Quick Pick
Don't want to scroll? Here are our top picks for Port Tampa Bay.
Want more options? Browse all restaurants and activities below.
1Where to Stay
Hotels near Port Tampa Bay for the night before
Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District
Closest hotel to the cruise port — walk to the terminal, free breakfast, and discounted parking
$$
Home2 Suites Tampa Downtown Channel District
Extended-stay suites with kitchenettes and a rooftop pool — two blocks from the cruise port
$$
Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center
All-suite hotel with free made-to-order breakfast and evening reception — families spread out and save
$$-$$$
The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
Riverwalk hotel with free port shuttle and a park-and-cruise package that covers everything
$$
Quality Inn Airport — Cruise Port
Budget-friendly with a park-and-cruise deal — stay, park, and shuttle to the port for one price
$
Hyatt Place Tampa Downtown
Modern downtown hotel with pool, free breakfast, and easy Riverwalk access for the whole family
$$
Tampa Marriott Water Street
Upscale waterfront hotel with rooftop pool — walking distance to the cruise terminals
$$$
Hilton Tampa Downtown
Full-service downtown hotel with a heated rooftop pool and a solid food-and-beverage credit
$$-$$$
Epicurean Hotel — Autograph Collection
Foodie paradise in SoHo — across from Bern's Steak House with a rooftop bar
$$$2Where to Eat
Every restaurant worth eating at near Port Tampa Bay
Sparkman Wharf Food Hall
Waterfront food stalls in shipping containers — everyone picks what they want, kids run on the lawn
Various
Columbia Restaurant
Florida's oldest restaurant with tableside salad prep that kids think is a show
Spanish/Cuban
Splitsville — Channelside
Upscale bowling alley with solid food — eat, bowl, and burn energy all in one stop
American
The Sail Pavilion
Open-air Riverwalk spot where kids can watch boats and play while you eat
American
La Segunda Bakery
Legendary Cuban bakery — fresh bread, quick sandwiches, and pastries kids devour
Cuban Bakery
Armature Works — Heights Public Market
Huge food hall where every family member picks their own meal — no arguments
Various/Food Hall
Daily Eats
Cheerful all-day breakfast spot — big pancakes, omelets, and smoothie bowls the whole family likes
American Breakfast
Ulele
Native-inspired cuisine in a restored water pump building on the Riverwalk — the setting alone is worth it
New American/Southern
Bern's Steak House
Tampa's legendary steakhouse — aged beef, the world's largest wine cellar, and a famous dessert room upstairs
Steakhouse
Noble Rice
Michelin-recognized Japanese spot at Sparkman Wharf — surprisingly great sushi steps from the port
Japanese
Casa Santo Stefano
Handmade Italian in a restored Ybor City building — old-world charm with serious pasta skills
Italian
Sparkman Wharf Food Stalls
Open-air waterfront dining with shipping container food stalls, Lighthaus beer garden, and live music steps from the port
Various/Beer Garden3Things to Do
Things to do near Port Tampa Bay before you board
Florida Aquarium
Touch tanks, penguins, and a massive outdoor splash pad — right next to the cruise port
Families with kids who love animals and water
Glazer Children's Museum
Hands-on interactive museum built for little ones — let them run, climb, and play before the cruise
Families with kids under 10
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Downtown park with splash zones, playground, and river views — free and right on the Riverwalk
Quick energy burn, families who need outdoor time
TECO Line Streetcar Ride
Free vintage streetcar that kids think is a ride — loop from the port through downtown and Ybor City
Train-loving kids, tired parents who want to sit down
Sparkman Wharf Green Space
Big waterfront lawn where kids can run while you grab food from the nearby stalls
Quick outdoor time right before boarding
Tampa Bay History Center — Treasure Seekers
Interactive pirate and explorer exhibits that feel more like a playground than a museum
Kids who love pirates, explorers, and interactive exhibits
Riverwalk Bike/Scooter Ride
Rent bikes or kid-friendly scooters and cruise the waterfront path — 2.4 miles of flat, easy riding
Active families, kids who can ride a bike
Channelside Bay Plaza
Open-air plaza near the port with splash fountains and views of the cruise ships coming and going
Quick stop when you need to kill 30 minutes near the terminal
Sparkman Wharf
Waterfront hangout with food stalls, live music, and a giant lawn — low-effort fun right at the port
Anyone who just wants to chill near the water before boarding
TECO Line Streetcar to Ybor City
Free vintage streetcar ride to Tampa's most interesting neighborhood — good for photos and exploring
Teens who want to explore without a car, history-curious types
Tampa Riverwalk
2.4-mile waterfront path with scooter rentals, food trucks, and skyline views
Active teens, anyone who wants to get outside
Splitsville — Channelside
Upscale bowling right near the port — decent food and something to actually do
Groups, competitive types, anyone bored of walking
Ybor City Street Art & Shopping
Colorful murals, vintage shops, and Cuban culture on brick-lined streets — Instagram gold
Creative teens, photographers, anyone who appreciates urban cultureTampa Bay History Center
Interactive history museum with a pirate ship replica and a surprisingly cool Florida history section
Curious teens, history fans, anyone wanting an indoor activity
Water Street Tampa
Tampa's newest neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and public art — good for a wander
Teens who want to walk around somewhere new
Ybor City Historic District
Tampa's former cigar capital — brick streets, Cuban coffee, and over a century of immigrant history
History buffs, foodies, couples wanting a walkable neighborhood
J.C. Newman Cigar Factory
Tampa's last operating cigar factory — watch hand-rolled cigars being made on a guided tour
History lovers, cigar enthusiasts, anyone curious about Tampa's roots
Tampa Museum of Art
Contemporary and ancient art in a striking waterfront building on the Riverwalk
Art lovers, couples, anyone wanting an air-conditioned escape4Getting to Your Ship
Terminal 2 (Norwegian / Royal Caribbean / Celebrity)
Terminal 3 (Carnival)
Terminal 6 (Margaritaville at Sea)
Passport & Documents
Closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) technically only require a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. However, we strongly recommend bringing a valid passport — if there's a medical emergency or you miss the ship at a foreign port, you'll need one to fly home.
