Restaurant

Address: Mikhaylovskaya Ulitsa, д. 1/7, Saint Petersburg

Located within the Grand Hotel Europe is a fine dining experience like no other in St. Petersburg. It’s one of Russia’s oldest restaurants, which only adds to the charm of getting to spend an evening here. Sunday brunch is a favorite. Every Wednesday, dancers and performers move to the classical sounds of Tchaikovsky during the dinner service. There is a wine-pairing menu as well as an elaborate seven-course menu including dishes like duck confit, salmon tartar, red caviar, and a four-cheese tortellini.

Culture & History of the St. Petersburg Cruise Port

Tsar Peter the Great founded the capital city of St. Petersburg in 1703. Ever since, St. Petersburg has become a cosmopolitan hub for arts, culture, and style. Famous authors like Nikolai Gogol and Dostoevsky were inspired and influenced by their times living in the city, which is immortalized in their literature. Though the climate was harsh and the winters almost unbearable, St. Petersburg remained a place where immigrants and visitors flocked to for hundreds of years. Today, it’s the second-largest city in Russia behind Moscow, home to a population of over 5 million people.

St. Petersburg Port Facilities & Location

When your cruise to St. Petersburg, Russia docks in port, you’ll have to quickly go through immigration before continuing on to explore everything the city has to offer. The port, called the Marine Facade, is a passenger port equipped to handle wide berths and plenty of cruise traffic.

Transportation in St. Petersburg

The metro system in St. Petersburg is comprehensive and runs daily until midnight. Otherwise, biking and taking a taxi or shuttle bus from the port into the center of town are great bets for getting around during your St. Petersburg cruise stop. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the cruise port to the city center, or around 45 minutes to get to the Hermitage Museum.

Shopping Near the St. Petersburg Cruise Port

You won’t be hard-pressed to find some of Russia’s enduring souvenirs, from famous nesting dolls to Russian vodka, chocolate, and other goods that tourists love to take back home with them. These souvenir shacks and stands are scattered throughout the city, making it easy to shop when you feel like it. But St. Petersburg isn’t all kitschy wares. There’s also a growing boutique shopping scene here, like the impressively large Galeria or a smattering of vintage shops selling clothes dating back to the days of the Soviet Union.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

The local currency in Russia is the rouble (stylized as R), and you’ll find credit and debit cards are used all over the place here. Still, it’s handy to have a little bit of cash in case you need it. ATMs are widely available, too. Tipping your taxi driver isn’t expected, but you can round up or leave behind a few R if you’re particularly happy with the service you received. At restaurants, leaving 10% is customary.

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Key West, Florida, US

One of the first things you’ll notice on your Key West cruise is the colorful gingerbread wooden houses and the amazing sunsets, and the constant crowing of roosters. Hundreds of the noisy birds—along with their quieter-clucking mates—roam the streets at all hours, and are nearly as synonymous with Key West cruises as its six-toed cats, the famous furry residents of Ernest Hemingway’s mansion in the Old Town district. They’re all part of the quirky charm of the United States' southernmost point, whose compact 11 square kilometers (4.2 square miles) pack in everything from gorgeous historic architecture and spectacular fishing and sailing to a raucous party scene along famed Duval Street. All of which is truly enjoyed by vacationers who cruise to Key West, Florida.

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