Cruises from Tampa to the Western Caribbean

Which lines sail from Tampa to the Western Caribbean?

• Carnival Cruise Line
  Laid-back, loud in the best way and unpretentious; flip-flops, burgers by the pool and a comedy show after dinner.
• Celebrity Cruises
  Stylish, relaxed and adult-leaning; good food, good cocktails and a calmer pool deck than the big family brands.
• Norwegian Cruise Line
  Flexible and lively, with a Las Vegas-meets-resort feel; dinner whenever you want, in whatever you packed.
• Royal Caribbean International
  Energetic, family-friendly and packed with headline attractions; think floating theme park with a good Broadway show at night.

When to go

1. January: Best time, average high 83 degrees F Jan 83°74°
2. February: Best time, average high 84 degrees F Feb 84°73°
3. March: Best time, average high 85 degrees F Mar 85°74°
4. April: Best time, average high 86 degrees F Apr 86°76°
5. May: Shoulder season, average high 88 degrees F May 88°77°
6. June: Cruises run, average high 89 degrees F Jun 89°78°
7. July: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F Jul 90°79°
8. August: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F Aug 90°79°
9. September: Cruises run, average high 89 degrees F Sep 89°78°
10. October: Cruises run, average high 88 degrees F Oct 88°77°
11. November: Shoulder season, average high 85 degrees F Nov 85°76°
12. December: Best time, average high 84 degrees F Dec 84°75°

• Best time
• Shoulder season
• Cruises run
• Few or none

Temperatures in Fahrenheit, long-term averages. Climate source.

Year-round sailings. December through April is the dry season with the lowest humidity. June through November is Atlantic hurricane season; Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean storms are most likely from mid-August to mid-October, and can also close Texas and Gulf home ports for a day or two.

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the most activity from mid-August to mid-October. Storms in the Gulf of Mexico can delay embarkation in Galveston, New Orleans or Mobile, not just change ports. Winter cold fronts sometimes bring wind that cancels tender ports such as Grand Cayman and Belize City.

Where you'll stop

Itineraries vary by line and length. These are the ports the Western Caribbean cruises most often visit:

• Cozumel, Mexico: Reef snorkeling and diving, beach clubs and ferries to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.
• Costa Maya, Mexico: A purpose-built port with a pool area, beaches at Mahahual and tours to the Chacchoben Maya ruins.
• Progreso, Mexico: Gateway to Merida and Maya sites in the Yucatan; Chichen Itza is a long day trip.
• Roatan, Honduras: Top-tier reef snorkeling and diving and quiet beaches such as West Bay.
• Belize City, Belize: Cave tubing, the Altun Ha ruins and barrier reef snorkeling. Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers in.
• George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: Stingray City sandbar, Seven Mile Beach and snorkeling straight off the shore. A tender port.

Before you sail from Tampa

From TPA, a taxi or rideshare usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes via the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway or I-275. Drivers follow the port's color-coded routes: the blue route for passenger drop-off and valet, the red route to park. If you are staying in Ybor City or downtown, the TECO Line Streetcar runs along Channelside and is handy for getting around before your cruise.

Port Tampa Bay's Channelside Parking Garage at 810 Channelside Drive sits across the street from Terminal 3, with signage directing cruisers. You can prepay online through links for Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Margaritaville on the port's cruise parking page, and valet and oversized parking are offered. Qualifying disabled veterans and certain modified vehicles can park free at 810 Channelside Drive and 1331 McKay Street when a ship is in port, subject to availability.

• Prepay parking through the port's page for your cruise line to speed up entry.
• Follow the blue route if you are only dropping off and the red route if you are parking.
• Expect a long, scenic sailaway through Tampa Bay; the ship needs a few hours to reach open water.
• The Florida Aquarium is next to the terminals and makes an easy pre-cruise outing.

Documents: Cruises that begin and end at the same US port are "closed-loop" sailings. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says US citizens on a closed-loop cruise can re-enter the United States with a birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID, and children under 16 need only proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate (most lines want an original or certified copy, not a photocopy). CBP also warns that the countries your ship visits may still ask for a passport, and cruise lines can set stricter rules than the government does. We recommend a passport book anyway: if you miss the ship or have to fly home early from a foreign port, you cannot board an international flight without one, and a passport card works only for land and sea crossings. Non-US citizens, including green card holders, have different rules. Check current requirements with your cruise line and the State Department before you sail.

More detail: our full Tampa cruise port guide and our Western Caribbean cruise guide.

Related routes

Also from Tampa: Caribbean.

Western Caribbean from other ports: Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Miami, New Orleans, Port Canaveral.