Last-Minute Stops
Pick up anything you forgot before heading to the port.
Publix — Channelside
Full grocery store steps from the port — snacks, water, sunscreen, everything you forgot
1002 S Harbour Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602
DirectionsCVS Pharmacy — Downtown Tampa
Dramamine, phone chargers, toiletries, prescriptions — quick in-and-out
1120 E Kennedy Blvd, Unit 126, Tampa, FL 33602
DirectionsTarget — Walter's Crossing
Everything last-minute — clothes, electronics, snacks, toiletries, luggage tags
1544 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607
DirectionsUSPS — Downtown Tampa
Drop off mail and packages before you set sail
401 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Directions5Getting There & Parking
How to get to Port Tampa Bay — from the airport and beyond
From Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Most cruisers flying in
From Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Cruisers combining a Disney/Universal trip with their cruise
Driving & Port Parking
Cruisers driving from Florida or nearby states
Hotel Shuttle Services
Cruisers who want a stress-free morning with parking included
Uber/Lyft from Anywhere
Flexibility and door-to-door service
TECO Line Streetcar
Cruisers staying in downtown Tampa or Ybor City hotels without a car
6What to Pack
The essentials you'll actually need — plus a few things most people forget
Carry-On Day Bag
Pack these in a bag you keep with you at boarding — your checked luggage won't arrive until 3-4pm
- Swimsuit and flip-flops — Head straight to the pool after boarding
- Phone charger and portable battery — You'll drain your battery exploring and taking photos on Day 1Amazon
- Medications — Both prescription and OTC — don't risk them being in delayed luggage
- Government-issued photo ID — Required for boarding — keep it accessible, not buried in a suitcase
- Snacks and water bottles — Kids get hungry in the boarding line. Sealed snacks are allowed through security
- Change of clothes for each kid — Pool splashes, spilled drinks, cruise ship excitement — be ready
Cruise Essentials
Things that make the whole trip better
- Magnetic hooks (for cabin walls) — Cabin walls are metal — these give you hanging space for hats, lanyards, wet swimsuitsAmazon
- Power strip (non-surge, cruise-approved) — Cabins have 1-2 outlets. A cruise-approved strip lets you charge everything overnightAmazon
- Insulated tumbler — Fill it at the buffet drink station — stays cold by the pool all afternoonAmazon
- Lanyard for cruise card — Your cruise card is your room key, ID, and payment method — keep it around your neckAmazon
Easy to Forget
The things people buy overpriced at the port gift shop
- Wrinkle release spray — Irons aren't allowed on cruise ships — this saves your formal night outfitAmazon
- Highlighter or pen — For marking up the daily activity schedule — old school but effective
- Small whiteboard for cabin door — Leave messages for teens: 'We're at the pool deck' — most cabins don't have cell serviceAmazon
7Boarding Tips
1. Download the Royal Caribbean app and complete online check-in
You'll get your boarding group assignment and can set up your on-board spending account ahead of time. This alone can save you 30+ minutes at the terminal. Upload your photo for facial recognition boarding — it makes the security line faster.
2. Arrive at your assigned boarding time — not earlier
They've gotten strict about this. Showing up early means waiting in the terminal with no access to the ship. Your assigned time gets you on the ship fastest. If you have Crown & Anchor status, you may have priority boarding — check the app.
3. Pack a carry-on bag with swimsuits, meds, and essentials
Your checked luggage won't reach your cabin until 3-4pm. Pack a day bag with swimsuits, medications, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and your phone charger so you can start enjoying the ship immediately.
4. Head straight to the pool deck or Windjammer for lunch
The main dining room is packed right after boarding. The Windjammer buffet and the pool deck grill have shorter lines, and you'll snag a good lounge chair while everyone else is still exploring.
5. Book specialty dining and shows on Day 1
Popular restaurants and shows fill up fast. Open the app as soon as you board and reserve your top picks. The chef's table and specialty dinner shows sell out first.