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For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Art galleries, Cuban coffee, fine dining and overstuffed sandwiches all abound in Key West. Locals will serve you fresh coconut water by drilling a straw hole into one of the green fruits that come from the island's palm trees. Find Caribbean food and classic Cuban fare at Bien, a primarily takeout spot with outdoor seating in a laid-back, casual setting. They’re known for their grill-roasted corn-on-the-cob, served with aioli, cilantro, salt, paprika, and lime juice.
MEXICO
Carnival Details Its New Private Destination: Celebration Key - TravelAge West
Carnival Details Its New Private Destination: Celebration Key.
Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. Also, the Key West Police Department reports are filled with lost-and-found property reports from visitors.
Night Bahamas & Perfect DayDetails
On the Western, dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman or explore the ruins of Tulum when arrive in Cozumel. Quirky Key West, at the southern tip of the continental USA, lives by its own rules. The island is famous as the former home of writer Ernest Hemingway, whose villa is now a museum, and as the location of the Little White House, beloved by President Harry S. Truman. Ride the Conch Train to see the sights, or join a boat tour to snorkel over colorful coral reefs and spot wild dolphins. Browse the shops and pubs on Duval Street, and leave time to savor a slice of Key lime pie. Other ports of call might include Falmouth in Jamaica, where the sound of reggae drifts on a tropical breeze, or historic Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
There's more to explore
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. Though best known for their beautiful beaches, Caribbean destinations offer much more than that — like bold cuisine, colorful colonial towns, and rich cultural traditions from all over the world. 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. 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.
If you’re looking for art galleries and clothing boutiques, head to Duval Street. But I only book with third-party operators if the ship docks right at the city I want to explore because I never want to miss the all-aboard time. You can't visit the Bahamas for vacation without seeing the famous swimming pigs of the Exuma Island chain. Big Major Cay is the island most famous for its pig population, with around 20 pigs and piglets living here completely carefree.
Plan A Quick Vacation Getaway To The Bahamas And Key West
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. In the evening, venture to the world-famous Duval Street, to enjoy a meal, listen to live music, or pick up a souvenir to take home. While federal agents were trying to stymie drug smugglers, Keys residents decried the roadblock as a tourism disaster as well as disrespectful to its people. But Key West's mayor and his supporters failed to sway a federal court in Miami to lift the roadblock. Soon after, he read a proclamation at Mallory Square declaring the Keys no longer a part of the U.S. and demanding $1 million in foreign aid. Even in December, the forest and plants at this botanical garden in Key West retain their leaves and lush palms.
Florida
Whether you're watching whales splash in the Pacific Ocean or gazing up at Hubbard Glacier, Alaska cruises are all about wild natural wonder. Key West, the southernmost city in the continental U.S., is the last in a chain of tiny tropical islands -- the Florida Keys -- scattered off the mainland. Dubbed the "Conch Republic," Key West is a very popular destination on Western Caribbean itineraries -- and is easily one of the funkiest and fascinating ports of call in all of cruising. In Mallory Square, you’ll find lots of local vendors selling seashells, souvenirs, cigars, rum, and of course, key lime pie.
Key West
Stop at nearby sandwich stand Cayo Hueso for a cold drink or a sandwich. 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. No Caribbean cruise is quite complete without experiencing Key West’s day-and-night bustle.
Find Cruises to Key West from Orlando (Port Canaveral)
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. 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.
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Key West, FL 2024 (with Prices) - Key West Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Key West, FL 2024 (with Prices) - Key West Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:15:54 GMT [source]
If the ship docks in a secondary location and you have to travel to the big tourist destinations, I always book excursions through the cruise line. For instance, the day my family and I explored Rome, the ship docked in Civitavecchia, Italy, and we had to take a two-hour bus ride into the city. You will find your favorite Caribbean cruise ports no matter what direction you go. Travel the Southern side and wander down the colorful streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Or take on the Yucatán in the east and soak up the sun on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Key West is an island, or Key, that is just two miles long by four miles wide, so all the essentials are near the docks -- bars, restaurants, shopping, scuba diving and beach-going. Mallory Square, on the waterfront near the docks, has restaurants, shops and public restrooms. 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. Calypso Lagoon, just to the west, is home to the sport court, the freshwater lagoon and lounging options galore.
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. In the hours leading up to dusk, head to Mallory Square and watch as it comes to life with acrobats, dancers and performers. Booking with the cruise company guarantees your return to the ship, even if your excursion runs late.
Beyond the items for sale, the space will have music and murals to enhance the space, and local food. Debuting in summer 2025, the port of call will welcome ships from Florida ports Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Tampa and Jacksonville, as well as six other U.S. ports. Some ports of call, like Nice, France, were easy to get around, but others like Rome were packed to the gills. I wanted the day to end before we even made it to the Vatican on our tour. As someone who's taken over 50 cruises all over the world, I know firsthand how popular cruising is this year.
Cruise ships usually dock at either Pier B, near the Truman Annex, or the Navy-owned Outer Mole pier, near Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. If docked at the latter, a tourist trolley shuttles you off the base into town. The move to secede was short-lived but remains a point of pride for Key Westers, who still fly the blue "Conch Republic" flag in the subtropical heat and ocean breezes.
My biggest tip for any cruise — but especially for Americans traveling to Europe for a Mediterranean cruise — is to arrive at your embarkation city at least a day before your sailing starts. Picking the right port is important not just for convenience, but because the port is a destination in itself. The port is your home base, and you'll want to take full advantage of it either before you board or after you depart.
Add the rambunctious pigs on Great Exuma Island and snorkeling among the reefs, and you've got more than enough fodder for an epic Bahamas vacation. Experience a taste of Caribbean culture in this southern most town in the continental U.S. In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Key West has a rich history which is celebrated in the many museums of the island. Popular bars, T-shirt and souvenir shops and art galleries line both sides of the street and can be found from the 200 block to the end near Mallory Square.
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