Better Ships & More destinations than before

Royal Caribbean Reopens Service in Another Cruise Port

Royal Caribbean's 1st Cruise Back from Port Tampa Bay Sets Sail today and it is the, Serenade of the Seas!

The Serenade’s arrival is the first time this class of ship will be homeporting and sailing from TampaBay. Continuing with exciting news additionally when Celebrity Cruises resumes it too will homeport a new class in Port Tampa Bay!

The ship will offer 4, 5 & 7-night sailings to the Caribbean and Mexico calling on cruise ports like Costa Maya, Roatan, Belize City & Cozumel.

The importance of cruise travel to the area:

Business Research & Economic Advisors estimated that a 3,000-passenger ship generates an average of $334,000 in passenger and crew onshore spending per call in a homeport city

A press conference was held welcoming back the return of cruising from Tampa Bay.

Keeping with customary tradition, when a ship calls on a port for the first time, they exchange gifts such as plaques, to commemorate the occasion. Often you can find on a cruise ship an entire wall dedicated to keeping and displaying the plaques that they have received from port cities.

• Speakers in the press conference included:
   Paul Anderson – Port Tampa Bay President & CEO

• Russell Benford – Royal Caribbean Group Vice President of Government Relations, Americas 

• Santiago Corrada – Visit Tampa Bay President & CEO  

• Vicky Evans  –  The Auto Club Group Assist. VP, Travel Sales & Development 

Serenade of the Seas Arriving in Port Tampa Bay for the 1st time.

Port Tampa Bay Terminal Signage (Photo by Alanna Zingano, Travel the World A To Z)

There is so much to do and see in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is a vibrant and fun city, that is growing and expanding. Cruise guests that visit are encouraged to visit the many restaurants, take a tour of Ybor City, visit Sparkman Wharf, The Florida Aquarium, A Buccaneers or Tampa Bay lightening game.

Three Cruise Ship’s in Port Tampa Bay (Photo courtesy of Port Tampa Bay)

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Port Tampa Bay celebrates the return of cruising with Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas  

Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)

Port Tampa Bay and Royal Caribbean International celebrate the return of cruising from our port that has been more than 18 months in the making. Port Tampa Bay will welcome Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas to Cruise Terminal 6 before she departs on her maiden voyage from Tampa Bay with cruise guests on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. This is the first cruise vessel departure from Tampa Bay since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order on March 14, 2020. 

Port Tampa Bay Terminal Signage (Photo by Alanna Zingano, Travel the World A To Z)

The return of cruising will have a far-reaching impact on our region, with many small and local businesses standing to benefit. Business Research & Economic Advisors estimated that a 3,000-passenger ship generates an average of $334,000 in passenger and crew onshore spending per call in a homeport city. The development of Sparkman Wharf, Water Street, Armature Works, and other hotel, dining, shopping, and entertainment projects in Tampa continues to boost the attractiveness of the bay area as a homeport. Cruise visitors to Tampa have the convenience of accessing a nationally top-ranked airport, secure parking garages – just steps away from all three cruise terminals, world-class beaches, and local attractions like Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and Ybor City. 

Three Cruise Ship’s in Port Tampa Bay (Photo courtesy of Port Tampa Bay)

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Port Tampa Bay donates more than 1,000 rolls of toilet paper to Feeding Tampa Bay

Port Tampa Bay donated more than 1,000 rolls of toilet paper to Feeding Tampa Bay so that the organization could distribute the much-needed supplies to its network of food banks throughout the region. The port was able to secure the toilet paper through their building supplier. A majority of Port Tampa Bay staff are currently working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, greatly reducing the need for toilet paper in the port’s administration building.

“Port Tampa Bay strives to be a good community partner and wanted to help our neighbors during this crisis. I am so pleased we were able to secure this donation to make life easier for those in need,” explained Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay CEO and President.

The port also provided rolls of toilet paper to staff in need. Port Tampa Bay staff are considered essential employees by the Department of Homeland Security and have continued to work during the pandemic to support the critical infrastructure needs of our community and region. You can learn more about their efforts here, Port Tampa Bay Remains Open for Business.

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Watch our interview with Port of Tampa Bay

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