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It’s easy to feel at home in Key West among swaying palms and small fishing boats glittering off the harbor. Once mostly cut off from the rest of the world, it has persevered through countless hurricanes. Stroll along the St. Pete Pier and admire the peaceful blue waters of Tampa Bay and the botanical wonderland, called the Sunken Gardens, which hides right in the middle of downtown. Arrive the day before your cruise and treat yourself to a relaxing stay at the well-appointed JW Marriott, located in Tampa’s vibrant downtown district and close to the Riverwalk. Enjoy breakfast the morning of embarkation, concierge luggage service to your onboard stateroom, and transportation to the ship to begin your journey along the Sunshine State. In Mallory Square, you’ll find lots of local vendors selling seashells, souvenirs, cigars, rum, and of course, key lime pie.
Florida Gulf Coast & Keys Cruise
Carnival Paradise adding 20 more Tampa-to-Havana cruises in 2019 - Tampa Bay Times
Carnival Paradise adding 20 more Tampa-to-Havana cruises in 2019.
Posted: Fri, 06 Apr 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Or shop at Mallory Square for interesting goods like sandal and surf shops or markets for seashells and sea sponges. 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. Bring the kids for an educational tour on the native plants, and don’t miss the butterfly garden. Damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017 affected the plant life, but passionate employees are working tirelessly to bring the garden back to peak fullness.
Jet Ski Adventure
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. After a day of adventure, dine at one of the elegant waterfront restaurants or peruse the artsy boutiques and designer outlets, before heading back to the ship. On land, shopping, museums, art galleries, tours, theaters and more await you. Or you can simply relax in the sand at one of our Key West beaches, by the pool at your Key West hotel, or on Duval Street with a cocktail in hand.
Key West, Florida Keys
Key West is compact and walkable, so you can easily explore on your own. Tour the Hemingway House for a glimpse of life here in the 1930s. 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.
Night Mexico & Key West
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. 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. In addition to being a convenient departure port, Tampa is also a great city that should be explored either before or after a cruise.
Key West Florida Port Guide
At the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street in Key West is a concrete buoy marker of the southernmost point of the continental United States. Passengers on cruises that stop in Key West should see why this is one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the world. Hold sea stars, hermit crabs, and conches in the palm of your hands in the “touch tank” of the Key West Aquarium, plus enjoy free guided tours and maybe even a shark feeding session. Open 9am to 6pm, the Key West Aquarium is a delight for the entire family. Select from a variety of well-curated excursions, including the Key West Old Town Literary Walking Exploration or the Private Ghost Tour at Fort East Martello.
Carnival Paradise, Western Caribbean from Tampa, June 10, 2024
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. Mallory Square is the site of a long-running tradition to watch the sunset. Gather among locals and fellow tourists, musicians, and food vendors for a taste of Key West culture.
Local Currency & Tipping Customs
Be sure to try some conch fritters and the iconic key lime pie, of course. When it comes to bars, you’ll find no shortage along lively Duval Street. Wander (slightly) off the beaten path with stops at both Key West and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula aboard the all-new Margaritaville at Sea Islander. From conch-style architecture to ancient ruins, this is a completely unique cruise vacation complete with two days at sea to roll the dice, say "spahhh" or splash the day away with the family. Visit Key West on the all-new Margaritaville at Sea Islander, a completely new way to cruise into an Island State of Mind. Decked out in new and familiar bars and restaurants, our newest flagship offers new ways to discover fun opportunities for dining, dancing and diving.
LOCAL CUISINE
By day, there are paddle steamer cruises on the Mississippi to enjoy, the grand Oak Alley Mansion to discover, and boat trips out into the bayous to spot alligators, turtles, and wild birds. 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. 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. Key West comes alive along the main drag of Duval Street, akin to New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street.
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.
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. Spend a full day exploring the best of St. Petersburg, including the numerous art museums and beautiful botanical gardens.
Start your day in Key West with a cortadito, cafe con leche, or Cuban coffee. Coffee is taken seriously in Key West, just like in neighboring Miami, heavily influenced by the Cuban coffee tradition. Cuban Coffee Queen also serves hearty breakfasts, refreshing smoothies, and Cuban sandwiches to keep you going as you continue on your way through town. Begin planning your U.S. cruise adventure with American Cruise Lines today. From the coast of Maine, to the mighty Mississippi and Pacific Northwest, our Free Cruise Guide provides detailed information about all of our more than 50 U.S. itinerary options. Cruises that stop in Key West help the world become familiar with the city’s culture and history.
Walk along the beach directly overlooking the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Stop at nearby sandwich stand Cayo Hueso for a cold drink or a sandwich. No Caribbean cruise is quite complete without experiencing Key West’s day-and-night bustle. If you have enough time, book a catamaran 70 miles west for a day trip to the one-of-a-kind Dry Tortugas National Park, home to the historic Fort Jefferson.
The shop has been locally owned and operated for over twenty years. They offer a lunch menu as well, but the key lime is literally their namesake. Try a slice of key lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate for a really adventurous, decadent take on a classic. Head to this Florida State Park and National Historic Landmark for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, paddling, and more.
If you have time, drive less than an hour northeast to Bahia Honda for the kind of Florida beach experience the state is famous for. You can climb to the top of The Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum for panoramic views of colorful beach homes, signature Florida greenery, and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico unfolding below you. Stop in after your visit to the Hemingway House; the museum is just around the corner. Just the right amount of kitsch, Key West bursts with sunlight, boasts year-round tropical weather, and some of the clearest snorkeling and most preserved coral reef structures in the world. Cruises to Key West, Florida are one of the most popular ways to see this walkable, immersive city.
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