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Take a trip to Hell, a stretch of jagged black limestone formations that could indeed resemble the underworld. Back in George Town, shop for duty-free goods and sample local specialties like delicious conch chowder and Tortuga rum cake. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this beautiful park features picturesque blue waters, amazing coral reefs and marine life, and a variety of incredible bird life. The park is also home to the 19th century Fort Jefferson, Fort Jefferson, was once used as a prison during the Civil War. Flanked by nearly 100 miles of islands, bays, and estuaries that will never be developed, Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, located at southern tip of Florida's Paradise Coast. The island is home to stunning beaches and world-class golf courses, as well as beautiful parks to that are a paradise to those who relish the outdoors.
Construction on Second Chinese-Built Cruise Ship Well Underway
Visitors have a great time exploring and enjoy things like the aquarium, the Hemingway home, the butterfly conservatory, and key lime pie. Escape on a delightful Caribbean vacation on one of our cruises from Tampa to Key West. Choose a shorter voyage to the sunshine, with blissful days in both Key West and Grand Cayman. A longer cruise gives you the luxury of two overnights in steamy New Orleans, as well as visits to Honduras, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and the charmingly eccentric Key West. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry.
Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises to Key West
Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Carnival Paradise left her homeport of Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 20, for the 5-night Western Caribbean sailing. After visiting Roatan on Monday, the ship is scheduled to visit Cozumel, Mexico on Tuesday before another day at sea. The incident happened approximately 20 miles southeast of Los Cajuelos, the westernmost point of Cuba. Carnival Paradise was enjoying a day at sea as the ship sailed for Roatan, Honduras, for a scheduled port visit on Monday, April 22.
Cruises from Tampa to Key West
Key West became a Spanish territory, then called Cayo Hueso, in the 16th century. The British claimed ownership of Florida in the 18th century, expelling Native Americans and the Spanish from the area. Catch a Key West sunset from Mallory Square, a waterfront plaza facing the Gulf of Mexico.
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Home to a thriving artist community, enjoy open-air art shows and explore innovative galleries tucked throughout the city. Stroll along the palm-lined, harbor-front park for the chance to hear the spontaneous jam of local musicians who have been known to serenade the sunset. Surrounding the city are maritime and costal habitats, which support over 600 species of birds, fish, and marine wildlife. Grand Cayman is famed for the vast expanse of Seven Mile Beach, but there are plenty more reasons to visit. Interact with wild stingrays or snorkel over the wreck of the USS Kittiwake, now colonized by dazzling corals and tropical fish.
Florida Gulf Coast & Keys Cruise
Margaritaville Expands Cruise Line with Second Ship Homeported in Tampa - The Maritime Executive
Margaritaville Expands Cruise Line with Second Ship Homeported in Tampa.
Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Unwind under the shade of a palm tree at Mambo Beach, one of the island’s finest. Or descend into the Hato Caves, where spectacular limestone formations await. These 11-night sailings travel to the region’s most popular destinations, including the ABC Islands, Grand Cayman, and Key West.
Carnival Ship Rescues 27 People Adrift at Sea in the Caribbean
The first was at the end of July, with at least 20 individuals rescued from an overcrowded rowboat. The second rescue was on August 19, and involved a makeshift raft with six refugees aboard. The 70,367-gross-ton, Fantasy-class Carnival Paradise is one of the oldest and smallest ships in the fleet, but she proudly does her duty to preserve life at sea whenever the need arises. Carnival Paradise went to the aid of an overcrowded boat near Cuba during her day at sea and saved 27 lives. Key West’s official currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and ATMs are widely available. Credit cards like VISA and MasterCard are accepted most places as well.
Carnival Paradise, Western Caribbean from Tampa, September 2, 2024
In addition to being a convenient departure port, Tampa is also a great city that should be explored either before or after a cruise. The Channelside Entertainment Complex, located near the harbor, offers shopping, dining, and entertainment. Make your way through the Y-Bor district, where you can shop for the best hand-rolled cigars or try artisanal brews. Visit Busch Gardens, which has two exciting parks to select from for the perfect family. Tampa welcomes many cruise ships throughout the year at its cruise terminals, offering a wide range of itineraries to Key West. Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbeanare just a few of the world’s largest cruise lines.
Key West, Florida
Once mostly cut off from the rest of the world, it has persevered through countless hurricanes. Spend a full day exploring the best of St. Petersburg, including the numerous art museums and beautiful botanical gardens. The ratings by passengers range from poor to excellent, mainly depending on the ship.
Key West is compact and walkable, so you can easily explore on your own. Both of those incidents were also near Cuba during days at sea, just as this most recent rescue. While on cruises to Key West, Florida, you’ll find no shortage of souvenir shacks, roadside t-shirt vendors, and Florida-related memorabilia celebrating and embracing Key West’s quirkiness. Head to Duval Street for the majority of shops, independently-owned boutiques, and galleries in the city.
Stop in sunny Key West, a quirky city with a lively downtown and pristine coral reefs. Discover vibrant marine wildlife during a snorkeling excursion or go on a kayaking trip around maze-like mangroves, where you’ll see stingrays, crabs, and other tropical fish. During one of these unforgettable cruises, you’ll revel in warm tropical weather and heavenly beaches and discover a wealth of natural wonders both on land and underwater. Snorkel over reefs and shipwrecks that teem with marine life, or explore mysterious Mayan ruins.

Whether life’s a beach or you’re life of the party, cruises to Key West definitely over-deliver. As part of the Florida Keys archipelago, Key West is famed for its pastel-hued, conch-style houses, it’s a cruise-ship stop also accessible from the mainland via the Overseas Highway. It’s known more for its coral reefs, destinations for diving and snorkeling, than for its beaches.
Or shop at Mallory Square for interesting goods like sandal and surf shops or markets for seashells and sea sponges. Before the Overseas Highway was built in 1912 to connect the various Florida Keys, Key West itself was in isolation from the rest of the world. Just 90 miles from Cuba, Key West features a huge influence of Cuban culture, particularly in its food and drink.Today, Key West’s economy is driven by tourism. It’s also known for an inclusive, close-knit LGBTQ-friendly community. Even in December, the forest and plants at this botanical garden in Key West retain their leaves and lush palms. The Garden describes themselves as “frost-free,” a benefit of the tropical climate.
In August 2025, the ship will add the new Celebration Key to select itineraries once the private Bahamas destination, now under construction on Grand Bahama Island, opens for visitors. At this time, there are no expected changes or delays to the ship’s itinerary or overall schedule. The small wooden boat was in poor condition, with what appeared to be a makeshift sail, though it was not in use. With 27 individuals aboard, the boat was overcrowded and was not carrying adequate supplies for those aboard. All individuals were brought safely aboard the ship and provided with emergency care while official authorities were notified regarding the next steps.
The city is not only known for its warm weather, but also for having the most consecutive days of sunshine. Be welcomed on board with a reception as you begin your amazing exploration of the Florida Gulf Coast & Keys. Sail into the colorful waterfront of Curacao, where Dutch colonial buildings in bright, pastel hues welcome you to its friendly shores. Take photos of this picturesque harbor during a walk around Willemstad’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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